The vast majority of aviation officers are done flying after their squadron command tour as a Commander (O-5). Subsequent staff and major command (O-6) tours might offer opportunities to go flying, but that's not the same thing as a “flying tour.”

In the United States Air Force, pilots typically begin to see a significant reduction in their "stick time" as they reach the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (O-5) and Colonel (O-6). While there is no official rank that legally bars a pilot from flying, the nature of military progression shifts from tactical execution to strategic leadership and command as one advances. A Lieutenant Colonel may still fly regularly if they are a Squadron Commander, but a Colonel—who typically commands an entire Wing—spends the vast majority of their time on administrative, budgetary, and personnel management duties. Once a pilot is promoted to the "General" officer ranks (O-7 and above), flying becomes very rare and is usually restricted to maintaining basic proficiency or ceremonial purposes. These high-ranking officers are often referred to as "gray eagles." Most career pilots stop flying "operationally" around the 20-year mark when they transition into senior staff roles at the Pentagon or Major Command headquarters. However, some pilots choose "functional" tracks or stay in the Reserves/National Guard specifically to continue flying for longer periods than their active-duty counterparts who are pursuing a fast-track to generalship.