tmmorris says
(FJ pilots and GA pilots) "Different skills; equally difficult; equally valid."
Interesting Profile.
Your assertion might impress some of your CCF schoolboys but, if any of them know anything about FJ flying, they'll be stifling their sniggers whilst nodding respectfully.
I'm sorry if that seems harsh but, to anyone who actually knows anything about aviation, your claim displays a very over-inflated idea of the skills required to be a PPL and an ignorance of the exceptionally high standards required to qualify as, and then operate as, a military pilot. You're deluding yourself if you really believe the standard required to obtain a PPL is remotely comparable to the skills required even to successfully get through the rigorous selection/training/chopping process to earn military Wings.
Yes, all of them will have learned on Bulldog/Tutor/Chippy. But they did so under very regimented circumstances, with the support of a full ground crew.
I've trained under Mil and civvy regimes; originally UAS (Chippy), then about eight years later did a PPL (fixed-wing) course and, much later, my PPL(H). The two are very different; one is far more demanding than the other.
The Mil training process was easier in some respects: The QFIs had been selected for CFS because of their skills, and worked to the CFS tried and tested method (second to none IMHO) and, within reason, there were no budget constraints so each stage was learnt thoroughly before moving to the next. On the other hand, the standards required by the RAF were much higher than for a PPL. Even if the QFI was to be generous in his assessment, weaknesses would be quickly flushed out in one of the regular check rides with the CFI. 'Good enough' simply didn't exist.
And that was at the lowest level. Squadron friends who went into the RAF found Cranwell, not surprisingly, far more demanding. Some, who'd seemed very promising at UAS level, were chopped; others, who'd lived and breathed to be FJ pilots, earned their Wings but didn't make it to fast jets. The PPL courses were a doddle in comparison; helicopters more demanding than fixed wing, but not excessively so.
To a greater or lesser extent, we are all proud of obtaining our PPL, but the reality is that many (most?) people competent at handling a car are capable of obtaining a PPL (fixed-wing). In contrast, most PPLs wouldn't be capable of qualifying as FJ pilots regardless of how much training they were given.
"making a difficult call as to whether to take the downwind, downhill or the upwind, uphill takeoff; walking the strip to check for unexpected problems; deciding on a go/no-go point on the runway, &c &c."
Do you really believe such "difficult calls"
made at leisure are "equally difficult; equally valid" compared with critical decisions FJ pilots have to make in an instant when operational flying at high speed and/or in hostile conditions?
I've referred to FJ pilots because you made the comparison. They are arguably the cream of the crop, but it would be a big mistake to under-estimate the skills required of other mil pilots.
How do the so-called 'difficult' calls to which you refer compare with the decisions which (for example) C130 pilots have to make when operating into and out of short strips in demanding and/or hostile conditions?
Do you really believe such decisions are "equally difficult; equally valid" compared with the decisions we make?
Do you really believe that the flying SAR pilots do, and the decisions they have to make, are "equally difficult; equally valid" compared with a PPL?
I've referred to decision-making because you did, but the ability to make a (correct) split second decision is only the first stage; the pilot then needs the skill to carry out his decision successfully.
Asserting that we PPLs simply have "different skills" which are "equally difficult" compared with military pilots may work with easily impressed CCF cadets, and may even work in some adult company, but I suggest you choose your audience carefully.
Over the past 30+ years, I've been fortunate to fly extensively with professional pilots (Mil and Civvy). I've also flown with some very experienced and competent PPLs but, generally, there is a significant gulf between professionals and us which
some PPLs fail to appreciate: We fly aircraft; professionals operate them.
Professionals fly aircraft with the effortless ease with which most of us drive cars; professionals not only fly the aircraft but, at the same time, use them for operational purposes, often in extremely challenging conditions and under pressure.
With respect, to suggest that recreational flying requires "equally difficult" skills is absurd.
sternone
Pilot's who look down on the GA community but they forget that GA pilot's are able to acutally PAY for their training ?
I've always thought it a mistake to judge people by their earnings/wealth.
Give me the company of Mil pilots any day rather than the types one sometimes encounters in the GA world who've made a lot of money (often in business) and seem to think their wealth gives them some sort of status.
FL