Expert: Howard Lorenz - 5/1/2008

Question
QUESTION: I am currently 22 years old and just recently got back into school. I have wanted to fly jets since I was 3 or 4 years old. I went to college right after high school and took avaition classes in college. I have obtained my private pilot certificate a couple years ago, but as of now it has expired and I have yet to go renew it. I was planning on finishing school in a different major because aviation is costing me too much money and is taking a long time to complete. I plan on doing a major in the management area. I have no problem maintaining at least a 3.0 GPA. By the time I am done with school I should be about 27 years old, and by that time i plan on getting my license renewed. I would like to join AFROTC but I dont have the time as I have my own house and bills and a full time job where my schedule for work changes. After college I plan on applying for OTS and hopefully get a pilot slot from there. I know that not many people out of OTS get pilot slots so my question for you is how much of a chance do you think ill have? And also, will I find out if I get a pilot slot before I actually sign papers to go to OTS? or do they not tell you until after you go to OTS? Thanks alot.

ANSWER: With your present age, I would recomend that you get in the Air Force now. We have a contract with Embry Riddle Aeronautical College. They train ALL our pilots. Being an active member of the AF entitles you to education benies that will pay for your degree. But if you waste time and procrastinate, you may be too late. You want to get into the Crew CHiefs postion F-15s,16s,22s or cargo jets. You will be able to work on the aircraft you will be working on and after you have achieved a 5 level in the career field, usually with in a year, you can start the degree....

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QUESTION: No offense but I dont want to enlist. Id rather get a degree then commission. But when you apply to OTS and UPT, will they tell you if you got the pilot slot before you sign anything to attend OTS or do they not tell you until you graduate OTS? Thanks.

ANSWER: No offense taken, you are the one thats bumping a time factor. Not all officers are from the academy you know. There are several that have done what I have described and are flying jets. You are going to do what you want to do regardless of what I tell you...What the hell do I know....

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QUESTION: i guess you know nothing about OTS or UPT since you still havent answered my question. I never asked about enlisting in the airforce. I dont need training from embry riddle as i already have my license and ratings. And I am going to school for free anyway so im not worried about that. I just asked 1 simple question.

Answer
And if you do not have a 4 year degree in Aeronautical science, the air force will not even look at your application...


As for OTS and UPT Here is a Great Website with tons of information...

http://www.baseops.net/archive/archiveupt.html#testscores