Fighter pilots around the world undoubtedly have the coolest job in history- they get
to fly across the sky in the fastest jets ever created, and rule over the air like giant
metal birds of prey.
If you want to fly some of the most technologically advanced aircraft in the world though, you're
going to have to make the move to the United States- but how exactly do you get from nothing
but a dream of soaring through the skies, to piloting the F-22 or F-35?
Hello and welcome to another episode of The Infographics Show- today we're going to take
a look at how to become a US Fighter Pilot.
Though it used to be that enlisted men could become fighter pilots, that practice has long
been out of style and today you're going to have to become an officer in order to fly
the biggest, meanest jets in the world.
That means you'll need at least a four-year degree from an accredited university, and
be at least 18 years old so you can enlist in the US military.
If joining the Air Force you'll have to undergo 12 weeks of officer school at Maxwell Air
Force Base, Alabama, while if you're a seaman you'll have to go to the Navy's Officer Candidate
School in Rhode Island.
For those jarheads out there, you'll be attending Officer Candidate School in Virginia.
But don't think that just because you're training to become an officer whom even the most senior
enlisted men will have to salute that OTS is going to be easy, because it's not.
You'll basically be going back to boot camp, and though you may end up with your officer
pips at the end, you're going to be treated like dirt for the duration.
Once at Officer training school if your dream is to pilot a multi-million dollar airplane,
you'll first need to pass qualifying tests such as the US Navy and Marine Corps Aviation
Selection Test Battery.
These tests ensure that you have the mental skills and knowledge needed to be entrusted
with the most expensive weapons ever created.
Though you can fail, it generally lessens your odds dramatically of getting a billet
as a top fighter jock to do so.
Hey- there's plenty of open spots driving mule trucks, or big, fat cargo planes if you
do though.
Next you'll need to pass all the necessary physical qualifications.
High performance aircraft require high performance people, and when your body is going to be
beaten and battered by the stresses of several G forces, you'd better be in peak physical
condition to have a chance of becoming a fighter pilot.
You'll need to be able to avoid passing out or vomiting when exposed to high G forces,
and your hearing and vision better be laser sharp as well, with uncorrected 20/20 vision.
Next you'll have to agree to the time commitment- Navy and Marine pilots must commit to at least
8 years of active duty, but the Air Force demands a long term minimum commitment of
at least 10 years.
Once you sign that contract, there's no going back- but why would you want to?
Now things get real, and you will start your initial training to become a top ace.
First will be Aviation Preflight Indoctrination, a six week program consisting of 4 weeks of
academic classes and 2 weeks of survival training- you will after all be flying over a variety
of terrains and often over enemy lines.
During your 4 weeks of academic classes you can also expect concurrent water training,
with swimming survival skills that culminate in a 1-mile swim while in a flight suit.
Your classes will include topics such as aerodynamics, weather, and navigation, with an exam given
at the end of each course.
If you fail, that's a wrap for you, and grades are extremely competitive.
Make it past the academic portion though and you'll enter the survival training phase,
during which you'll learn basic land survival, how to use survival equipment, physiology,
and first-aid.
After Aviation Preflight Indoctrination you'll be sent to primary training where you'll get
the chance to start actually flying a plane- but don't think you'll be hopping into the
seat of a multi-million dollar killing machine just yet.
You'll start out on what is known as a 'trainer' aircraft, for the navy that includes aircraft
such as the T-6B Texan II, a propeller driven aircraft that's a far cry from a modern jet.
But you'll learn essential flight skills on these underpowered planes that will prepare
you for the real deal.
During Primary you'll go through yet another series of academic classes, but intermixed
with time spent on flight simulators and actual flight time in your trainer aircraft.
You'll first learn basic flight skills and move into aerobatics, learn about the different
instruments, and how to fly in formation.
As always you'll be graded on absolutely every bit of progress you make, and failure means
you go home.
If you successfully complete Primary you'll be given the chance to fill out a 'dream sheet'
for the type of aircraft you'd like to fly.
Based on your preference, your grades, and needs of the service, you'll get an assignment
and head out for flight training based on the aircraft you've been assigned to.
For a naval aviator wanting to fly fighter jets that will include a transfer to one of
the Navy's two fighter flight schools in either Texas or Mississippi, where you'll learn to
fly the T-45C Goshawk.
Still not a fighter jet, but definitely no prop plane, the Goshawk will introduce you
to the basics of flying advanced jet aircraft.
You'll first undergo Phase 1 training, where you'll undergo much of the same training you
went through in Primary training, but with classes refined for jet aircraft.
While in Primary you may have learned how to fly in formations of two aircraft, here
you'll learn how to fly in formations of four and learn tactical formation flying.
You're now training to be a proper fighter pilot!
Phase 2 however is at last where you'll learn how to fight like a top ace, with training
on combat formation flying and the principles on unguided bombing, low altitude attacks,
and CCIP bombing- or Constantly Computed Impact Point, a system that shows you where your
payload is expected to impact depending on where and when you release it.
The last half of Phase 2 will include Air Combat Maneuvering- or dogfighting- where
you'll learn how to defend the friendly skies or take them from your enemy.
You'll learn flight skills to help you defeat an opponent 1 on 1, or even how to fight and
win against two separate attackers simultaneously.
If you're wanting to be a naval aviator you'll then head over for Carrier Qualifications-
one of the hardest flight training programs in the world.
Landing on a fast-moving carrier in the middle of the night amidst a pitching sea has often
been described as the "most terrifying" experience any pilot can undergo, but you'll
learn how to do just that.
Upon completion, or for non-Navy/USMC pilots, you'll then go to advanced training in the
jet you'll ultimately fly.
Depending on the airframe this can include air-to-ground bombing, the practice and use
of smart weapons, and advanced dogfighting tactics.
At the end of your training you'll be pitted up against your instructors with a chance
to get revenge on all the hell you've been put through as you engage in mock battle.
Becoming a US fighter pilot is a long, arduous task, with training courses developed from
decades of experience flying combat missions over unfriendly skies all around the world.
Though many will initially apply, few will ultimately receive their wings- and in fact
qualifications are so strict, that the Air Force currently has only 75% of the pilots
it needs!
That means there's room for you if you think you got what it takes to fly the most advanced
aircraft ever built!
What do you think would be the hardest part of training- the physical side or the academics?
Think you got what it takes to be a top ace?
Let us know in the comments.
Also, be sure to check out our other video Can Russia invade Europe?
Thanks for watching, and as always, please don't forget to like, share and subscribe.
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