PILOT CAREERS

TAKE TO THE SKIES

THERE ARE MANY
WAYS TO FLY

There’s not just one type of Pilot in the U.S. Air Force. It takes many different skills and aircraft to accomplish our missions.

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  • Mobility

    Mobility

    Mobility Pilot

    These pilots fly with larger crews and are crucial to humanitarian efforts and supplying missions. Their cargo aircraft allow them to transport vast amounts of supplies and troops around the world.

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    C-17 Globemaster III

    The C-17 Globemaster III is the most flexible cargo aircraft in the airlift force. It can transport various types of equipment, patients and military personnel to perform airlift and airdrop missions. 

    Crew: Pilot, co-pilot and loadmaster

    Other Mobility aircraft: C-5, C-130, KC-46, KC-135, KC-10, C-32, C-40, and C-21

  • Fighter

    Fighter

    Fighter Pilot

    As a fighter pilot, you’ll fly the most advanced aircraft in the world to accomplish combat and escort missions. Fly faster than the speed of sound, spin through the air and execute maneuvers that seem to defy the very laws of physics.

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    F-16 FIGHTING FALCON

    The F-16 combines strength and light weight to be one of the most maneuverable fighter jets ever made. Even with a full load of fuel, it can withstand nine G’s, which exceeds the capability of any current fighter aircraft. It’s proven itself in air-to-air and air-to-surface combat. 

    Crew: Pilot

    Other Fighter aircraft: F-15, F-22, F-35, A-10

  • Recon

    Recon

    Recon Pilot

    Reconnaissance pilots fly aircraft whose main mission is to collect vital intelligence and surveillance. These pilots fly at higher altitudes, some near space, to inform and enable search and rescue, combat, and humanitarian missions.

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    U-2 DRAGON LADY

    The U-2 is a single-seat, single-engine aircraft that regularly flies above 70,000 feet. Built in complete secrecy, it was created to gather reconnaissance and surveillance during the Cold War. Today it still provides critical intelligence during periods of conflict and lifesaving reconnaissance as part of disaster relief and search-and-rescue missions.

    Crew: Pilot

    Other Recon aircraft: RC-135, E-3, E-8, MC-12, WC-130, and E-4

  • Bomber

    Bomber

    Bomber Pilot

    As a bomber pilot, you have the opportunity to fly historic, non-stealth and cutting-edge, stealth aircraft. Your mission is to bring the full power of the Air Force to bear. It takes great technical expertise to accurately and effectively drop ordnance on targets.

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    B-52 STRATOFORTRESS

    The B-52 is a long-range, heavy bomber that can carry nuclear or precision-guided ordnance and provide highly effective surveillance. 

    Crew: Aircraft commander, pilot, radar navigator, navigator and electronic warfare officer

    Other Bomber aircraft: B-1, B-2, B-21, HC-130J and MH-139

  • Rescue

    Rescue

    Rescue Pilot

    These pilots fly aircraft in support of missions that require long-range infiltration, exfiltration and resupply. They’re also critical in humanitarian missions and provide support such as search and rescue during natural disasters.

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    CV-22 OSPREY

    The CV-22 is a tiltrotor aircraft that combines a helicopter’s rotor with a fixed-wing aircraft’s propellers. It lands and takes off vertically and propels itself forward once airborne. 

    Crew: Pilot, co-pilot and two flight engineers

    Other Rescue aircraft: Pave Hawk

  • RPA

    RPA

    RPA Pilot

    Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) pilots aren’t physically in their aircraft while operating them. No matter where these pilots fly from, their aircraft can be tens of thousands of miles away, anywhere in the world.

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    MQ-9 REAPER

    The MQ-9 is primarily deployed as part of intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance missions. It also has precision strike capabilities and can execute high-value targets. 

    Crew: Pilot, sensor operator

    Other RPA aircraft: RQ-4, MQ-1 or RQ-170

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TRAINING PIPELINE

BECOME
A pilot

Before becoming a pilot, you must become an officer in the Air Force, which you can accomplish in a few ways. From there, all pilots go through the same initial training where they learn the general skills necessary to fly. Upon successfully completing that training, pilots are then assigned a specific aircraft and undergo specialized training on that aircraft.

  • BECOME AN OFFICER

    To be a pilot, you must become an officer first. You can do this through participating in ROTC in college, attending the Air Force Academy or going through Officer Training School.

  • BEGIN INITIAL TRAINING

    All pilots start their training with Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT), which is designed to prepare them for the full spectrum of aircraft and missions in the Air Force.

  • DISCOVER YOUR AIRCRAFT

    Once student pilots complete UPT, they’re assigned a specific aircraft. Seat assignments are based on performance, instructor recommendation, student preferences and the Air Force’s needs.

  • TRAIN ON YOUR AIRCRAFT

    After receiving their seat assignment, student pilots go on to Advanced Flight Training (AFT) to learn how to fly their specific aircraft and the missions associated with it.

  • LEARN WHERE YOU'LL BE STATIONED

    Once student pilots complete all their training, they’re given a squadron and base assignment.

Earn your wings

Once pilots complete their training, they earn a set of wings. Like a rank, these wings are proudly worn on uniforms and distinguish pilots from other careers. The wings evolve according to the number of flight hours and experience a pilot gains throughout their career.

  • Pilot Wings.

    Rated officer

    graduate of USAF Undergraduate Pilot Training

  • Rpa Pilot Wings.

    Rated officer

    graduate of USAF Undergraduate Pilot Training

  • Senior Pilot Wings.

    07 years as rated pilot

    2000 total hours of flight time

  • Senior RPA Pilot Wings.

    07 years as rated pilot

    2000 total hours of flight time

  • command Pilot Wings.

    15 years as rated pilot

    3000 total hours of flight time

  • command RPA Pilot Wings.

    15 years as rated pilot

    3000 total hours of flight time

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY

AVIATION FOR ALL

The Air Force is dedicated to making aviation an accessible pathway for everyone. It takes different perspectives to achieve mission success, and we welcome them all.

MEET OUR AIRMEN

SET YOURSELF UP FOR SUCCESS

If you’re interested in flying, the U.S. Air Force is one of the best places to jumpstart a rewarding future. Receive top training from some of the most experienced aviators on the most advanced fleet of aircraft.

You’ll also earn more flight hours and gain leadership experience that can make you more competitive for future opportunities. Pilots who got their start in the Air Force have gone on to fly for commercial airlines while serving in the Air Force Reserve or Air National Guard.

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