How many years does it take to become an Air Force pilot?

(Anon)

I just turned 22 in November of 2009 and I am interested in becoming a pilot for like the c-17 cargo plane or fighter pilot. The AirForce gives up till the age 28 to become a pilot, am I too late for my age to become a pilot? I know I need a 4year degree, which I do not have, but still for my age to enlist in basic and then 4 year college and then whatever else, is my age limit to old to do all this in 6 years? Help me and thanx!

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No you are not too old to enlist in the Air Force. In the US Air Force and the Royal Air Force the age limit refers to the the max age you can be in order to enlist, not the age in which you need to complete flight training by. If you are 22 and still need a 4 year degree then you still have 2 years upon graduation from college to enroll in the Air Force.

My experience comes from the Canadian Air Force. Please check with your own countries requirements. The Canadian Air Force pilot training is a long road. Typically 4 to 5 years to the end of the journey.

The first phase is Basic Training. This lasts approx 14 weeks.

The second phase is Primaray Flight Training in Portage La Praire, Manitoba. This can last up to 16-18 weeks depending on the weather. Before you go to PFT you do OJT at a flying squadron. You can wait upwards of one and a half years before going on PFT.

After PFT you go back to OJT while you wait to go to Moose Jaw Saskatchewan for Basic Flight Training. Once again depending on the weather this can last upwards of 45-52 weeks. After BFT you go back to OJT again.

The next phase is either multi engine school, helo school or fighter school. Each one lasts a different length of time.

Once you finish this training then you move to the Operational Training Units (OTUs) to check out on the aircraft you are going to fly. This also lasts a different length of time.

As you can see, in Canada it is a long road to get your Wings. I believe it is a lot more streamlined in the US, UK, and Aust.

Hope this helps.