How to Become a Fighter Pilot
99The Training is Grueling
Fighter pilots fly high performance jet planes in combat. Their primary job is to defend our troops and positions against attacks by enemy aircraft.
To become a fighter pilot, you first must join the armed forces preferably the Air Force or the Navy as they are the ones in the U.S. who utilize fighter planes. The Marines have some attack aircraft but they mostly fly support for Marines on the ground. The Army uses mostly helicopters and the Coast Guard uses aircraft for rescue and neither of these two branches of the service engage in extensive air to air combat. For Americans, the only domestic employers of fighter pilots are the U.S. Air Force, the Marines and the U.S. Navy.
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Requirments for U.S. Fighter Pilots
All pilots in both the United States Air Force and Navy are commissioned officers and all commissioned officers in these two branches must be college graduates. So the first requirement for a fighter pilot is to be a college graduate. The next requirement is that you meet the physical, psychological and intellectual requirements for admission to officer training. This process starts with completing a long and very detailed application which can best be described as telling them everything about your life to date. Don't lie or omit anything on this application as the application will be given to the FBI who will use it as the starting point for a full investigation of your background. This investigation includes going through sealed court records, so if you had any run ins with the law as a juvenile, include this information even though the court told you the record would be sealed and not available for viewing. Past transgressions, both as a juvenile and as an adult may not prevent you from being accepted for officer training but NOT disclosing them and having the FBI find them will almost certainly be grounds for rejecting your application. Even if the FBI overlooks the record on this first check, they will do a more extensive background check before you graduate from flight school and they will most likely discover the record that time and you will be removed from flight school.
Admission to officer training also requires the passing of a test which tests your knowledge (this part is very much like the Scholastic Aptitude Test or SAT, that you took to get into college) as well as having a psychological test built into it. The psychological questions are intermixed with the knowledge questions. In addition, the test is in sections and, once one section is completed you cannot go back and change answers in the previous sections, so, by the time you have figured out where they are going with the psychological portion of the exam it is impossible to go back and change answers in order to present the right psychological profile. In general, they are looking for people who are motivated, aggressive, have initiative and are team players; this is what the psychological portion of the test looks for. Finally, you will also have to pass a rigorous physical exam.
Pilot candidates usually also have to take additional knowledge and psychological tests as well as meet higher physical standards especially in the area of vision.
Assuming you meet all of the qualifications, the next step is officer training. All officer candidates, except those who received their commission through ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) in college or as a graduate of the Air Force Academy or the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis. While in officer training school you are not an officer and are treated much the same way as those in the enlisted ranks are treated in basic training. Physical training is a major part of the program as are the academics which are focused mainly on the history and traditions of the Air Force or Navy. Physical and mental stress play a big role in the training as one of the goals of the program is to weed out those who can't handle the stress and who are not fully committed to becoming an officer.
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Flight School
Once you complete officer training and receive your commission you will be sent to flight school. As an officer you will be treated with more respect and have more freedom than a cadet in officer training. However, pilots are an elite fraternity within the service, especially the Air Force which is all about flying, so you will still be in a second class position as you will be both a student and one who has not yet earned pilot wings.
Flight school is a combination of academics, this time dealing with more serious aviation related subjects such as meteorology, aeronautic theory, principles of flight, etc., as well as flying, both in simulators on the ground and in planes in the air. Stress is also a big part of flight school as they want people who can not only deal coolly with the stress of in flight emergencies, but the added stress of flying under combat conditions. The intent is to identify and force out those who can't handle the stress as well as those who do not measure up academically or whose flying is not up to standards. It is not uncommon for a number of people to wash out of flight school and not become military pilots. Flight school will take about a year and, if you successfully complete flight school you will be awarded your wings as a pilot.
Throughout flight school you will be continually evaluated and ranked. The rankings will be posted, so everyone will know where they stand in relation to everyone else. As the class progresses, the higher ups in the chain of command will review their needs for pilots and send a list of open assignments to the flight school. These assignments will be based upon the needs of the service and there will be no guarantee as to how many, if any, of the assignments will be fighter jets.
Worse still, people are assigned to planes according to their rank in class with the top ranked person having first choice of assignments and the bottom ranked person getting the plane that is left after everyone else has chosen. Since fighter jocks are the elite of the elite, you can be certain that any fighter assignments will be taken by those at the top of the class. So, if you want to be a fighter pilot, you had better work hard to be at the top of your class in flight school.
A Taste of USAF Fighter Pilot Training
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The Lucky Few Go On to Advanced Training as Fighter Pilots
In the case of the fighter jets, especially the newer high performance ones, the assignment is not to fly the jet but, rather, a seat in the school that trains people to fly these jets. While you are waiting for your fighter jet class to start, you will probably to sent to wilderness survival school to learn how to survive in the wilderness if you ever have to bail out and live off the land for a few days while waiting to be rescued. There will be a few days of class where you will learn which bugs, critters, roots and leaves are edible and then turned loose in the woods for a few days where you can immediately put this knowledge to use by living on these same creatures as you make your home in the wilderness. Disgusting as it sounds, this is actually the easy part of the training as the next stage is to continue to survive on eating bugs and whatever else you can find while, at the same time, evading capture by the enemy. Of course, you will be captured and will spend the next few days as a prisoner of war undergoing the same psychological and physical torture as you would receive from a real enemy.
The final stage is to attend and complete training in the fighter aircraft that you have chosen. You are now both an officer and a pilot so you are well into the ranks of the elite. Even if you fail to complete this school, you will be given another flying assignment, although not necessarily in a fighter jet. In addition to learning how to fly your chosen aircraft there may be additional training beyond how to operate the aircraft. Upon successful completion of your training you will be a full fledged fighter jock one most prestigious positions in the Air Force, overshadowed only by the tiny clique of test pilots and astronauts.
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Major World Air Forces Home and Pilot Pages
- U.S. Air Force Home Page
- U.S. Air Force Pilot Careers Page
- U.S. Navy Home Page
- U.S. Navy Pilot Page
- Canadian Forces Home Page
- Canadian Air Force Pilot Page
- UK Royal Air Force Home Page
- Royal Air Force Pilot Page
- Australian Defence Forces Home Page
- Australian Air Force Pilot Page
- Indian Air Force Home Page
- Indian Air Force - Careers as a Pilot Page
Jet Fighters Flying Over HQ Bldg at Randolph, AFB (photo from Internet)
Fighter Pilots in the News
- Fighter jets escort plane after passenger becomes unrulyCNN2 hours ago
Two F-15 fighter jets escorted a passenger jet that had been headed for Hawaii back to Portland International Airport in Oregon after a passenger in coach became "uncooperative," an airline official said Wednesday.
- Singapore pilots not coming to local baseSpringfield News-Sun2 days ago
SPRINGFIELD - Singapore won’t train its fighter pilots at the Springfield Air National Guard Base.
- Blog: 10,000 flying hours in six monthsAir Force Times19 hours ago
The 354th Fighter Squadron had a busy six months in Afghanistan. Its A-10 pilots and maintainers racked up more than 10,000 flying hours and 2,500 sorties, flying just 12 Warthogs. Air Force Times report Bruce Rolfsen has more information about the squadron’s deployment on our FlightLines blog .
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Great post! It really helped me!
It's great! That was new for me!
Good job! Very informative!
It's great! I learned somthing new!
I am only a teen but i want to become a fighter pilot.So if you have any additonal info about being a fighter pilot plz message me?
Great post! Now i know what i need...thank you
Nice!!! in doin a report for school on this and it really helped me thanks!!!
Great information for people thinking of a career in flight, really has helped my home schooled son think about future classes and courses. Thanks!!
Cool picture! Fighter jets have always fascinated me.
Very informational and helpful. I learned a lot off of this website.
THANK YOU FOR THE STUFF NOW I CAN HOFELLY JOIN AF
I'm just now starting ninth grade so now I know I have to workout more and build endurance and try to work my way up to the top of the class
Great site , extremely facinating stuff
The part of physical torture, thats the first time I read something like it. Encouraging and discouraging at the same time. Bullocks.
Nice!! Even tho i was a Jarhead those guys were sure pretty to see going over. It makes you feel better being on the ground. Thanks... SEMPER Fi!
Thank you very much. I am 16 and needed something like this, very informative. This is definetly the path I am taking, not a doubt in my mind. Thanks again!
Thanks for hoping giving me an idea on how training is, now I can practic that here at home and get the general idea.
im 15 years old and cannot wait to join the navy and become a fighter pilot
What are you talking about??? "the only domestic employers of fighter pilots are the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy."??? The Marine Corps. has fighter pilots flying the F/18 Super Hornet and soon will be flying the F-35 JSF. Get your info straight "expert".
Lol, i'm guessing you're not even gonna post my comment since it has to be "approved" by the author. I wouldn't wanna look stupid either.
Enthusiast, Thanks for visiting my HubPages and for your comments. I have no problem approving both of your comments as my policy is to only deny spam comments and comments that are obscene or insulting to other readers. I make no claim to be all knowing and thus have no problem with someone correcting or expanding upon what I have written. I also don't have a problem with someone disagreeing with opinions that I post so long as the comment is civil.
Sorry, for overlooking the Marines. Being an ex Air Force flyer (navigator on a air refueling tanker, not a pilot or fighter pilot) I should have known that Marines fly combat as well a providing air support to their troops on the ground. However, this fact did not come to mind when I was writing this short piece. But I do appreciate your enlightening the readers as to the role of the Marines in the combat aircraft arena.
However, for the record, within the Pentagon the Marine Corps are a part of the Department of the Navy and the top military commander of the Navy (Chief of Naval Operations) and the Marine Corps (Commandant of the Marine Corps) both report to the Secretary of the Navy. So, technically, the only two U.S. employers of fighter pilots are the Department of the Air Force and the Department of the Navy. But, as the Marines have a distinct identity within the U.S. military establishment as well as a long and proud combat tradition on the ground, sea and air, they should have been listed separately as an American employer of fighter pilots.
Thanks again.
Chuck
Everything that you have written on the pilot training, air force/navy, fighter pilots is helping me reach and achieve what many people can not do. All though I am a teen and soon to make my choice for a career I personally believe that I will be able to be in what I know Ican do. So as much help as you can give me would be amazing.
Thank You
That is great! I can't wait till it's my turn to join up.
You got two killer videos on here... Well done
hey, can you still become a fighter pilot if you have your G.E.D.? any information will be helpfull, my email is, chrisfaith420@yahoo.com, thanks.
Amazing...It is my dream job and taught me alot!!! Thank's Chuck
Always dreamed off riding in a fighter jet. Thanks for the videos.
Great info - impressive photo of the arial formation!
Holy Cow - thank God for people who want to do this!!
Thank you so much. the information was so informative, and i now know the challenges that i hope to face someday. I really appreciate that. Thanks!
C/MSGT A.M.Riendeau
First Sergeant
Inter-State Composite Squadron
Civil Air Patrol
wonderful
THANKS great info chuck, really helped me a lot, but how long does this take after you have passed college until you are done with specific aircraft training.
Max - Assuming you do not get a commission through an ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) in college, you will need to enlist and complete officer training which is 12 weeks or more. Initial flight training is generally about a year, and training in your aircraft is probably three to six months or more. This, of course is for the United States. If you are in another nation the rules and times will be different. Time will also be needed for pre-enlistment physical exams, appitude tests and other paperwork.
If you are interested, you should get more specific information by visiting an Air Force, Navy or Marine recruiter if you are out of college or contact the ROTC unit, if there is one, at your college or a nearby one (you can sometimes attend ROTC training at a neighboring college or university if there is not a unit at your school).
I did post links to flying information pages on official U.S. and some foreign military recruiting sites which can be a good place to begin research and making contact for an in person appointment. Good luck.
THANK YOU chuck and about ROTC, other than it does not take as long, what are the advantages when you go through ROTC
Max - One advantage of going through ROTC is that you get a taste of military life while still in school. During your last two years you actually join the reserves and receive pay as well as college credit for taking the courses and attending the drills. There is also a summer camp commitment where you train on a regular military base. When I was in the Air Force ROTC you had the opportunity to sign up and take the physical and written tests for flight training and, if you qualified, were slotted for flight training after graduating and receiving your commission. Also, by going through ROTC you complete your officer training while in college and receive your commission upon graduation rather than having to spend time signing up and attending officer training after graduation.
I don't know if what I have told you above is still entirely correct as it has been a number of years since I was in ROTC but, again, if you are interested it would cost you nothing but some time to sit down with one of the instructors in the ROTC program at your college or a neighboring one to discuss the requirements, options and benefits of their program.
Chuck
Thanks people! I guess I will have to print it out to memorize it. That really HELPS me!
Thank you for the info, but I don't think I would pass the physical test.
it is my passion to become a fighter pilot.
plz, send me info about it.
i will always thanks u.
This info was awsome and gave me a great idea of what i need to fufill my dream of becoming a fighter pilot. Thanks alot.
This stuff is SO COOL!!
wait, why is being a test pilot more prestigious than being a fighter pilot? astronaut i can understand...but test pilot?
Nice write up, this is really detailed - thanks! I thought about applying to the RAF here in the UK, but the admissions officer pointed out that it was only the top few percent of each class who got to fly single seater jets - based on your performance during the courses the type of plane you would end up flying would be chosen for you. Didn't fancy cargo runs in a Hercules so never took the application any further ;-)
Thanks alot, I'm only 14 but, I've always thought about becoming a fighter pilot. And this was alot of help and informational for me. Thanks again, nice videos by the way.
Alex - I assume that being a test pilot is considered by some to be more prestigious is because there are both fewer of them and, absent combat, being a test can more dangerous since the planes are so new and cutting edge. As one old pilot once pointed out to me while I was in the Air Force, the manual for older planes is thick and contains all kinds of information about the plane, its problems and how to fix them. For new planes there are only a couple of pages and more are added each time one crashes and we get to study and learn from the crash. The test pilots are the ones whose experiences (and crashes) give us the first few pages of the manual.
i see. yes, i have done some research since i posted the question, and i will pursue becoming a test pilot one day (after i graduate from the AFA, and a few years of experience).
Can people with no american citizenship become pilots in the USAF?
Excellent Video. I am ready for the challenge.
upsilone - as to citizenship requirments for the United States Air Force, you will have to check with the Air Force. Foreign nationals can enlist in the U.S. military but pilots are officers with appointments by Congress and these may not be open to foreign nationals. I suggest that you contact the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate Office in your country.
greatest job ever! awesome
Whats the name of that first video,,i cant find it on you tube,,help!!!
Andrew t-d Here is the YouTube URL for the first video: http://youtube.com/watch?v=n5LM0e6YUmI
thankyou for the information, that really helped a lot
This stuff is really great. thanks so much for the info
Very good informative hub. My cousin is an Air Force fan. He wants to become a fighter pilot. Its his first choice. His second choice is to become a SWAT Team Leader.
I email forwarded your great hub to him using the Share link found in the end of your article/hub.
unreal Chuck great hub .
every boys dream! I tired up here in Canada but didn't have the math skills/abilities. Oh well.
Good blog but as long as you want to be there you for ever will ever walk with your eyes turned skywards for there you have been and there you will ever long to be. You have tasted flight..... davinchi.... Dont worry too much about what anyone says.... if you have the passion you will try untill you get there. you really will. being a pilot is the last bastian of passion, and thats what they look for in pilot applicannts.
Excellent. One of the best hub I ever Read. Thanks !
Great Hub and cool USA picture :)
What an exciting hub, even for a woman like me. We were all created to do something in life. I'm grateful for those who answer this calling.
great site it has inform me about being a fighter pilot i just hope i make it is my real dream since i was a kid im from puerto rico and theres not many puertoricans who become fighter pilots so thanks to this site now i now how to become one
I understand that John McCain graduated 6th from the bottom of his class at the Naval Academy. Why was he selected to be a fighter piolet? After he crashed a few planes why was he allowed to continue? Did the fact that his grandfather and father were Admirals have anything to do with it?
Excellent hub! Spot on! I am so glad to see someone with your knowledge taking the time to talk about your experience.
Don't forget to let all those kids out there know about the Service Academies too! That is an excellent way to become a pilot! My fiancé is a 2LT in the USMC, and is in flight training currently. We are stationed down here in Pensacola while he goes through the final stages. It is amazing to watch the amount of studying, practice, and knowledge that goes into the training. He is a Naval Academy graduate, and I must say that he, along with his peers, are very well trained and educated. As a former AFA cadet (left due to a heart condition), I can vouch for the amount of knowledge that the Academies bestow upon their cadets and midshipmen.
And on a quick side note, I would like to respond to William C Walters who posted above:
John McCain may have graduated in the bottom of his class, but he still made it in to the United Stated Naval Academy and survived 4 years of intense schooling and training. The United States Service Academies are known as some of the best among higher education institutions. The men and women who graduate from them are commissioned, as all officers are, by the President of the United States into the Armed Forces to serve and protect our Nation. After I went a read further about the incidents that you are speaking of, I truly begin to wonder where you get off questioning what happened. Do you even know what a “flame out” is? Or the fact that he had to bail out over Hanoi when his plane was no longer able to fly due to being incapacitated by enemy fire? The fact that his father and grandfather were Admirals had no effect on the reality that he stood his ground as a true American to protect the freedoms that you take advantage of with your disgusting ignorance and lack of thanks. Next time, think before you post, or speak for that matte because there is no need for you to attack someone, or something (the military, its aviators, etc), that you know nothing about. So, go put you face in a book or go talk to a military pilot face-to-face and get your facts straight before you start shooting off at the mouth (or keyboard) again! Oh, and by the way, there is no “e” in the word pilot anywhere, so find the spell check while you are at it. Thanks and have a wonderful day!
Thank you again, Chuck! This was an amazing hub! I look forward to hearing more! As we say in our household:
Semper Fi! / Aim High!
AF Southern Belle
Excellent hub! Spot on! I am so glad to see someone with your knowledge taking the time to talk about your experience.
Don't forget to let all those kids out there know about the Service Academies too! That is an excellent way to become a pilot! My fiancé is a 2LT in the USMC, and is in flight training currently. We are stationed down here in Pensacola while he goes through the final stages. It is amazing to watch the amount of studying, practice, and knowledge that goes into the training. He is a Naval Academy graduate, and I must say that he, along with his peers, are very well trained and educated. As a former AFA cadet (left due to a heart condition), I can vouch for the amount of knowledge that the Academies bestow upon their cadets and midshipmen.
And on a quick side note, I would like to respond to William C Walters who posted above:
John McCain may have graduated in the bottom of his class, but he still made it in to the United Stated Naval Academy and survived 4 years of intense schooling and training. The United States Service Academies are known as some of the best among higher education institutions. The men and women who graduate from them are commissioned, as all officers are, by the President of the United States into the Armed Forces to serve and protect our Nation. After I went and read further about the incidents that you are speaking of, I truly begin to wonder where you get off questioning what happened. Do you even know what a “flame out” is? Or the fact that he had to bail out over Hanoi when his plane was no longer able to fly due to being incapacitated by enemy fire? The fact that his father and grandfather were Admirals had no effect on the reality that he stood his ground as a true American to protect the freedoms that you take advantage of with your disgusting ignorance and lack of thanks. Next time, think before you post, or speak for that matter because there is no need for you to attack someone, or something (the military, its aviators, etc), that you know nothing about. So, go put your face in a book or go talk to a military pilot face-to-face and get your facts straight before you start shooting off at the mouth (or keyboard) again! Oh, and by the way, there is no “e” in the word pilot anywhere, so find the spell check while you are at it. Thanks and have a wonderful day!
Thank you again, Chuck! This was an amazing hub! I look forward to hearing more! As we say in our household:
Semper Fi! / Aim High!
AF Southern Belle
Well you're right for the most part. You may want to clarify that just because you complete OTS or ROTC (or even a service academy) doesn't mean you'll necessarily go to flight school. I would add a little humor to the post as well (why so seriouis?) to amuse us 2nd LTs who have nothing better to do than look at what other people think are ways to be fighter pilots. I was hoping for this to be a lot funnier than it was. Also you may want to talk about ENJJPT since that's the best way to go fighters. Definitely want to mention the difference between UPT and advanced aircraft training, track select, T-38s and AT-38s, etc. Otherwise pretty good.
Andrew - thanks for your comments.
As I have mentiond in other comments above, I was a navigator on an air refueling tanker and not a fighter pilot or even a pilot while in the USAF and the Hub was written as a general guide and not not a detailed set of instructions. We did have some guys (flying in the Air Force was for men only in those days) in my class who had washed out of UPT and went to Air Navigation School as a second choice as well as some who wern't able to make the cut for UPT and ended up on Navigation school (in my case my eyesight was a hair under the requirements for UPT so Navigation was my only other flying option). The goal of many in my class was to land an assignment as a navigator on an F-4 as these were cross-trained as co-pilots on that aircraft and could use that as a back door route to becoming a fighter pilot. Of course, as a navigator I was around a lot of pilots and most of the planes we refueled in the air were fighters and this is where I got most of my information for the article.
I like the suggestion about adding humor. Since I have a lot of good stories, some my own and more from what I heard from others, I will consider a Hub or two using these stories.
Thanks again and good luck with your flying.
Chuck
My bro. is very interested in becoming a pilot this hub will interest him a lot
Well this blog comes nearly 20 years to late. Think I´m too old to become a fighting pilot. The time when Top Gun came out was my time and inspired me but ... one (meanwhile 3) child wanted to be feeded. Thank you Chuck for this great blog, Erik PR: wait... I: wait... L: wait... LD: wait... I: wait...wait... CY: wait... I: wait... L: wait... YCat: wait... I: wait... Top: wait... I: wait... L: wait... C: wait... SD: wait...
Hey, I was just curious if your aware of any height requirements, because im actually geting my civilan licence at the moment, and although im only in my teens, I have the intensions of joining the military, and becoming a fighter pilot, however im only 5'2 and im positive that im not going to be growing any time soon, so do you thing this would pose a problem, because i would rather find this out now then after going through training, and schooling, when i could have been dirrected my focal intrest somewhere else.
HI CHUCK,
INFORMATIVE AND INTERESTING HUB ON FIGHTER PILOT
It was my dream to be a fighter pilot when I was 20 years old. Ready to board a bus to a military airforce base, I made a self check for any physical defects. Only then did I realize i was wearing glasses for near-sightedness.
Ouch! What a bummer!
hey chuck thanks for that i really needed the information. do yuou know if its the same for the australian airforce? if not could u help find out fr me well anyway thanks for that oh yea i met a new freind the other day guys and his dad is australias best fighter pilot he was australias first topgun. he said if u really wanna become a fighter pilot put ur head down at school and do everything required even if you dont like it because if you do you will have a much better chance and remember if you can try make ur records stand out to the rest not just have the requirements go out and get everything you can to do with it. itll really help in the longrun
Ya that whole hight i had never thought of that before. Looking into piloting is just recent for me too...like chuck you know of any, caus i mean im a pretty short guy, you kno. So im just wondering thats if you ave any idea at all
My hero
Thanks for the info. Im 15 and cant wait to fly for the Navy.
lol
Awesome hub Chuck! I have a question. I wear glasses...that means I can't be a fighter pilot?
Andras Daroczi - thanks for visiting my Hub. To answer your question, when I was in the Air Force 20/20 vision was required to get into pilot training. Navigators, which is what I was, had a slightly lower standard than 20/20, and a few even wore glasses while in Navigator training. So, if you wear glasses you probably will not be admitted to pilot training. However, once you have your wings and are flying there is, or used to be, some latitude as you get older so some deviation from 20/20 vision was allowed and on some types of aircraft I did see older pilots wearing glasses.
can you still become a fighter pilot if you have glasses but had Lasik or similar type sugery?
John - my advice is to check with your local recruiter as the rules regarding vision may vary some from service to service and also sometimes are relaxed or tightened depend upon the needs of the service and the supply of applicants seeking entrence to flight training.
Good Luck
This is such a great article. I have quite i few friends that are pilots and a brother that is dying to be one. I think this would be awesome and you make some great points that so many people overlook (first strike for not becoming a pilot) No college degree. Most of my friends went through a lot of the rigorous testing and work until they found out that they were not going to fly! Not last minute, but once you have all of your ducks in a row and not get your wings you are kind of stuck.
The second one is that there is a ton of competition and being in the airforce now and flying one a Top Gun Jet is extremely difficult. Kids are practically scouted like pro athletes.
3 of my close friends make the point that they went to the military to fly and where 10 out of 100 would fly in the airforce 10 out of 20 could fly in the military. But it is all about the effort put forth.
Last but not least - excellent article!!
Nice info just a question i'm a color blind person can i be still be pilot?
The last time I checked, color blindness kept people from flying for the military. The FAA may have rules against this for pilots flying passengers for large commercial airlines. However, the same rules may not apply to other classes of pilots. Also, individual airlines may have their own rules reguarding this.
A final point to note is the fact that there are different types of color blindness and rules may differ depending upon the type of colorblindness.
thank you very much this really helped me learn what i needed to become a fighter pilot, if theres any other information about becoming a fighter pilot please tell me,
Hello sir,
Iam prashanth from india iam in my 12 standard i very intrested to become a commertial pilot how can i approach from now to become a pilot.
My son will love this hub! He's going to take aeronautical or space engineering in college then become a fighter pilot. In fact, he wants to be a blue angel as well. Of course height runs in my family and if he's anywhere as tall as my father, he'll be 6'4''. Do you know if there's a height limit?
Writer Rider - There are minimum and maxium height and weight restrictions. Off hand I don't know what they are. I presume that they may vary from service to service and may also change periodically.
I suggest that he check the Navy's pilot page at http://www.navy.com/careers/officer/aviation/ and/or contact a Naval recruiter as they should be able to provide that information.
Thank's for the informative hub!
I am a qualified mechanical engineer. I have worked for two years in the ordinance/missle research & development dept. of a government company here in South Africa. After that I branched out into other areas of project engineering. I resigned to study & complete my Commercial Pilots License and have subsequently gained experience on the An-32B. I would like ultimately to fly as test pilot in the development of the world's latest technologies.
I am 30, two years older than the acceptance age of the SAAF and have limited options due to political reasons (i'm white male).
Many of the SAAF personal are being recruited by the RAAF. My younger brother is a US citizen, he was born during the 2 years we lived there in the early 1980's.
I don't think that the US would be interested, but where in the world do you think I could enquire to further my career?
Thanks again!
Michael - Thanks foy your comment.
As to your question regarding becoming a test pilot I don't have any specific advice. The military obviously uses test pilots for new aircraft but your age may be a barrier in some countries. Manufacturers of military aricraft also employ test pilots and this might be an option.
Another option might be with commercial space travel companies. In my Hub entitled "Vacationing in Outer Space" http://hubpages.com/hub/Vacationing_in_Outer_Space I discussed and provided links for Britain's Virgin Galactic Corporation's efforts in this area (the last time I checked, they were planning flights beginning this year, 2009, first from Edwards AFB in California and later to a permanent facility in New Mexico.
Another British company, Star Chaser, is also working on commercial space travel and their website is www.starchaser.co.uk
Good luck.
Thanks Chuck! I'll visit the sites and keep pursuing the dream!
Keep well
uh..hi im a teen too and im going into high school next year and im interested in becoming a fighter pilot when i grow up and applying to the us air force academy..i was just wondering do they accept canidents that get laser eye surgery my left sye is kinda not as good as it could be..and if you have any tips on what couls help me in the future that would help too..thanks.
Ever since I was small i wanted to become a fighter pilot, this will help me allot when i go too the air force academy.
dude this information was fantastic i'm only 12years old at the time and i've always been fascinated by the art of war but i never thought i'd get so interested in becoming a fighter pilot i always wanted to get in the marine corp until now thank you for helping me find the right path i don't know what i wouldv'e done without this
Can you be in college and apply for ROTC at the same time?
Hunter - if your college has an ROTC program visit them and inquire about their two year program. Even if you are a junior or senior they will often take you to start and then let you finish while in graduate school.
I am a high school student that has been looking into the AFA for the past year or so. Over this time I have heard many different things about the height requirements for a fighter pilot. I would like to know if anybody has a correct figure for the height requirement of a fighter pilot. If so, please answer and let me know. Thanks.
Cool stuff i'm looking forward to becoming a fighter pilot. can't wait.
Thank you
Very cool hub, I always wanted to be a fighter pilot when I was younger, I never knew it was that intensive.
Yes, what Daniel said do you have an estimate on the height requirements?
Hunter - the requirments not only change from time to time but also vary from one branch of a nation's military to another as well as vary from nation to nation. I have provided links in the Links Section to the home pages for the Air Force and Navy for the U.S. and other nations as well as the home pages for the fighter pilot pages for some of these branches of the service. If the branch or nation you are looking for is not there I suggest you try a Google search.
Thank You
This is what i wanted to know
GOOD DAY SIR,
I AM VERY GREATFULL AS I COME ACROSS YOUR SITE, IT WILL HELP ME ALOT, AS I PLAN TO BE A JET FIGHTER PILOT IN NIGERIAN AIR FORCE.
i'm currently in civil air patrol and i love to fly. i want to be a fighter pilot in either the marines or the navy and this has given me a lot of good information to work with. thanks
I am an air force wife and so this hub was naturally closer to my heart than most others you have written.
man thnx alot im 16 and i go to rev and i wanted a background of how to become a fighter pilot.my freind is going to join da marines on da 29 his going to become a sniper.Wish him luck on myspace!!mentonerachel@aol.com
Will having higher blood pressure keep you from being a pilot?
Hunter, Check with a recruiter but I am fairly sure that high blood pressure will keep you from becoming a fighter pilot. However, depending upon how high your blood pressure is, it may not prevent you from other flying jobs or ground support jobs working with jet fighters.
really cool i just want to say thanks it helped me on my assignment
Great information. I love fighters and watching them rock the skies!
http://hubpages.com/t/9dbdf (personal submarines)
I plan on becoming a pilot for the Marines.
And you were wrong about them,they do have fighter jets..and they do engage in fights.
My aunt is a fighter pilot for the usmc..she told me everything.
Johnny, Thanks for your comments and good luck with your desire to become a Marine fighter pilot.
Someone commented shortly after I wrote the article reminding me that the Marines also had fighter pilots and I added a mention of them in the article at that time. Your aunt can correct me if I am wrong but I believe that the main job of Marine fighter pilots is to provide air support to Marines fighting on the ground - this can include attacking the enemy in which the Marine ground forces are engaging or providing air cover to prevent enemy aircraft from attacking Marine ground forces.
Thanks again and I wish you the best of luck in your efforts to become a Marine fighter pilot.
Chuck
I was curious about a few things regarding how to be a pilot. First off, I am in the Air National Guard and am currently attending college. If I want to join the Air Force after my Guard commitment is over, what would I need to do for the officer training? thanks.
Zach - thanks for your comment.
Since you are already in the National Guard I suggest you talk to one of the recruiting officers about transferring to the Air National Guard if you are not already in the Air Guard and then inquire about Officer training and flight training.
If you are still in college you could probably join the AFROTC at your college or a nearby college and complete your officer training while in college. Visit the AFROTC unit at your school or neighboring school to inquire about moving from the National Guard to the AF and about Officer and Flight training.
Good Luck
Thank you.
great overview.....
Thanks for the info. Of course if your goal is to drop bombs and not fly. You could always go TACP or CCT and become a JTAC. They are the ones actually clearing the aircraft to drop for those of you interested in that kind of stuff. Its also a blast.
Very informational and helpfull to me or any one willing to become a fighter pilot you have a great piece there i enjoyed reading it and watching those videoes u put up but remember anyone who reads this and wants to fly jets u have to be in great shape for (high G tests)Not the funnest test u have to be able to with stand 7 8 9 g's with out a g suit with out blacking out because black out and when you open your eyes the ground infront will be waking you up. anyways i'd say the g test is very uncomfortable because at nine times the force of gravity without a g suite you have to tighten your lower leg thigh and butt also your abdomen musles all at once top stop the blood from dripping to your feet and loosing consecisnous i probably spelled that wrong but in other words blacking out try to tighten those muscles and spin around in circles with 9 times the force of gravity bearing down on you not fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Interesting Post. For Erik, the abbreviation is pronounced G-LOC (like Gee-Lock) or Gee Induced Loss Of Consciousness and can happen if you pull too many "G's". One of the ways to get to be a military pilot is to attend one of the Federal Service Academies, info at http://www.toughestschoolsintheworld.com/
Good Luck and good hub
one more year of school and I WILL be on my way.
That is a crazy awesome hub! My grandfather is a pilot and I have always wondered how he became one! Awesome hub!
im only in year 7 but i cant wait to join up ive always wanted to be a RAF pilot
I graduated with a degree in aerospace engineering and worked as an engineer for a few months before being laid off. I have never been in the military or any ROTC program. I am seriously considering joining the Air National Guard to become a fighter pilot and would like to know the best route to take?
Seems like a cool job but easy to forget the physical and emotional strain these guys get put through. Really well written hub thanks
Smith84 - Thanks for commenting.
As to your question, I have prepared a new Hub on how to become a fighter pilot in the Air National Guard. Click here to read it: http://hubpages.com/hub/How-to-Become-a-Fighter-Pi
Chuck
I always found fighter planes to be awesome, this is some great info on becoming a pilot.
~thranax~
Hey Chuck! This was great for me. I'm just a teenager but it is my passion to be a fighter pilot in the USAF. I do have some questions for you though. Do you have to go to Air Force Acadamy to be a pilot or can you just go to any college and then join the Air Force after you graduate? Also, I wear contacts, so I don't have 20 20 vision, but if I got laser eye surgery would that qualify me to be a pilot? Great info again, really inspiring! I admire you for serving our country. Thanks!
Will - in answer to your questions:
1 No. You do not have to go to the Air Force Academy in order to become a fighter pilot. In fact, I don't think attending the Academy increases your chances of being accepted for pilot training.
You have to be a college graduate to qualify to become an officer and being an officer IS a requirement for becoming a pilot. But graduating from any recognized 4 year college or university is fine.
If you go to a college with an Air Force ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) unit on campus and you successfully complete the AFROTC training and graduate you will receive your officer's commission at graduation. If you go to a school without an AFROTC unit you can apply to attend the Air Force Officer Training School (OTS) and receive your officer commission that way.
In my day you had to have 20/20 vision to qualify for pilot training - no corrective lenses allowed. HOWEVER, in researching my recent hub on how to become a fighter pilot for the Air National Guard ( http://hubpages.com/hub/How-to-Become-a-Fighter-Pi ) I discovered that the Air Force now allows less than 20/20 vision provided it can be corrected with glasses or contacts. DON'T get laser eye surgery because, according to the most recent information I have found, this will definitely DISQUALIFY you for pilot training.
Click on the link to my Air National Guard Hub above and check the links to the Air Force Web pages on pilot qualifications I have in there.
Good luck
Chuck Nugent
respected sir/madam
I am currently in united states and i am a permanent reisdence here since six months...i always wanted to be a pilot..but the chance i got it to come in united states as a permanent residence...so i have already finished by high school in my country and i am 19 yrs old...so is there any chances that the united states airforce will recruit me as the airforce pilot or as equivalent..please send me email in jenish.chand@gmail.com. i am looking forward for your responce..
Jenish Chand - Thank you for visiting my Hub and for your comment.
In answer to your question, the requirements to become a pilot in the Air Force you must first be a commissioned officer which means that you have to be accepted and successfully complete USAF Officer Training School (OTS). While the U.S. Military will accept non-citizens into its enlisted ranks, officers must be U.S. citizens as stated in the requirements for officer training on this military recruiting website:
http://www.military.com/Recruiting/Content/0,13898
The reason for this is that military officers are government officials with decision making authority. In most nations, decision making positions in government are reserved for citizens of the nation only. Further, in the United State and many other nations, the act of accepting such a commission from a foreign nation can result in one's native land revoking the citizenship of who accept such commissions.
The U.S. Air Force also requires officer candidates to have a degree from a recognized college or university before they can be accepted for Officer Training School.
Since you are only 19 years old, you still have time to complete college and complete the 7 year residence requirement to become a citizen before you reach the age of 28 1/2 which currently is the maximum age for admittance to pilot training.
So, if you desire to become a U.S. citizen as well as obtain a college degree and meet the other requirement listed on the website in the link above for becoming an officer and a pilot you could have a chance to become a pilot in the U.S. Air Force or one of the other branches of the U.S. military that employs pilots.
I suggest you find an Air Force recruiter in the city in which you live and speak with them about opportunities and choices available to you in the U.S. Air Force.
how to become a hunter pilot? interesting topic. Uniform always ttracted me.. but due to some reasns I could'nt make it.. nice hub
first start from bicycle, try to drive it in aggressive mode.
great info it helped me alot! im 19 and finishing my first semester in college. Im wanting to be a fighter pilot and this helped me alot thnx!
Can and Ensign be a pilot? I've usually only seen Lt.
Sarah - in the Air Force the requirement is that pilots be officers and Second Lieutenants (the AF equivalent of an Ensign) fly planes so I presume that pilot wings are given to ensigns in the Navy as well.
Hey Chuck. I am a strong christian and I wanted to know if it was a sin to be a fighter pilot in some cases. I mean if your bombing a city or somewhere in Afganistan wouldn't there be a lot of citizen deaths. Just wondering because that would be the big difference of me becoming a fighter pilot or not
Dan - For most people, I would say no that it is not a sin to be a fighter pilot. However, if one is a Quaker or other pacifist religion it probably would be a sin as these Christian and other sects are generally totally opposed to war or, at least taking up and using weapons in war (this does not prevent them from risking their lives serving in front line positions as medics and other non-combat roles).
St. Augustine and other Christian saints and scholars have supported the idea of a just war in which one basically fights to defend their homeland. So a person can be both a Christian and a fighter pilot defending his or her country against attack.
what about women flying fighters in the air force?? in combat??
Was searching for "how to become a pilot", saw your hubpage. Great info on how to become a fighter pilot!
Jim says:
3 years ago
Thanks for your post! That's what I needed!