I am a senior in high school and want to be a pilot in the Air Force (going through ROTC). I know that is a long time away just wondering how available pilot slots are and what you can do to help your chances of one. I currently have 20 flight hours and am going to Western Michigan University for flight science to build flight hours along with their ROTC program. How many pilots are taken from ROTC, and what are the requirements?
AFROTC Pilot slot
- Thread starter AFROTCP
- Start date
Bird12
Member
- Joined
- May 1, 2016
- Messages
- 35
AFROTCP, you're right that you're early on the scene, but there's nothing wrong with a head start. Here are some main points:
- The Air Force is taking a lot of pilot slots, if you've got flight hours, a good GPA, and decent rankings (i.e. get along with your cadre and peers), you're gtg. That being said, I don't know what it will look like by the time you commission/go active duty, but the Air Force's pilot shortage doesn't appear to be going away any time soon.
- Major in what you enjoy. You're more likely to get a higher GPA that way and if you don't get a pilot slot you have a higher chance of landing in a field you like.
- Prioritize your GPA. Too many cadets do everything they can in ROTC and let their grades slip. Your GPA impacts so many things, and sticks with you for years. Invest in it, it will be worth it, I promise.
- Game the PFA. Everyone is different but good workouts and proper technique can get you a high or perfect score, which goes a long ways.
- Be a good friend, classmate, wingman. Being honest, social, or engaging with other ppl goes farther in rankings and life than a lot of other things. Yes, know your stuff as best you can. Yes, compete hard. Yes, know when to be firm and when to shut up and follow orders.. But seriously, being an open, engaging, supportive person is the foundation of not only success in ROTC or throughout your career, but also in your public and private life.
Lengthy, maybe a little preachy lol, but just some honest thoughts. Feel free to PM me. With flying hours, a good school, and a long term plan you're already off and running. Best of luck bro!
- The Air Force is taking a lot of pilot slots, if you've got flight hours, a good GPA, and decent rankings (i.e. get along with your cadre and peers), you're gtg. That being said, I don't know what it will look like by the time you commission/go active duty, but the Air Force's pilot shortage doesn't appear to be going away any time soon.
- Major in what you enjoy. You're more likely to get a higher GPA that way and if you don't get a pilot slot you have a higher chance of landing in a field you like.
- Prioritize your GPA. Too many cadets do everything they can in ROTC and let their grades slip. Your GPA impacts so many things, and sticks with you for years. Invest in it, it will be worth it, I promise.
- Game the PFA. Everyone is different but good workouts and proper technique can get you a high or perfect score, which goes a long ways.
- Be a good friend, classmate, wingman. Being honest, social, or engaging with other ppl goes farther in rankings and life than a lot of other things. Yes, know your stuff as best you can. Yes, compete hard. Yes, know when to be firm and when to shut up and follow orders.. But seriously, being an open, engaging, supportive person is the foundation of not only success in ROTC or throughout your career, but also in your public and private life.
Lengthy, maybe a little preachy lol, but just some honest thoughts. Feel free to PM me. With flying hours, a good school, and a long term plan you're already off and running. Best of luck bro!
My son got a pilot spot. So this is what will need based on today's Air Force
Gpa that is 3.0 or higher. The higher the better
Do well on the AFOTQ test which is like a timed SAT test with flight and navigational problems. Get a 95 or higher on the Pilot score
Have a private pilot license
Try to have as many hours flight hours as possible. 201 is the max in terms of benefit
Do well on the Physical Fitness test. Try to have over a 94
Rank in top third at Air Force Field Training which is done in the summer between Sophomore and Junior Year
Ranked well by the Rotc Commander
Do well on the TBAS Test which is a computer test that includes hand eye coordination. Your TBAS score along with your AFOQT Pilot score and flight hours gives you a PCSM score. Anything over a 90 and you are doing well. My son had a 98
Before you have to worry about this, check your eyes. Make sure you arent color blind, have depth perception problems or that your eyes arent correctable to 20/20. You need to look up what is the worst you eyes can be in terms of near and far sighted along with if you have any astigmatism. My sons friend lost his pilot spot even though he had perfect vision and had no problems with color blindness or depth perception. Looks like he was born with some form of cataracts and although it made no difference in his vision, he lost his pilot spot. I would suggest getting an exam by an ophthalmologist and have your eyes examined from top to bottom. If you could find one that is connected to the military that would even be better. Lots of people lose their pilot spot because of vision. I heard of one person who lost their spot because the position of the eyes in the eye socket was slightly off. I know someone else that couldnt have their eyes corrected to 20/20. It was very close but not 20/20
Gpa that is 3.0 or higher. The higher the better
Do well on the AFOTQ test which is like a timed SAT test with flight and navigational problems. Get a 95 or higher on the Pilot score
Have a private pilot license
Try to have as many hours flight hours as possible. 201 is the max in terms of benefit
Do well on the Physical Fitness test. Try to have over a 94
Rank in top third at Air Force Field Training which is done in the summer between Sophomore and Junior Year
Ranked well by the Rotc Commander
Do well on the TBAS Test which is a computer test that includes hand eye coordination. Your TBAS score along with your AFOQT Pilot score and flight hours gives you a PCSM score. Anything over a 90 and you are doing well. My son had a 98
Before you have to worry about this, check your eyes. Make sure you arent color blind, have depth perception problems or that your eyes arent correctable to 20/20. You need to look up what is the worst you eyes can be in terms of near and far sighted along with if you have any astigmatism. My sons friend lost his pilot spot even though he had perfect vision and had no problems with color blindness or depth perception. Looks like he was born with some form of cataracts and although it made no difference in his vision, he lost his pilot spot. I would suggest getting an exam by an ophthalmologist and have your eyes examined from top to bottom. If you could find one that is connected to the military that would even be better. Lots of people lose their pilot spot because of vision. I heard of one person who lost their spot because the position of the eyes in the eye socket was slightly off. I know someone else that couldnt have their eyes corrected to 20/20. It was very close but not 20/20