Nice video. A lot is different and a lot is the same from when I went through UPT in class 71-06. I went back as an instructor pilot and then to San Antonio to teach in the PIT program for three years. Ended up with a little under 2K hours in the 38. That was a long time ago, but I still can feel and hear the T-38 around me when I see these videos. Fun airplane to fly.
I have my instrument and almost commercial completed on the civilian side. Prior service Marine studying for the AFOQT as we speak and wanting to get on with the reserve fighters here in Alaska, or with the Air guard flying C-130. UPT definitely has me a little nervous because of the work load. But very excited to be taking these steps to the next chapter in life.
UPT and JSUPT are both marathons. You do not sprint to the finish. It is very long days for both students and instructors. I had three IP assignments - two in the T-38A and one in the T-37B. I would not trade those experiences.
Beautiful "Enid-by-the-Sea". UPT 80-04, to the operational USAF then'volunteered' by Col. Stephen B. to the non-operational Air Force T-38A IP/86th FTS/Laughlin 1984-1988.
I’m technically disqualified to become a pilot in the service because I am 34 and will be 35 before I can even start ots but I’m one of those they will make an exception for me type of people: I’ll make them tell me no.. I’m joining
Nice and powerful machine, but they designed to kill people! Message to the young men and women who have desire to be pilot of a machine like this! I can't stop you to go try this, but keep in mind you don't need to kill people when war brakes on!! Everything is world government manipulation!! You my think and been told that some people of some other country attacking your country well be 100% sure that will be not true!!! No one from normal people will attack your country NO ONE!!!!
My grandfather flew the P-47 in WWII my dad flew the RF-4 in Vietnam and here I go JAG however, after 23 years as a JAG officer I would not change anything and definitely do it all over again if I had the chance and a time machine
It was the best year of my life. I was fortunate to have been born in aviation. Dad was a fighter pilot and airline pilot. I went to Vance and dad did also. He met mom there in the 50’s. The instructors knew real quick that I’d flown before. I had my private, commercial, instrument, multi engine ratings. I flew F-4’s, F-16’s. Flew with a major airline and just retired international Airbus 330. I’m very blessed and have a very humble attitude about flying. Dad said never think you know everything about flying. If you do, you just became dangerous. At 65 I’m flying my Pitts Special Aviat S2C. Having a blast. Good luck to all and happy flying.
CAVU skies to all service aviators! I was one of you in the RAFVR. .......at RAF Leuchars, we painted 2 white lines on the runway, and if you did not get wheels down between them, drinks all round in the mess. The Lightnings were slamming down so hard, maintenance asked us to stop as they were getting only 9 landings from a set of tires!
This is all I've ever wanted to be and what I still want to be. Sometimes I wonder whether I'm good enough but then I realized that if they had that mindset then they'd never be where they are today. I'm 15 right now and to all those reading this with a similar dream, never give up. Put yourself in a position where you're outstanding, where you're the best of the best. Set one goal, and when you meet that goal, set a higher one. Take school seriously, if you're a 60s student, aim for 70s, and when you're a 70s student, aim for 80s, etc. Don't let anyone tell you no but the people who are in authority to. Don't let someone else's no become your own. Best of luck to whoever's reading this. You can do it.
This brought back many memories of my days in UPT. Every day was a challenge, a test of my determination to get my wings. Days of joy, days of self-doubt, days of despair, but every day was another piece of metal to build those wings. It’s great to see these guys faced the same tests of character. Congratulations to all of them from an old, proud member of the pilot brotherhood.
Salute to those that get their wings...I know that any of my mates that got their wings never found it easy...it is a steep learning curve. Thanks from NZ 👍🇳🇿
Some of these guys do not sound like they’re very focused. All the USAF pilots I’ve known have always been laser sharp and precise. Maybe they are tired or lack the confidence of having completed training?
I am entering my junior year of college, and have always thought about serving my country (specifically flying). With a non STEM degree, what are my chances of obtaining a pilot slot if I perform well on the AFOQT. OTS would be the only route I could take this late in my college career, also aware they are currently not taking in classes for OTS. It's a later realized dream, but I don't want the opportunity to pass me by while I'm still young enough. Just looking for some more knowledgeable opinions.
For context and perspective, when I took the AFOQT as an ROTC pre-cadet, I passed - but only qualified to be a navigator. A year later, I retook the exam was able to boost my results enough to become pilot-qualified. I was a Political Science major and was told by my class instructor I likely would not medically qualify because of vision acuity (he was a navigator 🙄). My advice to you…stay laser focused on your career dreams, work hard and ignore the naysayers.
Most earn Jump Wings as an elective at the AF Academy with upper classmen as jump instructors. Believe it takes three jumps. If you were AFROTC and wanted to earn them you wound up going to Airborne School at Ft. Benning, GA, living in the barracks with all the Army airborne Officer and enlisted types...three jumps after 3-4 weeks of training, think all were static-line jumps out of C-13os or a C-141 back in the day.
Greeting from Laughlin AFB UPT69-01 - Clean 167 - great video, great memories about UPT overall. Back then it was the same syllabus for all T-41, T-37 and T-38. Final assignment determined by “needs of Air Force”, your class standing in the overall class and then your preference - if a slot existed. Flew C130E out of Taiwan and Pope AFB.
