Total time before solo in AF, USN and USMC???

[mike furline]

Was curious as to how much total time a person might have before going solo in an F-15, 16, 18, Harrier or any other military aircraft?

TIA,

[gunnyperdue]

Ok, I bit... looked through my logs... the USAF works on syllabus... there are no by's... you fly the syllabus (or bust and fly more until you're out).... so...

T-37 16.2 hours
T-38 13.5
F-4 25.0
F-15 9.8 (flew BFM-1 after the I check, so it could have been about an 8.7)

Interesting.... I'm guess it is that or shorter these days.....

gunny

[Stoney]

Gunny
How do you solo an F-4?

[gunnyperdue]

Gunny
How do you solo an F-4?

The F-4 is flown with only one pilot required (the USAF only flew it for a short while with two pilots on board). Ever seen an F-4 heritage... only one guy in the plane. The F-15E is the same way.... one pilot to do that pilot thing...

I could fly the B-25 by myself... but the FAA takes a dim view... it is a 2 pilot airplane.

gunny

PS When you are flying a non-pilot the only difference between solo (by yourself) and you is there might be someone on the intercom....

[mike furline]

Ok, I bit... looked through my logs... the USAF works on syllabus... there are no by's... you fly the syllabus (or bust and fly more until you're out).... so...

T-37 16.2 hours
T-38 13.5
F-4 25.0
F-15 9.8 (flew BFM-1 after the I check, so it could have been about an 8.7)

Interesting.... I'm guess it is that or shorter these days.....

gunny

I'm guessing you are referring to time in type before solo. I hope so at least.
Thanks for the info, but I was also looking for total time before a solo in a frontline fighter, bomber, etc..
Before being turned loose in an F-15 how much total time would one have, 100hrs, 300hrs, etc.?

Thanks,
Mike

[Ken Dwelle]

First Flight in the F-16C (Solo, only 1 seat) after 6.6 hours (in the F-16D) and 189.8 in the T-37/T-38. [b]Total 196.4 [/b] This was in the early 90's. I did have previous Civillian experience, including the T-6 but most of my classmates didn't. I don't think it mattered.

Ken

[gunnyperdue]

Total time varies... folks who went through regular pilot training like Ken usually have a little less than 200 hours in UPT... then about 15-20 in LIFT (in AT-38's) before they show up at the FTU for a B course. ENJPPT used to be a 250 hour program (very limited SIMs)... then LIFT, then FTU.... don't know what it is now.

gunny

[Randy Haskin]

I had 244.6 hours of military time the first time I flew the F-15E "solo" (there's rarely actually solo in that jet...but that's the first time I flew it without an Instructor Pilot on board).

That was my 4th flight in the F-15E, with a whopping 6.2 hours in type.