However, degrees in aviation or related areas help students to complete flight training and courses in aerodynamics, aviation laws, aviation meteorology, and aircraft systems. Both of these courses are on the PC21. In terms of higher education levels, we found that 10.0% of air force pilots have master's degrees. With 2, you still have to earn your spot, but if you put a lot of effort into it, you can still make it (if you are medically qualified). Students who attend the USAFA can take airmanship courses, and those who desire may take a flight course in which they learn to pilot a propeller driven aircraft. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Not all of these highly skilled and trained people are combat flyers. Individuals must be 18-34 years old and U.S. citizens in order to pursue Air Force officer training. Focus on calculus, science, and engineering throughout high school and college. Then, complete Officer Training School and attend Air Force Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training. By the end of their active duty commitment, they will have logged many flight hours, making them even more valuable to the Air Force or to civilian employers. This article has been viewed 499,491 times. OTS. Get as much private pilot experience as you (read: parents) can afford. How to become an Indian Air Force Pilot ask and searched by many young Indians who want to join IAF. An expert weighs in on how to feel better. Trained pilots are among the most valuable assets our military services have. Meet the basic age and citizenship requirements. Subsequently, these people will advance to higher rank and greater responsibility. How old do I have to be to become a pilot? Instructors introduce pilot candidates to aviation basics prior to entering advanced training. To become an air force officer, apply to attend the US Air Force Academy once you're between 17 and 23 years old. To qualify as an Air Force pilot, you need at least a bachelor’s degree from a civilian college or university or the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It’s best to start working on physical conditioning at least 6 weeks before your departure date. At the end of the training, you’ll do a test ride to show your competency in about 20 basic flight maneuvers. Feeling lonely and sad? There are only a few lucky ones that actually find their way till the end of this beautiful journey and become successful in serving the country. If you're asking "How do I become a U.S. Air Force pilot," then read this first post in our series, "So you want to be an Air Force Pilot?" All in all about 4-5 (7–8 including the academy) or so years maybe more. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. In the flying branch, you’ll find the following types of pilots –. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Courses to Become Pilot in Air Force. Become an Air Force Pilot: Step-by-Step Career Guide. At the end, you will graduate from the Officer Training program. Being an Air Force pilot requires extensive training and the willingness to commit to ten years of active duty Air Force service. More details about these processes can be obtained from your local recruiters at, This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Because many people don’t know which exam should they apply for if … For instance, if the maximum weight is 186 pounds (84 kg), you need to be at 181 pounds (82 kg) or less (with a minimum of 128 pounds (58 kg)). Phone: +4472070973841 Email: info@collegelearners.com, How Many Years Does It Take To Become A Commercial Pilot, California Bar Exam Prep For Foreign Attorneys, Aviation or related field suggested but not required, Completion or Air Force ROTC, Officer Training School, or graduation from the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) or other U.S. service academy; be 18-30 years old (waivers possible up to 35 years old); receive at least a 10 for the quantitative and 15 for the verbal composite scores on the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT), Pass Initial Flight Training (IFT) and Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT), Motor coordination; aptitude for and mastery of flight skills; ability to operate highly complex machinery, Starts at $3,287.10 for Second Lieutenants*. This translates to about two years from the day you started pilot training. 4 Way to join Indian Air Force Flying Branch: ----- - National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy (NA) - Combined Defence Service Examination (CDSE) - AFCAT - NCC Special Entry ----- … The U.S. Air Force does not require pilots to have specific majors (www.airforce.com). In the Air Force, after you are commissioned it takes approximately one year to accomplish undergraduate pilot training (UPT) , three months for IFF, a few weeks for SERE and water survival, and approximately six months for your fighter’s basic course. You must also undergo extensive ground school and in-the-air instruction along with having excellent motor coordination, aptitude for and mastery of flight skills, and the ability to operate highly complex machinery. wikiHow's. Becoming an Air Force pilot involves a long and exciting journey filled with rigorous training programs, as well as plenty of time above the clouds. So you wanna fly? The Eligibility Criteria and selection process is completely different for each. What subjects should I focus on if I want to become an Air Force pilot? You must have 20/50 distance vision in … If I have allergic rhinitis, can I still be qualified to be a pilot? In the last phase, you’ll transition from training environments into the operational Air Force. In the AFROTC, students complete field training and take extra classes in aerospace, leadership, Air Force organizations, military laws, and military customs. citizen. Once you successfully complete the Phase 3 of SUPT, you will be awarded the official title of “Pilot” and receive your silver pilot wings. Air Force officer qualifying is done in a few ways. It is required that you have a college degree for you attend OCS. By completing the Air Force service obligation and performing up to standard, a pilot demonstrates great competence and a mastery of aviation. Becoming an Air Force pilot requires a commitment to the U.S. Air Force, extensive training and testing, and a bachelor's degree. may count for a portion, they will also be reviewing your leadership experience, community service experience, and other qualifications that help promote you as a leader. We've determined that 34.0% of air force pilots have a bachelor's degree. Modern flying schools have rendered it easy to learn the skill. Remember, the AF considers a "whole person" concept when reviewing potential applications for pilot selection. Upon receiving track assignments, officers receive specialized training where they develop the skills needed to operate the specific type of aircraft. You also must be a native-born or naturalized U.S. However, the flight training they receive at Air Force expense is highly valued. Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's DegreeThe U.S. Air Force does not require pilots to have specific majors, However, degrees in aviation or related areas help students to complete flight training and courses in aerodynamics, aviation laws, aviation meteorology, and aircraft systems. It helps, but is not required, to have a degree in aviation or a related field. Students who enroll in Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) in college or attend the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) can become officers after graduating. Aeronautical Engineering branch (Mechanical and Electronics Engineering) Ground Duty Branches. This means that while your scores (GPA, AFOQT, etc.) If you are aiming to become a USAF pilot you should first focus on your academics so that you may give yourself the opportunity to become an officer. Stay in good physical and mental shape. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Strapping into a hundred million dollars worth of state secrets and flying headlong into combat isn't for everybody, and that's why the Air Force maintains pretty strict requirements for those who aim to become fighter pilots. For fighter pilots, after advanced pilots course, the hawk 127 lead in fighter training and conversion course is next, followed by the f/a18 course and then the growler, super hornet or f35. If becoming an airline pilot is your career objective; learning to fly an actual airplane is not the most difficult part. Officers become Air Force pilots after finishing Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT). Steps to Becoming an Airforce PilotLet's look at the steps you need to take to become an Airforce pilot. Candidates must have a flight physical and Student Pilot certification before attending IFT. Your uncorrected distant vision should not exceed 20/200, and your uncorrected near vision should not exceed 20/40. Also, having prior flight experience increases your chances of being selected for pilot training. But due to a lack of right knowledge, their dream doesn’t seem to come true. [1] X Research sourceQualify for the weight and height requirements. [1] X Research source You must also undergo extensive ground school and in-the-air instruction along with having excellent motor coordination, aptitude for and mastery of flight skills, and the ability to operate highly complex machinery. Pilots may be stationed in remote or undesirable places and may be exposed to danger. After initial flight training, officers are placed on the airlift/tanker or bomber/fighter tracks. Pilot Basic Course. Expert Contributor: Sean … To become an Air Force pilot you need a bachelor’s degree. In order to join the U.S. Air Force, you should first become a commissioned officer, and then a pilot. I'm 15 and want to know right after highschools how do i get the airforce to pay for college and become a fighter pilot i'm already taking private pilot lessons that should help me. If you have it beyond the age of 12, you can't. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. To become an Air Force pilot you need a bachelor’s degree. Air Force officers begin flight training by passing Initial Flight Training (IFT), which is a process that allows instructors to assess a candidate’s ability and desire to learn aviation skills. Here, they learn navigation, aerobatics, formation flying, and how to use aircraft instruments. What if I wear glasses? For tips on joining the Air Force without earning a bachelor's degree, read on! Being an Air Force pilot requires extensive training and the willingness to commit to ten years of active duty Air Force service. 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