Air Force Undergraduate Remote Pilot Training
The selection criteria for the Air Force's undergraduate remote pilot training program is strenuous. Applicants are rated on physiological and academic performance, among other assessment factors. The Air Force slots these professional pilots into the 18X career field.
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History of the RPA
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Air Force RPAs have a history that goes back to the Vietnam War. Remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) go back more than 55 years. Early versions were flown during the Vietnam War. Efforts to improve the RPA were haphazard for a time after that war and through the early 1980s. The first, and probably most well-known, of the combat-effective RPAs was the RQ-1 Predator. It was first deployed in the early 90s. Its predecessors continue to operate to this day. In 1998, the Global Hawk was also put into operation.
RPA Pilots
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Early RPA pilots often received training in an ad-hoc fashion. Prior to the institutionalizing of formal RPA pilot training, gaining skill on flying an RPA was a somewhat haphazard affair. Skilled airmen often received training on flying RPAs from the defense contractors making them. In addition, follow-on training was often done through other civilian-based programs. It was decided early on, though, that only those with an FAA pilot's license would operate these aircraft. That includes the MQ-1 Predator, the RQ-4 Global Hawk and other RPAs.
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Considerations
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Formal Air Force RPA training classes start in October 2010. The Air Force requires applicants to possess a pilot's license to qualify for RPA training. In addition, RPA pilots come from the officer ranks only. At present RPA undergraduate training is given to airmen already piloting these aircraft. Starting in January 2011, active duty Air Force personnel will be able to apply for the program. The first formal classes kick off starting in October 2010. Becoming an RPA pilot requires a six-year service commitment.
RPA Undergraduate Training
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Undergraduate RPA pilot training begins with flight training in Pueblo, Colo. Selectees for the undergraduate training program attend initial flight training in Pueblo, Colo. From there, trainees go to Randolph Air Force Base in Texas. It's there that they receive RPA fundamentals and instrument qualification training. That's capped off by training at a formal Air Force RPA training unit. Pilot trainees learn skills such as dealing with systems failures.
Air Force RPA Careers
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Air Force officer RPA pilots will be managed through the new 18X career field. As the capabilities and number of these remotely-piloted aircraft grow, the pilot field will, too. Air Force officer RPA pilots will advance through the 18X career field system. Air Force enlisted airmen will carry the 1UOX sensor operator designation. As well, they'll also be within the career-enlisted aviator community. They'll even have a new set of specially-designed wings. Both officer and enlisted will receive special pay and compensation for their training and work.
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References
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- Photo Credit Air Force Memorial image by dwight9592 from Fotolia.com north vietnam landscape image by John Hofboer from Fotolia.com pilot image by Tijara Images from Fotolia.com pilot training airplane image by Slobodan Djajic from Fotolia.com pilote d'avion image by Christophe Fouquin from Fotolia.com air force thunderbirds image by Jorge Moro from Fotolia.com
