Potential Pilot Qualified (PPQ)

[afrotc2022]

Is there anyway to check if I am potential pilot qualified on the DoDMERB site or USAFA/AFROTC sites?

There are some other threads about this, and they say that if your status is "commission qualified" you are NOT PPQ. But they are a few years old, and things may have changed.

My DODMERB status is "Qualified", but it says nothing about pilot. As far as I know (for AFROTC at least) you can't even compete for a pilot slot if your DODMERB isn't PPQ.

Thanks everyone!
(Moderators, if you think this should go under ROTC, go ahead and move it. Thanks!)

 

[Humey]

Doesn’t work that way . When you get selected for a pilot spot you then get a 2-3 day pilot physical that includes vision testing , blood work and everything else they can think of . Any initial exam early on means nothing nothing until that final physical

 

[AROTC-dad]

Agree with Humey.

Your passing DoDMERB only means that you are medically qualified for the program you have applied for (USAFA or AFROTC).

Flight Physicals for ALL branches of service are completely separate and much more in-depth.

 

[afrotc2022]

Doesn’t work that way . When you get selected for a pilot spot you then get a 2-3 day pilot physical that includes vision testing , blood work and everything else they can think of . Any initial exam early on means nothing nothing until that final physical

Correct, but according to my brother (an C/3C in AFROTC), AFROTC looks at your latest medical exam results (usually DoDMERB), enters those parameters into WINGS, and HQ decides if you are "potentially" pilot qualified. Then they let you apply for a slot, and then when you get it, you go to WPAFB for the FC1.
I was just wondering if there's any way I can figure out if my parameters meet AFROTC/USAF PPQ requirements.

 

[Humey]

Doesn’t work that way . When you get selected for a pilot spot you then get a 2-3 day pilot physical that includes vision testing , blood work and everything else they can think of . Any initial exam early on means nothing nothing until that final physical

Correct, but according to my brother (an C/3C in AFROTC), AFROTC looks at your latest medical exam results (usually DoDMERB), enters those parameters into WINGS, and HQ decides if you are "potentially" pilot qualified. Then they let you apply for a slot, and then when you get it, you go to WPAFB for the FC1.
I was just wondering if there's any way I can figure out if my parameters meet AFROTC/USAF PPQ requirements.

I think you need to be normal, average blood pressure, heart rate with no outstanding medical problems. Eyesight within range. I dont think these exams are very detailed

 

[5Day]

If you really want to do your homework sift through the aeromedical standards here https://www.aviationmedicine.com/in...rences/aeromedical-standards-and-regulations/ and determine for yourself if you qualify

 

[afrotc2022]

Alright, thanks everybody! You guys are a great resource!

 

[Alpha American]

Hm. At my detachment we are notified by our cadre what we are qualified for on our dobmerb. Pilot, cso, etc....

 

[Pima]

Hm. At my detachment we are notified by our cadre what we are qualified for on our dobmerb. Pilot, cso, etc....

I am not sure how the cadre can do that. USAFA will state PPQ, but honestly all that is saying is at 1st look you are POTENTIALLY pilot qualified. To make it to UPT you will need to meet the FAA FC1 flight physical requirements which is much more in depth than the DoDMERB. AFROTC cadets will be sent to WPAFB for 3 days of physicals, everything from ears to toes, and in between.

Hence, at the point of DoDMERB, honestly to be PPQ just means impo your vision is in line with the FAA requirements, and in line with DoDMERB. Nothing more, nothing less. The big medical will be yrs down the road.

 

[Humey]

The testing you do early on means you look like you may qualify. For example, my son's best friend got selected for a pilot spot. All his initial exams went great. Then he, my son and two other guys went to get their physical at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. My son passed his physical 100%, his friend was disqualifed because when they did the full eye exam, they found he had cataracts in his eyes. Never bothered him, didnt degrade his vision and yet he lost his pliot spot. He had to fight to get RPA. Third guy lost his spot because something like his eyeballs werent in the right position and the fourth guy passed although he didnt go in for a fight physcial. So of the 3 plus the one who went to get the physical, only my son wound up going to UPT. Yet they were all medically qualified while at Rotc. Another guy from his detachment lost his spot because with glasses, the best his eye could go was 20/25. When my son went to his medical while at Rotc, if it lasted 30 minutes it was a lot. My son flight physcial took two days while others took 3 days because certain aspects had to be reviewed or retested. The point being, you wont know if you actually made it in until you pass your flight physcial. One futher point, you also get a physcial when you report to UPT. However as some people like to say, it is the type of test a 40+ year old Colonel can pass so a 22/23 year old shouldnt have any issue passing it.

 

[Pima]

Our DS also got hit at WPAFB. He had vision issues, but nothing to stop him from being PPQ. DS had solo'd for his PPL, but never completed the last steps to get his PPL.

Went to WPAFB for his FAA FC1. When I say head to toe I mean head to toe.
~ He busted the EEG or EKG ( can't remember which is 1st). Assume it was EKG, the next day, him and other cadets had to take the EEG. I think he said there were 25 % getting the higher testing.
~~ YES, that is how deep they go for an FAA FC1.

His eyesight was and still is not an issue. He has astigmatism regarding his vision.
~~~ OBTW DS passed and is an ADAF pilot

At the end you will meet with a flight doc that will do what I call a DoDMERB physical and sign off.

This goes back to the PPQ means squat impo.

Alpha American, it is great you pulled up this old thread bc candidates and cadets need to understand there is a difference between PPQ from a DODMERB aspect and being pilot qual.
~ Ask Stealth about his DS's roommate at UPT regarding wisdom teeth. This ties into Humey's post.

 

[Humey]

Our DS also got hit at WPAFB. He had vision issues, but nothing to stop him from being PPQ. DS had solo'd for his PPL, but never completed the last steps to get his PPL.

Went to WPAFB for his FAA FC1. When I say head to toe I mean head to toe.
~ He busted the EEG or EKG ( can't remember which is 1st). Assume it was EKG, the next day, him and other cadets had to take the EEG. I think he said there were 25 % getting the higher testing.
~~ YES, that is how deep they go for an FAA FC1.

His eyesight was and still is not an issue. He has astigmatism regarding his vision.
~~~ OBTW DS passed and is an ADAF pilot

At the end you will meet with a flight doc that will do what I call a DoDMERB physical and sign off.

This goes back to the PPQ means squat impo.

Alpha American, it is great you pulled up this old thread bc candidates and cadets need to understand there is a difference between PPQ from a DODMERB aspect and being pilot qual.
~ Ask Stealth about his DS's roommate at UPT regarding wisdom teeth. This ties into Humey's post.

When my son got his flight phsyical at WPAFB, the doctors tells him I see you had two surgeries. My son doesnt understand what he means since he never had a surgery in his life and asks what two. The Dr. responds I see you had wisdom teeth pulled out and you were circumsized after you were born. My son was a little embarrased about the second comment

 

[SBS1008]

While not specific to ROTC this is on the USAFA admissions website:

Pilot Vision Requirements

All candidates admitted to the Air Force Academy must meet the vision requirements for commissioning in the United States Air Force. However, there are three levels of qualification determined by DODMERB. Those levels of qualification status are; “Commission” Qualified, “Potential Pilot” Qualified, and “Potential Navigator” Qualified. As a reference to those that are interested in an Air Force aviation career, a table has been created so vision, height, and hearing values can be compared to see if you fall into the potential pilot or navigator category. This table is a personal clarification only. To use this table, you must simply compare the DODMERB medical examination results to the values found in the flying class standards table.This table does not include standards for aviation, but it does include the standards which most often lead to medical disqualification. Please note that the DODMERB medical examination is not the official flying class examination. The flying class examination will be performed during the third academic year at the United States Air Force Academy and will encompass more in-depth testing than was used during the DoDMERB physical exam. Any question regarding interpretation of this table can be addressed by calling Cadet Standards at 719-333-0533.

 

[williamsdr3]

SBS1008, I read this as well, thanks for posting about the pilot vision requirements table but I couldn't actually find the table on the website. Can anyone access it? Am I just clueless?

 

[rdhdstpchld]

I may be off on this, but I think in this day and age, being PPQ vs just Q is a small push in your favor; USAFA has publicly stated it's turning back to it's original mission - to produce pilots for the worlds greatest air force - etc etc ; even the welcome letter refrences this - it basically says "if you are medically qualified to fly, you will get the chance to fly" - theoretically, this could put a candidate with no medical issues (yet) - all other considerations being equal - a small step ahead of another cadet with +8.25 eyes as far as admission goes - - just something to consider.

 

[New@This]

I may be off on this, but I think in this day and age, being PPQ vs just Q is a small push in your favor; USAFA has publicly stated it's turning back to it's original mission - to produce pilots for the worlds greatest air force - etc etc ; even the welcome letter refrences this - it basically says "if you are medically qualified to fly, you will get the chance to fly" - theoretically, this could put a candidate with no medical issues (yet) - all other considerations being equal - a small step ahead of another cadet with +8.25 eyes as far as admission goes - - just something to consider.

So how does this focus merge with the stated mission of the Air Force to "fly, fight and win in air, space and cyberspace"?

 

[Tigermom3]

Is there anyway to check if I am potential pilot qualified on the DoDMERB site or USAFA/AFROTC sites?

There are some other threads about this, and they say that if your status is "commission qualified" you are NOT PPQ. But they are a few years old, and things may have changed.

My DODMERB status is "Qualified", but it says nothing about pilot. As far as I know (for AFROTC at least) you can't even compete for a pilot slot if your DODMERB isn't PPQ.

Thanks everyone!
(Moderators, if you think this should go under ROTC, go ahead and move it. Thanks!)

How long has your status been 'Qualified'? My DS status was 'Qualified' on DODMERB for about 2 weeks and then changed to PPQ. So yours may change without notification.

 

[rdhdstpchld]

I may be off on this, but I think in this day and age, being PPQ vs just Q is a small push in your favor; USAFA has publicly stated it's turning back to it's original mission - to produce pilots for the worlds greatest air force - etc etc ; even the welcome letter refrences this - it basically says "if you are medically qualified to fly, you will get the chance to fly" - theoretically, this could put a candidate with no medical issues (yet) - all other considerations being equal - a small step ahead of another cadet with +8.25 eyes as far as admission goes - - just something to consider.

So how does this focus merge with the stated mission of the Air Force to "fly, fight and win in air, space and cyberspace"?

I guess you'd have to go look up the stats of how many support commissions are granted (finance, personnel, CE, etc.) - plus USAFA is only a part of the commissioning sources available; it makes perfect sense that USAFA become the "pilot factory" and ROTC/OTS fill the support billets needed

 

[Humey]

I may be off on this, but I think in this day and age, being PPQ vs just Q is a small push in your favor; USAFA has publicly stated it's turning back to it's original mission - to produce pilots for the worlds greatest air force - etc etc ; even the welcome letter refrences this - it basically says "if you are medically qualified to fly, you will get the chance to fly" - theoretically, this could put a candidate with no medical issues (yet) - all other considerations being equal - a small step ahead of another cadet with +8.25 eyes as far as admission goes - - just something to consider.

So how does this focus merge with the stated mission of the Air Force to "fly, fight and win in air, space and cyberspace"?

I guess you'd have to go look up the stats of how many support commissions are granted (finance, personnel, CE, etc.) - plus USAFA is only a part of the commissioning sources available; it makes perfect sense that USAFA become the "pilot factory" and ROTC/OTS fill the support billets needed

USAFA has a slight majority in producing pilots but its not like its a pilot factory. I think the academy gets 500-550 spots, Rotc gets 450 and OTS gets like 50. Something like that but again while it has the most spots, it isnt dramatically more in number or as a percentage of total pilots

 

[Pima]

Humey,
Can you please link those numbers.