Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA/RPV/UAS/UAV)

Was wondering if anyone has heard of active duty guys heading to March for MQ-9 FTU. I heard that a few people have been getting sent to Syracuse instead of Holloman but haven't found anyone that has been sent to March, other than guard folks.

Is it confirmed that IFT is cancelled permanently for RPAs? If so, what does everyone think of this move and what does it mean for the future RPA community? I found IFT very helpful, and so when I see this it makes me wonder if the AF thinks that our community doesn’t deserve the airmanship or basic flying skills that you gain at IFT.

I'm working on a capstone project for my masters. Currently my research topic is to study the differences between working 8 and 12 hour shifts and how they effect fatigue, mishaps, quality of life, etc for predator ops. I'm not asking for folks to fill out a survey yet. I just need to know what schedules units are working 8s,12 and how many days on/off are in their work week. Private message me if you have time to help me out and I'll give you my NIPR email address. Thanks!

I am considering submitting a package for an RPA spot in the ANG. After reading through some posts here, it seems that the consensus is this is a black hole, borderline career ender with not much room for advancement. Now, I’d need a waiver to join for age (34), and I've already got 12 years of service (AD and Guard) under my belt as enlisted, but it couldn’t be that bad of a move. Are those opinions mainly coming from people who were hoping to actually fly and got assigned to RPAs instead? I can see how they’d think it’s miserable.

There are two movies, both on Netflix Now, that concern fictional USAF drone crews. They are Good Kill and Eye In The Sky . I'm long retired and never had anything to do with drone operations. Real drone crews and also current USAF members. If you saw either or both of these, what did you think about them?

Hi

Hi all, I’m anxiously awaiting the results of the current board and my wife and I are just curious, what the current status of the rpa pipeline is? Also, I cannot find any reliable gouge on ad bases for rpa. Where would we most likely be PCS-ing to?

In case anyone was wondering, there is no specific age limit for entry Undergraduate Remotely Piloted Aircraft Training (URT). Based on a few changes recently, according to AFI 36-2105, Chapter 3, paragraph 3.1.1 spells out the age restrictions for persons seeking to enter UPT. Paragraph 3.1.1.3 adds an exception for URT candidates. "3.1.1.3. Exception for Undergraduate Remotely Piloted Aircraft Training: must meet maximum age for appointment in the various grades as specified in AFI 36-2005, Appointment in Commissioned Grades and Designation and Assignment in Professional Categories – Reserve of the Air Force and United States Air Force." Heading over to AFI 36-2005 tell…

A warning to anybody looking at going to Fort Smith for the RPA mission. Unless you want to work every night for the rest of your life and have the current leadership take advantage of you. Go someplace else. You have been warned.

Hi, I have searched everywhere for the answer to my question and left many messages to recruiters to no avail, so I'm hoping you guys can help. Do Guard units hire RPA pilots from the outside or do they only pick from current flyers/trained RPA pilots? I'm specifically interested in the 163d Recon Wing if anyone happens to be with them. And since we're on the topic of recruiting, is poor vision (-7.50, correctable to 20/20) waiverable for RPA pilots? I couldn't find the vision standards for FC II "U" online. Thank you.

Hurlburt Field preferred for MQ-1 remote split-operation unit. Wow, I almost can't believe this. Is the AF finally getting the idea that you can put control stations at non-shitty bases and have them operate UAVs physically based in other locations? Yet another good deal for reserve bubbas...come on down and enjoy the emerald coast.

Just curious if anyone has seen/heard of an RPA washout getting picked up for further flying training? I have heard of a few folks getting picked up for ABM, but I am curious if anyone knows of someone who's gone on to CSO or even UPT. Just trying to confirm or deny some rumors...Thanks!

What class medical exams are RPA pilots given after they are selected?

https://www.amazon.com/Maisto-Fresh-Metal-Tailwinds-Endurance/product-reviews/B004JFMOGK/ref=cm_cr_dp_see_all_btm?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending Here is a sample: "Listen, I get that us humans are meant to be imaginative beings, but my daughter, Cheryl, was so upset that this toy had no sound affects, no victims included in the packaging, and no burnt and wounded bits of bodies to add authenticity to the product. I suppose I was setting my sights too high, but Cheryl has literally devoured the news about drone attacks since she was about 3 years old. Yep, I know - a prodigy. Whereas other kids are obsessed with sharks, guns and Bar…

I'm a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps and was recently informed that I will be attending IFS in Pueblo, CO followed by some school in San Antonio. Does anyone know what this process is like? Have there been many Marines that have came through this pipeline in the past? I understand what IFS is, but what is the curriculum in San Antonio geared towards? Any information on this topic would be very helpful. Thanks!

Question - what are the qualifications for an RQ-4 Global Hawk pilot? Given the weapons system is fully autonomous I would have thought the new UAS/RPV pilots would be the first option.

For 13N's, 18X has been added to the Crossflow board. This means that every VML, Officers will Crossflow to 18X. This is a huge opportunity because an application is not needed for the November board. No AF 215, but a PCSM of 60 is needed and a current certified Flight Class Physical. Also, your TCSFD must line up. I'm not aware of how Crossflow is offered to non-13N's, but I would think this opportunity would be available elsewhere as well. A PCSM of 60 is very competitive if you do not have a PPL or hours. In comparison to the November board, a PCSM of 10 is the minimum requirement.

Hey guys, I am a RPA pilot selectee, I have my PPL/PPC, and I anticipate completing my instrument rating this fall. My date of commission is on 24 Apr 2014, after which my RPA training will begin that summer. 1. While digging around in the internet, I have found out that I am exempt from block 1 of training (IFS) in Pueblo, CO, and that I will go straight to IQC at Randolph instead. My ROTC Detachment NCO's were not aware of this policy (new as of Dec 2012), so be sure that yours know if you are a RPA selectee, so that they can work on getting a waiver from IFS early on for you. 2. Questions: From what "I think" I know, IQC is basically the civilian equivalent of …

Today's announcement is the first time I have heard this. Are both operated within the same squadron? I thought they were two different quals? Can you be dual qualed?

Hey guys, I'm a motivated candidate for a pilot spot in the guard and have some questions in which I'm not getting answers from my recruiter or through google searches. Is there any current guard pilots in the 18 x program in this forum group that I could PM some questions too? I passed my officer physical through MEPS and AFOQT and waiting on the next step. Thanks either way

Does anyone know if there are any current signing bonuses for 18XX RPA pilots? I have heard there is 20k bonus, but wanted to get confirmation... Thanks!

BL: Do RPA selects for the UFT boards have any say for their follow on assignment since the RPA pipeline ceased doing drop nights? I’m applying for this years AD UFT board and was wondering what input the member has to their follow on assignment. I only qualify for RPA and with the new assignment process—if I’m tracking correctly— you get your follow on assignment first and then TDY to your training pipeline courses. It would be nice to have some say to the matter. Thanks for any and all responses!

Read on reddit/AF meme pagesthat RPA drops will be happening out of UPT now. Can anyone confirm/deny this?

Hey everyone! Anyone here have an Interview with the OHIO ANG next week? Anyone have any tips or tricks for the interview?

SNC is hiring sensor operators for overseas work. 20K + a month. I do not work for them but work with them...