All this talk of pilot shortage...
09-17-2018 | 03:18 PM
#11
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The military is a physical and mental marathon, especially in the ops world. It's a great life for the young'ns, but as you get older it wears on you. Especially being a line pilot/crew dog. I'm in my 40's and I couldn't see myself wanting to start that type of lifestyle in my 40's. I'm at the point in my guard career I can manage it a little better than the average active duty O-2/O-3, but I was definitely more resilient to the BS when I was in my 20's. Not to say there wouldn't be some 40 something year olds out there that would want to try it.
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09-17-2018 | 03:25 PM
#12
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The military is not short of entry level pilots, plenty of applicants.
The military system builds experience FAST... a pilot who completes his initial ten-year obligation is vastly more experienced and capable than a noob. A 20-year vet even more so. The issue isn't replacing the ones who leave faster, it's retaining MORE of the experienced pilots for flying and non-flying leadership jobs, as well as non-flying staff jobs.
They don't need 40 year-old O1's. A a 40 year old will most likely be too old and worn out for senior leadership roles at age 60, especially involving tactical flying. There are so people who can do military tactical ops over age 50...
The military system builds experience FAST... a pilot who completes his initial ten-year obligation is vastly more experienced and capable than a noob. A 20-year vet even more so. The issue isn't replacing the ones who leave faster, it's retaining MORE of the experienced pilots for flying and non-flying leadership jobs, as well as non-flying staff jobs.
They don't need 40 year-old O1's. A a 40 year old will most likely be too old and worn out for senior leadership roles at age 60, especially involving tactical flying. There are so people who can do military tactical ops over age 50...
Thx
09-17-2018 | 04:30 PM
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jul 2016
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We have a few former airline dudes who go through UPT and become military aviators. While most of them have excellent basic airmanship and instrument knowledge, they are no different than a brand new straight out of college type UPT grad when it comes to the more advanced tactical flying.
Also, the problem, as stated, is not a lack or young volunteers to become pilots, it’s getting the experienced ones to stay around and run the enterprise not to mention mentor and teach the young guys.
Also, the problem, as stated, is not a lack or young volunteers to become pilots, it’s getting the experienced ones to stay around and run the enterprise not to mention mentor and teach the young guys.
09-17-2018 | 05:46 PM
#15
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Engines Turn or People Swim
It's much broader than that, they need to administrators and leaders who have warfighting skills and experience to run the military services. The alternative is non-warfighters in charge, ie tail wagging dog.
10-02-2018 | 07:57 AM
#16
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Joined: Nov 2005
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From: 757/767 Capt
I used to say it took 90% of my brain to make 10% of my income (flying C-17’s in the Reserves) my airline job took 10% of my brain to make 90% of my income. Until you’ve flown a military mission stuffed with TOT’s, ARCT’s, low level timing, and of course the inevitable screw ups that cause your initial plan to get ****-canned after takeoff, you’ll never understand military flying. Multiply this by 10 for fighter ops and you’ll quickly realize not all pilots are cut out to fly in the military. My IP at UPT summed it up best, he told me one time,
I’m not here to teach you to fly, I’m here to wash your sorry ass out! If you can get through me you’ll earn your wings”.
It’s all about pressure and how well you react to it..flying the jet is a very small part of the equation.
I’m not here to teach you to fly, I’m here to wash your sorry ass out! If you can get through me you’ll earn your wings”.
It’s all about pressure and how well you react to it..flying the jet is a very small part of the equation.
10-06-2018 | 02:12 PM
#17
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 862
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From: Center seat, doing loops to music
The answer to your question is yes, they need the full monte and many are not cut out for military flying in the best of circumstances.
As has been highlighted, the military is short of experienced aviators willing to ride a desk. There's no shortage of line flying fodder, which is what 99% of mil pilots want to do. Of course the AF is not that worried, the NDAA for FY19 locked in the bonus at 35K again, which doesn't even account for inflation. So it's not that big of a problem apparently. No stop loss either, so what gives?
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