RPAS Pilots Awarded Wings
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The RAF had originally hoped that the graduates of its programme would be able to operate its General Atomics MQ-9 Reapers, a type now in use over Afghanistan. However, the US Air Force, which supported the final phases of their training at Creech AFB, Nevada, has restricted their crew approvals to working only with its smaller MQ-1 Predator.
I can see them getting a lot of stick over their wings, finally a set of wings specifically for flying a desk, what do they do when posted UK wise? Revert to their old jobs?
Last edited by NutLoose; 2nd Apr 2013 at 11:12.
500N:
A Puma pilot I flew with, who spanned 2 monarchs (!) during his 2 stints of service, flew with a set of wings with a 'King George VI' crown on it. He said he was allowed to choose, and this is kinda supported by WSOps beong able to do the same. I think.
CG
Edit: I recall that when he got his wings, they were still using up the old stock (really), so not quite old enough for GVI Rex, but the rest holds good. I still think!
That begs the question.
If you already have RAF Wings and then transfer over to
flying "drones", would you change the type of wings
you wear - and would you want to ?
If you already have RAF Wings and then transfer over to
flying "drones", would you change the type of wings
you wear - and would you want to ?
CG
Edit: I recall that when he got his wings, they were still using up the old stock (really), so not quite old enough for GVI Rex, but the rest holds good. I still think!
A Puma pilot I flew with, who spanned 2 monarchs (!) during his 2 stints of service, flew with a set of wings with a 'King George VI' crown on it. He said he was allowed to choose,
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Does anyone have a copy of the slightly irreverent drawing which displayed a number of proposed "specialist" brevets that was circulated in the mid 70's around the time of the debate over Air Crew wearing brevets on the new woolly-pulley's. I think it may have been in the Flight Safety Review ... but not sure 
Some cracking spoofs ... especially the Half Wing Spanner (for Engineers) and the inevitable Half Wing Banana (for guess who) ... would be good to get that posted on here
Some cracking spoofs ... especially the Half Wing Spanner (for Engineers) and the inevitable Half Wing Banana (for guess who) ... would be good to get that posted on here
CF:
I also remember from AAITC days, a drawing of a single 'broken' wing; seemingly suitable for those who'd 'VSd' (Voluntarily Suspended.)
CG
I also remember from AAITC days, a drawing of a single 'broken' wing; seemingly suitable for those who'd 'VSd' (Voluntarily Suspended.)
CG
So why doesn't the Sensor Op get a brevet to recognise their speciality ... they after all are key members of an Operational Crew
Coff.
Coff.
The sensor operators are all existing WSOs, WSOps, or navigators. Most of the pilots are all existing pilots from manned platforms (I think the Reaper Force has literally every platform represented somewhere!). This trial was to see if you could get an RPAS-only pilot trained to the extent that they could operate a Reaper as well as someone from a Tornado/Chinook/Hercules background, but without the expense of a full scheme of manned flying training.
After all, even the ex-Typhoon and Tornado guys flying Reaper now don't need to exercise their undoubted ability in low flying or close formation; so if you could train someone from scratch who'd be Reaper-only, why would you teach them this?
It's not a new branch nor some sort of Reaper proficiency badge; it's a new specialisation within the existing Flying branch. So you can now join as Fg(P), Fg(WSO), Fg(WSOp) and Fg(RPASP). Fg(P) guys will still be able to do a tour on Reaper and return to something manned or their previous platforms; many have. There's no conversation about fully-trained Fg(P) people handing in their bronze-laureled wings in return for blue ones or anything like that.
I hear the first ex-DAEDALUS guys to fly on UK Reapers are doing extremely well; bear in mind that following the trial, they did a considerable amount of time on other RPAS before moving to Reaper, and in some ways are significantly more experienced than their ex-manned colleagues on the UK Reaper Force!
Is that a roundabout way of saying the Yanks don't rate them either as pilots?
I can see them getting a lot of stick over their wings, finally a set of wings specifically for flying a desk, what do they do when posted UK wise? Revert to their old jobs?
I can see them getting a lot of stick over their wings, finally a set of wings specifically for flying a desk, what do they do when posted UK wise? Revert to their old jobs?
No; the USAF, until last year, only took "RPAS only" pilots to the Predator. All USAF Reaper guys were either Pred crossovers or ex-manned pilots. Far from not rating them, the USAF pioneered this system, and they all did extremely well on their US Squadrons!
When the RAF did DAEDALUS I believe the hope was to post them to USAF Reaper units to gather experience prior to joining the UK Reaper Force, but as the USAF only takes RPAS only guys to Pred, the DAEDALUS guys started with tours on Predator units.
Now, the USAF does have some straight-through pilots going directly to Reaper, and the ex-DAEDALUS guys have finished their Pred tours and are coming to the UK Reaper.
There's no reverting to previous branches; we've got an RPAS unit in the UK now and the requirement for RPA experts is only going to increase.
Last edited by 5 Forward 6 Back; 2nd Apr 2013 at 18:19.
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Do these fine fellows get 'Flying Pay' ??
Personnel recruited directly from civvy in this specialisation will not receive Flying Pay
The FP element needs more explanation; I know some one-winged chums who've expressed an interest in adding some blue-wreathed wings, but I didn't think the DIN was very clear as to whether or not they'd retain their FP permanently, or if they'd still climb increments etc.
I understand the justification for not paying it to new Fg(RPASP) guys; if it's a retention payment to stop me from running to the nearest loco carrier with a shiny ATPL, there's no current equivalent for RPAS pilots.
I understand the justification for not paying it to new Fg(RPASP) guys; if it's a retention payment to stop me from running to the nearest loco carrier with a shiny ATPL, there's no current equivalent for RPAS pilots.
Not many AEOps running to the loco carriers either but as with the RPAS pilots the world is opening up for contractor RPAS and if we are not careful we will not retain these guys.
Not all pilots run to the airlines and mixing crews together where some attract additional pay and others don't will have a corrosive effect. At the very least they could have offered crew pay.
Not all pilots run to the airlines and mixing crews together where some attract additional pay and others don't will have a corrosive effect. At the very least they could have offered crew pay.
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Thoroughly disappointing to see this. The badge has been devalued.. simple as that. For many decades now it has been worn only by those highly selected and skilled individuals who strap themselves into and fly military aircraft. Even peacetime training in the UK is high risk. These RPAS operators may be highly skilled and trained and are no doubt impressive individuals, but they are not strapping themselves into aircraft and they are not flying. There should be a new unique RPAS badge which can form its own reputation, not the award of the pilot badge - subtly modified as it is.