United States Air Force - USAF Pilot

Air Education and Training Command (AETC) is headquartered at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. More than 48,000 active-duty members and 14,000 civilian personnel make up AETC. The command has responsibility for approximately 1,600 aircraft used for training purposes.

Air Force pilot candidates begin with Initial Flight Screening (IFS). In IFS, civilian instructors provide up to 25 hours of flight instruction to pilot candidates. Pilot candidates then attend either Euro-NATO joint jet pilot training (ENJJPT is located at Sheppard AFB, Texas) or joint specialized undergraduate pilot training (JSUPT).

JSUPT students accomplish primary training is 54-weeks (a year-long) program consists of 10- to 12-hour days. Joint training is conducted at in the T-6 Texan II at one of three Air Force bases - Columbus AFB, Mississippi, Laughlin AFB, Texas, or Vance AFB, Oklahoma; and NAS Whiting Field, Florida for students from the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps. US Coast Guard student Naval Aviators and flight instructors are also incorporated in joint training at NAS Whiting Field. Trainee pilots first fly the T-6 Texan II mastering contact, instrument, low-level and formation flying.

After the primary phase of JSUPT, student pilots elect one of several advanced training tracks based on their class standing. Pilot trainee then 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-1 Jayhawk or the T-38 Talon (supersonic jets).

Updated On: 12.02.12