if you become fighter pilot for the USAF, USN, or USMC, how long will you be ably to fly?

Question

All i want to do is to become a fighter pilot, which i know is not easy, then get out when i can no longer fly. AKA i would like to know how many years i will actually fly until i get put behind a desk, permanently. Does this amount of flying time differ between the 3 branches?

Thanks for the help!

Answer 1

You can fly until you are no longer physically qualified to fly. The type of aircraft you are rated in will dictate the physical standards. Each service has a minimum number of flight hours a pilot must have monthly to remain on flying status. As for the different branches again the type of aircraft you fly would effect you hours. Army/Marine helicopter pilots are currently flying lots of hours due to combat missions as are Marine fighter squadrons.

Answer 2

I see no reason why not. Most officers don't need higher than a secret clearance, which is easily obtainable by a naturalized citizen. A foreign degree would have to be evaluated, unless it's Canadian. A Top Secret clearance would be trickier for him, depending on his family. Any immediate family who are non-US citizens is a disqualifier, though it is waiverable. Parents or siblings in say Vietnam or China would probably not be waived. The main issue is waivers for foreign family/contacts. So many people want to be pilots that there's no reason to grant many waivers.

Answer 3

regardless of the branch of service you're in. as long as you can pass your fitness qualifications. refrain from getting into trouble (no jail time) and also refrain from doing acts of stupidity (which would ground most pilots by their CO's).



you can fly as long as you want to - even till you retire.



for example: General Chuck Yeager (the first documented human to fly faster than the speed of sound). Was still certified to fly a Jet, solo - when he retired from the air force.



Not bad for an ol'codger - huh.



good luck kiddo!!

Answer 4

I know there's a minimum that most branches require of you, seeing as they'd have invested a very large sum of money into your training. However, I believe you'll be flying high until you either retire or get weaseled out before you hit the big 20 year mark.