How to Become an F-22 Pilot

Pilots must undergo rigorous training to fly F-22 Raptors.

The F-22 Raptor is the most advanced aircraft in the U.S. Air Force's fleet. It gives pilots complete control in dogfighting and ground attacks, and has unmatched stealth capabilities. Developed by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, the Air Force introduced the plane in December of 2005. Pilots who are eligible to fly F-22s make up less than four percent of members of the USAF. In order to become an F-22 pilot, soldiers must undergo rigorous training to develop specialized skills.

Instructions

1. Earn an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university. Classes in aviation, business and leadership can help students prepare for F-22 training.

2. Enlist in the Air Force. Unless you graduated from the USAF Academy or were a member of the Air Force Reserve Officers' Training Corps in college, you must join the Air Force.

3. Take the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test. As a college graduate, you will be eligible for Officer Training School, a rigorous 12-week program that tests your mental and physical endurance.

4. Complete Officer Training School. A typical day during training includes rising shortly after 5 a.m. for exercises and a run, followed by breakfast and a full morning of physical and skills training. During the afternoons, solders undergo classroom instruction in topics like military history, leadership and management. At night, soldiers attend meetings, study and clean their uniforms. Solders must complete officer training before they are 29 years old in order to qualify as pilots.

5. Meet the Air Force vision, weight and physical conditioning requirements. In order to be a pilot, soldiers must have normal color vision and meet other optical requirements for distant and near vision, and pass refraction and astigmatism tests. Pilots must not have a history of asthma, allergies or hay fever after 12 years old, and must have a standing height of 64 to 77 inches and a sitting height 34 to 40 inches.

6. Receive a waiver for civil involvement activities, such as speeding and parking tickets.

7. Attend pilot training. Pilots apply for F-22 training that lasts for several weeks at different locations. Pilots with no previous training attend a five-week, F-22 Raptor lead-in course in order to learn how to use high-performance aircraft. Pilots then attend a Fighter Fundamentals Course. Pilots also learn to fly T-38 Talons in their training. The Air Force selects the top performers to become F-22 pilots.

References

• U.S. Air Force: F-22 Raptor
• U.S. Air Force: Officer Training School
• U.S. Air Force: Pilot
• Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company: F-22 Raptor: F-22 History
• U.S. Air Force: 4 New Pilots Begin F-22 Training
• Air Force ROTC Detachment 88: Pilot and Navigator Requirements

Resources

• Arizona State University Aerospace Studies: Pilot & Navigator Opportunities
• U.S. Air Force: T-38 Arrives to Supplement F-22 Training
• U.S. Army Command: Preparing Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Graduates for F-35a Training