wikz

Good morning aviators. I had an idea that crossed my mind about investing in a flight sim. Items including stick, throttle, and rudder pedals (https://shop.thrustmaster.com/en_gb/t-16000m-fcs-flight-pack.html), and some kind of good reviewed/ not too expensive pc and monitor to play Microsoft Flight Simulator, and DCS. I have the money to pay for something like this, so I am not too worried about the damage, but I was looking for some input. Do you think buying, and playing a sim is worth it? ex. improving pilot skills; getting familiarity with jets that could possibly help in phase 2 & 3 of UPT (possibly practicing t-6 and t-38 maneuvers, for example formation flying, split S etc. I am gonna look more into what type of flying they do); and keeping piloting skills fresh. I think it would also be a sweet gig for someone that's interested in aviation. Ive seen a UPT stud with a cheap sim setup that he used to practice at the end of the day, and he ended up getting top of his class selecting tailhook. I understand that anything I practice is nothing compared to the real training, just wanted to get an idea. Is there any pilots out there that have purchased something like this?

Is an ANG fighter selectee who doesnt track t-38's in UPT because of grades common, or a once in a millennia type of thing?

Good evening aviators. Been reading forums, and I couldn't find specific info for these questions, other than do your best and the scores will handle themselves. When picked up from an ANG unit for fighters, are you guaranteed to track select t-38's? I understand that you can be forced into t-1's from t-38's if you arent making "fighter grades" in UPT, but how badly do you really have to be doing to get switched tracks? is it possible to get picked up by a unit for fighters, make fighter grades, and not track t-38's because there's not enough t-38 slots in a class? I am a long way from UPT (not assuming i'm even going to get picked up by a unit), but I enjoy reading the forums, and thought id have the discussion posted for anyone that is possibly wondering the same thing I am. -wikz

Yeah.. The ANG is no secret anymore. If units are starting to avert rushing, honestly I think the best thing to do is like I said, shoot your application to any unit you'd be interested in, and hope to land an interview. If not picked up, asking for feedback on what you could've done better is also a great way to improve and critique things.

Speaking from no prior experience. I have done some reading on the forums, comparing peoples chances, and I am gonna second tomato on the leadership experience. Your LOR's, and flight experience are definitely strong. Your scores are pretty adequate, but when applying for fighters, there are people that have the same or even higher scores. if you want to improve you chances to get an interview or even get hired, I would check out https://bogidope.com and buy their package to improve your application. If you're looking for strictly f-15 and f-22, bogidope also lists the squadrons that are hiring. But the older you get the less appealing you are to units, so I would say to not be so picky, and only apply to f-15 and f-22 units. shoot you app everywhere! like everyone else after me that replies to this topic, assuming your going ANG, they are notorious for hiring from within. not saying you should enlist, but RUSH THE UNIT your interested in. get your face around the base, converse with people, but never miss an opportunity to STFU. Best of Luck!

@uhhello Appreciate your insight on crew chief! Whats the workdays like? Ive heard stories of working all day and sometimes all night if the jet needs maintenance. Not to sound lazy, if I wasn't in college, I would have no problem with the work load, but juggling college and a job like that would be difficult. Also how long was your crew chief tech school?

Good Morning Aviators! I am a senior in high school, and I want to pursue a fighter pilot career, but have some questions. I am planning on enlisting into my local ANG unit to give me a leg up when applying for the UPT board. Reading these forums, i've seen that the best enlisted jobs to have to get close with the pilots and learn about the aircraft would be crew chief, LM, and life support. I am looking for some insight on these jobs (been there done that). Is there a way to attend tech school and go to college (taking online classes), or am I going to have to do a gap year for basic and tech school? What is tech school like for any of the jobs/ how long is it? What was your life like attending college, and being enlisted in the ANG as a crew chief, LM or Life support(the work load/how did you handle it)? And finally, does being enlisted while at college really delay your college graduation time, if so how? Apologies for the supplementary amount of questions. Im always open to suggestions!

Good afternoon aviators. apologies in advance if this is a dumb question, but I am looking for some Navy and ANG pilots to shed some light on this topic. I am a senior in high school, and am stuck choosing between which branch I want to create a career in. Like every other person in this site, I want to pursue jets. I love the Navy's mission and I was inspired by the Blues at a young age. It would be a dream to inspire others like I was. But acquiring jets in the Navy is like "dark magic" such as where your placed for primary, your NSS, or how ever many slots are open in your squadron when you select that week, etc. (Needs of the navy). I dont know much about the national guard, but Ive heard rumors of choosing what you fly before going to flight school, and horror stories that ANG fighter pilots only fly a few days out of the month. My mother is also a flight attendant for Hawaiian Airlines and told me about a pilot who thought flying commercial was boring and became a fighter pilot for the guard. made it sound so easy. Here's the dumb questions... Being a (HS) senior I would like to know where I should go if id like to fly jets before committing to a branch such as NROTC in college? (which ive already applied to). I spent a lot of time engrossed in Navy and was wondering if I chose to pursue becoming a NA--but with luck of the draw I didnt pick up tail-hook in primary--and got my second choice--after I serve till the end of my contract in the Navy not flying jets--would I be able to transfer to the national guard and try for jets and go to flight school again? apologies for not knowing much about ANG, but I do plan on reading all forums to learn more.