Pilot Test

BHilbun

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May 3, 2018
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I recently heard there is a pilot test all applicants take and was wondering if there is a specific name for it? Also, if there is a test, when is it administered? Thank you in advance.
 
Like a test as part of the admissions process to the academy? or a test for cadets trying to get a rated slot for their postgrad career?
 
Never heard of such a thing. I think there might be a misunderstanding somewhere.
 
The only "test" that can qualify or disqualify you for a pilot slot at the Academy is the more extensive vision test. This is administered starting your second year. The cadets, I believe during the first year, also take the AFOQT, but it is not used to determine whether or not you can go for a rated slot.
 
The only "test" that can qualify or disqualify you for a pilot slot at the Academy is the more extensive vision test. This is administered starting your second year. The cadets, I believe during the first year, also take the AFOQT, but it is not used to determine whether or not you can go for a rated slot.
The AFOQT is a pass/fail selection measure for becoming a pilot. However, the standards on the exam are quite low to meet the pilot minimum
 
USNA has a 'pilot test' it offers Mids interested in becoming pilots or FO's. They get three opportunities to 'pass it' I took one from the USMC (40 years ago) and that exam was primarily focused on spatial orientation. It would have a picture and you had to describe your position relative to it.

USAFA did not have a similar test. USAFA has a number of 'flying' opportunities with the glider program, the parachute program, powered flight etc. My impression has always been that USAFA puts you in the air to determine if you have the basic skill set to learn how to become a pilot.

No doubt things could have changed, but there is no 'flight screening' test as part of the admissions process as of 2 years ago.
 
USAFA did not have a similar test. USAFA has a number of 'flying' opportunities with the glider program, the parachute program, powered flight etc. My impression has always been that USAFA puts you in the air to determine if you have the basic skill set to learn how to become a pilot.

I think the OP is talking about the AFOQT and TBAS, but wanted to make a note here-

Honestly, USAFA doesn't really screen people for aptitude for flying in its basic airmanship programs. All airmanship programs are pass/fail and don't affect whether or not you can get a pilot slot...with the exception of Powered Flight. They've made Powered Flight essentially mandatory in recent years for pilot selection (you can still get a waiver if for some reason you can't get in the program), but pretty much as long as you show up to the airfield for Powered Flight, you'll pass. They don't really have any skill requirement to complete the program, and even if you develop airsickness or are really terrible at flying, they're just trying to give you a brief exposure to what flying a single engine aircraft is like.

The first time you're really screened for flying aptitude is when you start training after graduation in Pueblo (IFT, but they're changing back to IFS) or at your UPT base.

The rationale there is that USAFA airmanship programs should motivate cadets to pursue rated careers and develop big picture airmaship/leadership skills, not serve as screeners. Another nuance there is that for cadets interested in applying for ENJJPT, participation in one of the advanced airmanship programs (WOB, Soaring IPs, Flying Team) can provide an advantage in the form of a recommendation from an airfield squadron commander.

Long post, but I just wanted to make the point that you aren't truly screened for flying aptitude until you're a lieutenant in AETC.
 
USAFA did not have a similar test. USAFA has a number of 'flying' opportunities with the glider program, the parachute program, powered flight etc. My impression has always been that USAFA puts you in the air to determine if you have the basic skill set to learn how to become a pilot.

I think the OP is talking about the AFOQT and TBAS, but wanted to make a note here-

Honestly, USAFA doesn't really screen people for aptitude for flying in its basic airmanship programs. All airmanship programs are pass/fail and don't affect whether or not you can get a pilot slot...with the exception of Powered Flight. They've made Powered Flight essentially mandatory in recent years for pilot selection (you can still get a waiver if for some reason you can't get in the program), but pretty much as long as you show up to the airfield for Powered Flight, you'll pass. They don't really have any skill requirement to complete the program, and even if you develop airsickness or are really terrible at flying, they're just trying to give you a brief exposure to what flying a single engine aircraft is like.

The first time you're really screened for flying aptitude is when you start training after graduation in Pueblo (IFT, but they're changing back to IFS) or at your UPT base.

The rationale there is that USAFA airmanship programs should motivate cadets to pursue rated careers and develop big picture airmaship/leadership skills, not serve as screeners. Another nuance there is that for cadets interested in applying for ENJJPT, participation in one of the advanced airmanship programs (WOB, Soaring IPs, Flying Team) can provide an advantage in the form of a recommendation from an airfield squadron commander.
Long post, but I just wanted to make the point that you aren't truly screened for flying aptitude until you're a lieutenant in AETC.

I agree as to the purpose of the airmanship programs. We had T41 (which I assume per your post is now at Pueblo which you did have to pass and some of my classmates did not. My larger point - if you want to fly or at least think you do - you simply can't beat all the opportunities USAFA provides to get you in the air (at the USAF's expense) and I do not recall ever taking a 'test' regarding aptitude.
 
So here's a general lay out:

-Freshman year you'll take an introductory glider class (doesn't affect you for pilot at all)
-End of freshman year you'll take the AFOQT, which has math, reading, spatial reasoning and a few other sections. You must get a certain score tobe pilot qualified (as said above it's low) and you can retake it
-Sophomore summer you'll most likely take some sort of airmanship (jump, soaring, or RPAs) Again, this doesn't affect you for pilot unless you join the soaring or jump team
-Sophomore year you'll take an eye exam to see if you qualify for pilot visually or as a pre-screener for PRK
-Junior year you'll take a complete physical to see if you're qualified to be a pilot
-Junior year (or maybe senior summer) you'll take powered flight, a half semester, 13 flight introduction to flying single engine aircraft
-Somewhere in this timeframe you'll take the TBAS, where you literally sit in a flight simulator type set up and complete manuevers. You must also obtain a minimum score and you can retest
-Together, your AFOQT and TBAS scores along with your number of flying hours will be combined into a PCSM (Google acronyms), which will both determine if you're competitive to be a pilot
-If you meet the minimums, you're almost guaranteed a slot. If you're trying for a more competitive flying program like ENJPPT (guaranteed to be a fighter or bomber pilot and train with international pilots) your scores become more important

Probably more info than you wanted, but hope this helps! Nothing happens before your cadet career involving flying eligibility.
 
Does that mean that being on WOB or being a soaring IP does affect chances of getting a pilot slot? I'm guessing it would help chances?
 
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