tunes Posted January 8, 2015 Posted January 8, 2015 I'll just put this here... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGGpSemB_hs oh......em.......gee......
Craftsman Posted January 9, 2015 Posted January 9, 2015 wait do people not like the trailer? ;) I see what you did there...
GKinnear Posted January 10, 2015 Posted January 10, 2015 I'll just put this here... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGGpSemB_hs This is probably more accurate... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lF1mx-Dcek8 2
fire4effect Posted January 14, 2015 Posted January 14, 2015 (edited) I'm sure the movie will be appropriately cheesy but I would have absolutely no qualms whatsoever putting a Hellfire on the bad guy's head via RPA. Having had encounters with various forms of insurgent ordnance while in far away places I have no sympathy for any of them...especially ISIS. Warfare is as much about getting in the enemies head.....IEDs, mortars, rockets.....can't shoot back at them.....and that I can assure you is frustrating.....bad guys know it....well guess what ISIS...we're giving you a taste of you're own medicine.....now you're getting "IEDs" back...via air mail. This a way to get in the bad guy's head for a change. Having spoken to some less than respectable types in the past I know it does. Thanks to all you guy's in the RPA world...long hours and all...hit'em again Edited January 14, 2015 by fire4effect 2
hindsight2020 Posted January 14, 2015 Posted January 14, 2015 TAMInated would have been a more catchy name for that trailer, that's just me.....
HU&W Posted January 16, 2015 Posted January 16, 2015 Initiatives announced To sustain RPA pilot manning, the Air Force will temporarily retain a portion of pilots who are on-loan from other airframes. Additionally, they will increase Guard and Reserve utilization and seek recently qualified MQ-1/9 pilot volunteers to deploy for 179-days to stressed RPA units. “As our experienced operators near the end of their initial commitment, we are increasing monthly incentive pay to $1,500 for those RPA pilots while we explore other bonus opportunities,”
fire4effect Posted January 16, 2015 Posted January 16, 2015 How much get's taken in taxes?.........I can't remember a time the government didn't get a big chunk back right off the top ...Honestly I'm surprised they aren't imposing a stop loss as so many suggested would happen some time ago. Can't get much cheaper than that..... On another note I was at a college flight school a while back and talking to some of the kids learning to fly (not in any official capacity just to be clear) about the military and I was surprised that at least some wouldn't consider it because they heard that they might get put in the RPA world instead of a manned airframe. Wanted nothing to do with it as they aspired to be an airline pilot....fair enough....Of course I did try to explain a LOT of troops are still around because of RPAs........Hope I made them at least do some hard thinking.
Blue Posted January 16, 2015 Posted January 16, 2015 tinfoil hat on......... I foresee a future where the AF still can't keep up with the demand for drone operators. Eventually, Lockheed Martin/Boeing/General Atomics all step in to fulfil the demand for CAPs with contract pilots.
MooseAg03 Posted January 16, 2015 Posted January 16, 2015 tinfoil hat on......... I foresee a future where the AF still can't keep up with the demand for drone operators. Eventually, Lockheed Martin/Boeing/General Atomics all step in to fulfil the demand for CAPs with contract pilots. Which will make the problem worse, as more guys will leave to take contractor positions for higher pay.
Majestik Møøse Posted January 17, 2015 Posted January 17, 2015 Force dudes to go fly preds and no one wants to go. But offer a $200k/yr contract job and people will volunteer in droves. It's all about choice; no one wants to feel trapped.
Chaff Posted January 17, 2015 Posted January 17, 2015 I know of exactly 0 people eligable for the pay increase in our squadron. 1
Homestar Posted January 17, 2015 Posted January 17, 2015 Force dudes to go fly preds and no one wants to go. But offer a $200k/yr contract job and people will volunteer in droves. It's all about choice; no one wants to feel trapped. Perhaps part of the solution is to separate pay from the rank scale, especially in this instance. I suppose that is what $1,500/month incentive pay is attempting to do. Like you say, I'm sure there are people out there who would do the job if the price is right. This is why I do not believe that enlisted operators of RPAs is a good answer. Not because they couldn't do an excellent job, but rather all it does is allow the Air Force to pay a SSgt half of what they would otherwise have to pay a Captain/Major to do the same exact job. The Air Force shouldn't be let off the hook that easy.
Magellan Posted January 17, 2015 Posted January 17, 2015 I know of exactly 0 people eligable for the pay increase in our squadron. That is the point...the increase doesn't cost the Air Force ANYTHING until that person is eligible to vote with their feet. This should come into play in about 6-9 months. Basically it will work out to $10,200 a year before taxes for guys to stick around after their 6 year commitment is up. The only "equity issue" I see is the really young UPT guys that will spend 3-4 years doing the same job for less than their peers, and getting bent out of shape about it. But I guess $40,000 difference in pay in exchange for a FAA commercial and instrument rating is probably a fair trade at the end of the day. tinfoil hat on......... I foresee a future where the AF still can't keep up with the demand for drone operators. Eventually, Lockheed Martin/Boeing/General Atomics all step in to fulfil the demand for CAPs with contract pilots. If you want to see the worst deal in the RPA community sign up for one of those contractor gigs. The money may look good, but they make you earn every cent. The good deal lucrative RPA contracts are all drying up as a result of sequestration and ACC piling all it's money into the F-35.
BB Stacker Posted January 17, 2015 Posted January 17, 2015 If you want to see the worst deal in the RPA community sign up for one of those contractor gigs. The money may look good, but they make you earn every cent. The good deal lucrative RPA contracts are all drying up as a result of sequestration and ACC piling all it's money into the F-35. Outside of a couple O&M type contracts that I think are pretty much all owned by GA at the moment, the good deal contracts are basically gone.
fire4effect Posted January 18, 2015 Posted January 18, 2015 (edited) Supposedly the FAA will release the certification requirement for RPA operators in the civilian world soon (relatively speaking). Suggestions range from a RPA specific very basic training type certificate up to a Commercial/Instrument ticket. In the fall the FAA made it clear for those of us with a pilot certificate we could be putting it in jeopardy if we operate a model aircraft or other RPA contrary to the FARs. Obviously making sure they keep current certificated pilots on a short leash until the complete regulatory picture is sorted out. I'm pretty sure the requirements will be designed to reflect a size/performance distinction on the various systems when it's all said and done. Especially for the smaller systems that anyone can buy and operate out of their backyard .....I think the FAA will have a hard time policing them without a license requirement of some kind in place.....even so enforcement could require a lot of manpower Ultimate take away is the certificate required will determine pay scales over the long haul Edited January 18, 2015 by fire4effect
MooseAg03 Posted February 18, 2015 Posted February 18, 2015 There is an RPA pilot/sensor survey that is being completed outside of official channels. It is to obtain as much statistical data about RPA career field manning and the future plans of current operators. PM me if you would like to take it.
ClearedHot Posted February 19, 2015 Posted February 19, 2015 From what I have seen there is a gaping whole in the RPA incentive pay program. Under the current rule set 18's who go to the staff lose their flight pay, EVEN if they were prior rated. What Einstein came up with that idea when you are trying to develop a professional community of well-developed RPA operators? 1
General Chang Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 From what I have seen there is a gaping whole in the RPA incentive pay program. Under the current rule set 18's who go to the staff lose their flight pay, EVEN if they were prior rated. What Einstein came up with that idea when you are trying to develop a professional community of well-developed RPA operators? Don't worry, hardly any of them are cleared for staff duty. 10
Nineline Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 Don't worry, hardly any of them are cleared for staff duty. Don't worry, A1 is all over this. I mean, when was the last time they fvcked up? -9- Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
ClearedHot Posted February 20, 2015 Posted February 20, 2015 Don't worry, hardly any of them are cleared for staff duty. Again you are COMPLETELY wrong and I will be sure to pass your moronic regards to the two dudes who work for me that lost their pay. Seriously, choke yourself. 7
deaddebate Posted March 19, 2015 Posted March 19, 2015 https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/James_Welsh_03-18-15.pdf https://docs.house.gov/meetings/AS/AS00/20150317/103091/HHRG-114-AS00-Wstate-JamesD-20150317.pdf Fiscal Year 2016 Air Force Posture / Witness Statement of / The Honorable Ms. Deborah Lee James, Secretary of the Air Force / General Mark A. Welsh III, USAF Chief of StaffIn today’s warfighting environment there is nearly infinite appetite for Air Force ISR [intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance] – we simply do not have the capacity to fulfill it. To meet as much of the demand as possible, Airmen work 10- to 12-hour shifts on a “7-on, 1-off” pattern, flying over 900 hours a year – a rate that can accumulate a career’s worth of flying hours in a single assignment. These are combat shifts, physically, mentally, and emotionally taxing…and to get it done, they are sometimes diverted from training that allows them to improve, advance, and build a professional military career. When such Airmen are faced with the decision to separate or continue to serve, it is difficult to convince them that staying is in their best interests. We are losing them at a rate faster than we can replace them.Fuckin' heroes, man. 3
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