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

Anyone know of a place in Pueblo Colorado to known out the remainder of the PPL requirements after IFT is complete? I'm looking to take leave to get that knocked out, preferably on the same air frame (DA20) while it's all fresh. One place I found there was giving me email kick backs, which is never a good sign.

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.

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.

Hey everyone, looking for guesses and educated answers on what the updated pipeline will look like with the implementation of RPA Pilot Next training.

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 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!

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.

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?

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

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!

Hi

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.

Hearing rumors from semi-reliable sources that ACC is going to pay for 4 hours a month at the aero club. Guess AFSOC guys will have to continue to let knowing that they're "doing a great job, we're proud of you, what you're doing is important, you are all future cols and gens, etc" be their reason for carrying on. Anyone want to set the point for over/under on number of crashes per year as well as the point for date of the first crash?

Border patrol is trying to stand up "drone surveillance" on the border using the MQ-9. They're running into major hiring problems with a lack of qualified aircrew in the workforce. Also, it turns out that running an MQ-9 CAP is far more expensive than they were expecting.

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.

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 …

29 May I start the four month long RIQ/RFC training and some classmates and I are looking for alternatives to living in VOQ at Randolph. I have heard some rummors about furnished houses or PIT pads that are setup for guys going TDY there. Anyone know a good resource for finding a place for longer TDYs or own a place they need to rent for a few months? How about any info on the minimum information the AF will need to reimburse us for renting a place durring TDY? Special way the lease would need to look? ect.

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?

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!

Hey everyone! We have a new and renovated house at Reaper Inn. Our house is perfect for your TDY at Holloman AFB. Come check us out on Facebook! -Reaper Inn

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'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

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

I will be going to Syracuse later this year and wanted to know what to expect at IQT there. What's a typical day like? How many academic tests? How long is academics? What is typical sim schedule like? Any wiggle room for scheduling or random each day. Any good material to look at prior to going? Thanks for feedback