Flying?
- Thread starter KiwiBird
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Reason? "I don't want to be a pilot?" After their first, second, third, glider flights----"ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? THAT WAS GREAT!!! CAN I START UPT AS A DOOLIE? CAN I B E AN ASTRONAUT NOW?? WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THIS WAS THAT MUCH FUN AND PROFESSIONALLY REWARDING??? 
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Or in my case the opposite...."that was all right, flying in an F-16 was fun, gliders were fun - but do I really want this to be my job?" I was sure coming into USAFA that I wanted to be a pilot, I liked flying a lot - but, realized I like physics more
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USAFA10s. That is correct also...BLUF: Have the experience flying, subs, airborne, etc.
For the older folks "Let Mikey try it...He likes it!"
For the younger crowd...you never know until you try it.
For the older folks "Let Mikey try it...He likes it!"
For the younger crowd...you never know until you try it.
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Are you USAF Pilot qualified? I ask because in the past, those who were PQ and chose not to fly had to explain to senior leadership why they wanted to choose a different path. The AF needs pilots. USAFA is a significant feeder into UPT programs and although producing pilot training candidates is not the primary mission of USAFA, it is a big part of what we do. Just be prepared to have the conversation.... with a general officer.
I'm not sure, but my vision gets fuzzy on roller coasters, so I don't think I'd be able to anyway.
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My pilot son loses his lunch on fishing trips if the sea is anything but glass-like. He says that when he is in control of the rolls and loops while flying he is fine. It’s when the motion is outside his control that he hurls.
Stealth_81
I am the same way when I take flight lessons. If I am the one in control, I am fine. But whenever someone else takes over or I am in the backseat, I start to feel sick.
I don't get sick or anything, I meant about the G-force. I'd probably pass out during that training.
This is great to hear, but possibly conflicts with another recent thread that describes how some PQ '21 cadets who wanted pilot slots didn't receive them. Someone wrote that only approx. 400 pilot slots dropped (excluding 50 or so RPA slots). If so, why would senior leadership want an "explanation" for those PQ who select non-rated careers when not enough pilots slots drop?
Volbeater7734
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I wonder how many cadets are disqualified and granted waivers to fly? Is it like DoDMERB where you are automatically considered for waivers or do you have to specifically start the process yourself?
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Obviously if all of the allocated slots are filled, it is a non-issue. This my first time hearing of a shortage of slots at USAFA - must have missed the other thread. Historically, there are more slots than medically qualified and it has been that way for the majority of the last 25+ years. Needs of the Air Force could be changing, but this is surprising news to me.
I was surprised as well.
Jobs dropping at USAFA today !!
Here’s to hoping that everyone gets what they want for their future.
www.serviceacademyforums.com
2025mustelse
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Right now it’s only possible to have a hunch if we are going to be PQ correct?
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Disclaimer - I only consulted Dr. Google, but found this from a reliable source:
Generally speaking, pilot candidates must:
• Meet Air Force weight and physical conditioning requirements.
• Have no history of hay fever, asthma or allergies after age 12.
• Have normal color vision with near visual acuity of 20/30 without correction and distance visual acuity of no worse than 20/70 in each eye, correctable to 20/20.
• Meet refraction, accommodation and astigmatism requirements—corrective eye surgery could be a disqualifier.
• Have or be within 365 days of receiving a baccalaureate degree (BA or BS) in any major with a GPA of at least 2.5.
Note that if you have prior flight time, this is a plus in being considered for a Pilot/Combat Systems Officer (CSO) assignment. CSO Distance 20/200 corrected to 20/20, near vision 20/40 corrected to 20/20 RPA distance vision 20/400 corrected to 20/20, near there is no standard for uncorrected near vison, but must be corrected to 20/20
www.airforce.com
Generally speaking, pilot candidates must:
• Meet Air Force weight and physical conditioning requirements.
• Have no history of hay fever, asthma or allergies after age 12.
• Have normal color vision with near visual acuity of 20/30 without correction and distance visual acuity of no worse than 20/70 in each eye, correctable to 20/20.
• Meet refraction, accommodation and astigmatism requirements—corrective eye surgery could be a disqualifier.
• Have or be within 365 days of receiving a baccalaureate degree (BA or BS) in any major with a GPA of at least 2.5.
Note that if you have prior flight time, this is a plus in being considered for a Pilot/Combat Systems Officer (CSO) assignment. CSO Distance 20/200 corrected to 20/20, near vision 20/40 corrected to 20/20 RPA distance vision 20/400 corrected to 20/20, near there is no standard for uncorrected near vison, but must be corrected to 20/20
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raimius
15-Year Member
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Those are the basic requirements, but there are waivers. I have roughly 20/200, but it corrects to better than 20/20. Every year at my eye exam, the tech goes "Ok, without your glasses, can you read line 10?" "No...but the top line says E. Can I put my glasses on...ok line 12 is A K C Q R P C."Disclaimer - I only consulted Dr. Google, but found this from a reliable source:
Generally speaking, pilot candidates must:
• Meet Air Force weight and physical conditioning requirements.
• Have no history of hay fever, asthma or allergies after age 12.
• Have normal color vision with near visual acuity of 20/30 without correction and distance visual acuity of no worse than 20/70 in each eye, correctable to 20/20.
• Meet refraction, accommodation and astigmatism requirements—corrective eye surgery could be a disqualifier.
• Have or be within 365 days of receiving a baccalaureate degree (BA or BS) in any major with a GPA of at least 2.5.
Note that if you have prior flight time, this is a plus in being considered for a Pilot/Combat Systems Officer (CSO) assignment. CSO Distance 20/200 corrected to 20/20, near vision 20/40 corrected to 20/20 RPA distance vision 20/400 corrected to 20/20, near there is no standard for uncorrected near vison, but must be corrected to 20/20
U.S. Air Force
Welcome to the United States Air Force. Learn about great opportunities for enlisted airmen, officers and health care professionals.
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Examiner: Read the lowest line you can read clearly.Those are the basic requirements, but there are waivers. I have roughly 20/200, but it corrects to better than 20/20. Every year at my eye exam, the tech goes "Ok, without your glasses, can you read line 10?" "No...but the top line says E. Can I put my glasses on...ok line 12 is A K C Q R P C."
Patient: Made in Taiwan.
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I can personally attest to that response being VERY VERY frowned upon by senior flight surgeons in the USAF.
Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
(and onetime SmartA 1Lt Pilot)