Transitions between FJ Types
Just noticed that the new OC of the USAF Thunderbirds (Lt Col Jason Heard) is actually an F-15E driver (as is one of the other team members).
Given they fly the F-16, and not like a lot of other AF Demonstration Squadrons a training aircraft, he will have little or no experience on the type, and hence will need to convert.
Am I right in assuming this would be a standard conversion course (similar to say what a Tornado pilot would undertake to convert to Typhoon) or would their be additional 'role specific' conversion required?
Just to highlight what I mean, would they do a full conversion ( i.e. as if he was going to fly on the front line) or would it mainly be handling based.....
Just curious-of course not so much of a problem over this side of the pond as all our Reds will have flown the Hawk in the training system.