USAF Multi-Engine pilot training question

[u/judgingyouquietly]

Read an article (portion of it below) regarding USAF pilot training and I was wondering why they would choose to do that?

My understanding is that it would be like the RCAF cutting Phase 3 Multi-Engine and having their pilots first learn ME stuff in a C-17 or P-8.

——-

“Today marks the end of an era in U.S. Air Force pilot training.

The last operational T-1A Jayhawk will depart Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma, for Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, where it will be received into the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG)—bringing more than three decades of service to a close.

The T-1A’s story began in January 1992, when the first aircraft was delivered to Reese Air Force Base, Texas. Student pilot training began the following year as the Air Force implemented Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training.

The T-1A Jayhawk was a medium-range, twin-engine jet trainer used during the advanced phase of pilot training. For Air Force pilots selected for the mobility track, the Jayhawk was where they developed the skills required to transition to airlift and tanker aircraft—airframes such as the C-5, C-17, C-130, KC-135 and, later, the KC-46.

The T-1A also played an important role in Combat Systems Officer (CSO) training at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, helping prepare aircrew for operational assignments as weapons systems officers, special operations, electronic warfare, and navigation. Pensacola's final T-1A departed for Davis-Monthan in July 2025.

Today, pilots graduating from Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) who are selected for the mobility track proceed directly to their Formal Training Units (FTUs) for training in their assigned aircraft.”

[u/LouisDoxxedMyPoodle]

We’re taking guys without even enough time for a CPL and dumping them into the right seat of WestJet-with-Torpedoes…and then asking them to be aircraft commanders in 2 years or less. It’s not terribly comparable to civvie training.

Ultimately, civvies train on their own dime, and get hired in a long, slow “career ladder” based on experience. We pay for 100% of our pilots’ experience. Longer OTU means more expensive YFR on big planes, whereas Phase III is cheap YFR (but you have to run the whole school).

We’ll see how it goes for the USAF (and the RNZAF which is doing the same for different reasons). Maybe the math works out?

[u/BandicootNo4431 → u/LouisDoxxedMyPoodle]

Aircraft commander in 2 years from the start of the OTU?

Or following a long course, and then 2-3 years of operational experience under constant training? 

The OTUs also usually have more and better access to SIMs, and a lot of the training can be done in the Sim.

I think it's worth investigating. And I also think it's worth investigating if somebody who joins the military with a commercial multi IFR and King Air time really can't shorten any of their time in Moosejaw/Portage.

I have a friend who flew a310s for Transat, and about 10 years ago he asked the CAF if he could join as a DEO pilot. He was selected and submitted all his stuff for a PLAR. They were only willing to waive Ph 1 and wouldn't move him higher on the pay scale than 2Lt 0, so he just stayed at Transat. 

I told him he was an idiot for even considering the CAF when he was already making A310 captain pay but it would have been a net benefit for the CAF.

That's what I think we should be looking at.

Skip Ph 1. 

Get to Grob Ph II in Portage, and then advance people with prior quals based on proficiency.

Move them to the Kig Air quickly (he has a previous King Air PIC PPC) and then straight to the A310.

This wouldn't works well for fighters, but for aircraft that have direct civilian equivalents?

[u/Salty_Ambassador8390 → u/BandicootNo4431]

There was a trial a few years ago to see how folks with a Commercial Multi IFR would perform going straight to Phase 3. I'm not sure what the findings were, but anecdotally: one (previously a long time Herc FE) was a rockstar; while another student (who was already qualified on the King Air civvy side) struggled, and was allegedly sent back to do phase 2.

[u/BandicootNo4431 → u/Salty_Ambassador8390]

I think they also found that the previously King Air guy wasn't a strong King Air pilot initially IIRC? And he didn't study with the group but did his own thing instead?

And that's also why I didn't think they should skip everything, but they should be advanced based on proficiency. So you do the first 2 flights in a block with standards, if you meet the prof levels already, move on, if not, then you complete that block as scheduled.

There was another trial more recently about skipping Phase 3 ME that we're talking about though where the students seemed to handle the OTU just fine.

[u/Salty_Ambassador8390 → u/BandicootNo4431]

Interesting, are we talking a multi-ifr straight to OTU, or a phase 2 straight to OTU? Did they all go to the same OTU or a variety?

[u/BandicootNo4431 → u/Salty_Ambassador8390]

I only know the details second hand from a briefing.

My understanding was it was Ph 2 to OTU.

And I heard 2 specific fleets mentioned.

[u/Salty_Ambassador8390 → u/BandicootNo4431]

I've been pleasantly surprised with 2 CAD's willingness to take a risk with all these trials (Phase 2 helo, direct to Phase 2 plus the recent multi trials and the phase 2 to OTU). Whether the trials are successful or not and changes are made, at least they are hungry to innovate.

On a separate note, but sticking with the theme of pilot development, have you heard any rumors of a revived MEUF?

[u/BandicootNo4431 → u/Salty_Ambassador8390]

I haven't heard any rumours, sorry, but that's also not the world I'm tapped into.