Getting PPL at the Academy?

A

AFCGN2025

USAFA c/o 2025
Joined
Nov 1, 2020
Messages
69
I was looking over the USAFA flying teams website and I saw that they say that some of their members earned their PPL during Freshman year at the academy. To those who have been to USAFA, how exactly does this work?

Sorry if this question has already been asked before. Thanks!
 
So there is no class or program at USAFA where Doolies get their PPL. Some arrive with the PPL. If someone got their PPL as a Doolie, they funded it themselves and did it in their free time.
 
BuckeyeDad20 said:
So there is no class or program at USAFA where Doolies get their PPL. Some arrive with the PPL. If someone got their PPL as a Doolie, they funded it themselves and did it in their free time.
Click to expand...
I was thinking that that was the case.
2025mustelse said:
I may be wrong, but isn’t there a course called “Powered Flight” that can give you flight hours? Or is that a club?
Click to expand...
I had seen a video during my admissions brief and campus tour that mentioned something like that but when I asked a cadet later about the clubs he said there were only clubs for flight simulators.

Thanks for your responses!
 
The Powered Flight course gives ground school academics and several flights (maybe 5?) and an opportunity to solo if you do well enough. It is an introductory course and not a PPL course, although the hours can be logged toward a PPL.

My info for obtaining a PPL while a doolie is 10 years old so I can’t guarantee it, but there used to be three Cessna 172s that were at the airfield available to rent to take lessons and some upper class cadets who taught flying lessons. It was on the person to find the time and schedule it.

Stealth_81
 
www.usafaflyingteam.com

USAFA Flying Team - Join the Team

All team members are Air Force Academy Cadets. Therefore, the first step to being on the team is being accepted to the Academy. After completing Basic Cadet Training (BCT), cadets attend an event known as Blue Rush, where the Flying Team offers a sign up sheet to those cadets interested. An FAA
www.usafaflyingteam.com www.usafaflyingteam.com
DS is curious about this team also. DS is in progress to have his PPL completed by summer but I do see where it states some get theirs freshman year.
 
The Flying team is highly competitive because, well its the Air Force Academy. Cadets have the opportunity to apply during 4 degree year. They always say you do not need a PPL to join but it is highly encouraged. If the cadet has almost completed required PPL hours and requirements the team may be able to get the rest of the hours. I believe it would be nearly impossible to join with 0 flight experience.

As far as Powered Flight, the course is offered to Rising Firsties and Firsties during the academic year. You will get ground school and roughly 12 hours worth of flights in a T-53 (Cirrus). It is not currently mandatory for any career fields as all pilots selects will be required to attend Initial Flight Training before UPT.
 
For the flying team the requirement is PPL by around March/April, and they recently added a deadline to have 15 hour by winter break. That said if you are serious about trying out plan to show up at the Academy with your license, as few cadet are able to find the time to earn their licenses during the academic year.
 
Small_Goose said:
For the flying team the requirement is PPL by around March/April, and they recently added a deadline to have 15 hour by winter break. That said if you are serious about trying out plan to show up at the Academy with your license, as few cadet are able to find the time to earn their licenses during the academic year.
Click to expand...
Yeah I was thinking that many cadets would simply not have the free time to earn it.
 
My DS, a 24, is trying out for the Flight Team and has made it thru the second last cut to 15 - they will cut to 8 at the end by mid-march (normally it is 9 per class). He had his PPL before arriving. He can't imagine trying to get his PPL during his Doolie year. There is an airfield on base they have access to as well as flight instructors, that they pay for out of their own pocket at market rates but the planes were booked up sometimes weeks in advance. Plus with COVID this year there are less opportunities. And just overall, trying to get a ride to the airfield, schedule time, studying for it, etc while also doing everything else as a Doolie does would be intense.

There is a GPA cut off along with a series of tests, essay and interviews they have to complete. They then practice with the team for a bit, do a flight and then the final cuts are made. He is hopeful he will make the team and has very positive things to say about the upperclassman on the team. He does also appreciate that it is an intense time commitment once you make the team so think it through and be ready for that aspect of it.
 
I know the flying team takes up a lot of time. I’ve heard it’s a similar commitment to doing a varsity sport. But I also know that every cadet is an athlete. How do cadets on the flying team balance academics, flying, and athletics? Are any involved in sports, or do they have to exercise on their own to prepare for the PFT and AFT?
 
tucson.bellingham said:
every cadet is an athlete.
Click to expand...
lol - if this is referring to the requirement that everyone do intramural sports...that's hardly any time at all (and I wouldn't call our squadron intramural softball team athletes...yikes), but clubs can get LOS status (Limited on Season I think is what that stands for...) which means the club takes the place of intramural sports, so really it's just the need to balance staying in shape, which can easily be done with minimal time as long as the workouts are well chosen and planned. Many clubs with LOS workout together to make sure everyone is good to go for their tests. My firstie year (when I wasn't on the tennis team anymore) I led the show choir band - we had LOS status, but clearly our club was not exactly athletic...so as a band we did mini workouts after rehearsals, to help make sure everyone was able to remain in good standing (no athletic probation).
 
I just wondering that my DS just got his PPL before application, is it help him to got LOA ?
 
matlisa said:
I just wondering that my DS just got his PPL before application, is it help him to got LOA ?
Click to expand...
LOA’s are handed out to a select few, and 99% of them go to recruited athletes. Your DS’s end goal should be an appointment, not an LOA. However, getting a PPL probably would help his application (as long as getting it doesn’t require him to sacrifice other things such as grades, school involvement, and community service)
 
USAFA_86 said:
LOA分发给了少数人，其中99％交给了新招的运动员。DS的最终目标应该是约会，而不是LOA。但是，获得PPL可能会对他的申请有所帮助（只要获得PPL并不需要他牺牲成绩，学校参与度和社区服务等其他条件）
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for your answer, and I got the difference between LOA & Appointment.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top