Predator pilots out there?

[Otto]

Any Predator pilots here on flightinfo? I've got a couple of questions I'd like to fire your way. Thanks!

 

[L'il J.Seinfeld]

Wow, they won't even admit to "flying" the Predator on an anonymous internet site!

 

[dtfl]

Wow, they won't even admit to "flying" the Predator on an anonymous internet site!

It's probably because they are too busy to worry about checking an airline bulletin board. A buddy of mine is a DO at a Pred unit and he works his %ss off. Hardly gets any days off and pulls LONG hours. They are all getting new toys...and he says there are some days he goes home thinking about what cool stuff they did....but he works his %ss off.

 

[Occam's Razor]

"pilots"

(snicker)

Any Predator POW's out there?

If your aircraft is shot down by AAA and you're 1,000 miles from the impact crater, you ain't a "pilot".

Any votes for "operator"?

 

[JimNtexas]

The Houston Air Guard has an ad on their web page offering UPT slots to potential Predator pilots.

 

[AirBadger]

I've got Microsoft Flight Simulator on my PC. What do ya need to know?

 

[Deuce130]

"pilots"

(snicker)

Any Predator POW's out there?

If your aircraft is shot down by AAA and you're 1,000 miles from the impact crater, you ain't a "pilot".

Any votes for "operator"?

Kind of depends, I think. If a guy is a born and bred predator "operator" from day one, then I'd say you're right, he's a UAV Operator. If he's a pilot from another weapon system on a predator tour then he's still a pilot. No different from a guy on a non-flying tour who's still a pilot, just not flying airplanes. Except the predator guy, as DTFL stated earlier, is more than likely doing a lot more for the war effort than any three staff pukes at CENTCOM, Pentagon, AETC or anywhere else.

There's also a whole new ball of wax when it comes to logging flight time, combat time, getting air medals, "deployment" credit and a whole slew of other things. You're right in the sense that if a guy isn't putting his butt on the line when he "flies" it's hard to lump anything they do in with actual flying in the AOR. Truth to be told, it's a whole new ball game and the rules are still being written when it comes to UAVs and Predator ops. I wish I had the answers, but I don't.

 

[AlbieF15]

As a LTC with a bad back--if I had a predator unit around here I must might consider signing up.

"Whadcha' do today, dad?...."

"I shot a hellfire off a UAV and blew up four *&^*$ terrorists...then I went to Walmart and bought you this pretty barbie on the way home..."

No--it ain't raging in a 4 v 4 or an LFE...but God bless those pilots (and the nerds too) that are getting it done...

 

[JimNtexas]

Are the UAV 'pilot' slots still open to Navs with FAA Commerical pilot tickets?

 

[frog_flyer]

They should have guys that are DNIF operate the UAV until they're fit for flying again.

 

[RJP]

The Houston Air Guard has an ad on their web page offering UPT slots to potential Predator pilots.

UPT for a pred slot? There's a good use of tax money.

So, can someone elaborate on the Ellington thing. Are the "ace in the hole" gang dumping their porkers for predators or are they "gaining" a predator "squadron"?

Home of the "ACE IN THE HOLE" 111th Fighter Squadron and the Exciting New Predator Mission!

EXCITING.....

 

[dtfl]

Are the UAV 'pilot' slots still open to Navs with FAA Commerical pilot tickets?

I know of one that went to AFSOC predators in 2005. So...maybe?

 

[RIOtoPilot]

Ellington got their Vipers BRACed, so the Aces unit is going from F-16s to Predators by next March. They are a solid group of bros and doing a hell of a lot to support and defend. It`s comical to me to see them lampooned by a bunch of wannabees on this website. Most of this group has flown combat in another platform and continue to serve. Walk a mile before passing judgement. And yes, this unit accepts navigators with CMEL - and yes, I´m joining them this summer.

 

[RJP]

Wow, that's worse than the poor Sioux City guys (another good group) that went from 16s to E-model -135s. Sad state of affairs. What exactly is lampooned and what does it have to do with those poor ********************s getting preds?

Anyone know the name of the cajun (I think it was cajun--dang good food though) restaurant outside the gate at Ellington?

 

[pkober]

Why do they wear bags?

They are called "specialist" pilots or something like that.

 

[erj-145mech]

Anyone know the name of the cajun (I think it was cajun--dang good food though) restaurant outside the gate at Ellington?

PeeTees!

 

[RJP]

PeeTees!

Yeah, that's the one! Thanks. Loved their food. Makes wiping the humidity fog off your sunglasses worth the trip to Houston.

 

[mannyaplus11]

Okay, to address some of the comments on this thread:
I retired two years ago, my last job was as the GFR/DO for a small detachment at the Predator factory and at the factory flight test center. I worked with the greatest guys while I was there.

Yes, they are pilots, most with MAJOR weapon system backgrounds. Don't forget, this thing is launching weapons now. Most are F-15/16 experienced. Many assignments are short term, two or three years and back to the fighter.

The system does have its problems, mainly from a human factors/ ergonomics standpoint because the system was designed by an engineer, not a pilot.

The system isn't perfect by a long shot, but, if I can get the bad guys without risking the life of one of my squadron members, more power to that thing.

The Predator B, turboprop is one hell of a machine, much better than the predator A with the Rotax ultalight engine.

 

[RJP]

Why do they wear bags?

Probably for the same reason the silo-dwellers wear bags. Because they bitched when they felt left out and the kinder-gentler af gave them bags. At least the pred guys have a mission with aircraft.

I'm surprised that every shoe clerk in admin isn't wearing a bag by now.

 

[Scrapdog]

Probably for the same reason the silo-dwellers wear bags. Because they bitched when they felt left out and the kinder-gentler af gave them bags. At least the pred guys have a mission with aircraft.

I'm surprised that every shoe clerk in admin isn't wearing a bag by now.

RJP - How are you, you f**king clown? I haven't seen you in a while. Still thinking the Iraqi's should get a free pass if they use orange panels? Still throwing spears at the A-10 guys who were doing the job over in Iraq?

Listen buffoon, these predator guys are outstanding guys. Many come from the fighter community and are top notch individuals (yeah, even F-16's). I have personally flown with some of the NY ANG guys who will be getting a predator down the road, and I can garauntee you they're 100 times the aviator you are.