Afghanistan/Iraq

Take it for what it's worth. It isn't meant to dissuade, but I'm sure it isn't for everyone just as flying for the airlines isn't for everyone.
 
Hacker15e said:
How's that any different than flying from A to B in the FLs with the autopilot on? Sounds exactly like the same boredom most airline pilots deal with!
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......minus having to go to craphole BFE [fill in the blank] country. :)
 
Hey Phoenix are they still hiring would really like to get in with this company sent resume but no word yet. I have an active clearance so maybe that will help.
 
capnflyright said:
You will make a constant left hand turn for 5 hours, every day or night unless they get sporty and send you around to the right...If you can stand doing circles all the time and then go home then this will work for you. If you get bored easily or restless then probably not it.
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Sounds like NASCAR in the sky.
 
Hacker15e said:
How's that any different than flying from A to B in the FLs with the autopilot on? Sounds exactly like the same boredom most airline pilots deal with!
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I guess it's personal preference when it comes to the mission. I never considered 7 leg days through the eastern corridor and landing on contaminated runways boring. Now, in the international business jet realm, I'm finding the whole QFE/QNH/hPa/meter FLs challenging. Heck, the hours at the FLs is sometimes spent heavily briefing arrivals/approaches into high altitude fields.

I don't know anything about your sector, but I'm sure it's very exciting in its own right!
 
C150J said:
I guess it's personal preference when it comes to the mission. I never considered 7 leg days through the eastern corridor and landing on contaminated runways boring. Now, in the international business jet realm, I'm finding the whole QFE/QNH/hPa/meter FLs challenging. Heck, the hours at the FLs is sometimes spent heavily briefing arrivals/approaches into high altitude fields.

I don't know anything about your sector, but I'm sure it's very exciting in its own right!
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Well, it has some notable differences in what we consider 'the mission'.

Ref: http://forums.jetcareers.com/youre-captain/124450-fire-warning-light-3.html#post1725431

One of the interesting things about military flying, and tactical flying in particular, is that the focus is on the "mission" portion of the flight. The stuff that happens in between the time we cross into bad guy territory, enter the MOA or range, and turn the MASTER ARM on. The things that we do starting at that point are what define us as tactical aviators, and that's consequently where we focus 99% of our effort and expertise.

Everything around that time of the flight -- starting, taking off, flying out to the MOA/range/battle lines, and then the reverse to go back and land after the mission -- is called "admin", or "admnistration". It's really considered the least important portion of the flight...although it's certainly important in it's own right, it never wins the war, shoots the MiG down, or bombs the evil dictator's mansion.

Unfortunately, this "admin" portion of the flight is what comprises 99% of civilian aviation. Most tactical guys don't really take pride in accomplishment of these portions of the flight; we don't sit back in the bar after the debrief and reflect on that awesome ILS down to 200 & 1/2. We don't care about touching the nosewheel down within an inch of centerline. The smoothness and efficiency of the enroute descent to the FAF is never debriefed (unless it's completely heinous). Our ability to set just the right fuel flow during cruise such that we saved time/saved fuel is not pondered.
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Sounds different, amazing, and challenging. I can't see who wrote that on my phone - are they both an airline pilot and a military aviator? The reason I ask is that I consider the mundane elements listed as "admin" as well, and can't think of any of my coworkers bragging about shooting an approach. The challenging aspects of airline flying usually deal with MEL performance penalties (can we take all of our passengers, meet second segment climb performance, and have enough alternate fuel for the weather?), not landing on centerline.

In no way am I trying to get into a "what's less boring" match. Just trying to shed some light on the challenges of airline flying from a former airline pilot's perspective.
 
C150J said:
Sounds different, amazing, and challenging. I can't see who wrote that on my phone - are they both an airline pilot and a military aviator? The reason I ask is that I consider the mundane elements listed as "admin" as well, and can't think of any of my coworkers bragging about shooting an approach. The challenging aspects of airline flying usually deal with MEL performance penalties (can we take all of our passengers, meet second segment climb performance, and have enough alternate fuel for the weather?), not landing on centerline.

In no way am I trying to get into a "what's less boring" match. Just trying to shed some light on the challenges of airline flying from a former airline pilot's perspective.
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Thats what he means.......things like performance numbers, fuel for the WX, etc; are largely mundane admin for us. That doesn't mean they're unimportant. It just means that their priority in the grand scheme, is superceded by the specific mission itself. They're second and third-tier items at best.

I remember a few missions launching with WX below mins, no alternate available as it was low overcast all over the country. Id have to do a VFR descent through IMC when I got to the target area, not even knowing what the ceiling/viz was in the target area, much less the threats there that Id be highlighted against the overcast with. No available alternate airfields, just a tanker...maybe. But I had to respond to a shot-down helicopter and provide cover for the crew, or there was a ground unit that needed air support immediately. ALL the other problems were things I had no control over, and would either deal with them as I encountered them, or not worry about them until they became a problem.

Just a difference in mindset regarding priorities. There very little, if anything, in civilian aviation that requires taking that amount of risk.
 
MikeD said:
Thats what he means.......things like performance numbers, fuel for the WX, etc; are largely mundane admin for us. That doesn't mean they're unimportant. It just means that their priority in the grand scheme, is superceded by the specific mission itself. They're second and third-tier items at best.

I remember a few missions launching with WX below mins, no alternate available as it was low overcast all over the country. Id have to do a VFR descent through IMC when I got to the target area, not even knowing what the ceiling/viz was in the target area, much less the threats there that Id be highlighted against the overcast with. No available alternate airfields, just a tanker...maybe. But I had to respond to a shot-down helicopter and provide cover for the crew, or there was a ground unit that needed air support immediately. ALL the other problems were things I had no control over, and would either deal with them as I encountered them, or not worry about them until they became a problem.

Just a difference in mindset regarding priorities. There very little, if anything, in civilian aviation that requires taking that amount of risk.
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Sounds busy! I understand what you guys are saying. I just wanted to make it clear that, although certainly not military aviation, there is plenty of challenge and personal satisfaction to be had in civilian aviation.
 
C150J said:
there is plenty of challenge and personal satisfaction to be had in civilian aviation.
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Totally agree. I'm actually pretty enthusiastic about civil flying, too (which is somewhat unusual for military aviators) and find challenge in many different types of flying. I don't have any experience in the airlines, but am thinking of going that route eventually, and I'm sure I'll find challenge there just as you describe.
 
Hacker15e said:
Totally agree. I'm actually pretty enthusiastic about civil flying, too (which is somewhat unusual for military aviators) and find challenge in many different types of flying. I don't have any experience in the airlines, but am thinking of going that route eventually, and I'm sure I'll find challenge there just as you describe.
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How did the Commutair and GoJets interviews go?









:D
 
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