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I have been selected to attend Air Force Undergraduate Pilot Training. I understand that course is one year in length, but how long does the entire 'formal' flight training process generally take to complete? I also understand it will vary greatly depending on track-select and airframe assignment. For all of you rated aviators out there, from day one of OTS to checking in with your first operational active-duty squadron, how much time usually elapses? Again, I know it varies considerably, so I'd like to hear from fighters, cargo, tankers -- anyone willing to chime in. Most of the pilots (they fly A-10s) at my unit advised I'll be in a 'formal' training pipeline for about 24 months. Sound about right? I know we're never really done training, but I'm just asking out of curiosity.
Training
Air Force
Pilot
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 12
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Cokingm from a JSUPT base I will say that the lines are backed up, yes. It's my understanding from a close friend wrapping up UPT at that base now that it is about a year through training. However, training is somewhat prioritized. For example the guard guys know their predetermined tracks because their bases only facilitate usually one airframe. As such they'll start before the AD Personel, which backs that pipeline up too. At Vance AFB I believe the pipe is about a year.
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SMSgt James Johnson
A good point SrA Erkens but slightly inaccurate concerning the Guard guys. They spend just as much time waiting for a class start date as their AD counterparts. While your accurate concerning their predetermined airframe, they are waiting their time at home station. This is not always a blessing since it becomes a form of initiation. Those poor 2LT's wind up pulling quite a few of the menial details that no one else likes to do. When their class start date arrives, they are more than happy to get away from home station and get it started. The point is they do not get priority over anyone else, and the wait time for them was not a cakewalk, as it may appear to someone unfamiliar with the Guard.
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SSgt (Join to see)
I would beg to differ. As I stated it where I just came from and on had the pleasure of watching a high school friend weigh his options, commission with the home state Guard unit, and depart for Vance AFB where he began his training with in a couple weeks of arrival.
Simultaneously folks I met in the pipeline before his arrival started well after him.
It may very well have been that way once, but certainly not now.
Simultaneously folks I met in the pipeline before his arrival started well after him.
It may very well have been that way once, but certainly not now.
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SMSgt James Johnson
Its possible that the system has changed since my retirement in 2011, but after spending over 31 years in an Air Guard flying squadron, I was weighing in on the procedures I had seen. I performed a lot of the aircrew ground training during that time, and was aware that once we started a guy through training including the delayed enlistment program, class dates were scheduled to get them through as quickly as possible once they started. Some of those guys would take the oath six months to a year under the delayed program before they even went to OCS, but all their training classes were being lined up for them from the beginning. That also placed a great deal of stress on them to complete each task so they could move forward as planned. A failure or setback at any stage could cause major headaches for all involved. I will say we attempted to mitigate that by allowing 4 to 6 weeks or more between each major training task based on availability in any particular class. So while it seems they breeze through quickly, its usually the great support they have from their home unit and a lot of planning on their behalf, behind the scenes, much of which they may be unaware of.
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Until you pass fail or give up.Depends on your commander if you are a BOLO your commander may opt you out of the program .You have a mission ahead of you ,learn all you can to be the best at what you are going to be and don't worry about time,and remember if you pass you will have a career after you retire from the service. Have fun and Drive On !
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