would it be worth it?

[Craig.]

ok it looks like this summer of flight training will be put on hold for a few more months, and by then it is looking ever more likely i'll be moving to the states by then. Now it has been a life long dream to fly the F-14, and i was wondering would there be any chance of that happening, i am looking to about 6 years into the future here, allowing the time for 4 year college and then all the training required, will the tomcat still be around then? or should i look into other options to go with.

[Tequila Sunrise]

I really doubt ther'll be any left by then , and if there are I don't see the USN training any new crews. Also wouldn't you need US citizenship to enter the US military, unfortunatly I think that takes about 7 years to get.
Looks like your gonna get the F-18E, bloody hornet on steroids

[Craig.]

5 years for citizenship, but you only need to be a resident alien to be considered basically as long as you are legally allowed to stay in the country indefinatly your ok. thanks for the reply craig, i had a feeling it would be all but gone. and i really dont want to fly hornets there will be a huge gap left without the F-14  as even the super hornet doesnt have the air to air capabilitys of it

[BFMF]

Now it has been a life long dream to fly the F-14

Why couldn't you have dreamed of something a little easier to do?

Andrew

[Craig.]

because according to my parents i have always been a difficult little s**t:)
and besides it keeps life interesting always trying for that extra goal

[Smoke2much]

I shouldn't think that they'd all be scrapped immediately.  I believe that in the US 'planes are "retired" to the national guard when they leave active service from first line squadrons.  Provided you qualify as a Fighter Pilot in the USAF you may be able to get permission from a local unit to have a flight in one of their F14's.  In addition museums will have them and as a holder of a single engine jet pilots licence to might be able to beg a trip.  My flight ambition is to sit in the right seat of a flying Lancaster.  All I need to do is .................arrgh!

There are ways round most things and even if the aircraft is retired from service you will have the income as a pilot to fly just about anything you want.

Don't give up hope mate.

Also some of the F14's may be sold to third world countries, if this is the case get yourself posted as an "adviser" to these countries and fly then.  You may also find that when you get your hands on the latest, meanest jet that the USAF/USN has you don't want to fly an "old bucket" like the F14.

Will

[Craig.]

thanks will:)
 by the way have you heard back about that job you went for a while back?

and the F-14 is not an old bucket , i personally believe it could wipe the floor with most advanced modern fighters around today:)
another question, how are pilots and RIO's determined for the F-14? i have seen you need the same qualifications for both, so is it determined by tests which you end up being as i cant imagine to many people wanting to be a passenger if you can be a pilot. or do you start out as a RIO then move up after a certain amount of flight time?
Thanks Guys

[Tequila Sunrise]

Don't know about the USN, but the requirments for pilot and observer/Nav are the same in the RAF. You have to sit 2 courses within flight training, if you pass pilot and observer you could be either, if you fail either one you do the other.
My flight instuctor in the ATC was a Tornado pilot who only managed to be a pilot because he failed the observer course, everyone else in his class became obserers.

[Smoke2much]

Craig,

They called me back for a second interview yesterday morning after I finished my nightshift!  Apparently there were 18 applicants for 2 jobs and I was in the top 3 despite my poor performance.  They will let me know the result by post, the letters go out this morning (Monday 00.25 right now) so I should know by Tuesday.

Thanks for the interest, I will keep you guys posted.

And I don't think the f14 is an old bucket, I was suggesting you might when you've had the chance to fly something a bit more up to date.  Thats all

Will

[Craig.]

thanks guys

and good luck with getting that job

[Mr. Bones]

i have the same dream...but i want to fly a bomber! i don't think that will ever happen...but you never know...

[Craig.]

which one do you want to fly??
my only problem is time, the F-14 is sadly getting old and it has replacement all coming in in the next ten years.
all i can say is where theres a will theres a way i suppose:)

[Ivan]

[quote]I shouldn't think that they'd all be scrapped immediately.

[Fly2e]

Guys ...Best of Luck. Never think that it will never happen....
DO   IT!!!!!

Dave  

[Blade]

My Uncle works at NAVAIR at PAX NAS here in Maryland so I can tell you this about the F-14. No more upgrades on any systems will continue. It is being phased out and should be fully retired to reserve squadrons within the next 2-3 years. In Naval flight training, to choose the aircraft you WANT to fly you have to score above 90 on the final testing. Below that to about 75 I THINK the Navy chooses the aircraft you fly. Below 75 and you are washed out to go back into flight training, or you become a surface/subsurface warfare officer.