View Full Version : UAV experience anyone?
Mickey Video
20th May 2009, 20:09
Hello
I'm civilian who has recently applied for a position flying UAV's in Afganistan. It's a civilian contract and should i be succesful i would be trained up on, most likely, an Aerostar?
Does anyone out there have experience flying anything similar? i have a few questions about what to expect and i'm finding it really difficult to research.
any insight would be fantastic.
Fella,
Aeronautics to supply Aerostar UAV to the Royal Netherland Army (http://www.aeronautics-sys.com/?CategoryID=264&ArticleID=273)
Rgds.
Lima Juliet
20th May 2009, 21:06
Mate, it ain't hard...Google is your friend...
Here is the Ground Control Station
http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/aircraft/uav/aerostar/aerostar_31.jpg
and here is the air vehicle...
http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/aircraft/uav/aerostar/aerostar_1.jpg
About the same performance as Hermes/Watchkeeper (ie. slow and low within line of sight).
OK :ok:
L J R
20th May 2009, 23:37
(as a civvie), Hope your training includes the reality of combat.....
....trust me, it is not pretty!
Mickey Video
21st May 2009, 07:38
thats great leon thank you. I have seen these images, the information i can't find is. how is it actually flown. From the images i have seen it looks like a simple throttle and stick setup but i wasn't sure if the stick controlled the camera or plane or both at different times? is there one pilot flying and one observing? I have also seen footage of the aerostar being flown via an RC control and have heard that this may be for take off and landing and the rest of the flight is controlled from the ground station. I also wondered how close to the plane is the controller? would you be based close to what you are required to observe. Will i be close to the fighting? I might be kidding myself but i was guessing as a civilian i would probably remain within an allied base?
As for the reality of combat, that is something I am prepared to deal with. I believe I will only know if I can cope once I am there. but it is not a part of the job i will take lightly.
Previous UAV related thread....
http://www.pprune.org/military-aircrew/368452-uavs.html
Hamish 123
21st May 2009, 10:27
You're having a laugh surely . . . . a job flying UAVs in a combat zone was advertised, and despite apparently having no experience, you've applied, and are now trying to get info about how to do the job on a public forum . . .
Forgive my cynicism, but is it just me, or does this all sound bollox?
Mickey Video
21st May 2009, 11:21
No bollox
UAV Pilot - Salisbury, Wiltshire | Careers Seeker - The online jobs network (http://www.careers-seeker.co.uk/jobs/location/52781/)
The only thing i don't have is experience working in a military infrastructure (unless you count CCF).
I have a frozen ATPL. and the job includes training from scratch.
I just wanted some specifics.
Whats the harm in asking the question??:sad:
Hamish 123
21st May 2009, 11:29
Apologies - I stand corrected.
Must keep an eye on this website in case the job comes up again. I have a PPL, military experience, and I'm pretty good with a frisby.
Mickey Video
21st May 2009, 11:38
I would guess the military experience counts for a lot but my own frisbee skills are pretty spectacular.
youngskywalker
21st May 2009, 12:02
QintiQ were recently advertising a similar position, could be same people.
Spotting Bad Guys
21st May 2009, 12:27
A mate of mine has just gone out to Israel to be trained on the Aerostar (same job advert I think). PM me if you want more details.
SBG
L J R
21st May 2009, 14:39
45K to go to the 'Stan, wow - some incentive!! Have you seen what it is like it there?
downziser
21st May 2009, 17:41
Have you seen what it is like it there?
Have you not seen the programme with the WAAF in it? Its all discos and walking along the board walk meeting friends and milling about a bit talking and having a larf with your mates.
L J R
21st May 2009, 18:51
mmmmmh that would be nice, BUT, for us people that do 12 on 12 off continuously (all night), for the full 4 months, those 'nicety's' do not apply. They are only for the holiday campers.
airborne_artist
21st May 2009, 19:16
12 off
Twelve off - you were lucky .....
gijoe
21st May 2009, 20:13
Only 4 months - you were doubly lucky....
Dude,
PM me. Just finished the course.
minigundiplomat
21st May 2009, 22:57
Quote:
12 off
Twelve off - you were lucky .....
wholeheartedly seconded.
L J R
21st May 2009, 23:25
Lucky or otherwise, I never saw the attraction to going there!
adminblunty
22nd May 2009, 04:07
Why are the operators wearing flyiing suits? Do I need to get a flying suit from clothing stores before I next use DII? Should I get a flying suit when I'm playing microsoft flight sim at home? The don't wear in the RAF or USAF, do they?
Efficiency measure...
http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/aircraft/uav/aerostar/aerostar_31.jpg
L J R
22nd May 2009, 04:50
I thought they all wear flying suits in the USAF and the RAF
Meet the RAF's newest combat group: pilotless planes flying crack missions in Afghanistan from 8,000 miles away | Mail Online (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1032376/Meet-RAFs-newest-combat-group-pilotless-planes-flying-crack-missions-Afghanistan-8-000-miles-away.html)
....but lets not go THERE again...!