Question:
How Do i become a fighter pilot???
KAS
2009-07-29 12:44:19 UTC
I am twelve years old going into seventh grade i need to know any jrotc schools in venice florida with student council! also please give me any info on how to get into the u.s. air force academy!!!!! Thnkzzz and im not toooo young..
Three answers:
jim
2009-07-29 17:29:55 UTC
No, you are NOT too young to being thinking about your future-and making up a plan.

You're moving in the right direction by looking for JROTC (doesn't have to AFJROTC BTW). To become a fighter pilot you gotta do three major steps:

1- You need a Bachelor's Degree AKA "4yr Degree" from a College/University

2- You need to complete an officer training program-Academy, ROTC or Officer Training School

3- Be accepted into and EXCEL at pilot training.

The Academy requirements are pretty tough: need almost 4.0 GPA , record of honors/AP classes, good record of participation in sports, Student Gov't (which I see you're interested in), clubs etc. JROTC and Civil Air Patrol are big pluses for an Academy application. CAP also is a way to get free flying.

Other ways are AFROTC (at many state colleges) and Officer Training School -which you apply for when you're one year from graduating college.

To be accepted into pilot training; Pass the physical,Get suitable scores on the AF Officer Qualifying Test, and impress the selection board.

Physical-these are the standards as of now. Things can and do change though.

Vision 20/70 correctable 20/20. No depth perception, astigmatism or colorblindness

Hearing: Within limits.

No history of HIV, Cardio, Diabetes. No HI/Lo Blood Pressure (lo BP is waiverable). No history of chronic sinusitis or allergies-seasonal's OK. Springtime in Germany drove me nuts...

Height: 64-77" standing 34-40" sitting.

No periods of unconsciousness >5-7 minutes since age 12

AFOQT: you will take the aviation portion. Civilian flying experience will help you here. You will also take a hand/eye coordination test.

Board: They are trying to assess your "rated potential" (Pilots/Navigators are called "rated-positions" in the military). Flying experience helps here, though you don't need to run out and get a PPL.

Once you graduate, get those gold bars and are accepted into pilot training-reality will step in.

1- Each class gets so many of each weapon system based on open slots for Lieutenants, how many pilot classes there are each year, and how many students are in your class. Typically only 1-2 fighters will show up for each class-this out of 20-30 students. Sometimes more show up; sometimes none show up. You have no control over this

2- AF Pilot training is currently on a "track" system. This means that after the initial couple phases of training you will go into specialized training that applies to your weapon system: Fighter/Bomber, Heavies, Helo, C130 and now UAVs. In order to guarantee the track you want-and later to get the aircraft you want you need to get as many perfect scores in your academic tests and flying evaluations as you can. This raises your class standing-and the highest ranking guys/gals get to pick first. Again some civilian flying experience will help you with crushing the initial phases-afterwards experience levels out somewhat.

I can tell you that in my Nav school class EVERYONE who got fighters had some flying experience before they joined the AF.

That's basically it. Stuff you can do now:

1- Get a great GPA in HS. Work on your study habits NOW if you need to. Take the challenging classes too: math, science. For the Academy Chemistry and Calculus are important.

2- Get involved in some sort of school activity. When I was in HS we called them "dorkxtracurricular activities" but anything you're interested especially sports, student gov't.

3- Read up on military history, USAF history. Get up to speed on how the USAF (or USN might as well keep both options open) is organized, what it's doing now.

4- STAY OUT OF TROUBLE. Don't let felons or drug users fly multimillion dollar aircraft.

5- Get/stay in great physical condition. Military aviation is mentally and physically demanding.

Any other questions please PM me
Hundred Dollar Bills
2009-07-29 18:31:22 UTC
Well I'm glad you know what you want to do so soon; that gives you great advantage given that you have all of high school to take important classes that will help you out like JR OTC. As long as you keep you grades up and stay out of trouble, you'll do fine.



Tips to remember:

-Stay dedicated

-Do as much research as possible

-Do well on the AS VAB test (Test that they give you in high school to determine you're strongest subjects and give you career options. It is not pass fail, it's just based on your score; the higher the better.)

-Maybe take part in extra curricular activities or community service.

-Always find out when people in that profession are at your school trying to get people to join and gather as much info as possible.



GOOD LUCK!!!!!
?
2009-07-29 13:46:56 UTC
Keep very good grades in school .

Do not get in trouble.

Stay healthy and toned up.


This content was originally posted on Y! Answers, a Q&A website that shut down in 2021.
Loading...