Thinking ahead (selection for pilot training)

[IronMike]

Hello, I just joined this site and find it very helpful to read some of these posts, but I have a few questions I dont think have been covered. I am still in high school and am wondering if anyone has attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University? I am thinking about going there because of the Naval Aviation Club. I have heard rumors saying that if you join the club, you get an pilot contract with the Navy if you can hold an 3.0 GPA. Does anyone know of such a program, and is this true? Is it hard to be selected for pilot training?(rate from 1-10) I also was wondering, is my chances of becoming a fighter pilot greater in the Air Force, Navy, or Marines? I have heard its harder to get into the Air Force but I am just thinking ahead of my options wheather it be the Navy, Air Force, Marines, or ANG. My final question is, if you have any allergies, but not severly, can this keep my from becomeing a military pilot? I have heard that they check to see if you have had allergies after age 12. I dont have it sever at all, and I often ask myself if I think I even have allergies anymore, but I know I cant just tell them that and expect to get the "okay" and that will be it. If anyone knows an answer or multiple answers to my questions I would appriciate it.Thanks so much.

 

[chelu55]

IronMike, I know a retired flight surgeon and I had the same question about allergies. When he was still active duty (1997)some allergy conditions could make a person disqualified. However, in those cases all DQ's were because he/she had a medical record of allergies, for instance allergy shots.
I'll tell you what he told me. When they ask you just say, no. Unless you have a medical record saying otherwise.

 

[chelu55]

I forgot to tell you this. The NAMI offical website discusses all DQ's and waivers. This should help you out a bunch.

 

[wink]

If you take perscription meds for allergies try to get off them and get by on over the counter stuff. If your allergeies require persciption meds, espeically shots you will have trouble. There is no association between the Naval Aviation club at ERAU and guaranteed acceptance to any navy program. Anyone with a 3.0 or better from ERAU that does well on the exam and is otherwise very qualified has a very good chance to begin with. It is very difficult to get accepted into the navy flight program now. It will undoubtedly be different when you apply in a couple years. Best to apply at the earliest opportunity, usually after sophmore year under the BDCP program. The longer you wait, the shorter the fuse between graduation and prospective OCS class date, the more competitive it gets. Apply early. BTW, ditch the Air Farce if you want a true challenge unmatched by any other military organization.

 

[IronMike]

when you say allergy shots, do you mean the same thing as allergy testing? I am only allergic to cats, and pallon(i spell bad, sorry). Its probily on my record

. I dont really ever have any symtoms but my mom tested me when I was about 11 years old, and im afraid it may still be on my records. I will am only 16 now and I still have a lot of time between now and the time I can even start the process of becoming a pilot, but I just want to know now if I would even be qualified because right now thats all I want to be, and I dont want to disappoint myself if I get there and am turned down because of a stupid medical problem that dosent even exist. When I go get a physical for school, should I bring it up with a doctor, or cant he do anything. Does anyone have any advice of what to do? Go for it or not?

 

[IronMike]

one more thing, from all the posts I have read, it sounds VERYYY VERY difficult to get a pilot slot. Ever sinse I was 5 this is what I have wanted, my life centers around makin sure im doin the right thing for the future like getting my pilots liscense soon...am I nuts for wanting it that much, when Im probily just gonna get rejected for pilot training? You dont have to comment on this but I think I am, LOL.

esp. for me that has a learning problem, but shhh keep that between just us couple of ppl

 

[Banjo33]

Hmmm, suspicious posts. I'm raising the BS flag on this one.

 

[Undertow]

Hey I'm allergic to Penicillin and Sulfa drugs and the flight surgeon gave me the green light for SNA flight status.

 

[wink]

Diagnostic shots will not be a problem. Cats and Pollen are no problem as long as you control it with no more than over the counter drugs. No need to mention that during the physical. Yes it is hard but it is possible. Work hard.

 

[IronMike]

Hopefully then I wont have any problems passing that part of the physical if I even get into Aviation. Thanks everyone who responed to my questions. Its been on my mind a lot and Im pretty relieved now, thanks a bunch!!

 

[IronMike]

well I have thought about it, and am going to apply to the Air Force Academy and Naval Academy in a year or too when its time for me to, but I highly doubt I will get accepted because I hear the selection is stiff. My ROTC instructor at my high school told me that in the past 5 years of teaching only about 15 have made it to an academy out of a couple hundred. Im going to try but im going to be realistic, I probily wont get in esp since I only have about a 2.0-2.5 GPA. Ill try though, thanks for the advice.

 

[IronMike]

Thanks, ya that makes a lot of sense. Im going to try real hard at this one and try to prove them wrong as you said.By the way, congrats on getting into Officer Candidate School!Thats awesome!

 

[Elder]

I have to agree. Let noone tell you something impossible.

I'm JUST starting flight school. Finished my first week of IFS. Start flying a Cessna T-41 Monday.

I know it gets old to those that have seen this before, sorry...

But, I'll be 33 years this month, I have 14 years of service (10 years as Enlisted). I'm now a LT (O-3E) I couldn't apply for flight school after OCS because of my vision. Military authorized PRK corrective eye surgery for applying flight students, so I had it done. Took the flight aptitude, passed. I have only one class of college. No CLEPS, DANTES, etc. Obviously, no degree.

I am NOT the norm.. I had many things that I couldn't control going against me... but I, I didn't give up.

I took control of things I could, worked hard the last 4 years (well, 14), all the while thinking I'd never be able to apply for military flight trianing.

After they authorized the surgery and I had it done, I applied one time and here I am... 'nuff said.

Although I don't have a degree, I should. I will admit, I was rather lazy when it came to that department. Soooo, after I finish flight school, I already have my sites lined up for several quick AA degrees, followed by a BS and a BA. And yeah, Masters.. maybe a PHD. Always wanted to be called Doctor. I still intend to apply and be denied to the astronaut program. http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/shuttle/reference/factsheets/asseltrn.html

 

[IronMike]

thanks sooo much!! that really boosted my confidence a lot. Congrats in getting into pilot training. I wish you best of luck for applying to the Astronaut program! thanks a bunch, it helped a lot!

 

[GTodd]

If you ask me Ironmike you have a strong chance, you know what you wnat early. Do not give up on an Anapolis. You will have to get up our GPA though. Which YOU can do. Stay focussed on yuor goals. Hang a poster of a F/A-18 or watch TOP GUN all the time. If you goal is to be a pilot than you will be a pilot!!!!!!!!!!!!