Aviator pay details to be released Published Jan. 23, 2008 By Staff Sgt. J.G. Buzanowski Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs WASHINGTON -- Details on the retention bonus offered to experienced aviators should be released soon, Air Staff officials here said. The aviator continuation pay incentive is in the final coordination stages and once Congress finalizes and the president signs this year's annual National Defense Authorization Act, the bonus will be available for eligible members, said Lt. Col Kip Turain, the Rated Force Policy Branch chief. "It's important to note that no eligible aviator will be penalized because of this year's delays," Colonel Turain said. "ACP is paid in installments on the member's anniversary date. Once we have the authority to go ahead with the ACP offer, we'll work with Air Force comptrollers to get caught up with those who enroll in the program and have already passed their anniversary." The ACP incentive is designed to entice Airmen to continue their service, if the Air Force predicts a manpower shortage in their particular career field. It's historically been very successful in retaining experienced aviators. Last fiscal year, 67 percent of pilots and 60 percent of air battle managers chose to continue their service under an ACP contract rather than seek employment in the commercial sector, Colonel Turain said. Since 2004, a $25,000 incentive for pilots and $15,000 for air battle managers meeting program requirements has been offered to eligible Airmen. "It's important; however, to remember that aviator continuation pay isn't an entitlement," Colonel Turain said. "It has to be reviewed every year based on our end strength projections in aviator career fields. It helps the Air Force maintain the needed experience level to fulfill our mission. "I would just ask anyone who is waiting to hear about the approved eligibility details to be patient and stand by," Colonel Turain said. "As soon as this year's program has been approved and we have the statutory authority from the (National Defense Authorization Act), we'll get word out to the field."