WSO to pilot

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10-23-2020 | 09:49 AM

#11

paulcg77

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From: A shack in Kailua

Quote:

Originally Posted by Excargodog

https://www.academyadmissions.com/re...cal/standards/

Wow, LASIK is approved now? I got PRK a little over a decade ago when my vision started to slide (was already a pilot) but back then I was only given the option of PRK and I don't recall LASIK even being authorized because those flaps on the corneas could open up while flying. I guess I was born a decade or two too soon because I sure would have rather had instant LASIK than suffer through a week post-op of not being able to see anything.

10-24-2020 | 05:45 PM

#12

ipdanno

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When I started C130 initial qual in the mid-80s, my IP told me to always look back at the navigator, to make sure he was wearing glasses. “Because he needs them?” I asked. “No.” he said. “If he’s not wearing glasses, you don’t know WHAT is wrong with him.”

10-24-2020 | 10:11 PM

#13

Excargodog

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Quote:

Originally Posted by ipdanno

Which is undoubtedly why WSOs always kept it in ‘aft initiate’ no matter what was briefed, since front seaters didn’t have obvious tells like that and you couldn’t see their faces much anyway...

10-28-2020 | 10:00 AM

#14

Castle Bravo

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When PACER CRAG eliminated the KC-135 navs, many of them were offered pilot slots. Timing is everything.

10-30-2020 | 04:10 AM

#15

tanker

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Quote:

Originally Posted by rickair7777

"Plan to retrain WSOs to pilots"?

Does that mean they all get a vision waiver and a pilot training slot? Or just that they can apply for one of a dozen annual redesignation slots like anybody else?

They'll most likely end up being drone pilots.

10-30-2020 | 05:26 AM

#16

Beech Dude

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^This. They'll get re-classed to 18X or whatever the RPA-only AFSC is nowadays and the rated guys will head back to their manned airframes...or a staff gig.

10-30-2020 | 05:46 AM

#17

Excargodog

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Beech Dude

^This. They'll get re-classed to 18X or whatever the RPA-only AFSC is nowadays and the rated guys will head back to their manned airframes...or a staff gig.

While you may end up being right, that is NOT what the 8th AF commander said in the article.

Quote:

It's anticipated the service will poach WSOs from the B-1 community, and a few from the B-52 pool, to punch up its B-21 pilot end strength, Weatherington said.

Together with Air Education and Training Command (AETC), Air Force Global Strike Command is studying how it will take "some of these highly trained, capable, combat-experienced weapon systems officers ... that have skill sets that will be readily transferable to the B-21 in terms of employing that weapon system in a combat scenario," he said. "How do we give them the skills they would need for takeoff, landing, air refueling, some maneuvering types of skills, and piloting skills to help close that gap?"

Retraining WSOs will also help with the Air Force's overall pilot shortage, he added.