WSO to pilot
10-21-2020 | 07:56 PM
#1
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WSO to pilot
https://www.military.com/daily-news/...er-pilots.html
20 Oct 2020
Military.com | By Oriana PawlykAs the U.S. Air Force prepares to bring the next-generation stealth bomber into its inventory over the next two decades, it plans to slash the number of weapons system officers by as much as half to make room for more pilots, according to a top general.
Though the service has not announced exactly how many B-21 Raiders it expects to purchase, it will no longer need as many WSOs -- commonly referred to as "wizzos" -- the aircrew who manage the delivery of bombs as well as intelligence-gathering sensors. It plans to retrain them to become pilots in the years ahead, according to Maj. Gen. Mark E. Weatherington, 8th Air Force commander.
Military.com | By Oriana PawlykAs the U.S. Air Force prepares to bring the next-generation stealth bomber into its inventory over the next two decades, it plans to slash the number of weapons system officers by as much as half to make room for more pilots, according to a top general.
Though the service has not announced exactly how many B-21 Raiders it expects to purchase, it will no longer need as many WSOs -- commonly referred to as "wizzos" -- the aircrew who manage the delivery of bombs as well as intelligence-gathering sensors. It plans to retrain them to become pilots in the years ahead, according to Maj. Gen. Mark E. Weatherington, 8th Air Force commander.
10-21-2020 | 09:28 PM
#2
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From: Engines Turn or People Swim
"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?
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?
10-21-2020 | 09:46 PM
#3
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As for vision, have you seen the F-35 helmet visor? It’s all sensor driven anyway. One contact lens, more or less, wouldn’t make much difference. Besides, a lot of the zoomies wear glasses.
https://youtu.be/Ay6g66FbkmQ
https://youtu.be/XuT9uhbXZKg
10-22-2020 | 07:18 AM
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From: Engines Turn or People Swim
Not a chance. For the foreseeable future the most you might see is "optionally manned" to appease those long-on-vision/short-on-tech-savvy leaders who think warfare can be automated with an app just like ride-hailing.
Most especially for a nuclear platform
Most especially for a nuclear platform
10-22-2020 | 07:24 AM
#7
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Apparently nobody is YET willing to allow it to carry nukes without human control on board, although there are those advocating for that to change:
https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/201...-day-1/128714/
on the other hand, it’s a bomber. Shoving another thousand pounds or so in it for a couple of crew and their ejection seats is hardly going to affect the performance all that much.
https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/201...-day-1/128714/
on the other hand, it’s a bomber. Shoving another thousand pounds or so in it for a couple of crew and their ejection seats is hardly going to affect the performance all that much.
10-22-2020 | 07:43 AM
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Pilot Vision Requirements
All candidates admitted to the Air Force Academy must meet the vision requirements for basic commissioning in the United States Air Force. However, vision requirements for candidates for pilot, other aviation-related specialties and special operational duty career fields are stricter and will not be fully assessed until a complete Air Force vision exam is accomplished during your second (sophomore) year as a cadet.Most cadets with visual acuity outside the medical standards may become medically qualified for aviation if vision is successfully corrected by corneal refractive surgery (i.e., PRK or LASIK), which will be available to you as a cadet if you meet preoperative qualification criteria. Applicants should NOT pursue refractive surgery PRIOR to entry to USAFA as this is disqualifying if accomplished within 180 days of the DoDMERB examination and strict preoperative requirements must be met that are often not adhered to by civilian ophthalmologists.
10-22-2020 | 01:10 PM
#9
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From: FAA 'Flight Check'
10-22-2020 | 01:24 PM
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From: Engines Turn or People Swim
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