AboutChris Lachance Expertise I can answer any questions about Air Force Pilot Training, and general USAF questions in particular. I am also an attendee of the Air Command and Staff College, as well as certified in Air Operation Center operations. I am a Senior Pilot, and a Major, in the USAF, with former ratings as aircraft commander in the C-9A and C-130, as well as Evaluator credentials in the T-37B. I am currently training to become an instructor in the T-6A Texan II.
Experience 3000 hours of military aviation experience, 1000 hours of instructor/evaluator time in the T-37 Air Force Primary Jet Trainer. 2000 hours of medevac and tactical experience in the C-9A and C-130E airframes.
Education/Credentials Bachelor's Degree in History from The Citadel in 1994
Pilot Training from Columbus AFB in the T-37 and T-38 in 1995
Squadron Officer's School in 2000
T-37B Pilot Instructor Training 2001
Combined Air Operations Center Course 2006
Air Command and Staff College 2008
T-6A Pilot Instructor Training 2008
Awards and Honors Instructor Pilot of the Year for 2003, Laughlin Air Force Base, TX.
Distinguished Graduate, T-6A Pilot Instructor Training, 2008
Question Hi!
Im a high school sophomore. My life goal is to become a pilot in the air
force.
I dont want to fly fighter jets. I want to fly those big HC-130's or kc-130's ,
or just the big air force jets. I know i have no chance at the air force academy
, but what about rotc. Right now im looking into JROTC , but after High School
i want to do ROTC and aim for becoming an air force pilot. What are some
things i can do right now and in the future to become an air force pilot? like
what classes can i take, what should i do and learn about?
I just want to become an air force pilot!
please help
thanks
Answer Hi Anthony-
There's quite a bit that you can do right now to help yourself out, but keep in mind that as a high school sophomore you are a minimum of 7 years from arriving at Undergraduate Pilot Training. That having been said....
Like you, by my second year of high school I had no chance whatsoever to get into the Academy. Pilot slots are available through ROTC, but they are much more competitive and hard to come by. Once in college, pick a major that you can get good grades in and focus on that GPA. That magic number will be the biggest factor in determining where you go in your first years of the Air Force.
At your age I joined the Civil Air Patrol, which is a lot like JROTC. If you do well in JROTC, it doesn't necessarily carry much weight in college (though it may help you get admitted to a college), but it DOES help you be better prepared for real ROTC when you get there. Most ROTC cadets have little to no knowledge of anything military when they first start out--so that would get you ahead of the power curve.
Get and stay in shape. Play sports. The better physically fit a team-spirited you are the better you'll perform at anything in the military, in particular flying.
If finances allow for it, other than academics the next best contributor is getting a private pilot's license. While military flying is definitely different, having a civilian background will put you light years ahead of anyone else in UPT. I showed up with 12 hours flight time and spent a long time trying to catch up to the guys that had commercial licenses.
What plane you fly out of pilot training is determined by your performance there. Regardless of the type you go to (heavies or fighters) everyone does the same first six months. I wouldn't worry about it for now.
Hope this helps--let me know if you have any other questions.
