Training exemptions

[RabidSquirrel]

Hey guys, I am a RPA pilot selectee, I have my PPL/PPC, and I anticipate completing my instrument rating this fall. My date of commission is on 24 Apr 2014, after which my RPA training will begin that summer.

1. While digging around in the internet, I have found out that I am exempt from block 1 of training (IFS) in Pueblo, CO, and that I will go straight to IQC at Randolph instead. My ROTC Detachment NCO's were not aware of this policy (new as of Dec 2012), so be sure that yours know if you are a RPA selectee, so that they can work on getting a waiver from IFS early on for you.

2. Questions: From what "I think" I know, IQC is basically the civilian equivalent of getting an instrument rating through the FAA; with the course ending with your instrument checkride, correct?

3. So if I already have my civilian acquired instrument rating what would IQC do with me? Have you guys, or anybody you know, trained in my situation in IQC? If so, did the civilian Instrument/Commercial pilot still have much to learn from the course?

The person I talked to via a number on the IFS arrival guide, said normally a guy in my situation would not be exempt from IQC, and that often the trainees who struggled were often civilian instrument/commercial rated pilots. He mentioned struggles with the military side of aviation and struggling with boldface or whatnot. So he recommended that I still attend IQC for my benefit.

From the way he said it, it seems that in the past they have let some individuals passover IFS & IQC and go straight into Block 3 (RPA fundamentals), and that he was referring to their struggles there? I'm not sure.

This is a funny situation for me, as it is weird to think that I will have to do another instrument checkride for the FAA & USAF, being already instrument rated. :D

Some of you are probably wondering why I am wasting MY money on instrument training, if the AF is going to provide it. Well , I started it as my plan B if I didn't pick up a pilot slot; which I technically didn't get due to nearsighted eyes (good enough for RPA), but flying is what I want to do when I get out of the USAF.

Edited August 19, 2013 by RabidSquirrel

[Chaff]

1. If you found the actual policy then you are probably correct.

2. Correct. Although you won't actually get an instrument rating and all of your flights are in a simulator.

3. We had a guy in my RIQ class who had his civilian instrument rating. He still had a lot to learn and the course was still challenging. For the most part you are completing the UPT syllabus in the sim with half the acrobatics and no formation.

4. Previously the only way you would be exempt from IFS was if you were a already a rated guy with your PPL. I had to go through the RPA IFS course even after having previously completed the pilot IFS course. Guys who make it all the way to the T-38 and wash out of UPT go through RIQ even when they have completed the instrument phase of the T-6.

5. RFC is a joke, study a little, play lots of golf. I doubt anyone could struggle with it. If there was some magical way to show up at FTU without having completed some prior AF flying training you would have a tough time and your instructors would probably hate you. You really need the prior training to experience and adapt to the way the AF is going to train a pilot. To get the best training I would say go to IFS. That being said if you don't need to go you are opening up an opportunity to wash out (people with all levels of experience do). But if you would wash out of IFS you probably don't belong anyway.

Maybe guys who graduate college with their instrument rating should go straight to IFF? Sounds like a good idea right?

Vision requirements for both manned and RPA pilots.

Edited August 20, 2013 by Chaff

[RabidSquirrel]

Thank you Chaff for taking the time to give that great feedback.

Ok. I will definitely find IQC a challenge, even with an instrument rating!