Pilot Qualified

AVT

AVT

USAFA 2015
10-Year Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2009
Messages
372
I have been medically qualified for about 9 days now.
On my USAFA file, it says "Qualified" under Medical Status.

How can I find out if I am Pilot Qualified?
 
The air force does that once you're at the academy. They basically just make you medically qualified to attend the academy. Once you get there, you will go through numerous other medicals in your first 2 years. They will then decide if you are pilot qualified. But, as long as you medically qualify for the academy, that is the main thing. After that, as long as you're not like 6ft 11 inches, and your eyes are correctable to 20/20 either naturally; via PRK surgery; or through a contact waiver; you should be fine. good luck. mike....
 
I was under the impression that admissions defines candidates as "potentially pilot qualified" as I believe they want a certain number in each class to qualify in that category; and it's a factor to an appointment.
 
I heard that they did that with earlier classes, but last year (2014) we were told that they no longer gave that information out to the candidates. Now if you contacted Larry Mullen, he would probably be able to find out for you, but I think they had too many people in the long run saying "But they TOLD me I'd be able to fly" so stopped informing candidates as to PPQ status.
 
My response from him was that admissions makes that desigination.
The purpose of the "potentially" is that anything can happen in the next 4 years that could disqualify one from flying.
 
My understanding is that while it may be known to admissions, they no longer provide the information to the candidate. Possibly if you called admissions and asked they may tell you, or they may not.
 
I would think you would know yourself if you are PPQ. I mean unless you have something that might potential disqualify you and you are just not sure. If that is the case, you can certainly ask Larry Mullen if that particular thing would disqualify you.
 
We were told in an admissions briefing that anyone that goes to the AFA, unless medically disqualified or has been a disciplinary problem while attending, will have the opportunity to fly. If accepted to the AFA your chances of becoming a pilot are pretty good.
 
My near point of convergence was recorded at 4 in or 10.16 cm.
I saw something online where one must have a near point of convergence under 10 cm to qualify to be an Army helicopter pilot.
I could not find anything for Air Force pilots.

My optometrist had given exercises where I was able to reduce my near point of convergence to an acceptable value in a matter of minutes, so I do not have that problem anymore.
 
Well my caution to you would be that if you want to attend USAFA and it is contingent on you being able to fly. Probably not the place to go. Why?

Even if you walk in the door on day 1 PPQ, that could change on day 2 or any day beyond. There are so many things that will be out of your control.

You need to make the decision to go based upon being happy there and after regardless if you will get to fly or not.

You could end up making it all the way to UPT and only then find out that you can't handle flying without getting airsick, then what?

So, go to USAFA to be an officer first, pilot second...
 
My goal is to be an Air Force officer and becoming a pilot is not my number one choice as a career. My main concern was that if I wasn't deemed PPQ I would have less chance of an appointment even if I "fixed" my near point of convergence by training my eye muscles.
 
Your pilot qualification will be determined after you become a cadet. While it is true that the academy use to put a lot more emphasis on PQ status, they are finding that they usually have more than enough pilot qualified individuals; and that while 90% walk into the academy with dreams of flying; only about 50% of the class will actually apply for Undergraduate Pilot Training. The rest will change their mind. New dreams. Don't want to give 10 years of their lives. etc... So don't worry about believing that your chances of getting an appointment will be affected. It won't. Your application simply state "Medically Qualified". That's all they see for now, and that's all they care about for now.

And it is very nice to see comments like Bandit's. AVT, you obviously have the "RIGHT ATTITUDE" towards the academy. Good for you. But there are plenty who don't. Many want to fly, be the first astronaut to Mars, Medical School, etc.... And if they can't be guaranteed that on day 1, they don't want anything to do with the academy. Some even go the first 2 years at the academy to see what the chances are of them getting the job they want. If they see, based on other classes and graduates, that their chance of a certain path doesn't look good, they will quit prior to commitment on their 3rd year. Best of luck. Mike....
 
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