PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - UK MFTS Fixed Wing Flying Training : The Future
Old 19th Aug 2017, 13:30
  #209 (permalink)  
Onceapilot
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
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LOMCEVAK
Always a pleasure to read your take! Yes, I agree that the successful RAF pilot students probably do have similar ability to learn and perform as they ever did. However, the cost and military importance of the aircraft that they will operate has grown enormously. I suggest that their piloting abilities and experience when moving into the seat of a £150,000,000 F35 should be grounded in a comprehensive depth of military flying training, not a "minimum cost package". Certainly the training should have proven that the student has faced similar (or greater?) demands on their flying skills and decision making under stress such that they represent virtually no training risk on the hugely expensive frontline FJ.
As for the AF447 conundrum. This should be a warning for all modern pilot training systems. The airlines will make the commercial decisions that fit the regulations. The military should ensure that their training produces the standard of product that is essential on the frontline.
Combat flying by pressing buttons, yes the GR1 Tornado could fly at LL , bomb the target all IMC without touching the controls after T/O, until landing. However, it is now regarded as a "hands-on" airframe. Maybe the F35 etc is different? Maybe an F35 can operate LO in a benign scenario and drop weapons casually from medium level and tootle home for tea and medals? Or, will our tyro have to operate dirty and observable, in a heavy threat environment and have to tangle with some Su30's on the way home? Cheers

OAP
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