brabus

I’ll just say it - a lot of people had these same thoughts when younger, but they won’t admit it out loud while simultaneously throwing out “officer first.” They’re correct in that statement, but it’s not so black and white, and that’s OK. I understand where you’re at/coming from. I won’t rehash in detail, as Oface is correct about a lot of info in the “archives,” but big pic… AD - If looking at OTS route, you can decline any “offer,” so you’re not stuck. There’s a lot more details on that you’ll have to go read yourself. ROTC/USAFA is not a guarantee, but ultimately my opinion is those who should get a pilot slot typically do, with minor exceptions. ANG/AFRC - “Guaranteed,” but you have to get hired. That is a very competitive process and definitely risk of not making it. Go read about it. My opinion - Try for ANG, AFRC, AD in that order. Once you’re getting “old” on the interview circuit, consider putting your hat into the AD ring. Regardless of which component you may go to, be good with being a non-flying officer for at least 4 years, as there’s lots of hurdles to stumble over on your way to being a MR wingman or co-pilot.

For every useless “chief” there’s an equally useless O-6+. I don’t get the feeling MAJCOM, CAF vs. MAF, etc. really changes that in any appreciable way. Generally it seems when dudes go E-8/O-6+, many get that fabled “lobotomy,” and only a few remain mission-oriented bros. The guard is far better than AD with this subject.

Or this version, depends on how long you’ve been flying fighters…

“Hey Ivan, we ran out of rivets, can you run to Home Depot and grab some drywall screws; they’ll work fine”

My experience is limited to Airbus, but even a basic ILS without automation would not be a big deal for single pilot in a mil application scenario (we’re not talking about getting slam dunked into LGA during shit winter WX). I have no doubt the old steam engine types are a different story. I think the mis-branding of this whole thing discussed above is a good way to couch the scenario; this all makes a lot more sense when we’re talking ACE and not necessarily landing at a location with a squadron of bros rested and ready to fly that jet’s next line (e.g. current status quo). In such a scenario, it’s probably a good idea to look at how we can extend crews capability to meet the mission while reducing risk as much as feasible (e.g. single pilot ops during X phase of flight while other dude is racked out).

This line is what has been said for decades by old fighter guys about the new guys as things changed. Wingman today are expected to do things that “only an experienced 4FL/IP” was capable of doing without fucking it away 15 years ago. Technology and ways of thinking change, and the young guys will perform. Your “old crusty guy” mindset serves as a roadblock to tactical progress; instead, empower the young guys to succeed in ways that was thought “impossible” when you were their age. Don’t read this the wrong way, the above is a general statement meant for wide application, it’s not meant to be specific to the wartime single pilot ops scenario. I agree with you overall on that scenario - hard to imagine what problem we’re trying to solve…unless maybe they’re planning on changing the chow hall food contract and know 80% of pilots will be shitting their brains out at any given moment.

I also fly big airplanes, so I’m not completely clueless. We’re also talking about a single pilot shooting an approach to Guam, etc. in combat. It’s not DL69 with 169 pax and absolutely zero mission to accomplish. Let’s not pretend they’re the same thing. And to your jab at the fighter community, it’s true admin kills guys, but it’s also true probably tens of thousands of precision approaches are flown for every guy who killed himself trying to fly an ILS. I think it’s what you know, and a lot of heavies-from-the-start guys sell their’s and their bro’s capabilities short, because, well, that’s just how it’s always been… Edit: To be clear, I’m not supporting this whole idea being discussed, but I am pointing out there are some things that are overblown…such as one man being able to fly an ILS and put his own gear down.

Valid, but I hope to hell they didn’t design a plane where only the right seater could reasonably select flaps and gear. Granted my big airplane experience is limited, but I’ve never seen an airliner where you couldn’t manipulate flaps, throttle, gear, etc. from either seat.

But why were you not recommended for service? The detailed “why” will absolutely be asked in an interview, so if you don’t want to put it out on the internet, then at least be prepared to answer the mail to an interview board.

Oh my god, the horror, surely there aren’t tens of thousands of pilots who have done this for decades and are currently doing it now, without any automation at all.

It’s threatening one of the dems sources of voters and reducing the effectiveness of a destabilization tool used to help make current America look bad. There is no other rational answer.

Large scale RPA tankers makes a ton of sense. Maybe a couple operators manage several aircraft at a time, much like airline dispatchers - don’t exceed a 4:1 ratio or something like that. I’m surprised we haven’t come further on this topic; the MQ-25 is nothing more than proof of concept.

Woke-related: the meltdown from the progressives over Elon’s twitter acquisition is nothing short of hilarious, but also still shocking how incredibly delusional so many people are. One gem of a tweet: “Nearly every American media institution is now openly right-wing”. That is some next-level delusion/ignorance.

Agreed - but at some point it’ll break, the subsidies will just lengthen the process.

Yet another thing many of us already knew 2 years ago. Millions of people are batting a .969 on things to do with COVID, but nope, they were all the conspiracy theorists and wing nuts. Funny how that has turned out…

I’d love that, but I have as much faith in that as my wife letting me buy three airplanes. It’s possible, but…

I’m hoping the actions of people like us will be what ultimately corrects corporate America back to how they should act. I think it’ll happen, but how long it’ll take is the million dollar question.

Quite the opposite - being woke makes them shitloads of money (at least in the short term). They’ll go “un-woke” the second they can’t profit from it. Read Woke Inc - great book on this topic.

Are we talking about “traditional” liberal democrats or are we talking about progressive liberals? The latter are POS people who do not care about kids or this country. It’s time for the Democrats to punt these shitbags out of the party and force them to officially establish a 3rd party. Then we can get back to what the Democratic Party used to be and the newly formed Progressive party can run their candidates and policies unimpeded by moderate democrats. Of course that would result in them never winning because the majority of America does not support their lunatic ideas.

Agreed. I think Hamill, the MLB, etc. are dumb for their reaction to the GA voting bill, but they are more than welcome to speak their mind and take their business elsewhere. I certainly do both all the time - lots of businesses these days I choose not to give my money to.

This is easy, where do you predominantly live (180+/yr), WA or AZ? If you plan on snowbirding and living both places, then it’d be advantageous to spend 181 days in WA. Don’t overthink TDY time, reserve days, etc. - you know where you’re home/point of origin for travel is.

The speculated AA TA is hot garbage. If the truth is even close to that, I hope AA pilots aren’t dumb enough to vote yes.

You’re racist for asking that question

Pilot is OK.

By directly contributing to the enhancement of our #1 enemy’s military capability. This isn’t teaching Saudis, UAE, etc. (countries we’re not preparing to face in peer-level combat).