Same in mine. I can only name one that I would call "above average." I know the FAIPs remark was a joke, but there really is no comparison. Most FAIPs I've seen are able to hop on the treadmill with accelerated upgrades to eventually catch up to their peers. UPT-D RPA guys... not so much.

The ones who came to my community after their UPT-D tour tended to suck. Significantly behind their peers in overall airmanship, SA, etc, and way behind in terms of upgrades vice others in their year group.

Not all, of course, but it was a noticeable trend.

Question: Where do these crappy pilots go when you close the UAV pipeline? Do they just go away? Or do they go directly to your squadron?

If the UAV pipeline is open, at least these "bottom feeders" arrive at your squadron with 3 years of experience in a squadron under their belt. Also, many of these "$hit bags" have actually employed weapons and killed for their country unlike c-130 pilots. (except for the occasional paratrooper who lands on his face)

Bro, that remark in the parentheses is over the line.

Lighten up Francis

If the UAV pipeline is open, at least these "bottom feeders" arrive at your squadron with 3 years of experience in a squadron under their belt. Also, many of these "$hit bags" have actually employed weapons and killed for their country unlike c-130 pilots. (except for the occasional paratrooper who lands on his face)

This would be fine if there was, and the pilots planned, to be some type of career aviator. However, there is still pressure to make him/her an Aircraft Commander or Flight lead and give opportunity for follow on upgrades to make them competitive with their year group. I saw this particularly true in the MAF, I can't speak for the CAF (I assume they are better about not pushing an undeserved upgrade). However, late rates still have opportunity to reach command so it "shouldn't" be much different; on the other hand these late rates were top top guys to get selected late for UPT.

I stand by my previous comment of 3-4 years out of "normal" flying is a hindrance not a help, despite how many AQ/ISIS/KG(insert other terrorist group) you have killed. If killing was a prerequisite for flying, then we would have your "not dead yet paratrooper" flying after his 82nd Airborne tour. Even if the UPT-Ds do go to a platform that performs CAS/DT, they'll be behind their peers (including FAIPs) in every other phase of flight and admin. Didn't they teach you thick skin in UPT? Keeping your hubris and attitude won't help you any either.

A little off topic, I've noticed a lot of LT arrogance lately in the RPA world. My hypothesis is currently that since they don't start as a co-pilot or a wingman the SNAPness and cockiness can go unchecked.

Ygtbsm, I think you misunderstood what everyone is saying. Pulling someone that early in their flying career to fly UAVs is extremely tough on the stick and rudder skills and is tough to get back that years worth of UPT flying ability. However it's not just limited to UAV guys. We had a senior guy show up to PIT and struggle due to being a staff/AOC/non-flying job for X years. Flying is a perishable skill, it has little to do with the guys getting UPT-D assignments.

Being an RPA pilot sucks a big floppy donkey dick. Will the USAF honor a promise to send them on to a manned aircraft in 3 years ... maybe. The last bunch of UPT directs escaped, but some are being nonvolled back. Why these filthy noobsauces should get a ticket out while those of us who earned a better life in UPT and were pulled into this nightmare second assignment are stuck forever I do not understand. I should have joined the ######ing Navy.

As a "filthy noobsauce", I understand completely the crap that former RPA pilots have to deal with. The number 1 issue is breaking through the stereotype.

As a "filthy noobsauce", I understand completely the crap that former RPA pilots have to deal with. The number 1 issue is breaking through the stereotype.

Are your posts an attempt to break the stereotype?

Don't use words like noobsauce. You are a grownup.

I'm not the oldest or most frequent visitor to baseops, but we have one forum where people were arguing about whether or not airspeed changes what a 3 degree wire means, and another where someone used the word "noobsauce" without trying to be ironic. Guys can we agree to pull our nuggets from whence they are lodged please?

SNAPs gonna SNAP, bruh.

... (except for the occasional paratrooper who lands on his face)

...and now you're part of the problem. Congrats.

I agree, out of line... Sorry, bout that one...

Let's bring this thread back to its purpose.

ENJJPT 15-07

B-52 x 3

F-16

F-16 (Netherlands)

C-130 x 2 Netherlands

A-10 Guard

A-10

T-38 FAIP

F-22 x 3

F-16 x 2

CV-22

Tornado x 2 - Italy

Tornado - Germany

F-15E

B-1

EC-130

MC-130

C-130

No drones but there is still a lot more drops and more time to go. We will stayed tuned to the other bases drops.

Not too bad...if that's 15-07, any numbers for 15-08 through 15-12?

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I read these comments on a "football board" - about two former Air Force Academy QBs.

Comment 1

"Neat release from the AD... Seems XXXX (QB Class of 2008) is going through pilot training and YYYY (Class of 2012) was his solo instructor... Kind of cool...

So it appears YYYY was a FAIP, many of us were... But what has XXXX been doing these years?"

Comment 2 (from Navy grad/pilot)

"Help me out here fellas. I understand why XXXX would want to go to flight training.......who wouldn't ?
I DON'T understand why the USAF would want to send him. He's seven years behind his year group.....five years behind his classmates that got stashed after graduation (I'm assuming you do it too). His classmates have all completed at least their first Squadron tour and are Section/Division leaders, Plane Commanders, etc. Some of them are probably already TPS grads. I don't see how XXXX can ever be competitive for command or even promotion beyond O-4. I would think he'd be behind the eight ball for O-4 promotion, which would require him to go home. Assuming he'll have an eight year obligation after winging ( I don't know what it is these days), he may well have failed to select for O-4 before he even completes his initial obliserv. Bottom line is he may well be qualified for the airlines, but it's hard for me to see how the USAF is going to get their money's worth. Fire away."

Edited July 25, 201510 yr by 504PIR

Not too bad...if that's 15-07, any numbers for 15-08 through 15-12?

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EN has fewer classes per year.

Did Laughlin, Columbus, or Vance drop last night?

CBM didn't...15-13 is either this coming Friday or the one after that

Edit: I can't keep track of all the different classes

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Edited July 25, 201510 yr by hispeed7721

Did Laughlin, Columbus, or Vance drop last night?

Laughlin drops 31 Jul.

CBM 15-13

T38

T6 FAIP

B52 Barksdale

F22 Tyndall

T1

C17 Travis

C130H Maxwell AFRC

C17 McChord AFRC

EC130 DM

KC10 McGuire AFRC

C17 Charleston

C130H IL ANG

MQ9 Creech

KC10 Travis

U125A Japan

E3 Tinker

KC135 AZ ANG

MQ9 Creech

KC10 McGuire

C17 Travis

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How did the RPA selects take it?

It seemed like they kind of knew it was coming...I'm sure they were aware of their relative class standing.

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END 15-13

T-38:

B-1

F-15E

T-38 FAIP

T-1:

MQ-9 x2

END 15-13

T-38:

B-1

F-15E

T-38 FAIP

T-1:

MQ-9 x2

#1 and #2 from their class of T-1's I guess.

Now how about this....Stud gets RPAs on drop night. Realizes he has not graduated UPT yet and therefore has not incurred his 10 year commitment yet but knows his drop because drop is a month before graduation. If this stud SIE (self induced elimination) he does not owe 10 years now but 5 years (only 3 more after UPT really) and does not have the raw deal of flying drones. Now this guy who SIE can possibly go to an Army or Navy Guard/Reserve unit and get hired by them and sent to their flight school to actually fly. Pretty sure you can do that even if you SIE from the Air Force. (anyone know if that is actually true if you are eligible for a formal flying training with another branch if you SIE from the Air Force?) However if the stud SIE'd that late in the game after drop night, Big Blue would probably make him pay for all the money spent on him for training back since they would probably put 2 and 2 together and see he is probably SIEing because he got drones.

This was back in the late 90's, but a college buddy of mine, SIE'd in the T-37 phase, served out the remainder of his AF time (approx 3 years) in acquisitions, separated, then joined the Navy where they sent him to pilot training and he had a long career flying Hornets (C through E/F).

Cap-10