- Joined
- Dec 25, 2008
- Messages
- 40
I was told that only one third of the class of '09 got manned slots out of the Academy.... is that even a little bit true?
So there you have three of 24 slots out of UPT that got UAS. Like I said, no one knows how it will change in the future, but the current classes are not being sent to UAS in droves like some would believe.
While there will always be some need for officers/pilots in the UAV/UAS community, maybe someone can tell me why the AF uses multi-million $'s to train UPT grads instead of making use of existing Warrant Officer ranks on the books to put highly qualified Enlisted applicants into these slots after necessary training? Or are they already looking at or doing that? The Army has been doing it for decades with their helo's. Seems like a no brainer...
Okay...first, the caveat: THIS IS MY OPINION...not policy, etc.
The WO in history has been the supernumerary...a professional, typically trained to expertise in a very narrow field.
Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
Navy still has warrent officers and has actually just recently opened manned aviation to them as the first ones are going through flight school now.
Okay to respond to this thread quickly the reason we have rated officers fly UAVs has to do with the FAA and ICAO flight rules. Other branches apparently fly their UAVs at lower flight levels which do not interfere with specific airspaces; whereas not only are our UAVs much larger they also fly at much higher altitudes AND drop munitions. The FAA has a large problem with non pilots operatings these aircraft with no pilot ratings. That is the difference. Waivers are apparently in the works but nothing has manifested itself by way of action yet so therefore they will continue to pull from our pilot community. And as stated below...no we do dont have warrant officers, our option would be our enlisted personnel. Hope that cleared it up a little more.While there will always be some need for officers/pilots in the UAV/UAS community, maybe someone can tell me why the AF uses multi-million $'s to train UPT grads instead of making use of existing Warrant Officer ranks on the books to put highly qualified Enlisted applicants into these slots after necessary training? Or are they already looking at or doing that? The Army has been doing it for decades with their helo's. Seems like a no brainer...
And to respond to this, this is true. I have a navy warrant officer in training with me currently and he will go to e3s at Tinker when he's done. He has done very well. So yes it's true as the guy that's in my class is the first...Navy still has warrent officers and has actually just recently opened manned aviation to them as the first ones are going through flight school now. Also, for what it's worth we have enlisted fly UAS's, they pick it up as a rate right out of basic I think, because honestly who's the best at playing video games, probably that 18 yr old just out of high school.
The FAA has a large problem with non pilots operating these aircraft with no pilot ratings.
We already have non-rated UAS pilots flying the MQ-1 (Predator) and MQ-9 (Reaper). First class graduated quite some time ago and the second class should have graduated in the last 60 days or so.Okay to respond to this thread quickly the reason we have rated officers fly UAVs has to do with the FAA and ICAO flight rules. Other branches apparently fly their UAVs at lower flight levels which do not interfere with specific airspaces; whereas not only are our UAVs much larger they also fly at much higher altitudes AND drop munitions. The FAA has a large problem with non pilots operatings these aircraft with no pilot ratings. That is the difference. Waivers are apparently in the works but nothing has manifested itself by way of action yet so therefore they will continue to pull from our pilot community. And as stated below...no we do dont have warrant officers, our option would be our enlisted personnel. Hope that cleared it up a little more.
UAV pilots will receive the “18X” Air Force Specialty Code. It will be a “rated” career field and require airmen to serve a six-year active-duty service commitment.