Comments on: UAV Pilot Shortage & Military Intelligence

By: Rik Hall

Rik Hall — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:18:52 +0000

We are currently making a documentary for the History Channel US, and looking for retired UAV pilots. If Dan or anyone else with experience of flying UAV’s is interested in talking to us and hearing more about the programme, please contact me at rik.hall@octoberfilms.co.uk Many thanks

By: No-Pilot Aircraft Go Vertical & Hover | RENT-A-PLANE

No-Pilot Aircraft Go Vertical & Hover | RENT-A-PLANE — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 05:24:39 +0000

[...] And it seems to work well in fixed-wing aircraft that fly high in the controlled airspace (see UAV Pilot Shortage & Military Intelligence and UND Plants Seeds of No-Pilot Airliners ). But down in the dirt and among the trees [...]

By: No-Pilot Aircraft Go Vertical & Hover - Jetwhine: Aviation Buzz and Bold Opinion

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 04:14:13 +0000

By: eric s

eric s — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:08:07 +0000

Thanks for being a dick whoever edits this blog I found my information elsewhere.

By: UND Plants Seed of No-Pilot Airliners | RENT-A-PLANE

UND Plants Seed of No-Pilot Airliners | RENT-A-PLANE — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 09:20:16 +0000

[...] to point out that, right now, the military is the primary career opportunity for UAV pilots (see UAV Pilot Shortage & Military Intelligence), but let’s be honest, the no-pilot airliner is just around the [...]

By: UND Plants Seed of No-Pilot Airliners - Jetwhine: Aviation Buzz and Bold Opinion

UND Plants Seed of No-Pilot Airliners - Jetwhine: Aviation Buzz and Bold Opinion — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 04:29:31 +0000

By: Jlb

Jlb — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 05:08:11 +0000

The University of North Dakota has a BS in UAV piloting and works with the Army. It would be a good place for someone in high school to look at attending if they are interested in being a UAV pilot. At U of North Dakota, they practice with the Army’s permission in military airspace. They also have both an Army and Air Force ROTC there, as well as regular commercial aviation training.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:12:25 +0000

If I got a UAV on my drop at the end of UPT I think I might put a bullet in my brain. In all honesty I believe it would be worse than flying a heavy (at I’d really be off the ground). Training to become an AF pilot is one of the hardest things anyone could do. However, it’s also one of the most rewarding. A UAV would be a smack in the face after working for so long at what you though would fulfill your dreams. I agree that they serve a great purpose. I think that purpose could be served with retirees and experienced civilian pilots who want to do the job though, not 2nd Lt’s who are being forced to. Let the young guys do the real thing, I’m sure when they’re old and ready to settle down many of them would be happy to fill a UAV slot later on. Maybe I’m coming at this with a little bit of bias (PPL with an application to OTS soon), but I sure as hell don’t want to fly a remote controlled airplane for the 10 years I’d be stuck in with wings.

By: Tommy

Tommy — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:00:56 +0000

A response to Jim Harrod:

You’re absolutely correct. My grandfather told me that if they gave him a place to eat and sleep he’d do it for free. He’s a retired command pilot w/ 27 years of AF experience.

By: stuart goldhawk

stuart goldhawk — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:46:51 +0000

I'm very sure that this is the way of the future ,i am a big fan of flight simulator i wonder if i will qualify for the uav pilot scheme i am probably to old , very interesting article will follow

By: Sean

Sean — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 06:06:11 +0000

oh yeah, and robert, it is a lot harder than you think. you are dropping missles through a very tight air space. its not a video game

By: Sean

Sean — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 06:03:35 +0000

This is great. I havn’t graduated high school yet but becoming a UAV pilot has been my number one choice for a career path. i hope they do make a UAV pilot career field that would be fantastic!

By: Don Nalley

Don Nalley — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 22:51:13 +0000

Dan,
I believe you will find more fruit in your replies and work if you replied in the same fashion as Jim. Without anger.
No one denies that you are trained but a UAV pilot must have a host of skills.
I’m a systems engineer never sat much in a cube, always on line during a mission when the operator had no clue! This UAV deal will take pilots, software guys, photography experts, weather men, am I geetin through. Who holds the joy stick doesnt matter if the joy sticks broke.
I understand what you are saying but there is room for the rest of the guys in this business and if you are training pilots carry on! I’ll be on the runway “when it dont fly”

By: James

James — Sun, 03 May 2009 20:05:36 +0000

If anyone is interested in a solution to the Air Force problem, look at the Army. We currently fly the MQ-1B, with missiles, and our safety record is comparable to that of the Air Force. However, we do it with an all enlisted crew with no formal aviation training. While it is a prerequisite to fly a tactical UAV (RQ-5,RQ-7) prior to coming to the MQ-1B program, manned time is not required (although it is helpful).

Jonathan, as the son of a fighter pilot, I always wanted to be a fighter jock too. But I have my mom’s eyesight so I was in the same boat as you are now. I now fly these things full time with a very promising career path ahead of me. If you are truly interested, contact your local Army recruiter and ask about the 15W MOS. You won’t be disappointed.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Fri, 01 May 2009 01:22:29 +0000

hey I’m 17 right now in high school, and I have wanted to be a pilot since I was a little kid, Then I got Glasses and that dream was shot to hell. But I think it would be an awsome career to fly these things for a job. I totally agree with Dwayne. I have ace combat 5 and other games similar, including flight simulator games on the PC and even though I have no Flying experience because I’m too young, I still think there should be some short of way to do this for a living instead of just wanting retired pilots. Because I do think we have potential just from playing video games, and it does give us the basics, does it not? Is there some way I can fly these things for a living? Please let me know

By: Dwayne

Dwayne — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:30:27 +0000

This truly brings up a valid point. When they developed some of the new tech ground robots they had the Soldiers train on them forever and found that the controls were too complex for the Soldiers to become proficient in a timely manner. Thus when the Soldiers suggested the controller be switched to an X-Box controller a 9 year old kid kicked the crap out of an enemy force scenario training exercise. Unreal! Noted flying UAV is not a HALO video game so make no mistake, I agree with Norman “Those are real people down there…” Also drawing from the experience of the retired force is an excellent idea. I would switch service branches for the opportunity to fly period, regardless of it being a UAV or Raptor. I was passed over for flight Warrant officer as a Blackhawk Pilot having scored a 90 on the flight test, and being highly reccomended by a CW5 combat rotary wing pilot. Atleast you all got the chance to actually fly. The military could end the conflict with the experience they have between retired, active, UAV, and fighter pilots. They should let some of these expert Ace Combat 5 pilots run actual squadron missions. You would be truly amazed at the talent this generation has to offer.

17 yrs Active Service Member
US ARMY

By: kevin

kevin — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 03:36:17 +0000

Forget to mention…as Jim Harrod says there are plenty of people who have flight experience who would jump at the opportunity to fly one of these for the country.

I hear that the Air Force is taking newly winged lieutenants and “volunteering” them to a UAV assignment for their first tour.

Why doesn’t the Air Force or DOD hire people with military flight experience to fly the UAVs?

Become A Marine Pilot

By: kevin

kevin — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 03:31:28 +0000

I don’t think anyone mentioned fighter pilot training

*break*

Like it or not UAV will have a good size role to play in all branches of the military. As a former military pilot I have mixed feelings about men and women being removed from the cockpit but from a tactical, strategic and cost effectiveness standpoint it makes perfect sense.

UAV have more endurance and are cheaper to operate than manned aircraft. They can provide battlefield commanders or fleet commanders with round the clock real time intelligence in addition to being able to attack targets.

In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised to see some sort of unmanned submarine in the near future.

Become A Marine Pilot

By: Norman

Norman — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 10:02:08 +0000

…. relationship pilot to GIB/’Looker’/RIO/WSO that makes or breaks…

Should have spend another minute editing.. LOL

By: Norman

Norman — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 09:59:13 +0000

The RAF are heavily involved in this program and forming their own squadrons. The comment I picked up on from them was that it is the relationship between the GIB/Looker/RIO that makes or breaks the mission.
The missions are very tough when they go hot but most are routine looking for intelligence to track movements and habit changes that fit into the bigger Intel picture. Those missions perhaps (an uninformed view) may be suitable for non-combat trained pilots but Dan does have his point I think.

Perhaps we are going to see an entirely new category of pilot – one trained from day one for the role. It will be quite a task though and will probably involve FAC duties to develop an intimate understanding of the battlefield and its demands. Those are real people down there…