USAF Initial Flight Training- First Thoughts & What to Pack

[@WildBlueYonder]

As of 2023, this info is still very accurate!

[@fifamia8058]

Omg I can't believe I got a comment from you man, I've been following you before I ever joined the Air Force!

[@tallboywitshortpants]

Hello there, just want to say I wish you the best on this journey. I'm sure it's a lot of hoops to jump through, but you got this. Bless up.

[@Dickandbaus]

You’re a goat for doing this. Thanks for the details! Hope you’re killing it as a CSO

[@billyking9972]

Great information, man! Thank you! Heading there this year and this was really helpful!

[@vickygil587]

Super helpful! Thank you! I'm headed to IFT next month so this was great information for me.

[@thecombatsystemsofficercha509]

Glad to help! Keep your focus on the training and you should do just fine, good luck with everything!

[@terryheo3464]

Are you a USAF pilot now?

[@123Iamawesome321]

How do you really prepare for the multi-tasking and psychomotor tests? Any tips on counting with fingers what's on the screen or what travels in what direction etc?

[@thecombatsystemsofficercha509]

So I believe you may be thinking about the TBAS (Test of Basic Aviation Skills) which is a completely separate exam that comes before IFT. IFT Is a month long training course that teaches you flying fundamentals with hands-on training and classroom academics

[@123Iamawesome321]

Yes, the 2 day exam with the following 20 tests. Any tips for the following: 1) Airborne Numerical Test; (35 mins.) 2) Angles, Bearings and Degrees Test; (10 mins.) 3) Auditory Capacity Test; (23 mins.) 4) Colours, Letters and Numbers Test; (20 mins.) 5) Mathematics Reasoning Test; (18 mins.) 6) Instrument Comprehension Test; (26 mins.) 7) Digit Recognition Test; (4 mins.) 8) Cognitive Updating Test; (35 mins.) 9) Numerical Operations Test; (2 mins.) 10) Situational Awareness Test; (30 mins.) 11) Sensory Motor Apparatus Test; (9 mins.) 12) Rapid Tracking Test; (16 mins.) 13) Spatial Integration Test; (28 mins.) 14) System Logic Test; (38 mins.) 15) Table Reading Test; (11 mins.) 16) Target Recognition Test; (25 mins.) 17) Trace Test 1; (9 mins.) 18) Trace Test 2; (9 mins.) 19) Vigilance Test; (8 mins.) 20) Visual Search Test; (4 mins.)

[@Elizabeth-fm9wn]

Would you say it would be a benefit to go up in a plane a few time before going to IFT? Or, if all you'll be doing is riding in a cockpit (not really flying a plane), not to really bother with that before IFT? Do you think it helped your IFT experience and studying/understanding the course with having those couple of times up in the air?

[@thecombatsystemsofficercha509]

I would definitely say the more flight hours you have in an aircraft before going to DOSS, the better. Now it's not 100% necessary, but having some preliminary exposure to the rules of aviation, FAA communication, as well as just the sensation of being in a small aircraft alone will help you with some of the concepts that are reinforced at DOSS. In addition to that, having some ground-schooling will help as well, and any reading up about flying in general can't hurt you (basic concepts such as reading a METAR/TAF, taxi procedures, runway layouts etc). Also at DOSS, the CSO students do far from "riding in a cockpit". They are very much expected to be hands on and a good majority of each mission (approximately 80 percent of my sorties were flown by me, including the takeoff portion. The only portion I didn't have my hands on the stick and throttle were during the visual navigation portion and landing). I can't agree or disagree, but often times people have stated that the CSO syllabus at DOSS is more complex than the pilot syllabus due to the sheer number of concepts beyond just "flying the plane" that you have to learn in such a short of time.

[@Elizabeth-fm9wn]

@@thecombatsystemsofficercha509 Awesome, thanks so much for the helpful information! Also, reading over my first comment, I see where I definitely need to make a clarification. When I mentioned "riding in a cockpit", I was talking about going out and taking flying lessons on your own. Where, if all you would do in those flying lessons would be riding in a cockpit and you wouldn't have the chance to take control, would the lessons be worth it. I should've made that clearer, my apologies. Also, I've never taken a flying lesson before, so I don't know how they go or at what point/lesson does the student get to take control of the plane for a bit. Again, thank you for the help and a huge thank you for the video!!

[@thecombatsystemsofficercha509]

@@Elizabeth-fm9wn Yes it would be beneficial to have any exposure to aviation period, whether it's riding along, getting stick time or even just prior reading. Prior to me applying for the position I had about 6 hours in a Cessna 172 to get familiar with how it felt to fly in a small aircraft. Often times there are good groupon deals for introductory flights which I would recommend if you are on a budget. No problem, good luck on your journey! Let me know if you have any other questions.

[@dks13827]

@@Elizabeth-fm9wn Take a few flying lessons. You will fly during a lesson.

[@airsoftboi2147]

Hey man! Do CSOs get behind the stick at all during UCT, or is it strictly only during IFS? Just curious if they actually get to pilot the T-6 aircraft or not

[@franciscoavila1015]

Great video, thank you for taking the time. At what point do you go to Pensacola to get gear issue? How long is the stay in Pensacola? and do all RPA CSOs and Pilots go the same route?

[@thecombatsystemsofficercha509]

You'll get your gear issued to you prior to attending IFT and then a second gear issue for your T-6 equipment upon your return from Pueblo. CSO training is 1 year long, and each field (RPA, CSO, Pilot) is very different from each other, completely different routes

[@vernonlee4262]

Mia!!!! It’s Lee from field training. We’ve got to touch base man

[@thecombatsystemsofficercha509]

Good hearing from you dude! See you on the other side when you get here haha

[@jmallari1814]

Hello there, hope this is not too silly of a question, but how tough is the math in the material you have to do during this time period? Ive always struggled with math so was curious.

[@rayanaltowayan9558]

Are you a pilot now? What are you flying?

[@angelmartin4519]

Is combat system officers part of upt? also do you have a email or other ways of contacting you about the Air force? thanks

[@danielh6015]

No, they dont go to UPT. I have no idea if they go to IFT but drone guys (RPA) do.

[@dks13827]

Pueblo, Colorado ???

[@micahtharpe9371]

I know this can vary, but on average, How soon after OTS does IFT start?

[@thecombatsystemsofficercha509]

That's difficult to say, as your IFT date is assigned to you after you arrive at your duty station/training squadron, and isn't based on your OTS graduation date. After your arrival to your training squadron though, it all really depends on their availability and class-start dates. Some people have had to wait a few months while others went in a couple of weeks. For me, I was assigned my IFT date 3 weeks after I arrived to the 479th Training Squadron, which is a pretty quick turnaround time compared to the others that arrived before me. I would say on average, expect a month to two months minimum wait time, but be prepared to wait up to 3 or more months if the pipeline is backed up

[@V1Speed360]

DUDE... that watch tan... do something about it lol. You Wizzo's always cracked me up in the Air Force... thank god for you guys but jeeeeez the amount I met out on the town and in the bars claiming to be pilots just because they wear a flight suit lmao. Me and some other guys busted several before. Anyways good luck to you.

[@tjkennedy380]

How did you get your pilot slot

[@chaseboettcher616]

How long does IFT last?

[@thecombatsystemsofficercha509]

About a month, could be a few days longer or shorter depending on how well your flights go or if the weather alters your schedule and makes them change up your go/no-go days.