Comments on: So You Want My Job: Air Force Pilot

By: Ben Chapman

Ben Chapman — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 10:05:16 +0000

As another C-17 pilot at McChord, I would like to add that in addition to your base pay, BAH, BAS and flight pay. You retain a substantial amount of money from landing in Tax free locations. Last year, I got ALL of my taxes back because I had made 8 of 12 months tax free for the year. That coupled with deductions from house payements etc made the government OWE me money. So don’t just go by the pay charts, tax free, hostile fire pay and per diem also factor in. I averaged about an extra $1000 per month just from per diem and hostile fire pay in 2009. As a seasoned copilot, many guys’ take home pay is on par with a 6 figure income.

I’d like to also add, a big downside I’ve noticed flying in this job is that people tend to get really fat. It’s preventable, but damn I sure see it a lot.

Respect,

Ben Chapman, 8th Airlift Squadron

By: Darrell

Darrell — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 16:37:22 +0000

I live in Charleston, SC.. where there are many of the Airfoce stationed here. I know many of the pilots. They fly the huge air carriers and also those that fly the jets. Jets come out of Charleston to go to Arlington to do fly overs. These men have standards in their lives whether concerning their families, their focus in the community, that are an example of strength and courage that gives back to others. There gift of serving at this time in America and the wars, are much appreciated. The times I have seen them walk into a restuarant and the roar of applause. The emotions that it brings to these guys. The simple but yet powerful gift of thank you.
I have always wanted to be an jet pilot. From the time I was a kid…I would stop and look up and dream of one day. To be able to sit and watch the jets practice for a air show. Mezmerizes me. I would love to one day fly in the jets. Its a dream. An adventure of my life in this journey. Thanks guys for all you do.
Darrell Weaver

By: Sam

Sam — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:45:49 +0000

Great article! I’m a civilian employee of the AF, and it heartens me to see fellow Airmen writing about their jobs. If I didn’t have poor vision from childhood, I would have aimed high to become a pilot myself.

By: Sir Pouralot

Sir Pouralot — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 02:44:32 +0000

u should do ‘Bartenders’ next

By: GoalieLax

GoalieLax — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 21:45:12 +0000

If you want to fly a real plane, go to the US Naval Academy. You have a much better chance at getting fighters and won’t be a bus driver for 30 years.

By: kathy quann

kathy quann — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 22:36:03 +0000

His mother must be very proud!

By: Spencer Blake

Spencer Blake — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 13:31:59 +0000

I’m only 16 in the 10th grade and we are doing an i-search. I am following up on being an U.S. Air Force pilot. After reading this it really makes me want to follow up on the career. Nice article!

By: therapydoc

therapydoc — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:53:19 +0000

It’s nice to know that there are people like you out there.

By: Cameron Schaefer

Cameron Schaefer — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 18:56:10 +0000

@ Kepler,

It’s all based on your rank and time in service. Here’s a link to the 2009 military pay chart – http://www.navycs.com/09militarypaychart.html

Go down to the O’s (officer) and O-1 is 2nd Lt, O-2 is 1st Lt, O-3 is Captain, etc. Keep in mind that is only your base pay which does not include your BAH (housing allowance) as well as Flight Pay.

By: kepler

kepler — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 00:39:26 +0000

i would like to be an airforce pilot, but i need to know the maximum and milimum they pay an airforce pilot.

By: Julian

Julian — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 22:51:30 +0000

Good post. You gotta love the Air Force.

USAFA ‘12

By: Josh

Josh — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 20:37:02 +0000

Great job dude, exactly the way it is.

- Josh (04′)

By: Bryan Branby

Bryan Branby — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:38:42 +0000

Great post, Cameron. As an Academy grad and Navigator who’s still flying after 25+ years, you pretty much nailed the aircrew life. It’s not easy to get into and very demanding once you’re there, but extremely rewarding when it’s all said and done.

For those who want to fly and don’t meet all the physical pilot qualifications, or are just into something different, the Air Force still has a small cadre of Navigators in bombers, cargo, and special operations aircraft, and will for years to come. Active Duty, National Guard and Air Force Reserve units all over the country are looking for the best of the best. Same age requirements, and definitely the same academic standards. it’s a great job with lots of neat “toys.”

By: E.Serrano

E.Serrano — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 04:58:00 +0000

awesome post!

By: Cameron Schaefer

Cameron Schaefer — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 03:38:25 +0000

@ Tony,

First, I have to admit that my knowledge is based on hearsay from others who have left for the airlines or people that know people who left – that kind of thing.

From what I’ve heard the airlines are not as great of a job as they used to be when it comes to salary. 9/11 took a huge cut out of most airlines and it has been reflected in slashing the pay of their starting pilots. UPS and FedEx seem to be the hot-ticket jobs right now when it comes to the best pay for guys leaving the military to fly commercially, but they’re quite competitive.

The Air Force on the other hand has played the pendulum game with personnel numbers as Adam alluded to in his comment. A few years ago they were paying pilots to leave, now they’re paying them to stay. The current offer is a bonus of $125,000 ($25K per year) for pilot’s to sign up for another 5 years when they come to the end of their active duty service commitment (currently 10 years).

Naturally, a lot goes into the decision for most pilot’s on whether they’ll stay in after 10 or leave, but these are the major factors to be weighed at the moment. So does the Air Force have enough pilots? I don’t have enough rank to really know the answer to that question, but what I do know is the C-17 community is incredibly busy right now.