Jester203

Assuming citizenship is not a factor then your age is also not a big factor. I'm going to OTS->UPT soon and I'm 30. The age limit for UPT is 33. You'll definitely want that PPL before you're competitive. And the test scores can change everything. If you want it, then go and get it.

No interview. I received a TBNT from VT this week. I have (from memory) 99/97/93/96/73 on the AFOQT, 90 PCSM (w/ the 23 hrs I had when taken) and 74ish hours now and a PPL. I am also 28 years old, which is a factor with some units.

I took the AFOQT and TBAS just over a year ago. I since have more flight hours. Should I update anything? I'm very happy with my scores, btw, but don't want to be out-of-date if that would be a problem.

As I understand it, the national average is in the upper 60s. Here in Los Angeles, I was told by my (independent) CFI that the average hours to PPL locally is in the 80s. I have 50 and have been waiting a long time for the checkride (thanks COVID), but my CFI said that was exceptionally unusual and I progressed "blazing fast" (not so humble brag). I guess my point is for the readers that it can vary a LOT between locations and individuals.

Not a typo?

Heh. Around here more like $15,000. As to your question, I'd say it depends on the unit but all the fighter units and fighter pilots I've come across in my own application journey are pretty clear that a PPL is effectively a requirement. Think about it as showing that you are, in fact, passionate about aviation and truly want to be a pilot.

Somewhat out of my lane here as just another applicant, but a 99 with 23 hrs is not possible according to Bogidope's description of scoring: https://bogidope.com/civilian-to-guard-or-reserve/the-pilot-candidate-selection-method-pcsm-score-explained-part-2/ However, some units ask for your PCSM at the 201+ hours level and he could unconsciously be referring to that.

I'm just a fellow applicant, so take this with it's commensurate grain of salt. I did score very well, for what it's worth. 1) I would buy more books - I had a few and did all the practice tests more than once. 2) No. Aptitude, verbal, and quant are just as (if not more) important as far as I know. 3) I didn't really study for the aviation section because I'd already passed the PPL FAA test and it's all similar. I would just review whatever stuff you used for the FAA test. 4) I would pick up a reading hobby with some more challenging books. This is just a general life tip, as well. You will pick up a lot of vocabulary surprisingly quickly (and without trying to) by just reading good books 30-60 minutes a day. FWIW, I found most of the test to be nearly identical to the Barron's book I started with.

Excellent article covering the motivations behind the S-400 buy: https://warontherocks.com/2019/07/the-tale-of-turkey-and-the-patriots/

A way to rapidly airlift large, unflyable aircraft already exists... 😛 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shuttle_Carrier_Aircraft

Hi everyone. I'm a civilian pilot who is building a simulation of the Super Tucano for a video game and I have two questions: 1) What is the middle-top screen in the backseat as shown here? https://i.pinimg.com/originals/bb/2d/c2/bb2dc2e0cfc540a0c2e213300c2cd115.jpg 2) What is the extra paneling along the side of the fuselage under the canopy added to the American-sourced A-29s as shown here? https://i.ytimg.com/vi/LkgeladdlaI/maxresdefault.jpg Thanks in advance!