Would taking flight lessons prior to submitting my WOFT application increase its competitiveness?

Cameron H. — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 14:45:53 -0400

As a senior in high school I’ve realized my dreams won’t work unless I do. So, I’ve been working extra hard on my physical and mental self to prepare for the rigors of flight school. Any edge I can get in my application I’m willing to work for, which is why I’m considering taking private flight lessons. Before I spend over half my part-time job income on lessons, will it be worth it for me? I’ve heard that previous aviation experience, but if I’m only able to gain 10-20 hours would it be seen as anything significant? Sorry for the essay, but any help is appreciated more than you’d understand.

Response by MGySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2019 3:37 PM

MGySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 15:37:39 -0400

Can't say it would hurt any. As long as there aren't too many 'uncontrolled' landings.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Aug 12 at 2019 3:54 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 15:54:59 -0400

I can’t speak to the WO application, but a few flight hours might be a good investment in your future. If you have little to no experience actually flying small aircraft, then you should give it a try. If you love it, then the cost and work needed to fly more will be worth it to you. If you hate it, then now is the time to find out.

Response by SFC Michael D. made Aug 12 at 2019 4:45 PM

SFC Michael D. — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 16:45:02 -0400

I couldn't say yes or no. If you have flight lesson money, go for it but the're going to teach you how to fly anyway. I wish you the best of luck and hope you get in. Just remember when you do make it, don't forget your crewmembers. Keep them safe and they will do the same for you. I say that because a hot dogging pilot didn't lister to his crew chief when he told him that he didn't feel comfortable with the pilot doing "return to targets". He kept on doing it and they crashed. We flew the crew chief out with back injuries. The two pilots were fine. Just food for thought.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Aug 12 at 2019 4:46 PM

LT Brad McInnis — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 16:46:40 -0400

Some hours may not be bad, like through solo, but from what I understand they want to teach you "their" way of flying. It is different than civilian flying. Just enough to show you have aptitude, and can handle flying, not enough to pick up bad habits they will have to correct.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Aug 12 at 2019 5:41 PM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 17:41:23 -0400

I would say so, if you're going Helo, then most certainly having flown aircraft, both fixed and rotor will help present your abilities so I would definitely put down those qualifications if you have them.

Response by TSgt Scott C. Brammer made Aug 12 at 2019 9:38 PM

TSgt Scott C. Brammer — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 21:38:54 -0400

It might not be a bad idea but it's definitely not necessary. They're going to teach you everything you need to know. They also aren't going to want to hear about how you do it in the civilian sector. You don't want to come off as a "know it all"!!

Response by LCDR Joshua Gillespie made Aug 13 at 2019 8:03 AM

LCDR Joshua Gillespie — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 08:03:13 -0400

I'm going to be honest...that depends on a lot. Do you think you have a good shot already based on other factors? Do you think you can complete your PPL before reporting?

Before reporting to flight training at NAS Pensacola, I had logged a substantial amount of time towards my PPL (can't remember the exact number of hours, but I estimate I had been flying once or twice a week for more than six months). However, I didn't have time to complete.

I arrived for training with great "stick" skills, understood systems extremely well, and aced by briefs...I was also in peak physical shape, and cut through API like a knife through hot butter.

Then, I got to the squadron, and the bottom quickly fell out (I was DOR within twelve months).

Military aviation is very, very different from general aviation. For starters, the standards are MUCH higher for things like IFR and flight planning. You'll have to hit waypoints EXACTLY...without breaking minimums for height and separation from the mark-on-top. You'll be required to report remaining hours of fuel, outbound legs, and approach procedures, almost from memory, while communicating with multiple ground controllers. Aviation training culture in the military is (at least was) based on something of an "attrition culture"...it's the whole, "look right, look left...one of these people won't be here when you leave...etc..etc.). The pace is demanding, and so is the flying.

Not to say that it's not worth every second of it...I wish I had been older/wiser, and stuck it out.

My advice is this; do a little "casual" flying with a focus on procedures/navigation...just to get your headspace and timing. Don't put yourself through trying to get a PPL, UNLESS you don't think you have a strong application, and need every "plug" you can get. I'm sure it looks good to the boards, and it does point to a higher potential for success...but only if you complete.

Response by LCDR Keith Trepanier made Aug 13 at 2019 9:56 AM

LCDR Keith Trepanier — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 09:56:35 -0400

Here is the truth, military flight training is tough but it was harder getting accepted than it was making it through the program. If you have a good basic flight aptitude and are willing to listen and stay focused, you can make it through. I am certainly not the sharpest tool in the shed and I made it. Don't get me wrong, it is challenging but it doesn't require you to be a master of anything before you start.

Because of that, the decision of whether you should take flight training prior to going depends on what you are trying to get out of it. It will not give you an edge up on your selection over another applicant unless everything else is equal between you. It really won't help you in flight training except you will have a little better understanding of what instructors are talking about when it comes to the traffic pattern and some aerodynamics. You will still have to do all of the training everyone else does so some will be redundant.

However, a little flight training will give you some confidence that this is something you really want to do. I went through flight school with one guy who after flying about 10 hours dropped out. Why? because flying was not what he thought it would be and it scared him. It probably seemed cool on TV. Better to know that you don't like flying before you go through basic training and Warrant Officer Candidate School and then realize you made a mistake. You don't need your pilot certificate to figure that out. Just go out for a few hours, learn a little bit and see if it is what you really want to do.

Good luck to you. I enjoyed my military flying career and I hope you will too.