Does anyone know anything about civilian contract aviation postions (preferably pilot but I'd be interested in avionics-that's my major) with the military (or its contractors)? I'm asking because I might have a medical condition that would prevent me from becoming a military pilot (or nav), but I could still get a 1st class medical- no problem. I know a lot of these jobs require previous military experience- I have none.

I've always been very interested in military aviation and I'm just trying the see if I can be still involoved and do what I enjoy. Thanks!

All DoD contract pilots I've met were prior military pilots. They were also all rediculously ancient.

US Navy (by now...) is using and/or testing private KC-135/B707 refueling operated by contractor

yes, believe it

https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/iss...Considering.htm

in a few years we may see contractor operated C-17's

"the new way" of doing things

Bill, what's your rationale for your thinking C-17s (or any aircraft) would be operated by a contract pilot? This article only talks of leasing aircraft. I've heard the suggestion that contractors may fill UAV jobs, but not for situations that would put civilians in harms way. Seems to draw a fine line between combatant and non-combatant.

Outsourcing...better for the USAF, worse for the pilots.

Omega is alive and well and even wanted to support the Navy during OIF but was shut out by the Air Force. Lots of politics involved but it comes down to who the customer is (Navy) and getting adequate rapid support. Over 900 sorties and 4500 since 2001 doesn't sound like a whole lot in the big picture but the support they give the navy frees up active duty flying hours and tankers, which equates to $$$ and refueling support, for fighting the war.

thats 4500 flight hours...

The morons in big offices at the puzzle palace won't be happy until we are an entire damn military of mercs.

HD

Two. Don't most mercs get 6-figure salaries...? Just pondering. Not gonna turn in the bag just yet. Try organizing a bunch of mercs into a corps or division sized asset...that would be interesting to see. That being said, with cost as the main factor overriding mission requirements and common sense, we may get those 6-figures yet.

Outsourcing...better for the USAF, worse for the pilots.

While I do see some validity to this, the other side of the coin: if the AF has already trained a tanker pilot at close to $1M if not more, why spend an extra xx amount of $$$ on a contractor pilot and have the AF pilot sit on the sidelines? It's not logical and is not cost-effective in the long run even though it may add some flexibility in terms of quick-fixes.

[ 18. September 2005, 16:07: Message edited by: Coach Z ]

C Z, the so call “efficiencies” banner that the pea counters wave is based upon aircraft cost, not necessarily pilot cost. And, there is trickle down effect. For example, a private contractor could likely pay the pilots twice the salary of the AF and it still be cheaper because they could maintain pilot currency at a lot lower cost.

Personally, I am mightily opposed to privatization of the military, both officer and enlisted, on several accounts. Not the least being the availability – or lack thereof, of a trained and ready surge force when the $hit REALLY DOES hits the fan. More that several WW II and Korean vets have told me that cooks, orderlies, mechanics, admin staff, etc. made the difference in several campaigns. In the event of all out battle, contract employees, whether they be pilots, private security guards, landscapers, aircraft maintenance personal or hospitality specialists, simply can not be called upon as a combatant force.

There are other reasons, too…but that is another fume.

Judge each job/slot on its own merit. There a some very small military pilot units out there that can (or would) benefit from having a GS-13 or contractor pilot flying for them. It may not fit an F-15 or C-17 unit, but it very beneficial in other places.

Like for example the T-43A pilots at Randolph. I don't think any of you want that job. Unless of course you like flying the same circles every day...and being told how to fly them no less.

They should just contract out UAV jobs.

I agree with you Rocker. So does this article:

https://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_...28/ai_n14700022

Originally posted by Rocker:

They should just contract out UAV jobs.

That's what the Guard is for. The perfect Guard job...fight during the day from the comfort of a lazy-boy and get home at night in time for dinner and the kid's practice.

Sweet.

How hard is it to get a job at Lockheed as a test pilot or sim instuctor? They say that you don't need to be a TPS graduate.

Scoobs,

You do need to be old, crusty and not really care if your student learns anything in the sim session. & ALOT of PIC flight time.

BENDY

scoobs,

Second hand knowledge here, but...

A good friend (much older) of mine was a test pilot for the Navy and a few other civvy contractors after splitting from the service. He didn't go to school for it. He humbly says he doesn't know anyone else who can claim that, at least during his tenure.

I'm just the messenger who hopes these facts are correct.

Well old and crusty come together when you think of Palmdale or Lancaster. Why are they using civilians instead of AD? Is there not enough pilots?

[ 24. September 2005, 22:51: Message edited by: scoobs ]

All of the sim instructors I've ever seen thus far are civy.

BENDY

But why is there a need for test pilots? Does it matter what aircraft you come from? Is it possible for somebody to come off AD and get a job thats not a TP grad? Anybody ever live in Palmdale?

Originally posted by Critical Mass:

T-43A pilots at Randolph. I don't think any of you want that job. Unless of course you like flying the same circles every day...and being told how to fly them no less.

Yeah. Living in San Antonio, never deploying, and getting a free B737 Type Rating. What a crappy job. :rolleyes:

HD

Originally posted by billpritjr:

US Navy (by now...) is using and/or testing private KC-135/B707 refueling operated by contractor

The Navy already uses contract crews on their KC-130 iso the test program at Pax River. IE: tanking the new F-18E/F during trials.

God forbid the day that the US starts buying un-US planes for its military fleet. As the worlds greatest military (supposebly) why would we even consider such an option? Is there any good reason for it? And what's next? Us flying Eurofighters? :confused: