Originally Posted by
USMCFLYR
I had around 400 hours of GA time and my ratings (except for any instructor rating) prior to coming to the military side. I will agree with you that the first 400 hours of my military training was different - more intense. I mean - bombing, dogfighting, low levels at 300-540kts at 200-500', or CARRIER QUALIFICATION - day and night!!!! Of course no civilian training is going to touch that extreme.
But I'll tell you what - - I'll put up a Commercial Pilot with instrument rating who is going for his CFI certification against that same freshly minted FRS aviator in the area of some basic aviation knowledge (pick any of the FAA writtens) and even the PPL would probably eat him alive!
Just remember this.....the airplane (in my community) is nothing more than a flying weapons system. We military pilots are NOT professional pilots. I don't get paid to fly. I get paid for being a Marine - flying is just what I do when Uncle Sam needs some attitudes readjusted
If I want someone to take off from an expeditionary airfield at night and conduct a self-escorted strike on NVGs; then I'll chose the military trained pilot. If I want someone to get me safely from DFW to LAX in IMC, then that 25 y/o, 1000 hr "child" is better suited to be flying my family around in an RJ anyday (as part of well trained and coordinated crew) - IMO.
USMCFLYR
USMC,
Thank you for your response, I enjoyed reading it.
I guess to an extent one cannot assuredly judge one's flying ability based on hours and/or types of hours. I believe it has more to do with competency in the current craft and application of experience (lessons learned) to that particular airframe. Each individual is going to be different.
As an example, I'm approaching 7K hours and am current and qualified in "heavies". However, one would be wrong to assume that I am just as qualified and competent to fly a small, GA aircraft.