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Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/How to become a C-5 Pilot
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Question
Hello i am 15.I want to become an airline pilot and i want to take the military route.So i was watching tv and they had this thing on the C-5 Galaxy.How do you become a pilot of one of those or anything big with turbine.Because thats what the airlines like.Where should i go? What grades in school? should i go threw the ROTC aviation program?Thank you
Greetings Vova -
Here is the generic route you need to follow ...
Be a citizen of the United States
Have good hearing, health and eyesight (yes, 20/20)
Graduate from high school
Complete a 4-year college program and earn your degree
Get accepted into a commissioning program (ROTC, Air Force Academy, etc.)
Get accepted into pilot training
Complete pilot training in the top of your class so you can have top choice of which aircraft you want to fly on
Choose the C-5 IF an opening is available
I know there are a LOT of variables I have listed, but this is the path you would need to take. You don't have to fly a C-5 to be eligible for the airlines. There are many other aircraft available: C-130, KC-135, KC-10, C-17, and many others. Even fighter pilots get airlines jobs.
I hope this gives you some more information. I'm sure you will have a lot of planning to do. You can also visit the official Air Force website at http://www.AirForce.com You can even chat -- real time -- with an advisor that is trained to have all the answers you need.
Good luck.
Sincerely,
James Bell
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Answers by Expert:
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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