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Old 10-21-2009 | 12:17 PM
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Default MQ-9 Reaper Flight Time

Does anyone know if you can log time if you are flying a UAV such as the Reaper. I would imagine that it is possible but not sure if the UAV's are different. Also is it an officer or enlisted position and how long does it take for training. Thanks for the help!
Old 10-21-2009 | 12:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Mustangcbra
Does anyone know if you can log time if you are flying a UAV such as the Reaper. I would imagine that it is possible but not sure if the UAV's are different. Also is it an officer or enlisted position and how long does it take for training. Thanks for the help!
I'm not aware of any situation in which flight time can be logged when one's precious pink behind is planted firmly on the ground. You've got to have your butt on the line to log the time.

I'm not an expert but I think only O's fly the UAV, and the E's are the sensor operators (i.e., cameramen). Someone will stomp on me if I have misspoken.
Old 10-21-2009 | 12:50 PM
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Army Enlisted are more intelligent and skilled than Air Force enlisted, therefore Army Enlisted "Fly" our UAV's (and we've got some big ones too). Either that or we're not losing manned platforms for more UAVs, so there are no officer jobs to protect.

Any one that logs UAV time as flight time in their pilot log book needs to be slapped.

UAV flight time does need to be logged in some fassion because there are companies out there that hire civilian UAV operators. How else are your going to show your UAV experience?
Old 10-21-2009 | 02:03 PM
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Default logging UAV time.

I logged UAV flight time! In a different log book of course It is not recognized by the FAA as your regular flight time, even though it is more difficult to fly than your Cessna. The AF uses officers to fly, and the Army use enlisted guys. UAV time/experience is becoming more and more valuable these days, get it if you can. Since airlines are not hiring, most AF guys are flying UAV instead.
Old 10-21-2009 | 02:06 PM
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Yes, you can log UAV time.

But it has no meaning in the manned aviation world, either to the FAA or employers. I would personally keep a separate logbook so there was no confusion with my real flight time.

If you meet all the competitive requirements for a pilot job, the UAV experience might be a nice conversation item to make you more interesting. Bring some thermal vid clips of insurgents being vaporized...
Old 10-21-2009 | 05:02 PM
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Right now, the Air Force has Rated Officers fly them (i.e. completed pilot training or Nav training w/ an FAA Commercial certificate) and the Sensor Operator is an enlisted member from all backgrounds (i.e. first term airman, enlisted aircrew, or from a non-related career field).

The Air Force recognizes the time and you log time on a 781 like manned aircraft do. The FAA doesn't recognize it, so as was stated I'd keep it separate. Since the RPV (Remote Piloted Vehicle - that's what they are called now) world is expanding exponentially now due to the demand, it wouldn't shock me if larger states started using some version of these for speeding tickets, high speed chases, etc. Border Patrol is flying them now and some other countries are starting to buy them as well.
Old 10-21-2009 | 05:09 PM
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Originally Posted by GunnF16
Right now, the Air Force has Rated Officers fly them (i.e. completed pilot training or Nav training w/ an FAA Commercial certificate) and the Sensor Operator is an enlisted member from all backgrounds (i.e. first term airman, enlisted aircrew, or from a non-related career field).

The Air Force recognizes the time and you log time on a 781 like manned aircraft do. The FAA doesn't recognize it, so as was stated I'd keep it separate. Since the RPV (Remote Piloted Vehicle - that's what they are called now) world is expanding exponentially now due to the demand, it wouldn't shock me if larger states started using some version of these for speeding tickets, high speed chases, etc. Border Patrol is flying them now and some other countries are starting to buy them as well.
Gunn do you happen to fly for the 174th out of Syracuse? I noticed your F-16 icon and the fact that your flying the Reaper. I know they are transitioning from F-16 to MQ-9.
Old 10-21-2009 | 05:48 PM
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Yes to Syracuse, but I flew Vipers on Active Duty before the Guard.
Old 10-22-2009 | 03:09 PM
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You would not happen to know if they are currently hiring pilots for the 174th would you? I live in Buffalo and am really looking hard at the 174th for a pilot slot. Any other info that you have that you think might be pertinent would be extremely helpful.
Old 10-22-2009 | 03:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Mustangcbra
You would not happen to know if they are currently hiring pilots for the 174th would you? I live in Buffalo and am really looking hard at the 174th for a pilot slot. Any other info that you have that you think might be pertinent would be extremely helpful.
Why? You want to fly drones? If they are, it still won't help your civilian career... I'd look elsewhere if you want to actually pilot an aircraft while in it post UPT.
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