Question about prior flight time. . .

[DreaminBig-Ken]

Quick question. How does it affect your intial flight training when you have flight hours prior to going to your very first training squadron. For instance, if I had 500 or 750 hours in Cessna 172's or something like that. What should expect in terms of class placement? Is having hours before you start a good thing or are there drawbacks to that? Obviously I'd have a bigger knowledge base than someone with no flight time right out of college, but would I be in a different type of pipeline or going through advanced training sooner?

 

[ben]

There are varied opinions on this subject that have been posted before. Try a search for "flight time" or "prior flight time" or "PPL" or "private pilot's license". You will get some good info that way.

 

[zilber]

I think that prior flight time helps a lot. When you get into the T-34, you won't be thinking things like, "Wow, I am flying the plane. I am actually controlling it," but you will be concentrating on procedures. The first 6-10 flights you are going to kick some butt. You will also do good in Basic Instruments and Radio Instruments (especially if you have your instrument rating). By the time you solo, most people (prior flight time or not) will do their procedures just as well as you... Your basic air work will be most likely better. That's mine opinion, and there are many exceptions to this... but in general, that's what I have seen in primary. Good luck.

 

[ea6bflyr]

I agree with Zibler, Your previous time and experience are really going to help you out in the beginning, especially with your aircraft comfort level, BUT at some point the rest of the students in your class will catch up with you and you'll have to work to keep up. Be careful not to go into "cruise" mode because you are so far ahead of your peers...it mat come back to bite you. Good luck!
ea6bflyr