Paying off the flying hours...

[beaky]

I should probably let an Air Force pilot tell you this, but it seems to me  that you'd have to learn and retain even more stuff to fly for that organization than you would  to be a CFI. And since all ops there are done "inna military stylee", we're talking details and precision. And many snap quizzes, including the occasional split-second life-and-death sort of tests, where you gotta know what to do, down to the last detail.
 You need good study habits and an uncluttered mind  if you want to move up the ladder as a military pilot.  Not saying you can't cut it;  just saying it's a poor alternative if you think being a CFI takes too much brain-sweat.
 Of course, the Air Force will pay you to fly, which is a nice incentive...

[C]

I'll second what Rotty said - you'll be having to retain a lot more information on very technical aeroplanes/weapons and lots of other things too - a military pilot does more than fly...

[beefhole]

Oops, I normally check myself when I say something wrong, but this one slipped through .

There are several other reasons I want to go into the airforce (don't want to move up through GA, always wanted to serve but not an infantry type guy) and I guess what I meant was that it would be less tedious in the AF, where you stay sparkly-eyed for much longer.

And last time I checked, they pay CFIs too Rotty
They don't love their jobs that much!

[beaky]

.Oops, I normally check myself when I say something wrong, but this one slipped through .



And last time I checked, they pay CFIs too Rotty
They don't love their jobs that much!

Duh. You're right; I didn't quite say it right. But there's flying , then there's FLYING. Even the most mundane USAF flight assignment would be more interesting than primary instruction at the local FBO . Um... unless it's primary instruction in the USAF... never mind, you know what I mean...

Anyway,  whatever you decide, do yourself a favor and have a plan "B". Something aviation-related would be great, but any skill that'll allow you to earn a living would help.  If I had it all to do over again (sigh), whether I went military or civilian, I'd prob'ly at least get my maintenance certs... charters and fractional bizjets are getting a bigger chunk of passengers all the time, and they LOVE pilots who are also qualified to  do maintenance on the plane  while waiting for Mr./Ms. Big to finish that meeting or seminar  in some far-flung locale. They often do everything from re-stocking the minibar and vacuuming  to airframe and engine maintenance.

[Rocket_Bird]

Sweet deal  Honestly, i find flying a lot more interesting than just turning the wrenches... though thats probably gonna be my fulltime job for a bit hehe  But after working on aircraft now, its nice to know how everything to work, and its actually helped my flight training.  

But ya, I personally considered the military occupation side of things.  And to tell ya the truth, i just can't accept the responsibility.  I've served the infantry for a short time, and although the air force doesnt yell at you as much, id much rather fly the way I want to fly.  When I was in the forces, I felt like a borg (if your a trekkie  ;)), and when I got out, I really felt the difference that I never realized when I first joined.  And I like it this way.  Its just my flavor  :)  I know some military pilots who love their job, and civilians pilots who love theirs, and its really all down to the individual i guess.

[Boss_BlueAngels]

Speaking of helos... dang, there was nothing I hated more while working the line at a local FBO than towing the stinking helicopter back and forth.  Man, I swear I would sweat bullets every time I had to move it.  The little cart had about a 2.5 foot wheel base, and every minute bump you'd go over, would make the helicopter teeter back and forth. lol  

Ugh, nightmare... just had to get that out of my system.

[Craig.]

You should try having to move a Lynx. Now those things especially the Skid varients are heavy. I was at my dads work one time when we had to move one only a few yards, and even with 4 of us it was still rather heavy.

[beefhole]

Yea, well try moving a chopper that has struts... they make me do that all day... not really...