Welcome to the Heavies discussion blog. The purpose of this blog is to foster discussion between future Air Force officers interested in becoming pilots and flying heavies (strategic airlift/tankers/etc.) and active duty officers currently flying such planes. views expressed in this blog are solely the opinions of the individual authors and not of the United States Air Force nor the Department of Defense.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Questions
Cadets, ask questions here as comments on this post that you would like to see turned into new threads for discussion.
I just lost my PQ for a minimum observation period of 5 years because of a "severe" head injury. I am wondering if you have any kind of experiance or know anyone who has been DQ'd for a certain amount of time? Also when my observation period is up how hard will it be to get my pilot slot back since i already had one? I've also heard stories of people who were medically disqualified but knew the right people to get them back into flying, is something like that true?
Both my fiancee and I are planning on flying. We will both go through pilot training around January and were wondering what might be some good strategies for staying together and minimizing our time apart. Are there certain airframes which are better to fly than others and if so,would being a FAIP be helpful to ensure we get the same airframe?
Once you are in the operational Air Force you can compete for a pilot slot when you are medically cleared. The key word in that sentence is compete. Each year is different and it is difficult to predict what your chances will be. However, I can give you some insight on the people that I have known to get picked for UPT after commissioning.
The fact that you previously had a pilot slot will have almost no bearing on the selection. At that point, the Air Force will have 5 years of data about your job performance as an officer. In order to get picked for UPT you will need to have a stellar record in your career field. Winning a Company Grade Officer of the Quarter/Year award for your base is a good start. Completing your SOS (and getting a good training report if you go in residence) is another square to fill.
In other words, once you graduate in May you will need to pedal fast in your new career. That will make you competitive when the time comes. I also won't kid you--having a Wing Commander fighting for you in the process is a huge help.
I have confidence that you will get a slot eventually if you stay focused on your goal. Good luck!
Staying together as a couple throughout the assignment process is difficult in the flying world. Taking a FAIP assignment may help you get the same airframe, but it is no guarantee. If you think you can get the same airframe directly upon UPT graduation, I would not pass up that opportunity.
The strategy that would most likely keep you together would be this... Start out in the same airframe (or FAIP) and maximize your time there. My first assignment in C-141s was 5 years. After that assignment take an assignment to either the schoolhouse for your weapon system (Altus AFB, OK for C-17s for example) or go back to be a UPT instructor.
Nevertheless, after those first two assignments, you will likely have some very difficult decisions to make. At some point you will get assignments to different bases, and you will have to decide if it is worth it for both of you to stay in the AF.
I heard this was the area to post questions about Navs. I was wondering how and when the Air Force makes the differentiation between navigators and WSOs? And if anyone knows if during training we are allowed to live off base at Randolph or if trainees are required to live in a dorm or something of that sort.
7 comments:
I just lost my PQ for a minimum observation period of 5 years because of a "severe" head injury. I am wondering if you have any kind of experiance or know anyone who has been DQ'd for a certain amount of time? Also when my observation period is up how hard will it be to get my pilot slot back since i already had one? I've also heard stories of people who were medically disqualified but knew the right people to get them back into flying, is something like that true?
Both my fiancee and I are planning on flying. We will both go through pilot training around January and were wondering what might be some good strategies for staying together and minimizing our time apart. Are there certain airframes which are better to fly than others and if so,would being a FAIP be helpful to ensure we get the same airframe?
Polar Bear...
Once you are in the operational Air Force you can compete for a pilot slot when you are medically cleared. The key word in that sentence is compete. Each year is different and it is difficult to predict what your chances will be. However, I can give you some insight on the people that I have known to get picked for UPT after commissioning.
The fact that you previously had a pilot slot will have almost no bearing on the selection. At that point, the Air Force will have 5 years of data about your job performance as an officer. In order to get picked for UPT you will need to have a stellar record in your career field. Winning a Company Grade Officer of the Quarter/Year award for your base is a good start. Completing your SOS (and getting a good training report if you go in residence) is another square to fill.
In other words, once you graduate in May you will need to pedal fast in your new career. That will make you competitive when the time comes. I also won't kid you--having a Wing Commander fighting for you in the process is a huge help.
I have confidence that you will get a slot eventually if you stay focused on your goal. Good luck!
apts07...
Staying together as a couple throughout the assignment process is difficult in the flying world. Taking a FAIP assignment may help you get the same airframe, but it is no guarantee. If you think you can get the same airframe directly upon UPT graduation, I would not pass up that opportunity.
The strategy that would most likely keep you together would be this... Start out in the same airframe (or FAIP) and maximize your time there. My first assignment in C-141s was 5 years. After that assignment take an assignment to either the schoolhouse for your weapon system (Altus AFB, OK for C-17s for example) or go back to be a UPT instructor.
Nevertheless, after those first two assignments, you will likely have some very difficult decisions to make. At some point you will get assignments to different bases, and you will have to decide if it is worth it for both of you to stay in the AF.
What is the commitment for Navigators?
The active duty service commitment for UNT is six years from UNT graduation.
I heard this was the area to post questions about Navs. I was wondering how and when the Air Force makes the differentiation between navigators and WSOs? And if anyone knows if during training we are allowed to live off base at Randolph or if trainees are required to live in a dorm or something of that sort.
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