Rotation?
 

Planes like F-22, B-2, and F-117 are flown on a rotational basis right? I am asking because I was watching “wings” a few years back and thought I heard the narrator say that. I don’t know if this is still true because on the http://www.baseops.net/ page, on the “military pilot” section, it says that the planes I mentioned above are part of the options one can select from the fighter/bomber choices.

Corrections please.

Can you clarify or rephrase your question?

Well what I was trying to ask was if the planes I mentioned are real options for new UPT graduates? I would think that they are only available to “experienced” pilots not new grads. Am I wrong, could a new UPT grad finish training and be assigned to one of the above mentioned equipments for the rest of their commitment? I guess I was having a hard time imagining a second lieutenant flying an F-117.

I thought I heard the B-2 was going to UPT grads, but can't say for sure. I know the F-22 isn't yet(and probably won't for a few more years). All the F-117 guys I know are former F-16 drivers. No UPT grads as far as I've heard.

An F-22 will drop this fiscal year at UPT from what I understand

One of the USAF's latest pilot training grads was informed last night that he will track and compete for the F-22 B-course

Yes...that is correct. I'm in the F-22 TX course as we speak and the IP's are gearing up for their first "B" course in the Raptor.

Wow, surprising to hear it's happening so fast. Good for them, talk about a high profile B course though.:eek:

How's the training so far? Are you there with the other Scrappy?

Yeah - high profile B course is right!! The jet is certainly not an easy machine to grasp - especially with all its beeps and squeeks. The other Scrappy just finished up - did a great job. He should be settled back in VA by now.

Take care!

The B-2 does go to a few new pilots straight out of UPT. I've seen it happen while at Whiteman flying the B-2 and sending a few off to Whiteman from my time as a T-38 IP. They typically are sent to Randolph to become T-38 IP's and spend 1-2 years doing that at Whiteman before training into the pilot's seat (mission commander's seat comes later...not sure of the current upgrade time).

B2P

Actually, it won't be fast...extended IFF, part of the Viper B-course, part of the Eagle B-course--then the F-22

Congrats!! I here that jet is fun and different. If you run into a guy named "Mute"(former E driver), tell him Lurch said hi.

A couple of my buddies in the B-2. You can keep that bull****. Only fun part of the plane is when your flying T-38's!!

Each to his own...the B-2 is not for everyone, that's for sure. You need to have the temperament for long, long missions...but there's always a damn satisfactory ending when the bad guys go boom. Being dual-qualified in the T-38 doesn't suck either. The only bad part about the assignment in my opinion is the location...You never want to start a conversation with, "Hi, I'm from Knob Noster, Missouri...".

B2P

I agree on all points. I was mostly talking about the community....Before you get mad, look at my profile.;)

I Did
 

I read your profile and there's nothing about what A/C you flew. All it says is Mil/Civ-Both. You should update it. Cheers :D

AF.mil article on TAMI-21

http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123054831

No problem here...It's the wonderful toneless quality of text posts. It's amazing how much we rely on visual cues during conversation to figure out where somebody's coming from when making a particular comment. So for the sake of all involved...:D.

Sorry about that. I am a Buff guy at KBAD.:D

Know a few guys down there myself. A Minot Buff (another "interesting" place to live) was my first flying assignment. It's amazing how long that thing has held together...they were ancient by the time I ended up in one. One of the first things I remember about it was that smoking on USAF aircraft had just been banned, but my co-pilot ashtray was still full of ashes and old cigs. My even more ancient radar nav would go out 50 feet from the aircraft before every sortie, chain smoke himself into nicotine nirvana, and have to make that last through the next 10 hours of sortie time. I'm sure he was convulsing by the time we put it down after flying the last few hours of patternwork at 3 a.m. with the command post asking us why in hell we were landing 5 minutes early? (Answer...Cuz we're tired moron.) Fun times. :cool:

cya, B2P

Talk to ya later. We get the same stuff about landing early still today. Goes with the mentality I was referrring to above. :)