Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Newsroom

    Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      The Air Force Rated Preparatory Program provides qualified Airmen interested in cross-training to an Air Force-rated career field the opportunity to gain and strengthen basic aviation skills.The Air Force Rated Preparatory Program provides qualified Airmen interested in cross-training to an Air Force-rated career field the opportunity to gain and strengthen basic aviation skills. Program participants receive self-paced ground training, approximately eight flight hours in a Civil Air Patrol Cessna 182 Skylane, and additional training in FAA-certified simulators—helping them become more competitive for rated selection boards. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res

Update: Airmen interested in learning aviation fundamentals, becoming rated officer can apply for Rated Prep Program until Dec. 31Published Nov. 23, 2021
                    
                    By Capt. Kenya Pettway
                    
                    
                    Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs
            **JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS) --**The Air Force Rated Preparatory Program (RPP) provides qualified Airmen interested in cross-training to an Air Force rated career field the opportunity to gain and strengthen basic aviation skills. Program participants receive self-paced ground training, approximately eight flight hours in a Civil Air Patrol Cessna 182 Skylane, and additional training in FAA-certified simulators—helping them become more competitive for rated selection boards. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Lino M. Espinoza, Jr.)

    











Active duty Air Force officers and enlisted personnel interested in becoming rated officers have until Dec. 31 to apply for the Spring 2022 Air Force Rated Preparatory Program, scheduled for March 20-25, 2022, and March 27-April 1, 2022, in Denton, Texas.
U.S. Air Force rated career fields consist of **pilots**, **combat systems officers**, **air battle managers** and **remotely piloted aircraft pilots**.
RPP provides qualified Airmen interested in cross-training to an Air Force rated career field the opportunity to gain and strengthen basic aviation skills.
“The Rated Preparatory Program provides a unique opportunity for officers and enlisted personnel to become rated officers,” said **Brig. Gen. Brenda P. Cartier**, AETC director of operations and communications. “Through RPP, qualified Airmen gain skills they may have not had the opportunity or resources to gain before entering the Air Force. We want to provide our Airmen the tools to pursue their lifelong dream of flying in the Air Force — a dream they may have never thought possible.”
Program participants will receive self-paced ground training, about eight flight hours in a Civil Air Patrol Cessna 182 Skylane, and additional training in FAA-certified simulators — helping them become more competitive for rated selection boards.
"RPP has proven successful in improving students' **Air Force Officer Qualifying Test** and **Test of Basic Aviation Skills** scores, which are considered at rated selection boards, by about 40 percent," said Kathryn Gifford, AETC rated diversity improvement program analyst. "Of the 93 RPP students trained in fiscal years 19 and 20, 70 applied to the undergraduate flying training board, with 55 (78%) of applicants selected for a rated position."
Airmen who can meet the requirements below are encouraged to apply.**Officer requirements:**
Be of high moral character.
Obtain group commander (or higher) approval and endorsement (on application).
Score at least minimum passing for the Air Force physical fitness test.
Take the AFOQT and TBAS to receive **Pilot Candidate Selection Method** initial scoring results prior to RPP. Then, retake the AFOQT and TBAS two-four weeks after completion of RPP. Note: The AFOQT and TBAS cannot be attempted more than three times total. RPP officials will provide an exception to policy for RPP graduates who require a waiver for retest intervals, and for those who have tested twice already.
Have less than five hours of total civilian flight time. Note: Applicants with greater than five hours of flight time will be considered on a space-available basis.
Prior to attending RPP, obtain the appropriate Air Force flight physical specific to the rated carrier field. For example, Initial Flying Class 1 for pilots.
Meet UFT board requirements post RPP in accordance with **AFMAN 36-2100**.
Review Civil Air Patrol-assigned study material prior to class start date.**Enlisted personnel requirements:**
Must be under 33 years of age on March 20, 2022.
Prior to attending RPP, have or obtain a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with at least a 2.5 GPA.
After completion of RPP, apply to an Air Force officer **commissioning source** at the next available opportunity.
Airmen interested in applying to the program can find additional information via the call for nominations on MyPers **here** (CAC required).
For any questions, email **AF.Rated.PrepProgramWorkflow@us.af.mil** with “Attn: Rated Prep Program” as the subject line.
The Air Force Rated Preparatory Program is led by **Air Education and Training Command**’s Rated Diversity Improvement Team, headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, and supported by **Civil Air Patrol**.
RPP is not a commissioning program, nor does it guarantee participants will be selected for an Air Force rated position.**Editor's note: The application deadline for the RPP has been extended to Dec. 31, 2021.*AFWN 



USAF 



AF 



Air Force 



RPP 



Rated Prep Program 



Rated Preparatory Program 



Rated diversity 



pilots 



combat systems officer 



air battle manager 



RPA pilot 



cross train 



Aviation 



careers 



CAP 



Civil Air Patrol 



AETC 



Air Education and Training Command 



RDI 



enlisted 



officer 



One Air Force 



Tomorrow’s Air Force Featured News
        Senior Leader Priorities
                DAF leaders speak at National Character and Leadership Symposium
                    
                    DAF members recognized during BEYA STEM awards
                    
                    DAF senior enlisted advisors discuss Airmen, Guardians in the fight
                    
                    SecAF Kendall AFA Warfare Symposium Q&A: Reoptimizing for Great Power Competition
                    
                    SECAF, 16th Air Force CC visit America’s Cryptologic WingInnovation
                DAF welcomes industry partners to HQ development program
                    
                    DAF announces Spark Tank 2024 finalists
                    
                    Chief Digital, Artificial Intelligence Office to host hackathon in Hawaii
                    
                    AFWERX accepting applications for spring 2024 fellowship
                    
                    Restoring an F-35A Lightning II: A collaborative endeavorMAJCOM News
                Air Combat Command welcomes new commander
                    
                    USAFE-AFAFRICA commander discusses Integrated Air, Missile Defense during Munich Security Conference
                    
                    Flosi to AFMC family: Embrace change, make every day count
                    
                    AMC rises to increasing global tension
                    
                    USAFE-AFAFRICA commander emphasizes five focus areas during AFA Warfare Symposium
 Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil