RTB

Not sure this is such a horrible idea. The QF-4 and QF-16 squadrons have used GS civilians, all former military fighter guys, for years and it's worked well. Granted, it's a different environment at UPT but former mil GS pilots working with and for mil pilots shouldn't be a problem. Direct hire civilians is a whole different (bad) idea which I would put in the horrible to disastrous category.

If that happens, failures will be counted in terms of Class A's.

Hacker can probably fill in the details better than me, but essentially scope clauses protect an airline's pilot jobs by controlling what kind of flying can be outsourced. On the low end, scope clauses typically limit the size and number of regional jets that can be used (50 or 76 seats typically) and the number of seats total or routes that can be flown by regional pilots. This ensure that a larger airline (Delta, Alaska, United, etc) doesn't outsource too much of it's flying to a connection carrier (Endeavor, Horizon, Skywest, etc). On the high end, in simple terms, scope ensures the mainline carrier limits the amount of tickets it sells using Joint venture or Code Share airlines. Again, it prevents the mainline from sending too many pax on Korean Air or Air France but on a Delta ticket. Protects the widebody, high paying jobs at the mainline carrier.

Easy killer, not at all. I have huge respect for crew chiefs. Always amazed me that no matter whether it was 100 degrees out or 5, blazing sun or freezing rain, they were out working and getting code 1 jets ready. I still keep in contact with my crew chief from the first jet I had my name on. Not meant as a dig on them at all. My point is exactly what ihtfp06 says below. What is the point of testing them if there is no plan to start using HS grads for pilots? If you just want to test the way a HS grad learns (as they have said), why do it as part of a pilot training program? Aren't there other training pipelines that could test such things? Exactly! Seems like a complete waste of time. For them and and AF. Unless there are actually unspoken plans to dramatically expand the pool of eligible UPT candidates.

Apparently. According to one of the “test designers” posting on TPN.

They say the E’s will be right out of basic and will not have a degree, and that when they are done, regardless of the outcome, they will go on to their previously assigned tech school. Because they just want to test their ability to do the program without having a degree. Even if that is truly the legitimate reason for testing the E’s...why? We don’t have a shortage of degreed folks wanting to apply to UPT, applicants far exceed slots. So....why?

Huh? Did you see him somewhere?

. It's absurd. The amount of time, money and energy going into ideas that will NOT fix the exodus is just staggering.

Can you imagine how hard it would be to keep Docs if their only options for assignments were Cannon, Holloman or Osan?

If it was important to the AF to have academy cadets IFS complete when leaving the academy after being there for 4 years, I'm sure they could find the time. I've heard cadets are crazy busy but can't imagine all that busy time is a must for commissioning. IFS is just not a priority.

Already sold out!

True, but there is so much more crap to wade through over there...

I'm slow and don't understand. I have a bud that's been a Navy Reserve IP at Kingsville for years and it's been a GREAT deal for him.

Didn't go to the zoo either, but the Academy used to be a place where the majority of grads went on to fly. That has evolved over the years into a much different picture. In 2003, 56% went to UPT. In 2017, it was only 40%. Back in the 60's and 70's the percentages were apparently much higher but I couldn't find those exact numbers.

There will ALWAYS be enough candidates off the street who want to be pilots and will go to OTS for a couple months or ROTC for a couple years for the chance. The supply side will never be a limfac. The academy is a different animal and draws from a much more restrictive pool (harder to get in) so their numbers will vary.

What a sad joke of a justice system. This verdict is indefensible.

Shack

I’d say that’s a valid overall observation. But in this particular case, leaders are ignoring or at least not addressing the myriad of reasons there is a pilot exodus, and have instead chosen to alter a training program and methodology that is proven and has been highly successful for over 50 years. These COAs are offering up a cheap solution to the wrong problem.

What I find so weird in all this is that the Aircrew Crisis Taskforce's solution to experienced dudes leaving is to shove more shit in the intake end of the process? Increasing brand new inexperienced pilots is the solution? Isn't there an absorption problem right now where there aren't enough training slots for current grads and they are waiting a long time to train in many airframes? I also just read that experience levels are plummeting in many squadrons. So now we're going to just create more inexperience pilots, with less initial training. Sounds like a logical solution.

So this must be good news for the RPA community. Finally a decent AD location. https://www.wjhg.com/content/news/Tyndall-to-house-new-MQ-9-Reaper-Wing-460607493.html

Unbelievable. This is one for the record books, under all time stupid ideas

Apparently this plan is being discussed on the CAF FB page, complete with confirmations from dudes on the Air Staff that it’s true? So I’ve heard at least. Can anyone confirm? I just can’t believe this is real.

https://www.funker530.com/skypenis-drawn/ Their reaction is priceless. And probably exactly like everyone else’s.

A year or so. Go to an in residence seminar sometime around 12 months prior to your planned separation date to get a solid feel for what you need to do to prep. I thought I had my shit together and was surprised at what I still needed to work on. And with ECIC, you can the attend future in person seminars again for free (at least you used to be able to). So I attended another one once I got my interview invite (about 2 months prior to the interview) and then did the phone top off the day prior. Was supremely helpful.