Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Air Force pilot training?

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Expert: - 8/12/2008


Question
Hi again.
  If you dont know this its ok, but would you happen to know if the Air Force
UPT requires you o learn aerobatics? i know the navy you have to learn
aerobatics even if your gonna be a big cargo jet. Is it the same for the air
force? Also do you happen to have a good link of what they do in upt , like
what they learn , what they do?

Thanks!

Answer
Anthony -

Many years ago Air Force pilot training had only one path ... you started in the T-37 for basic flight training, then you transitioned to the T-38 supersonic trainer.  Everyone learned aerobatics.  But the program has changed now, and the training is based on your selected career path.  If you are going into fighters, you still train in the T-38.  If you are going into "heavies", such as cargo, tanker or bomber aircraft, then you train in the T-1, and training does NOT include aerobatics.

I hope this answers your question.

Good luck.

Sincerely,
James Bell

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

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James Bell

Expertise

I am a retired MSgt (2004) with 24 years experience in the aircrew career field, both as a loadmaster (AFSC 1A2x1) and flight engineer (AFSC 1A1x1). I have been to every continent at one time or another, and regularly flew 300 to 500 hours a year. I have been involved in the operations in Grenada, Panama, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. I can answer most questions you may have about enlisted Air Force life in general, assignments, benefits, and enlisted aircrew operations. NOTE: If you have specific recruiting and/or medical questions about how to get into this career field as a civilian, they have changed since my time, so that is best answered by a recruiter or MEPS. I can answer questions about military personnel wanting to RETRAIN. If you are asking about being an Air Force pilot, please be advised my area of expertise is ENLISTED aircrew operations, NOT OFFICERS.

Experience

Loadmaster (AFSC 1A2x1): 7 years - 2,000 hours - C-5A Galaxy cargo plane. Flight Engineer (AFSC 1A1x1C): 7 years - 2,500 hours - C-141B Starlifter cargo plane, 10 years - 3,800 hours - KC-10A Extender aerial tanker. Served as aircrew Flight Instructor, Flight Evaluator and Training Manager

Education/Credentials
Aircraft Loadmaster Initial Qualification - 1980. Mission Qualification (C-5A) - 1981. Fixed Wing Aircraft Performance Course - 1987. Initial Flight Engineer Qualification (C-141B) - 1987. Mission Qualification (KC-10A) - 1988. KC-10 Initial Qualification Course - 1994. Mission Qualification (KC-10A) - 1995. Instructor Qualficiation (KC-10A) - 1997. Evaluator Qualification (KC-10A) - 2000.

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