what do you do for a living?

[eagl]

What is your opinion on the drones?

I personally don't like the idea of sharing airspace with computers, and flying should be done by real pilots. However if they save lives than they are well worth it.

If the airspace is controlled properly then sharing the airspace with drones isn't a problem.  The control piece has to be airtight though.  I flew the T-6 out of Tikrit Iraq for 6 months and we shared airspace with about 4 different types of drones, and more than half the time we were "VFR" see and avoid with them.  We had few problems and no close calls, but at another base a C-130 collided with a UAV, so the problem is real if the control breaks down.

As far as overall opinion of drones, they're extremely useful at doing a few things.  But they require permissive airspace (ie. nobody shooting at them) and a peer opponent would just love to get a chance to wreck our entire drone fleet on day 1.  But for some things, our UAVs are the right tool for the job.

[eagl]

      I am very curious to how that has happened?  How does it make sense for the Air Force to put millions of dollars of training into you to fly a Strike Eagle, and then thinks it is better for you to have more money spent to fly UAVs?  I am not criticizing or trying to stir up a response just curious.  Or was it a personal choice to switch out of Jets?  I know that you had recently been a trainer.  Has the Air Force downsized the amount of F-15Es?

I apologize in advance for the seeming disregard for structure in the above statement/question.

It wasn't my choice, but it came down to a handful of circumstances.  First off, I've been out of the F-15E long enough to require substantial refresher training, and the AF would rather give that same amount of training to a new guy who will be around for longer.  Second, I've been in AETC flying trainers for a while, but only because air combat command "released" me to AETC to fill instructor jobs.  Fighter guys are getting released to AETC in far fewer numbers right now, because the demand to go to UAVs or back to other weapons systems is pretty high for fighter jocks.  So ACC didn't release me, and since they'll have to fully train me anyhow, they plopped me in a UAV billet.

It's not all bad.  The work schedule sucks since they're working overtime running caps 24 hrs a day, but I injured my back a few times flying fighters and probably shouldn't be pulling Gs anymore.  I owed the AF another few years of service so the payback for this training course will take me to 21 yrs of service and I"ll have the option to extend to 24 years (without much say in my next assignment though).  Ex-military UAV jobs pay well, so as long as the UAV industry doesn't collapse I should be able to get a decent industry job when I retire too.  Finally, my fighter and instructor background should let me fill pretty much any job in the UAV squadron, so I expect to end up one of their more mature mid-level supervisor types fairly quickly as I gain experience.  Maybe they'll shuffle me to an unappealing squadron, group, or wing job that requires my background, but it's a total crapshoot so I'm not going to worry about it.  I have plenty to think about between now and when I report for duty at Creech.

[CAP1]

If the airspace is controlled properly then sharing the airspace with drones isn't a problem.  The control piece has to be airtight though.  I flew the T-6 out of Tikrit Iraq for 6 months and we shared airspace with about 4 different types of drones, and more than half the time we were "VFR" see and avoid with them.  We had few problems and no close calls, but at another base a C-130 collided with a UAV, so the problem is real if the control breaks down.

As far as overall opinion of drones, they're extremely useful at doing a few things.  But they require permissive airspace (ie. nobody shooting at them) and a peer opponent would just love to get a chance to wreck our entire drone fleet on day 1.  But for some things, our UAVs are the right tool for the job.

 i always like to read the opinions of those that "do" in things like this.

 i'm kinda torn on the drone thing. on the one hand, i'm glad to see technology coming along to keep people like you safe. on the other hand, i don't think we should be putting so many of our eggs in that technology basket. that just seems like a bad idea to me. then add in the difference between you actually being on station, and being able to get a "feel" for what's happening, as opposed to only seeing it through the cameras on the drones.......

 either way, i am forever thankful for people like you(even if ya do drive a pontiac   )

[eagl]

I am also very concerned with the amount of resources we are pouring into our UAV fleet.  The problem is that in our current war(s), UAVs are invaluable.  They're the liberty ship of the modern era...  Supremely valuable now, but we'll probably scrap most of them in a few years and morph the lessons learned into something else that we'll keep around for the long run.

Sorry for the thread hijack...

[MachFly]

If the airspace is controlled properly then sharing the airspace with drones isn't a problem.  The control piece has to be airtight though.  I flew the T-6 out of Tikrit Iraq for 6 months and we shared airspace with about 4 different types of drones, and more than half the time we were "VFR" see and avoid with them.  We had few problems and no close calls, but at another base a C-130 collided with a UAV, so the problem is real if the control breaks down.

As far as overall opinion of drones, they're extremely useful at doing a few things.  But they require permissive airspace (ie. nobody shooting at them) and a peer opponent would just love to get a chance to wreck our entire drone fleet on day 1.  But for some things, our UAVs are the right tool for the job.

I see.

[curry1]

It wasn't my choice, but it came down to a handful of circumstances.  First off, I've been out of the F-15E long enough to require substantial refresher training, and the AF would rather give that same amount of training to a new guy who will be around for longer.  Second, I've been in AETC flying trainers for a while, but only because air combat command "released" me to AETC to fill instructor jobs.  Fighter guys are getting released to AETC in far fewer numbers right now, because the demand to go to UAVs or back to other weapons systems is pretty high for fighter jocks.  So ACC didn't release me, and since they'll have to fully train me anyhow, they plopped me in a UAV billet.

It's not all bad.  The work schedule sucks since they're working overtime running caps 24 hrs a day, but I injured my back a few times flying fighters and probably shouldn't be pulling Gs anymore.  I owed the AF another few years of service so the payback for this training course will take me to 21 yrs of service and I"ll have the option to extend to 24 years (without much say in my next assignment though).  Ex-military UAV jobs pay well, so as long as the UAV industry doesn't collapse I should be able to get a decent industry job when I retire too.  Finally, my fighter and instructor background should let me fill pretty much any job in the UAV squadron, so I expect to end up one of their more mature mid-level supervisor types fairly quickly as I gain experience.  Maybe they'll shuffle me to an unappealing squadron, group, or wing job that requires my background, but it's a total crapshoot so I'm not going to worry about it.  I have plenty to think about between now and when I report for duty at Creech.

Thank you for the insight.  I am 17 and have been graced by fate to have an interest in aircraft and serving in the military, but also happen to have corrected vision.  Any and all things having to do with drones interest me substantially.  As the possibility of being of being a pilot is near zero.  Why would any branch want me over someone with 20/20 vision?  I guess being a flight test engineer, electronic war officer, or a weapons system officer would be okay too.

[MachFly]

Thank you for the insight.  I am 17 and have been graced by fate to have an interest in aircraft and serving in the military, but also happen to have corrected vision.  Any and all things having to do with drones interest me substantially.  As the possibility of being of being a pilot is near zero.  Why would any branch want me over someone with 20/20 vision?  I guess being a flight test engineer, electronic war officer, or a weapons system officer would be okay too.

It's not just vision that counts, there are a lot of other things.

[curry1]

It's not just vision that counts, there are a lot of other things.

I realize there is a chance.  But, think how small my chance is to become a pilot even with perfect vision and then add the fact I have glasses.  Significantly lower.  Unless my reasoning is flawed.  What is the chance you will become a pilot?  Are you even guaranteed a spot?  I assume you must be in a ROTC program of sorts if you say you are joining the Air Force in two years but are even you assured a spot?

[MachFly]

I realize there is a chance.  But, think how small my chance is to become a pilot even with perfect vision and then add the fact I have glasses.  Significantly lower.  Unless my reasoning is flawed.  What is the chance you will become a pilot?  Are you even guaranteed a spot?  I assume you must be in a ROTC program of sorts if you say you are joining the Air Force in two years but are even you assured a spot?

No, I'm going though the OTS, that's the only way you can get a guaranteed flight slot before you sign the contract. If you don't you can apply as many times as you want every 6 month until your 28 (or 29 can't remember).
I know one MAWTS instructor who always says if your persistent and work your @$* off you'll get it.

[mbailey]

Husband and Dad first.

Insurance adjuster 2nd, mostly Large Loss property insurance losses (Residential and Commercial). Great company and I work from home. Prior to that i rebuilt homes and commercial buildings that suffered insurance related losses, fires, floods,tornados,hurricanes etc.......

No one starts out in life thinking they are going to be an adjuster, you kind of just wind up here. Job security though, we get busier when the economy fails.

Have a friend that owns a gunshop / indoor range, I help him out when hes short staffed, or someone calls in. I dont do it for money though, i get to play with all the cool stuff at the shop, and being an avid IPSC and IDPA shooter, and hunter, i get my stuff at cost. Most of my paychecks from here are "reinvested" into the shop.

Smokinloon, we should start a support group......

[ink]

me doing my thing......been tattooing for 25 years......started at 18, quite an interesting job.



the side plate I am working on in first pic.



doing the drawing for a freehand clown

[cpxxx]

Having just filed my tax return. The black and white figures show it's not the best way to make a living. But I'm a Skydive pilot or was until last week when the season ended. Now I'm a stay at home Dad for two small boys until next February or March. Unless I can pick up a part time job between now and then.

But next year is looking better, a possible salaried aerial photography job on behalf of the government plus a bit more skydive flying. Fingers crossed!

[coombz]

as little as possible


(real answer - production editor for academic journals. been in publishing for 10 years...ready for a change soon )

[PFactorDave]

Professional Photographer, specializing in Sports/Action (for fun) and Weddings (for the money).

[-tronski-]

Operations, Sydney Airport

 Tronsky