Non-vol to the Global Hawk
01-12-2010, 07:03 PM
#21
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Joined APC: Dec 2007
Posts: 829
There are likely more passed over Maj's in UAV than anywhere. Although the UAV may be the "wave of the future", the promotion boards are not taking that into account.
No one from UAV is going to schools, to staff tours, to anywhere. Go to work, go home - fight the war is the priority. The stuff that the promotion boards look for is not what is important in a combat squadron.
No one from UAV is going to schools, to staff tours, to anywhere. Go to work, go home - fight the war is the priority. The stuff that the promotion boards look for is not what is important in a combat squadron.
01-12-2010, 07:33 PM
#22
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Joined APC: Dec 2007
Posts: 829
Originally Posted by KC10 FATboy
And don't forget, our sister services are using enlisted to fly UAVs. And I think it is 100% fraud, waste, and abuse of funds to put a rated military pilot in the seat of a UAV.
For the record, the enlisted are flying their 36" to 72" wingspan aircraft such as the Shadow. The Warriors are being flown by contractors - I have been in a Warrior GCS in theater. The FAA still thinks it's a requirement for licensed personnel to fly large aircraft in controlled airspace or over populated areas.
01-12-2010, 08:02 PM
#23
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Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,837
Originally Posted by KC10 FATboy
I am completely ignorant on the UAV jobs. But I am wondering, what kind of leadership experience potential do these type of jobs have?
Naturally, it is easier for me to see how an IP, heck even an MP, on a C-5 would have more leadership opportunities and jobs available.
And don't forget, our sister services are using enlisted to fly UAVs. And I think it is 100% fraud, waste, and abuse of funds to put a rated military pilot in the seat of a UAV.
Naturally, it is easier for me to see how an IP, heck even an MP, on a C-5 would have more leadership opportunities and jobs available.
And don't forget, our sister services are using enlisted to fly UAVs. And I think it is 100% fraud, waste, and abuse of funds to put a rated military pilot in the seat of a UAV.
Flying UAVs in the Marine Corps
RQ-2 Pioneer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (16.9' wingspan)
LIM - check out paragraph #5 in the link article.
USMCFLYR
01-12-2010, 08:11 PM
#24
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Joined APC: Dec 2007
Posts: 829
The Pioneer is the same as the Shadow that I mentioned in my post. They are not flying in controlled airspace, employing ordnance, etc.
They are also not checking in with JTAC's and being cleared into the same ROZ stacks as Vipers, Strike Eagles, gunships, etc. Just as RC modelers don't need to file flightplans, neither do these guys. Of course, there are associated limitations on where they are allowed to fly. It's a big battlespace and everyone has their part.
They are also not checking in with JTAC's and being cleared into the same ROZ stacks as Vipers, Strike Eagles, gunships, etc. Just as RC modelers don't need to file flightplans, neither do these guys. Of course, there are associated limitations on where they are allowed to fly. It's a big battlespace and everyone has their part.
01-12-2010, 09:27 PM
#25
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Joined APC: Mar 2007
Position: Capt
Posts: 3,215
Hi!
I was reading that the AF is now calling them RPVs. I also read that for the newest crop of AF pilots, that over 1/2 of them will NOT fly a plane, and will instead go directly into RPVs. They may NEVER fly a manned aircraft!
Four of my buddies (from my US airline) are now flying RPVs for a civilian contractor. The guy who is an IP is making $600/day.
It looks like the pipeline for an RPV career is getting bigger and bigger.
cliff
GRB
I was reading that the AF is now calling them RPVs. I also read that for the newest crop of AF pilots, that over 1/2 of them will NOT fly a plane, and will instead go directly into RPVs. They may NEVER fly a manned aircraft!
Four of my buddies (from my US airline) are now flying RPVs for a civilian contractor. The guy who is an IP is making $600/day.
It looks like the pipeline for an RPV career is getting bigger and bigger.
cliff
GRB
01-13-2010, 05:41 AM
#26
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Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,837
WAFP -
One of my former squadronmates just got hired to fly the X-47B for Northrop-Grumman.
X-47B - First Navy Stealth UAV Ready
Looks like he will be spending some time in the Palmdale CA/Edwards AFB area first before moving to Pax river, MD eventually. Starting pay I think was in the $120,000 range. He didn't have any UAV experience prior, but this might be the type of thing that opens up to you even more after your Global Hawk tour should you decide to get out of the AF.
USMCFLYR
One of my former squadronmates just got hired to fly the X-47B for Northrop-Grumman.
X-47B - First Navy Stealth UAV Ready
Looks like he will be spending some time in the Palmdale CA/Edwards AFB area first before moving to Pax river, MD eventually. Starting pay I think was in the $120,000 range. He didn't have any UAV experience prior, but this might be the type of thing that opens up to you even more after your Global Hawk tour should you decide to get out of the AF.
USMCFLYR
01-14-2010, 01:38 PM
#27
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Joined APC: Jul 2006
Position: DA-40
Posts: 290
Originally Posted by TBoneF15
His CC likely has no choice in the matter. The days of "saving" good dudes from bad deals are over. There are WAY too many non-flying bad deals around and someone has to go. They just doubled the number of ALO billets. UAVs have grown exponentially. There are a ton of these jobs out there. Add on the 179 and 365 day TDYs to places that smell very bad and it's the rare dude that makes it through unscathed.
You're maybe a bit out of the game. The promotion rate for major hovers around 95-98% and has for many years. The only way you don't get promoted to major is if you are either a total maroon, or have been caught naked in the hot tub with the colonel's 16 yr old daughter.
The reality in the AF these days is that dudes with UAV stink on them will be MORE promotable, MORE likely to get good "career" type jobs later on. UAVs are the latest fad at the 5 sided wind tunnel. It will be looked at as a positive that dudes have UAV experience...in the eyes of the AF in general, not necessarily within the C-5 community. I know many dudes who have volunteered for them specifically because they would be good for their career.
It's a much different AF now than it was even five years ago.
You're maybe a bit out of the game. The promotion rate for major hovers around 95-98% and has for many years. The only way you don't get promoted to major is if you are either a total maroon, or have been caught naked in the hot tub with the colonel's 16 yr old daughter.
The reality in the AF these days is that dudes with UAV stink on them will be MORE promotable, MORE likely to get good "career" type jobs later on. UAVs are the latest fad at the 5 sided wind tunnel. It will be looked at as a positive that dudes have UAV experience...in the eyes of the AF in general, not necessarily within the C-5 community. I know many dudes who have volunteered for them specifically because they would be good for their career.
It's a much different AF now than it was even five years ago.
UAV's are good for the career if you want to stay in.
01-23-2010, 07:18 PM
#28
Expert Jumpseater
Joined APC: Oct 2009
Position: KC-135
Posts: 101
-the UPT-direct-to-Pred dudes will be released to fly before those of us who have been here for 5+ years (IPs) because 12AF cannot stand to lose all of their Pred experience
-No one is being released from Pred unless it's special assignment stuff. I volunteered for MC-12 and lost because "nothing gained for the AF" both LDHD assets.
-No one is being released from Pred unless it's special assignment stuff. I volunteered for MC-12 and lost because "nothing gained for the AF" both LDHD assets.
01-24-2010, 04:42 AM
#29
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Joined APC: Jan 2007
Posts: 234
Sprout where you are planted. Suck it up and smoke a freakin rag head from the US.
UAV's are the way of the future. Although I don't know what we are going to do with them when we leave OIF/OEF....years off.
I love flying the Hawg, but if I was sent to a pred, I would find the good side of it. For one, you were never going to put ordnance on target in the C-21/C-5, now you have the chance. I'd be on the fence on C-21 versus pred anyway.
UAV's are the way of the future. Although I don't know what we are going to do with them when we leave OIF/OEF....years off.
I love flying the Hawg, but if I was sent to a pred, I would find the good side of it. For one, you were never going to put ordnance on target in the C-21/C-5, now you have the chance. I'd be on the fence on C-21 versus pred anyway.
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