How does one become a real a-10 pilot?

[DirtyFret]

Hey all,

 

I was wondering how does one become a real a-10c pilot. I am not interested nor am I eligible to become one but I'd like to know some details out of curiosity.

 

I know some general stuff about USAF and their recruitment but I would like to know if possible what steps people take to be able to fly the A-10. If possible it would be nice to know the different steps and actual phases they have to go through all the way from being a civilian up to combat mission readiness.

 

Some specific questions that I have in mind:

 

- Does the different path(POC-ERP, OTS, ASCP , SOAR etc...) one takes to become a officer affect the plane he/she will fly?

 

- Do all officers in the USAF become pilots / or are there "ground officers" also? If yes - does one complete officer training first and then try out/compete/apply for pilot training or can you apply for a pilot position before completing officer training?

 

- Can you apply to specific aircraft or do you get assigned based on need/availability/your own abilities?

 

- How many years does it take to become a USAF officer?

 

- How may years does it take to become a USAF pilot?

 

Thanks in advance

 

Disclaimer: I am not a spy - honestly:music_whistling:

[Sabre-TLA]

This page has alot of good information about the process.

 

Air Force Introductory Flight Screening (IFS)

Air Force IFS offers 25 hours of flying training and 58 hours of ground training

 

Phase 1 - Academic Classes and Pre-Flight Training

Phase 2 - Primary Aircraft Training (T-6, T-34)

Approximately 90 hours of flight training instruction, 22 weeks of training

Phase 3 - Advanced Aircraft Training (T-38, T-1, C-12, T-44, UH-1)

 

T-38 Talon - Fighter / Bomber Track

 

Approximately 120 hours of flight instruction, 24 weeks of training

Purpose: prepare graduates for fighter / bomber assignments

Focus: Contact, Instruments, Formation (2/4 ship), Navigation, Low-level

Graduates will pick follow on aircraft based on merit and instructor recommendation

Graduates select F-22, F-16, F-15C, F-15E, A-10, B-1, B-52, B-2, UAV, FAIP, and are eligible for any Tanker, Transport, or Special Operations aircraft

 

This section talks about aircraft selection:

 

"Track Selection Process - How do you pick which track you will pursue?

 

Students request Track preference - you pick your Track, not your Aircraft

Quota for each Track determined on a class by class basis - based on USAF needs

Selection based on merit and instructor recommendation

Students rank order based on: checkride scores, daily ride scores, academics, and flight commander assessment of military qualities (Commander's Ranking)

Wing Commander approves track placement

The track that you select determines what type of aircraft you are assigned after UPT"

 

Hope this helps answer some of your questions.

 

I believe there are some RW A-10 pilots/crew chiefs on the forum who could give a much more detailed and specific response given their experience.

[DirtyFret]

Thanks Sabre. Very informative link. :thumbup:

[NeilWillis]

I was told you had to eat your greens, and work hard at school!

[Los]

A few questions I did not see answered:

 

- Do all officers in the USAF become pilots / or are there "ground officers" also?

No not all officers are pilots, I would not be surprised if its even half. There are many various professions in the air force: meteorologists, ATC, logistical. maintenance specialists, administration, Base Police, medical, missiles, Para rescue and Combat controllers, all have officer branches associated.

 

Before one embarks on their aviation career you must first get commissioned and then get a flight training slot.

 

It takes a four year college degree to become an officer, either through the air force academy, reserve officers training Corps (you take tat while going to a regular university) or officer candidate school (for enlisted with their degree..perhaps even non enlisted civilians tat didn't take ROTC but have their degree)

 

Hope that helps...

Los

[BlueJacketGuy]

Your path doesn't effect your aircraft outcome, however, going through OTS in this day and age only gives drone slots, I haven't heard of pilot slots through OTS in years.

 

IIRC, only about 5% of USAF officers are pilots. Depending on your commissioning route, that will decide how you apply. USAFA & AFROTC work like this, you get in, and have to commit to joining the USAF before applying for jobs, and then at that point you might be selected as a pilot, it's not assured. In OTS, you sign up for your job specifically, and are guaranteed it so long as you graduate. The issue here is they don't offer pilot slots through OTS these days to my understanding, it's too coveted for ROTC to give to OTS. You can apply for pilot training while in another job, but it's a rough road to take, better chances than OTS though. With the Reserves and Guard, you sign up for your unit's aircraft, and your guaranteed that plane so long as you don't wash out.

 

Your aircraft are decided by your track, and proficiency. Someone outlined the old track system up there, but the new one condensed the prop track into the heavy track. Basically, you list your preferences, and the slots will be given by class ranking until they're gone. Tracks are fighter/bomber in the T-38, Heavy in the T-1, and helo in the Huey, which transitions you to Army UPT for the duration of that. It's harder to track helos than fighters, because there are less helo slots per class than fighters. Most people get stuck in heavies, thats where most of the slots are. If you track fighters, you'll probably get FAIPed (stuck teaching UPT instead of flying real planes), or sent to the F-16, the most common fighter.

 

To become an officer, it's anywhere from 4 years to 2 months, it all depends on your commissioning source.

 

To be a pilot it's ~one year for UPT the initial training, and about a year for your FTU, the formal training unit that teaches your specific airframe, but that varies alot based on what your fly. Also, you may have to wait a year between your commission and training while you await your slot, enjoy sitting on your hands butterbar ****wit.