Are you aware that the Air Force is going to permit enlisted personnel to fly Global Hawks?

MAJ Alvin B. — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 13:46:02 -0500

Secretary
Air Force officials announced a new initiative to enhance the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance mission by integrating enlisted remotely piloted aircraft pilots into the force.

Air Force officials stated a dynamic threat environment calls for innovative approaches to high-demand missions. After careful consideration and with an eye toward potential future force needs, service officials plan to deliberately integrate the enlisted force into flying operations, starting with the RQ-4 Global Hawk.

“Our enlisted force is the best in the world and I am completely confident they will be able to do the job and do it well,” said Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James. “The RPA enterprise is doing incredibly important work and this is the right decision to ensure the Air Force is positioned to support the future threat environment. Emerging requirements and combatant commander demands will only increase; therefore, we will position the service to provide warfighters and our nation the capability they deserve today and in the future.”

http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/637192/af-introduces-enlisted-global-hawk-pilots.aspx

AF introduces enlisted Global Hawk pilots

Air Force officials announced a new initiative Dec. 17 to enhance the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance mission by integrating enlisted remotely piloted aircraft pilots into the force.

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Dec 17 at 2015 1:49 PM

SSG Audwin Scott — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 13:49:49 -0500

Wow really? Why the sudden change?

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Dec 17 at 2015 2:07 PM

Capt Brandon Charters — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 14:07:31 -0500

In my view, there is no other way to keep up with this rapid growth in the RPA world. See the discussion below for more details on the DoD's $3B plan. https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/usaf-proposes-3b-plan-to-vastly-expand-its-drone-program-would-you-allocate-this-funding-differently-or-do-you-agree-with-this-move

USAF proposes $3B plan to vastly expand its drone program. Would you allocate this funding...

Interesting read here in the LA Times and I'm curious what the RP community thinks of this strategic expansion of RPAs. Please vote in the survey and share your thoughts on this plan to vastly grow the drone fleet. If the $3B in funding is indeed moved into the RPA programs, how should it effectively be allocated between systems, manpower, & training programs? If not RPAs, where would you spend this budget? Brief excerpt of the Times article...

Response by PO1 Glenn Boucher made Dec 17 at 2015 3:44 PM

PO1 Glenn Boucher — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 15:44:19 -0500

I think its a great idea and that if you are qualified or can qualify then by all means use the resources to maximum efficiency.
I don't really know all that much about drones, I have a good friend who flies RC aircraft of all sizes and skill levels and he has a small drone which he is learning how to fly effectively.
It can only be a good move in my opinion because we all know that the military has some of the best training and these guys will benefit from it.

Response by SSgt M. B. Ingersoll made Dec 17 at 2015 4:23 PM

SSgt M. B. Ingersoll — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 16:23:34 -0500

Clearly, I was born in the wrong decade; too young to fly in the days of enlisted pilots and too old to take advantage of this opportunity.

But what an opportunity for current FSX or VATSIM afficionadoes.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Dec 17 at 2015 4:28 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 16:28:07 -0500

My suspicions are that UAV "Squadrons" will be redefined in Quantity (in the near future), and we'll have a subdivision below the squadron level composed of Enlisted Pilots, with an Officer Commander.

Good change.

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Dec 17 at 2015 5:23 PM

SGT Bryon Sergent — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 17:23:08 -0500

What is wrong with enlisted piloting Drones? Some of this new generation coming up, is the gaming community and can fly better than most anyway! Give it hell!

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2015 7:07 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 19:07:06 -0500

What an awesome day be an enlisted Airman! I'm sure our soon to be enlisted Global Hawk pilots will be an invaluable asset to the ISR community. Hopefully with time the AF recognizes the enlisted pilots potential and considers enlisted pilots for other platforms as well. But for now this is a great start. The real question is--WHERE DO I SIGN UP?!

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Dec 17 at 2015 10:48 PM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 22:48:17 -0500

Well why not? The other branches have been doing this with great success for many years. Plus, from a budget and manpower standpoint, why should we pay for a Major to sit in a seat we can just as effectively fill with a skilled SrA or SSgt?

Response by Capt Joseph Olson made Dec 18 at 2015 12:52 AM

Capt Joseph Olson — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 00:52:22 -0500

This had to happen. The AF needs too many drone "pilots" and sitting in an office chair flying a computer in Nevada doesn't need a million dollar rated pilot.
I must imagine they hate it. A computer monitor is not an F-16.

Response by SMSgt Clyde Hunter made Dec 18 at 2015 10:26 AM

SMSgt Clyde Hunter — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 10:26:37 -0500

Army has been doing it for years...and as opposed to what I hear about AF pilots...THEY LOVE IT!!!!

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Dec 18 at 2015 11:25 AM

SSgt Jim Gilmore — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 11:25:57 -0500

There are 100s if not 1000s of enlisted members of the USAF who hold Private Pilot or higher ratings. It makes good sense to utilize these individuals as drone pilots and utilize the "O" Pilots in the airplanes. It makes better use of personnel who will obviously require much less training to place in the job. I.E. Less cost to government for initial training.

Response by Lt Col John Tringali made Dec 18 at 2015 11:39 AM

Lt Col John Tringali — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 11:39:15 -0500

Consider this: navigators were removed from KC-135s and the enlisted boomers started taking on navigator duty. They loved it, but the AF just got more high paying work from a worker they pay less.

Airmen are paid next to nothing compared to officers because (historically) of their levels of responsibility. Airmen keep asking for more and more responsibility, and they keep getting it, but without the associated pay our authority (rank). Don't sell yourselves short. You are flying a real plane with all the real responsibility and expense. Crashing a RQ4 into a neighborhood is the same as crashing an MC12. Except you get to be home for the trial.... on an Airman's paycheck.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2015 6:03 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 18:03:02 -0500

Just a heads up to those considering a career in civilian aviation:

A word of caution, if you think flying a drone is going to count for PIC, Cross Country, Night, Actual IFR time, and the like, you are in for a rude awakening. The FAA (to my knowledge at this point, does not and will accept drone flight time to count towards any rating). The reason being is that they will point to the language in 14CFR61...Every single rating has a "in an actual airplane". Drones do not qualify as an actual airplane.

SO: if you take this, congrats, you have springboarded into a career of flying drones for the rest of your life, regardless of qualifications. If a civilian career is a future goal of yours, then fantastic. Just be wary that this program will not help you in that direction.