Expert: James Bell - 10/30/2005

Question
I'm currently active duty.  I'm thinking about cross training into the loadmaster careerfield.  How often will i be able to fly right out of techschool?

Answer
Greetings John -

The schools are divided into two phases: Basic Loadmaster School, and TTS (Technical Training School).

In the basic school you will learn weight and balance: The skills necessary to properly load an aircraft with cargo for flight, maintaining the proper weight distribution so the aircraft CG (center of gravity) is maintained within the flight envelope.  Because of the demands of this school, you need to master these skills before proceeding with any other flight training.

Before you start the basic school, you will also attend the physiological training school, or altitude chamber.  This trains you all about identifying and dealing with the symptoms of hypoxia (oxygen depravation), should you encounter a decompression of the aircraft.

In TTS you will learn the specific characteristics of the aircraft you will be assigned: Littlerock AFB, AR, for C-130's and Altus AFB, OK, for C-17's and C-5's.  Both water and land survival school will be tossed in as well, scheduled either before or after the other schools, depending on class availablility.

Once you have successfully completed all these schools, and you have moved to your new PDS, aeronautical orders will be cut for you, placing you on flight status.  Then you will start the active flying portion of your training within your unit.  This is usually done within 30 days after completing your last tech school.

You will spend the next several months in training to get you up to "mission ready" status.  During this time you will fly with an instructor.  You will fly a mixture of training and real-world missions.  It is also during this time you will complete your other required training, such as small arms training, chemical warfare training (aircrew and ground), along with several other required items.

So, in answer to your question, you can expect to fly relatively quickly after completing school, and can also expect to fly fairly frequently after that.

I hope this answers your question.  If you have any others, don't hesitate to write back.

Sincerely,
James Bell