Qualifications to Become an Airforce Pilot All told, this is a two month training program that includes a mixture of both classroom lessons and in-the-field exercises in essential topics like and navigation, first aid, self defense and more. This is a program designed to guarantee that trainees are capable of daily physical conditioning and as a result, instructors will administer an Air Force Physical Fitness test within the first week of participation. It involves attending Officer Training School, or OTS. Note that it is possible to continue with this career path without attending either the AFROTC or the USAFA. If students choose to attend the United States Air Force Academy instead, they will take airmanship courses and will also have the opportunity to begin their flight courses in earnest. As an alternative, they can also choose to attend the United States Air Force Academy (or USAFA for short) if they want to first become an officer.ĭuring their time with the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, students will complete various field training exercises while also taking classes in critical concepts like aerospace, leadership, military laws and Air Force organizations. Once that Bachelor’s degree has been earned, candidates will need to enroll in the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, otherwise known as the AFROTC. Having said that, it has been noted that a GPA of 3.4 or higher is preferred. Note that earning a Bachelor’s degree with a grade point average above 2.5 is required. This will give applicants a leg up when it comes to not only flight training, but understanding some of the major elements like aerodynamics, aviation laws and aircraft systems that they’ll deal with after they graduate. While it’s absolutely true that the Air Force itself does not require pilots to have any specific major, it certainly helps to get a degree in either aviation or some related field. In order to even be considered as an Air Force pilot, candidates will first need to go out and earn their Bachelor’s degree. In terms of becoming a pilot, people can do so as an active duty member of the Air Force, in the Air Force Reserves or as a member of the Air Guard. A recruiter can also help make sure that applicants understand the various options that are available to them. This point is important, as working with a recruiter can help make sure that applicants meet all of the basic eligibility requirements. Therefore, the first step towards this career path involves contacting a local Air Force recruiter station and joining the service as soon as possible.

Obviously, becoming an Air Force pilot requires one to be an active member of the United States military. Guide to Becoming an Airforce Pilot: Educational Requirements Therefore, if you have decided that becoming an Air Force pilot is the most appropriate career path for you, there are a number of key things you’ll need to keep in mind.

Candidates must not only meet a rigid list of qualifications, but they need an extensive educational background as well. This is a dangerous career, to be sure – but the type of training most Air Force pilots receive is second-to-none and it’s certainly a profession that brings with it a sense of satisfaction and duty that most would be hard-pressed to find anywhere else.īut at the same time, becoming an Air Force pilot isn’t something that can just happen overnight. Air Force pilots may be stationed at bases within the country, or in remote locations all over the world. Regardless, Air Force pilots are the brave, hardworking men and women who conduct actual flight operations – doing their part on a daily basis to help keep all of us safe and secure at all times. This can include but is certainly not limited to fighters, bombers, transport planes and even unmanned aerial vehicles, also commonly referred to as UAVs for short. That comes out to about $46,000 per year, before considering any bonuses or other financial perks that you might qualify for.Īs a part of the branch of the military that is responsible for transport, reconnaissance and even aerial warfare, Air Force pilots get to fly a wide range of different types of aircraft depending on the situation. If you stick with this particular career path and work your way up the chain of command, after five years of service you have the potential to see that salary increase to $3,836.10 per month at the E-7 Master Sergeant level. According to the United States Air Force’s own website, the entry level salary for an E-1 Airman Basic pilot with one year of service under his or her belt comes in at roughly $1,733.10 per month.

Becoming a fighter pilot