Lying about Military Experience

[lstorm2003]

Hey guys I know a guy who claims to have flown Jaguars in GB. Lately I have become suspicious of his claim. Does anyone have any ideas for how I can find out once and for all if he is telling the truth? Is there a database somewhere (besides landings.com) where I can verify if he was actually a military pilot?

I wonder, because for example anytime we talk about anything technical realted to flying, he walks away. For example I once asked him to explain what the difference is between MEA and MOCA and he could not. Wouldn't a military pilot know the answer to this question? It seems pretty basic to me.

Thanks guys!

 

[Fox-Tree]

Hey guys I know a guy who claims to have flown Jaguars in GB. Lately I have become suspicious of his claim. Does anyone have any ideas for how I can find out once and for all if he is telling the truth? Is there a database somewhere (besides landings.com) where I can verify if he was actually a military pilot?

I wonder, because for example anytime we talk about anything technical realted to flying, he walks away. For example I once asked him to explain what the difference is between MEA and MOCA and he could not. Wouldn't a military pilot know the answer to this question? It seems pretty basic to me.

Thanks guys!

A military pilot should know what an MEA and MOCA are because he learned about them in his training. However, a fighter pilot could probably fly his whole career and never have to think about an MEA or MOCA. So maybe he forgot? If this guy really did fly Jaquars, he spent so much time flying below every MEA and MOCA on the planet; he probably could care less what they are.

How old is this guy? Is he from the UK or is he claiming he did an exchange tour as a member of the US military? What’s he doing now? Answer those and we’ll probably get closer to an answer than quizzing him on min altitudes. I’m pretty sure MEA and MOCA would be close to last on my list of “technical” things to ask a fighter pilot if I wanted to check his knowledge. Ask him something tactical and worthwhile and maybe he’ll get it right, professor.

 

[Andy Neill]

....or could it be that Istorm wants to know how to pass as a Jaguar pilot and is using his first post to get tips????

 

[SMOE]

Do a little research on the RAF and Jaguars and then ask him a few questions regarding life in the RAF, where he was based, where he flew, what type of missions, etc. You get the idea...

 

[Occam's Razor]

If he's really an RAF guy, give him a glass of US beer. If he likes it, he was never in the RAF!

 

[LJDRVR]

From my friend SirToppamHat over at PPRUNE:

Ask him to sing the next lines:

Standing on the runway
Throttles open wide
See....

If he tells you to F.O., he was a Jag Pilot.

If he sings, he was a Jag Pilot with a sense of humour.

Or try:

Don't bend down when a Jag Mate's around ...

If he tells you to F.O., he was a Jag Pilot.

 

[lstorm2003]

A military pilot should know what an MEA and MOCA are because he learned about them in his training. However, a fighter pilot could probably fly his whole career and never have to think about an MEA or MOCA. So maybe he forgot? If this guy really did fly Jaquars, he spent so much time flying below every MEA and MOCA on the planet; he probably could care less what they are.

How old is this guy? Is he from the UK or is he claiming he did an exchange tour as a member of the US military? What’s he doing now? Answer those and we’ll probably get closer to an answer than quizzing him on min altitudes. I’m pretty sure MEA and MOCA would be close to last on my list of “technical” things to ask a fighter pilot if I wanted to check his knowledge. Ask him something tactical and worthwhile and maybe he’ll get it right, professor.

He is about 38. He is from the UK. He is now a development manager of a software company. Can you please give me an example of a tacticle and worthwhile question I could ask him? I am not a military pilot, so I do not know.

 

[lstorm2003]

Do a little research on the RAF and Jaguars and then ask him a few questions regarding life in the RAF, where he was based, where he flew, what type of missions, etc. You get the idea...

Well the problem is, this guy is an expert bull-shiter. And I believe that he was actually in the military. I just don't believe he was really a pilot.

 

[NoPax]

Ask him what kind of aptitude tests he did to become a pilot there...then ask him where he did them - the answer should be Biggin Hill (if he may say Cranwell - they moved it there about 11 years ago.)

Ask also where he went to Uni, and if it had a UAS. What kind of airplanes he flew in training - Chipmunk, Bulldog, Hawk, Jet Provost, Canberra etc.

I like the idea of the songs - most squadrons have songs

 

[LJDRVR]

The songs weren't a joke. Ask him to sing the next lines. If he tells you to FO, you've proved his bona fides and he'll probably tell you some great stories, if he looks at you like you're crazy, then you have your answer.

Let us know.