Flight Attendant Information

Why would military pilots pay to train in private flight schools?

Does this give one a better chance at securing a military pilot position? I only ask because many of my University's Aviation Science graduates have gone into the military. This seems odd to me. Why would someone pay so much money for flight school when the military is willing to pay for one's training?

Public Comments

1. The only answer I can think of is for specialized training on certain aircraft. I am in the Army and I know very little about army aviation, but common sense tells me the answer.
2. To be a flyer in the US Air Force, it pays divedens to have a pilot backround in small aircraft prior to your initial flight training. To become a pilot or navigator is much harder than showing up. The Air Force allots less than 800 pilot slots a year, half of which are given to the USAF Academy. The rest are dished out to the thousands of universities and colleges across America. To secure a flying slot you need to have had top grades and stood out in college in some fashion. Following your commissioning, you will be given orders (eventually) to initial flight training. This is where you train on the small cesna's and get a feel for flying in general. Depending upon how you do here with check rides and exams, you will become either a pilot or a navigator. Following this you will go to Undergrad Pilot (or Nav training) and your performance their will depict your choice of aircraft. So while it doesn't pay more or give you any more credibility as the next pilot/navigator, having flying experience prior to flight training will better ensure you to be ready for your undergrad training and give you a leg up on possibly becoming a pilot.
3. Because the air frames or types of planes that you are trained and certified in the military to fly does not give you a license to fly commercial or civilian aircraft by the FAA who regulates non-military flight in this country. Many military pilots want to fly on their own off-duty time for fun and relaxation because they enjoy flying and in order to do that they must be trained in FAA approved classes and programs and certified and licensed to by the FFA for this.
4. You have to have a college degree to be a pilot. So what difference does it make, what their degree was in ? If they plan on a career flying, either military or civilian after wards. Having a degree in Aviation Science makes alot of sense.