13 Sqdn to be re-formed
Here is the 'old girl' - looks like she needs a lesson in spelling...
...Nice CND sign, but MQ-9 doesn't carry nukes
...'BRAVERY'
Also, she needs a lesson in history - trebuchets, longbows, crossbows, lances, spears, javelin, missiles, bombs, cannons and bullets all conduct warfare 'at range'!
Some people...
LJ
...Nice CND sign, but MQ-9 doesn't carry nukes
...'BRAVERY'
Also, she needs a lesson in history - trebuchets, longbows, crossbows, lances, spears, javelin, missiles, bombs, cannons and bullets all conduct warfare 'at range'!
Some people...
LJ
Last edited by Lima Juliet; 28th Oct 2012 at 19:20.
A2QFI
You are wrong. The Ground Control Station has a rudder, throttle, pitch lever and stick and you fly the MQ-9 in a similar way to a manned aircraft - think of it as 'fly by wire' only the wire is 6,000miles between the control and flight surfaces instead of about 25feet!
The 1-1.5 second delay when flying via satellite makes it harder to fly - it introduces lag in the system just like the 'drum and thumbtack' test at OASC at Biggin Hill all those years ago. One pilot did a magnificent job completing a forced landing in the desert when the turbo-prop engine quit and tried to re-light several times before dead-sticking it in - 'operate', I think not!
LJ
You are wrong. The Ground Control Station has a rudder, throttle, pitch lever and stick and you fly the MQ-9 in a similar way to a manned aircraft - think of it as 'fly by wire' only the wire is 6,000miles between the control and flight surfaces instead of about 25feet!
The 1-1.5 second delay when flying via satellite makes it harder to fly - it introduces lag in the system just like the 'drum and thumbtack' test at OASC at Biggin Hill all those years ago. One pilot did a magnificent job completing a forced landing in the desert when the turbo-prop engine quit and tried to re-light several times before dead-sticking it in - 'operate', I think not!
LJ
Last edited by Lima Juliet; 28th Oct 2012 at 19:43.
Here is the 'old girl' - looks like she needs a lesson in spelling...
...'BRAVERY'
Also, she needs a lesson in history - trebuchets, longbows, crossbows, lances, spears, javelin, missiles, bombs, cannons and bullets all conduct warfare 'at range'!
Some people...
LJ
...'BRAVERY'
Also, she needs a lesson in history - trebuchets, longbows, crossbows, lances, spears, javelin, missiles, bombs, cannons and bullets all conduct warfare 'at range'!
Some people...
LJ
Well, at least we are keeping a kindly eye on these protestors...a sort of 'care in the community' project, n'est pas?
Oh, and she forgot the 'Morality of Altitude' statement...no doubt the kind old biddy would have written it as 'the Mortality of Attitude'
Oh, and she forgot the 'Morality of Altitude' statement...no doubt the kind old biddy would have written it as 'the Mortality of Attitude'
Last edited by Whenurhappy; 29th Oct 2012 at 08:31.
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If they are really good they may even get a married quarter at some point in the next few years and perhaps a school place for their kids.
I for one can't wait for the laughter down the phone when I call to ask for a quarter next spring.
Is there some sort of new housing development taking place that I don't know about or has there been a massive amount of rental properties flood the market suitable for SSFA........?
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''Geek and computer freak'' Never been called that before, Ive only just figured our what ''CapS lOcK'' means. It's still the dude in danger that says ''Cleared hot'', well most of the time, had plenty whilst drinking a coffee.
A2QFI
Oh, do keep up 007!
The job title is RPAS Pilot (RPAS - Remotely Piloted Air System). You see what we did there? 
You are thinking of the likes of Desert Hawk 3, where the operator points to where it should fly with a mouse and operates the sensor package with an X-Box controller. The MQ-1 and MQ-9 is totally different and requires people trained as pilots...
If you want to check out as a MQ-1 or MQ-9 Launch Recovery Element Pilot to do take offs and landings, you need to be an experienced Mission Control Element Pilot first. Even then you are trained and checked out by a Flying Instructor, who is also a Pilot. Do you see the common thread here?
LJ
Oh, do keep up 007!
The job title is UAV Operator
You are thinking of the likes of Desert Hawk 3, where the operator points to where it should fly with a mouse and operates the sensor package with an X-Box controller. The MQ-1 and MQ-9 is totally different and requires people trained as pilots...
If you want to check out as a MQ-1 or MQ-9 Launch Recovery Element Pilot to do take offs and landings, you need to be an experienced Mission Control Element Pilot first. Even then you are trained and checked out by a Flying Instructor, who is also a Pilot. Do you see the common thread here?
LJ
Last edited by Lima Juliet; 29th Oct 2012 at 23:32.
Do you see the common thread here?
How many drone operators die when they prang the wretched things?
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Which, of course, they assuredly are not. Operators, yes. Skilled operators,
perhaps. But 'pilots', no.
perhaps. But 'pilots', no.
Time for the acid test perhaps.....are they awarded the "Pilots' Brevet" that can be worn on uniform?
Beagle,
If 39 and XIII's pilots stop being pilots because they've moved from Typhoon/Tornado/Herc/VC10 to Reaper, by the same logic did you stop being a pilot when you did your oft-mentioned "PVR porridge" ground job prior to retirement?
Considering plenty of ex-39 guys have gone back to manned flying, and all of them bar none wear wings awarded at Linton/Valley/Cranwell/Shawbury, I think it's doing them a bit of a disservice to randomly stop referring to them as pilots. Especially when you look at the number of equally-qualified pilots who struggle to adapt to the Reaper!
Maybe, in the future, we'll have enough of an RPAS fleet to train people from scratch to fly RPAS only; and then there'll be some interesting discussions about whether they're pilots or operators, as they won't have had the same level of training or ability as someone who's graduated from Valley and spent a tour or 2 on the front line. I personally don't think they'll wear wings.
But until then, every single person sat in the left hand seat of a Reaper GCS has a pair of wings on his or her chest that were earned in the traditional way. Removing an element of the risk from them doesn't suddenly mean they're not pilots.
If 39 and XIII's pilots stop being pilots because they've moved from Typhoon/Tornado/Herc/VC10 to Reaper, by the same logic did you stop being a pilot when you did your oft-mentioned "PVR porridge" ground job prior to retirement?
Considering plenty of ex-39 guys have gone back to manned flying, and all of them bar none wear wings awarded at Linton/Valley/Cranwell/Shawbury, I think it's doing them a bit of a disservice to randomly stop referring to them as pilots. Especially when you look at the number of equally-qualified pilots who struggle to adapt to the Reaper!
Maybe, in the future, we'll have enough of an RPAS fleet to train people from scratch to fly RPAS only; and then there'll be some interesting discussions about whether they're pilots or operators, as they won't have had the same level of training or ability as someone who's graduated from Valley and spent a tour or 2 on the front line. I personally don't think they'll wear wings.
But until then, every single person sat in the left hand seat of a Reaper GCS has a pair of wings on his or her chest that were earned in the traditional way. Removing an element of the risk from them doesn't suddenly mean they're not pilots.
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A good post, all I can add is that they provide a lot more CAS to the guy's on the deck than just about all FJ pilots from all nations over Afghan. Thats purely based on the aircraft they fly and the role it's in. Wish we had more.
Interesting argument raised by Beags:
"How many drone operators die when they prang the wretched things?"
Does this mean pilots who have the temerity to eject/survive their aircraft crash are therefore no longer pilots?
As the RAF is paying them pilot's flying pay (not WSO or Rearcrew flying pay), I think the case is closed m'lud.
"How many drone operators die when they prang the wretched things?"
Does this mean pilots who have the temerity to eject/survive their aircraft crash are therefore no longer pilots?
As the RAF is paying them pilot's flying pay (not WSO or Rearcrew flying pay), I think the case is closed m'lud.
Six arrested on suspicion of criminal damage after RAF Waddington protest
Six anti-drone protestors have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage at RAF Waddington.
Lincolnshire Police were called to the base at 8.48am this morning after reports that a number of people had damaged a perimeter fence.
An eyewitness said six protestors were at the site this morning and two in high visibility jackets managed to gain entry to the taxiing area and displayed a banner emblazoned with the word 'PEACE'.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson confirmed they were aware of an incident at RAF Waddington.
The six people arrested are currently helping police with their enquiries.
Six anti-drone protestors have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage at RAF Waddington.
Lincolnshire Police were called to the base at 8.48am this morning after reports that a number of people had damaged a perimeter fence.
An eyewitness said six protestors were at the site this morning and two in high visibility jackets managed to gain entry to the taxiing area and displayed a banner emblazoned with the word 'PEACE'.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson confirmed they were aware of an incident at RAF Waddington.
The six people arrested are currently helping police with their enquiries.
Frankly, who cares? Protest all they like, it's not going to change anything. Waddo, as an ex nuke base has seen all this before. If the unwashed want to live outside in the cold, wet Lincolnshire weather, fine by me. Fill yer boots.
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Drone Sqn
Shouldn't the RAF "Drone Sqn" bee 213 Sqn?
Royal Air Force Heraldry Trust, the Squadron Badges List
Hat, Coat etc!
Royal Air Force Heraldry Trust, the Squadron Badges List
Hat, Coat etc!