Darrell Kindley talks about the intense requirements to become an air force pilot. The Air Force requires you to be tough and have flight experience under your belt. Visit Darrell's website to read more blogs like this DarrellKindley.org

1. HOW TO
BECOME AN
AIR FORCE
PILOT
DARRELL KINDLEY
DARRELLKINDLEY.NET

2. AIR FORCE PILOT
QUALIFICATIONS
Prospective pilots must be between
the ages of 18 and 34. They must
also be citizens of the United States.
Candidates must have had a GPA of
at least 3.4 in high school and have
obtained a bachelor’s degree in
aerospace engineering, chemistry,
computer science, physics or
another scientific field. Civilians
having flight training and
experience are commonly given a
higher degree of consideration.
However, if accepted without being
a civilian pilot, recruits must enter
flight school before the age of 30.

3. MILITARY
QUALIFICATIONS
After acquiring a degree, future pilots begin their military career by becoming a
commissioned officer with the rank of second lieutenant. Joining the military involves
entering a Reserve Officer’s Training Corp through a college or university. They might
also enter the 12-week Officer Training School at the Maxwell Air Force Base in
Alabama. Some obtain their degrees while becoming an officer at the Air Force
Academy. However, enrollment is limited and cadets gain entrance by obtaining a
nomination by a Congressional member.

4. PHYSICAL
QUALIFICATIONS
Qualifications vary depending on the particular position a pilot
holds. However, in general, cadets must undergo a regimen of
background checks, physical and psychological testing. Potential
pilots must be at least five feet four inches tall but less than six
feet five inches in height. They must also fall into the appropriate
weight category for their height. Visual tests must conclude that a
candidate has at least correctable 20/40 near vision and 20/200
distant vision. Colorblindness, depth perception problems or
previous laser eye surgery automatically disqualify individuals
from becoming a pilot. Cadets cannot have a history of allergies,
asthma or hay fever.
DARRELLKINDLEY.ORG

5. Candidates must score 25 or higher
on the pilot section and a score of 50
on the pilot-navigator section of the
three-hour Air Force Officer
Qualifying Test. The entire test
consists of 12 sections and
additionally evaluates academic
aptitude, mathematical skills,
personality and verbal skills.
APTITUDE
QUALIFICATIONS
DARRELLKINDLEY.ORG
Flight school slots are also limited. If
chosen, candidates complete training
in two stages at the Randolph Air
Force Base in San Antonio and at one
of three other Air Force Bases.
FLIGHT TRAINING
REQUIREMENTS