Air Force Could Use Your Aircraft for Pilot Currency

Contractors living near military installations might lease their aircraft for ‘non-qualifying flight operations.’

Jack Daleo

Friday, October 17, 2025 at 05:32 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

A U.S. Air Force pilot climbs aboard a Northrop T-38 before a training flight. [Courtesy: U.S. Air Force]

Key Takeaways:

The U.S. Air Force is experiencing its lowest fleet readiness in years, attributed to an aging fleet and pilot shortages.
To address this, the Air Force's Air Combat Command is exploring commercial leases for privately owned aircraft from owners near military installations.
These leased aircraft would be used by Air Force pilots for "non-qualifying flight operations" to help them maintain flying currency, similar to the existing Civil Reserve Air Fleet program.

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The U.S. Air Force could borrow your aircraft to maintain currency for airmen as it contends with its lowest level of fleet readiness in years.

Per a request for information (RFI) published by the Air Force’s Air Combat Command (ACC), dated October 10, the branch is exploring commercial leases with aircraft owners who live near military installations. The RFI asks interested contractors to describe the aircraft—including any FAA airworthiness certificates—and their capabilities by October 24.