Any B-1 drivers on the boards?
 

Shoot me a PM or reply on here.

They just opened up the Bone to FAIP's with a T-1 background and I'm trying to decide if I should go for it. As of right now they are hands down my number 1 choice on my list because I don't think I can pass up the opportunity to fly 510knots at 500AGL and drop a $h!t ton of hate on the Taliban, but I'm worried about the future of the airframe and hours. I'm definitely a 10 year guy, but would love to fly something like the B-1 while I have the chance.

Thoughts...

Truthfully then - this is all that needs to be said.
IMO.

USMCFLYR

Note: I've got a neighbor who flew them. I'll ask him what his buddies still in the Bone have to say for the community.

Thanks man. I feel pretty lucky to even have the chance to fly something like the B-1 and don't want to look back down the road and regret not taking that chance regardless of whether it makes getting to the majors tougher when I get out and apply.

I personally think it would make you look even more impressive. I'd take somebody that flew B-1's. Awesome aircraft.

I retired from the USAF last year...my last flight in the Bone was August 2010...first flight for me was 1999. The B-1 should remain in the inventory until 2040...it is a blast to fly and it's certainly a unique experience. Monthly hours won't be greater than 20/month...jets break and the flying hours are costly. If airlines are your goal, make sure you have enough flight time to get your ATP. Most guys in peacetime won't exceed 200 hours per year. If you deploy, you'll accumulate lots of hours; however, Afghanistan & Iraq have wound down, and the DoD is now cutting back for a new "peace dividend".

Take the opportunity...just be aware that pilots & WSO's who have started in the B-1 will progress ahead of you career-wise.

If you are a military pilot with the required hours (as Elvis said) then your chances are as good as anyone elses' in the inventory. It looks like you are a T-6 FAIP right now so I'm assuming that you are presently racking up the turbine PIC hours. Add some ME jet, with probable upgrade to AC, and adding ME PIC to that and I'm sure that as long as you have a clean record that this path won't hinder your chances if airline flying is your goal. If you don't do it - or whatever other type of flying you want to do - there is NO getting that opportunity back and it will be a regret when you look back.

Elvis - do you happen to know a 'Spicoli' Miller from the Bone?

USMCFLYR

FLY6584,

It's all up to what you want! R u a T1 or T6 faip currently? Just curious. In this day and age, getting a manned aircraft out of jppt is already a win for you. If you have already racked up some good turbine pic (1000 min), then you could probably afford to take an assignment that only gets u 20/hrs a month. What base r u at? DLF, CBM or END? Is your drop happening soon or do you have time to visit Dyess and talk w/ some peeps...maybe do an IEP there in ur current MDS. Then you could get current answers to all your questions...deployments, upgrade stats, QOL, etc..

Good luck w/ your decision!

Ate chow with him tonight. Asked him what he thought of a FAIP going into the community at this point. He agreed that if you are coming out of FAIP with the amount of turbine PIC that we all seem to be assuming you have then there shouldn't be any reason for you not to be competitive. He personally thinks that the QOL in the community has decreased - especially since deployments are limited in location now. Sorry - he wasn't able to offer up any sage advice that you haven't already received in this thread.

USMCFLYR

It definitely looks like a blast to fly and no doubt nothing like it. I've spent hours watching video's on this thing and I'm hooked. What a cool aircraft with amazing capabilities.

What other 390,000lb aircraft can you fly that fast, that low, drop that much hate, get inverted, and still get to be apart of a crew? Too bad they don't take some money from the Buff and put it into the Bone! Haha. I bet that's gonna make a lot of guys on here mad. Ultimately I know it's the nuclear mission that prevents that though.

flyn2001 and USMCFLYR,

I'm a T-6 FAIP with exactly a year left in my tour. Drop just came down the other day and choices are due now so no opportunity for an IEP. When I do finish my FAIP tour I should have about 1500 Total and about 1100 Turbine PIC so I know I'll have the numbers for my ATP which I'm not too worried about this soon anyways.

Appreciate all of the advice! Still can't believe I have the opportunity to fly such a great jet and take care of some bad guys. I could not be more appreciative of that!