Loadmaster to Pilot

[Guest JGriffis]

Hello everyone! Does anyone have any experience or know someone with experience with crosstraining from a loadmaster to a pilot or navigator? I am pretty sure I am about to take a loadmaster position with the 136th Airlift Unit in Fort Worth, but at the same time not losing my dream of becoming a pilot or navigator. Thanks for your insight and opinions!

Justin

[Guest AirGuardian]

Since you are taking a loadmaster position I'm assuming your career progression will be involving airlift obviously. Depending on the unit's future, it is relatively easy to secure a pilot slot from them if they are headed into a conversion to an aircraft that does not require your job. Engineer positions are being lost all the time with conversion to newer aircraft and they have a great opporutunity to get a shot at being a pilot if they have been an outstanding contributor within the unit. With that said, unless your unit is switching to an aircraft(fighters as one example, but most likely some sort of ISR platform) which does not necessitate a loadmaster, that option is out. But if you do well in the unit as a loadmaster, you are a prime candidate for pilot selection as well. Having the unit to fly with for a few years and get to know that you are a standup type, is always good during the boards. Only thing going against you is age. Try to assess an accurate timeline of some sort to give yourself enough time to hit 2 or 3 boards within the unit. And make sure you have all the requirements done such as the degree, etc. if you haven't already. Having your ducks lined up and understanding the system is 90% of the battle. Let your work ethic right your ticket my friend. Our unit always looks for outstanding troops from within. In a few cases we have approached a few on why they aren't applying, but normally that initiative is left up to you - so don't wait for it. Remember the age limit and good luck!

[Guest JGriffis]

Sorry I should've told you that I just turned 24. You are correct, it is an airlift unit. Degree is out of the way. So i'm relying on work ethic, attitude, and networking! Am I on the right track? This unit says they select upt candidates 98% from within.

[Guest AirGuardian]

In that case, fly with them for a year or better and build that kick@ss work ethic to show them you are NOT just another person. Show enthusiasm, great skill, and the ability to get the job done safely and effectively. Know your stuff. Kind of the "can-do" kid. Stay resilient and be open-minded, and don't forget to be somewhat humble, confident and not over-bearing or cocky. Make it easy for the other crew to always try and pick you to fly with them on missions. You will note that as time progresses and you will tend to get the better missions, things are starting to turn you're way. No one wants a Jack@ss on a great trip with them, it ruins everything. Remember to apply within a year or two since the age thing is coming, but you have time!!! Try not to brush up against the 28 yr timeframe. You have a great chance since the unit has indicated in-house hiring as a primary source. Many guys try to fool themselves into thinking that the Enlisted way is no way to go, but if you find a unit like yours - it's the best way to go and spread your roots to a better life. You may pay a price for a little while, but you'll have fun doing it and see the light - keep your cool and always be pressing forward as a great individual and things will work out for you I'm sure. Keep at it and good luck!

[Scooter14]

Ditto what AG said. There are plenty of folks running around down here wearing enlisted aircrew wings, former booms, engineers, loadmasters, AWACS aircrew, etc. It seems like a great way to prove yourself at your unit, and you have the added advantage to learn about military aviation.

I don't know a whole lot about the -130 community, but in my experiences, some aircrew who don't spend a lot of time on the flightdeck tend to focus on their job back there (and rightfully so) but they don't get involved with the actual flying aspect. Don't be that guy. Be the guy who asks the questions in the briefings and expands his knowledge about what the pilots and navs are doing, be the guy bugging the engineer about systems and sitting in the jump seat when your duties permit. It will pay dividends at UPT and Little Rock.

[Guest mikedjp]

I don't have input for your exact situation, but I'd like to chime in for a couple of reasons. I'm an active duty loadmaster with a college degree. I'm also going for a pilot or nav slot. I think you did the right thing by finding a guard unit instead of taking the path that I did. I wish I would have researched reserve and guard units more before I enlisted.

As a loadmaster you will learn a lot about the mission, the weapons system, and you will have a lot of fun. You will also put away any preconceived notions you might have had about the enlisted troops, at least I did. I know when I become an officer, I will be able to have confidence in the enlisted airmen I'm working with, and respect them.

Good luck.

p.s. You will be one of the older ones when you go to basic, and it will be intersting to have your ass handed to you by a TI who is about your age, but with a lot more knowledge about the AF.

[Guest AirGuardian]

I always kill for a good loadmaster(so to speak, had to say it before the fighter jocks chimed in ha!), luckily my Guard unit is full of em... Nothing like having the offload done in record times, having an extra buddy to tool around town with(drink with) in a foreign country to watch your back, and of course someone else to share to responsibility and sense of accomplishment on getting the mission done. Engineers make great pilots as well, their system knowledge is impeccable and noteworthy! Good luck to all!

[Guest cwils154]

Hey everybody I new to this gig but I am going to be a c-130 loadmaster at my local ANG base. Really wanna fly. I am currently pursuing my PPL and am starting college this summer before I ship(hopefully 12-15 hours of credit). Possibly another semester if my leave date is far enough back. Im just graduating high school by the way. I talked to the loadmasters today and they were pretty cool about saying we would work together to get school in and flight time. But benefits is the loadmaster career path going to bring me when I attempt to become a pilot? I know I will know the selection board and all. Or if anybody else knows and loads that could email me or pm me that would be great. Any other advice is welcome thank you.

[Guest 12XU2A3X3]

Hey everybody I new to this gig but I am going to be a c-130 loadmaster at my local ANG base. Really wanna fly. I am currently pursuing my PPL and am starting college this summer before I ship(hopefully 12-15 hours of credit). Possibly another semester if my leave date is far enough back. Im just graduating high school by the way. I talked to the loadmasters today and they were pretty cool about saying we would work together to get school in and flight time. But benefits is the loadmaster career path going to bring me when I attempt to become a pilot? I know I will know the selection board and all. Or if anybody else knows and loads that could email me or pm me that would be great. Any other advice is welcome thank you.

i just thought i would pass this very general tidbit along. i asked an older friend who is retired Col from the herc community about going crew chief to pilot in the world of hercs as this is fairly common in the fighter community. he responded that no one had ever made that jump that he knew of (doesn't mean they haven't and i would guess they have). he recommended loadmaster or flight engineer to pilot. bear in mind it was an afres and not ang unit. just a though (not really my own).

insofar as the benefits of being a loadmaster when going for a board, in particular a herc board, there is the obvious of being familiar with the aircraft, the mission, CRM, etc.