Is the “Fighter Pilot Power Pack” a scam?
For questions regarding Ed Rush’s Fighter Pilot Power Pack (an aid to becoming a fighter pilot), see this commentary.
Tag Archives: Fighter Pilot
Who are better: Navy or Air Force pilots?
First of all, the Navy calls their “pilots” aviators. (This is because in nautical terms the “pilot” is the guy who drives the boat.) It is also worth noting that the majority of “naval aviators” fly helicopters or heavies.
Still, it depends.
Should I enlist to become a fighter pilot?
Some people may have trouble getting into college (or the military academies), or they may get pressure from a recruiter to serve their country by enlisting. This is not the optimum way to become a fighter pilot.
Don’t get the wrong impression. There are many sharp troops, and the military would fail if it didn’t ride on the strength of the shoulders of its enlisted soldiers and airmen. The problem is that enlisted troops’ first priority is doing their job, and doing it well–it is not viewed as a “stepping stone” to a career as an officer. It’s not easy to get a college degree on the side, which is what some people think they’ll be able to do. If you have the option, it would probably be better to go to college on your own (paying your own way) than to enlist.
That said, if you do enlist or already have, there are some good options. The Montgomery GI Bill is an excellent way to get your college degree paid for–which is the first step to becoming an officer (and thus a pilot). (If you are offered the GI Bill option in basic training, though it may reduce your pay for awhile–take it.) The Air Force also has specific enlisted-to-officer programs, which include variations of the “Boot Strap” commissioning program and also reserved slots at the Air Force Academy. (See the “Leaders Encouraging Airman Development (LEAD)” program at USAFA.) Remember that you can’t have dependents if you want to go to the Academy, so you can’t be married (or divorced with dependents) or have kids, which may be easy to forget when you’re an independent adult as an enlisted airman.
Your best option is always to keep your commander and leadership informed of your desires. They want to see you succeed. If they know you want to become an officer, and you demonstrate your potential to them, they’ll help you in any way they can.
How many times a year does a fighter pilot deploy?
Unfortunately, this question has no firm answer and varies widely depending on the specific aircraft as well as global events.
As a general rule, a single squadron may deploy for one 3 to 6 month tour every 18 to 24 months. That is just a potential combat deployment, though. Squadrons may still deploy to locations for Flag exercises (Red Flag at Nellis in Las Vegas, for example) or for a variety of other training deployments or cross-countries. It is also possible that a squadron will be assigned to “cover” a six month deployment, and they will do so by swapping out their pilots halfway through, which means that everyone gets a 3 month deployment rather than the full six.
The precise number of days a fighter pilot will be gone from home varies widely and may depend on a pilot’s timing (when he arrives; i.e., if he gets there right after the squadron returns from a deployment, it may be awhile before they leave again), the political environment, the squadron’s capabilities, the leadership, and just about any other variable you can think of.
What does this fighter pilot phrase mean?
A dictionary of terms and acronyms used by fighter pilots can be found in Fighter Pilot Speak.
How long does it take to become a fighter pilot?
In the Air Force, after you are commissioned it takes approximately one year to accomplish undergraduate pilot training (UPT) , three months for IFF, a few weeks for SERE and water survival, and approximately six months for your fighter’s basic course. This translates to about two years from the day you started pilot training. Once you arrive at your first base, it will take you an additional 2 to 3 months to become mission ready (i.e., qualified to fly into combat).
What academic major would help me be a pilot?
Advanced classes in high school are not necessary, but they tend to make you a better academic student in college. This, in turn, increases your academic standing which makes it more likely you’ll be selected for a pilot slot.
For college, it has been said that those who are good at math, science, and engineering will make good pilots; however, there are probably just as many History and English majors flying fighters these days. The choice is more a function of personality than necessity. It is generally better to major in what you enjoy, because you’ll not only do better (thus, getting better grades and a better class ranking), but you’ll also have fun doing it. Besides, if the whole fighter pilot thing doesn’t work out, you’ll have an actual degree to fall back on.
It is true that a mind that can comprehend engineering, math, and sciences may help you understand (and thus do better in) certain aspects of aviation. However, purely from a data point of view, your GPA is more important than the content of the major itself. Currently, you must have a GPA above 2.5 to become an aviator in the Air Force.
Does the Air Force Academy get more pilot slots?
The likelihood of getting a pilot slot is dependent upon how many pilots the Air Force needs. Several years ago the Air Force had a pilot “excess,” rather than “shortage.” As a result, they culled their applicants with requirements for 20/20 vision, and they also favored USAFA graduates, which was one of the benefits of Academy attendance. Now, though, the Air Force has had such a need for pilots in recent years that virtually anyone (Academy, ROTC, OTS) who has wanted to get a slot could, assuming they were somewhat medically qualified. That may not always be the case. Like most things in the military, it will probably be cyclical.
Statistically speaking, the US Air Force Academy has more pilot slots than the US Naval Academy.