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.

Ya' think they might talk to another govt agency that has some experience in this.

Also, it turns out that running an MQ-9 CAP is far more expensive than they were expecting.

Ya think.

Ya' think they might talk to another govt agency that has some experience in this.

It's actually somewhere in the shit ton range. Apparently bandwidth is expensive, weird.

It's actually somewhere in the shit ton range. Apparently bandwidth is expensive, weird.

Are we talking a metric shit tonne or an english shit ton? Do tell.

Truth Data...perhaps

https://nation.time.com/2013/04/02/costly-flight-hours/

Edit: Found article with info 69 seconds after posting sarcastic comment.

Edited April 3, 201312 yr by Magellan

Are we talking a metric shit tonne or an english shit ton? Do tell.

Truth Data...perhaps

https://nation.time.c...y-flight-hours/

Edit: Found article with info 69 seconds after posting sarcastic comment.

How much we spend on bandwidth is in a WIC paper from within the last few years, space side I think.

Those numbers you listed above are definitely innacurate. The cost is much higher.

Slightly off topic: Does anyone here have experience flying with the Border Patrol? Is it a good deal or a shit sandwich? Any first hand info (benefits, culture, locations, how much flying versus how much queep) would be greatly appreciated. I'm currently an MQ-9 guy leaning very strongly towards getting out in a few years and am considering Border Patrol as an option.

Slightly off topic: Does anyone here have experience flying with the Border Patrol? Is it a good deal or a shit sandwich? Any first hand info (benefits, culture, locations, how much flying versus how much queep) would be greatly appreciated. I'm currently an MQ-9 guy leaning very strongly towards getting out in a few years and am considering Border Patrol as an option.

You checked their website?

Requirements:

· U.S Citizen

· Under 40 years of age

· Successfully complete a thorough background investigation and drug test

· Pass a FAA class 1 flight physical

· Hold a valid Commercial Pilots license with an Instrument rating and other

rating(s) appropriate to the position to be filled

· Total Flight Time 1500 hours **

· Pilot-In-Command (PIC) 250 hours

· Night Flying 75 hours

· Manned Flight Time, Last 12 Months 100 hours

· Qualified Predator-B pilot (Predator-A qualification will be considered)

* UAV/UAS time does not count towards flight hour minimums

** One half the total flight time may be waived

My question is how are they going to handle any USAF/ANG MQ-9 guys that get out/retire? The sticking point will either be age or the manned flt hours requirement. I realize this is due to the fact that you are also qualified to fly manned aircraft. So, I wonder if there is going to be an RPA only position in the future? I am also a little interested since I am approaching retirement and the wife would like to move to FL when I do. Looks like they fly them out of Cocoa Beach and that would be ideal.

Slightly off topic: Does anyone here have experience flying with the Border Patrol? Is it a good deal or a shit sandwich? Any first hand info (benefits, culture, locations, how much flying versus how much queep) would be greatly appreciated. I'm currently an MQ-9 guy leaning very strongly towards getting out in a few years and am considering Border Patrol as an option.

I flew on some of their P-3 aircraft back in the day and they were a good bunch of guys. The crews that I flew with all seemed to have their collective fecal matter in one very tight container but htey weren't so uptight that it was a pain to fly with them. Not sure what their unmanned program is like, but the guys that manage it don't seem of the same caliber as the folks that I flew with.

Just my two cents.