USAF Air Education and Training Command (AETC)

Air Force Introductory Flight Screening (IFS) - IFS is a prerequisite programs to introduce the basics of aviation and navigation before attending the Flight Training School. IFS offers 25 hours of flying training and 58 hours of ground training. Civilian flight instructors teach the introductory course using a small, single-engine, propeller-driven plane - Diamond DA-20 Aircraft. Trainee must fly solo at least once before reaching the 17th hour of required flying time. This training course located in Pueblo, Colorado and up to 1700 students attend it annually.

There are only 1,400 pilot trainee slots available a year in the USAF Flight Training School at the Air Education and Training Command based at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio. This a one year long program consists of 10 to 12 hour a day that include classroom instruction, simulator training and flying. Learn basic flight skills common to all military pilots at one of three places: Columbus Air Force Base (Mississippi USA), Laughlin Air Force Base (Texas USA) or Vance Air Force Base (Oklahoma USA).

• Phase 1 - Academic Classes and Pre-Flight Training - Aerospace Physiology, Altitude Chamber Rides; Ejection Seat / Egress Training, Parachute Landing Falls; Aircraft Systems Lessons; Basic Instruments Lessons; Mission Planning / Navigation Lessons; Aviation Weather Lessons.
• Phase 2 - Primary Aircraft Training (T-6A, T-34) with approximately 90 hours of flight training instruction, 22 weeks of training.

Next, follow one of four advanced training tracks based on your class standing and learn how to fly a specific type of aircraft, such as the T-38 Talon (Fighter Bomber Track), T-1 Jayhawk (Airlift Tanker Track), C-12 Huron & T-44 King Air (Multiengine Turboprop Track), or UH-1 Huey (Helicopter Training). Quota for each Track determined on a class by class basis and it is based on the Air Force needs at the moment in time. Ultimately the selection is based on merit and instructor recommendation, students rank order based on: checkride scores, daily ride scores, academics, and flight commander assessment of military qualities (Commander's Ranking).

T-38 Talon - Fighter / Bomber Track - Approximately 120 hours of flight instruction, 24 weeks of training. The purpose is to prepare graduates for fighter / bomber assignments. Training focuses on Contact, Instruments, Formation (2/4 ship), Navigation, Low-level. Graduates can select (based on merit and instructor recommendation) to fly F-22, F-16, F-15C, F-15E, A-10, B-1, B-52, B-2 and are eligible for any Tanker, Transport, or Special Operations aircraft.

T-1 Jayhawk - Airlift / Tanker Track - Approximately 105 hours of flight instruction, 24 weeks of training. The purpose is to prepare graduates for airlift and tanker assignments. Training focuses on Transition, Instruments, Navigation, Low-level, Formation and students receive basic airdrop / refueling training. Graduates can select (based on merit and instructor recommendation) to fly C-5, C-17, C-130, KC-10, KC-135, RC-135, E-3, E-8, MC-12, U-28.

C-12 Huron / T-44 King Air - Multiengine Turboprop Track - Approximately 115 hours of flight instruction, 26 weeks of joint training at NAS Corpus Christi, TX. The purpose is to prepare graduates for multiengine turboprop assignments. Training focuses on Transition, Instruments, Navigation, Low-level, Formation. Students receive specific C-130-tailored training - low level formation airdrop training and joint training for all USAF, USN, USMC, USCG, Foreign military pilots flying Turboprops & MV-22. Graduates can select (based on merit and instructor recommendation) to fly C-130, MC-130, AC-130, EC-130, C-12, MC-12, U-28.

UH-1H Huey Helicopter Training - Approximately 115 hours of flight instruction, 28 weeks of joint training at FT Rucker, AL. The purpose is to prepare graduates for USAF helicopter assignments. Training focuses on Transition, Instruments, Navigation, Low-level, Formation, Remote Ops, NVG and joint training for all USAF and US Army helicopter pilots. . Graduates can select (based on merit and instructor recommendation) to fly UH-1, HH-60, CV-22.

Updated On: 12.04.30