Military Training
10-18-2010 | 10:01 AM
#1
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Bracing for Fallacies
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From: In favor of good things, not in favor of bad things
Military Training
I was wondering where I could find the number of pilots the military is training each year? I know I can check FAA stats on Commercials (etc.) issued per year, but I am not sure for the military.
Particularly, my hunch is that military pilot training numbers have gone way down since the cold war ended (barring UAV operators). Of course if anyone has first hand knowledge, that would be interesting too.
Thank you,
Particularly, my hunch is that military pilot training numbers have gone way down since the cold war ended (barring UAV operators). Of course if anyone has first hand knowledge, that would be interesting too.
Thank you,
10-18-2010 | 10:40 AM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
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From: KC-135R IP/EP
I don't know the exact #'s. I don't see much of a slow down in the pipeline yet. I do know they are giving out more UAV slot's than fighter slots and that you can now get an F-22 or B-2 right out of UPT, FWIW.
10-18-2010 | 06:47 PM
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From: Midfield downwind
10-18-2010 | 07:27 PM
#7
Careful w/that axe Eugene
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From: HOTAS...and a SWA gear lever
Article is from last year, but the trend is fairly accurate from what I have seen.
USAF Fighter Pilot Production
At a South Texas USAF Pilot Training Base, the past 6-9 months were thin on fighters for SUPT grads. Some combined classes (T-38 and T-1 combined) had only one fighter and two UAV's (or RPA's or whatever we're calling them now).
Things have gotten a little better with the past couple of classes. Last T-38 class of 4 students got 3 fighters and a FAIP. Their T-1 compadres had 2 RPA's.
The times they are a changin....
USAF Fighter Pilot Production
At a South Texas USAF Pilot Training Base, the past 6-9 months were thin on fighters for SUPT grads. Some combined classes (T-38 and T-1 combined) had only one fighter and two UAV's (or RPA's or whatever we're calling them now).
Things have gotten a little better with the past couple of classes. Last T-38 class of 4 students got 3 fighters and a FAIP. Their T-1 compadres had 2 RPA's.
The times they are a changin....
10-19-2010 | 03:06 AM
#8
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From: KC-135R IP/EP
I'm sure it varies from class to class but I was referencing that article in the AF Times (amongst others I've read) and the few 2/3/4 * generals I've heard speak in the past year but it may no longer be true.
10-19-2010 | 03:10 AM
#9
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From: Midfield downwind
That number in the AF times article includes all pilots going to RPAs, not just the ones coming out of the SUPT pipeline.
In spring 2010, there was definitely a period where some SUPT classes had more RPAs than fighters, but that is far from being the overall yearly trend.
In spring 2010, there was definitely a period where some SUPT classes had more RPAs than fighters, but that is far from being the overall yearly trend.
10-19-2010 | 03:14 AM
#10
Gets Weekends Off
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From: KC-135R IP/EP
What's the status of the beta test they did with some enlisted guys going straight into RPA "pilot training"? That was a while ago and I haven't heard if they were going to keep that up or if it was a one time deal. Weren't they supposed to wear some sort of new wings, like a cross between normal pilot wings and enlisted aviator wings? It was a while ago, my memory fails me in my old age...
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