Expert: James Bell - 7/27/2009

Question
Sir,

Thank you for your reply on my switching into Security Forces question! After reading your answer, and getting a better understanding of the SF, im thinking that you absolutely correct, the job they have booked me for is probably a good one. I wanted to get your input on it, to see if you knew anything about it. I would love to someday become a USAF Flight Engineer or even a Pilot (Officer).  How difficult do you think it would be to become either of these with my career field, and how long do you think I would need to spend in service before something like this would come available? Also, ive heard that it is sometimes possible to get free flights or rides places on the aircraft your working on, considering ill be working on for the most part large cargo planes, is that true?……Any info on my career field would be greatly appreciated! I know you already answered my previous question, but I appreciate you honesty, and your perspective on this!

MY JOB = Aerospace Maintenance

MY Qualifications:

AFQT - 75
Mechanical Score - 89
Rank - E-3 (Going into BMT with an Associates Degree)
No Criminal History what so ever

Thank you for your Help!!!!!!!!


Answer
Mike -

Most of the aerospace maintenance jobs are considered "feeder" fields for the flight engineer career field.  That is the track most flight engineers take.  You will be required to spend a minimum of three years in your maintenance field and achieve your 5-level before being allowed to retrain into any other career field.  This will give you the time to develop your proficiency in the maintenance field and for the Air Force to get work out of you in exchange for sending you to such expensive technical schools.  But, more importantly, you get the opportunity to get your A&P (Airframe and Powerplant) certification from the FAA.  That certification will allow you to get a job with the FAA at any commercial/civilian field in the maintenance arena.

Once you become a flight engineer, be sure you get your FAA certification as a flight engineer (FE ticket).  Between the A&P and FE tickets, you will be able to get a job as a PFE (Professional Flight Engineer) in the commercial world.  Unfortunately, FAA requirements only allow rated pilots to crew passenger carrying airlines, but the cargo carriers -- UPS, FedEx -- hire and use PFE's.  There are even cargo carriers (Gemini being one of them) that ONLY hire ex-military fliers.

I can't speak authoritatively on becoming a pilot from an enlisted position as I have no PERSONAL experience with that (meaning I didn't pursue that route).  But, I have known many who have done that.  One of them started out in the medical field posting urology results.  He applied to the Air Force Academy, was accepted, graduated, got his commission and went through flight school.  He is now a lieutenant colonel and, two weeks ago, just relinquished command of my KC-10 squadron.  Good things do happen to those who work hard for it.

Flying on the planes ... get used to it.  That will be your primary mode of transportation when you deploy.  If you enter the crew chief program, you will be assigned an airplane and most likely fly with it when it goes on missions.

Sincerely,
James