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What Does It Take To Become An Air Force Pilot?

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There are many who aspire to become an Air Force pilot. Air Force official sites (including AFROTC.com) describe a variety of opportunities for those who seek out these “rated” positions including:

What Does It Take To Become An Air Force Pilot?
  • Fighter pilots
  • Bomber pilots
  • Air refueling pilots
  • Drone pilots
  • Helicopter pilots

Within the United States Air Force, there are pilot career fields including, but not limited to:

  • Combat Systems Officers (CSO)
  • Air Battle Managers (ABM)
  • Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Pilots

What does it take to be rated as an Air Force pilot?

Becoming An Air Force Pilot: The Basics

In general, there are some basics to remember about flying for the Air Force. All military aircraft owned and operated by the Air Force are flown by uniformed officers. 

The U.S. military does offer certain contract work to civilian pilots and civilian airlines, but these are jobs that usually involve aircraft meant to fly passengers or similar operations. This work is unrelated to military readiness.

What does it mean to be an Air Force pilot? Most people want to know if they have the ability to fly for the military based on their vision alone (20/20 vision or better) but before that conversation can happen, hopefuls should know that to become an Air Force pilot, you must become an Air Force officer first.

All Air Force Pilots Must…

All Air Force pilots are U.S. citizens and must hold Bachelor’s degrees (preferably in the sciences, and more preferably related to flight science) and must accept commissions into the United States Air Force. 

Those considering this career path who are still in high school should consider a Junior ROTC program and a college-level ROTC option.

The Air Force Recruiting official site lists a few basics that all USAF pilots must have in common:

  • Knowledge of theory of flight, air navigation, & meteorology
  • Knowledge of “flying directives”, aircraft operating procedures and mission tactics
  • Completion of Air Force Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training
  • Completion of a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI)
  • Completion of Officer Training School (OTS), Air Force Academy (AFA) or Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC)
  • Must have begun pilot training between the ages of 18 and 33

Grade-point averages are very important–it’s best to assume that only the best in class will be selected for a military pilot program.

Basic consideration issues include the following:

  • For students at civilian colleges, you must be enrolled full-time in a school that offers Air Force ROTC
  • You must qualify for the ROTC program
  • You must be able to meet physical requirements
  • You must meet medical requirements
  • Carry a minimum 2.0 grade point average (your competition will met and exceed this standard)
  • Receive a waiver for any speeding tickets, minor legal problems, etc.
  • Applicants must be commissioned before their 33rd birthday

There are three basic paths to becoming an Air Force pilot. ROTC is one, attendance at the Air Force Officer Training School is another path, and attendance at the Air Force Academy is a third option.

Air Force Pilot Physical Requirements 

Standards for Air Force pilots are subject to frequent review, alteration, and revision. What you see listed here is for reference purposes only since Air Force standards may change at any time. In the past, potential Air Force pilot candidates have been required to meet the following physical requirements:

  • “Normal” color vision
  • Uncorrected distant vision cannot exceed 20/200
  • Uncorrected near vision cannot exceed 20/40
  • Both distance and near vision must correct to 20/20 or better
  • Meet refraction, accommodation, and astigmatism requirements
  • Meet Air Force weight and physical conditioning requirements
  • No history of hay fever, asthma, or allergies after age 12

Applicants should know that any corrective eye surgery could be grounds for disqualification but it’s best not to assume you will or will not qualify–let the reviewers decide.

In some cases, height may be an issue. The official Air Force literature published for aspiring Air Force pilots attending ROTC programs includes the following advisory about height issues:

“Height specifications vary by aircraft and most applicants can successfully pursue a career in aviation with the U.S. Air Force.”

Applicants who are significantly taller or shorter than average may require special screening to ensure they can safely perform operational duties but applicants of “all heights” are asked to apply. You will also be required to earn a minimum qualifying score on the Air Force Officer Qualification Test or AFQT.

Air Battle Managers and Air Force drone pilots have their own set of standards, which include:

  • Normal color vision
  • Uncorrected distant vision cannot exceed 20/800
  • Both distance and near vision must correct to 20/20
  • Corrective eye surgery **may** be a disqualifier
  • Meet refraction, accommodation, and astigmatism requirements
  • Meet Air Force weight and physical conditioning requirements
  • No standing or sitting requirement

After Becoming An Officer

Those who meet all program standards, graduate, and accept commissions as Air Force Officers will attend pilot training at Air Force Education and Training Command. 

There is an introductory training phase and specialized coursework on specific airframes. Air Force pilots begin flying trainer aircraft and move up to real-world airframes when they are deemed ready to do so.