Preview of things to come.....

Half Fast

Half Fast

Touchdown! Greaser!
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Half Fast
Aviator of the year who never leaves the ground.

www.avweb.com

Marine Aviator Of The Year A Drone Pilot - AVweb

The Marine Corps’ top pilot for 2024 never leaves the ground. For the first time, a drone pilot, Maj. Shane Gentry, has been named the Corps’ Marine Aviator of the Year. He was also named recipient of the Alfred A. Cunningham Award by the Marine Corp Aviation Association. Gentry is a member of...
www.avweb.com www.avweb.com
 
Next thing you know, a lowly NFO (self-loading baggage) is going to win the award. What a time to be alive.
 
I thought Marines would have more pride than to accept such complete BS.

If all you do is sit on the ground, you aren't a pilot. Nor are you an aviator.
 
Maybe the Marines are doing it to highlight the absurdity of the situation (probably forced to name one)
 
MauleSkinner said:
So he doesn’t get burned if his VR goggles short out.
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now that's funny right there....

I can think of a sort-of passable reason beyond costume....
and I know not much about how these guys operate.... but I assume they are sitting in a cockpit simulator-type set-up probably for hours at a time...an environment that is similar in some ways to a cockpit.... and the flight suit has evolved with things such as pencil holders on the sleeves...which may also be helpful in the simulator..... no back pockets to sit on...etc....
not much need for nomex I suppose, but other design elements? maybe....

but yeah, reality is probably that it's a little like admin folks that work in medical offices...and even doctors...wearing surgical scrubs when they ain't goin' anywhere near an OR
 
Rich Holt said:
Next thing you know, a lowly NFO (self-loading baggage) is going to win the award. What a time to be alive.
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NFOs get their own award. It’s kind if like a contest solely for Ms Congeniality.

You know the deal though, all these packages come down to the discriminators. Dude probably did a Master’s, was the treasurer for a HOA, and a youth group leader of some type all while being one of a group that re-wrote a NATOPS manual of some sort.

I’d be more chargined if he got an Air Medal.
 
I was wondering how much stall /spin training drone operators receive?
 
Awareness, a lot. Actual spin training, none. There are procedures for if you get into an inadvertent spin but it's almost certainly a written-off aircraft at that point.
 
Sierra_Hotel said:
Awareness, a lot. Actual spin training, none. There are procedures for if you get into an inadvertent spin but it's almost certainly a written-off aircraft at that point.
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I would have assumed they had the "come home" button somewhere on their joy-stick..... loose control, and one push to toggle the computer to go wings level and come home.....
 
and even if control is lost...

(sorry, couldn't resist - ok, not all that sorry...)
 
Brad W said:
I would have assumed they had the "come home" button somewhere on their joy-stick..... loose control, and one push to toggle the computer to go wings level and come home.....
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Sort of, but that only works if the antennas are pointed somewhere they can receive the signal. Really it's more that in normal flight modes, the flight control computers keep it from exceeding the flight envelope limits. To go beyond those typically requires a system failure of some kind.
 
My bet is that it's a poor attempt at boosting retention/recruitment of the drone pilots. But I think they're going after the wrong demographic. Setup the drone pilots to be based in Florida, and recruit retired pilots who have to pee too often to want to fly actual fly 3 hour flights. The uniform can be cheaper, too...baseball cap, polo, cargo shorts, new balance shoes.
 
From now on I identify as Astronaut. Moving forward I expect everyone to address me with my proper title, (let's say Astro before my name). Those who don't, will be considered Astrophobic. Now I sit back and wait for awards, praise and recognition for my bravery and contributions.
 
Rich Holt said:
Next thing you know, a lowly NFO (self-loading baggage) is going to win the award. What a time to be alive.
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Inanimate-Carbon-Rod.gif
 
Come on guys! Thats risky business! He could get carpal tunnel syndrome from manipulating the joystick! That guy and his selfless bravery are why youre typing in english!

Now, does he get an airbase named in his honor or a bench in front of the GameStop at the mall?
 
Half Fast said:
I'm still trying to figure out why the guy's wearing a flight suit.
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Hey! Those climate controlled rooms can easily get a few degrees too cold or too hot! Besides, on a military base, a flight suit looks really cool when you are seen with it on at the commissary.

Seriously though, I have respect for the good drone pilots and the award in the original post is more of a “man of the year” type award than a citation with a medal accompanying it. It is, however, bad that apparently, they are putting drone pilots in the same category as those who are in the air with a chance of busting their butt while boring a hole in the ground. If it were a valor medal, I would probably be up in arms more than anyone here.
 
Those highly skilled drone pilots have reduced real, live, flying in the dangerous airspace. We do not have any idea how many fatalities have been prevented by such reduced risk for airmen and airwomen.

I do not know how much comfortable the working conditions are now, but early on, they were in airconditioned trailers out in the desert. It was referred to as "Time in the box". In general, the ones that I have met would have rather been flying real planes. I believe that time logged per week is much higher than flying real planes, as there is minimal risk of over tired accidents, they just call for a replacement, and take a short break.

This award may to help recruit more pilots to the drone group. :)
 
There was a time a few moons ago when my Air Wing was tasked with escorting a drone. Just ponder that for a minute or two.
 
Rich Holt said:
There was a time a few moons ago when my Air Wing was tasked with escorting a drone. Just ponder that for a minute or two.
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What the ever loving flock?
 
SFDukie said:
SMDH

Drone operators are vital in modern warfare.
Recognize them separately.

Awards for aviators should be reserved for those who, well, fly.
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And specifically get put in harms way. The drone operator sits behind the lines and if the plane crashes he just gets another one.
 
Here’s the criteria, from the Marine Corps reg:

“The most outstanding contribution to Marine Aviation in combat, research and development, weapons employment or overall performance in Marine Aviation.”

Says nothing about err..umm..hat size, bravado, looks-most-like-Tom-Cruise-in-Top-Gun or anything else.

And it’s more clearly defined than the PoA Undies-in-a-Bunch award.

Move on…
 
Yeah - it's different than 10 years ago. IMHO - where he / she actually is sitting is irrellevent. What is the pilot accomplishing? How is the mission being managed?

The fact the pilot isn't pulling G's or might be shot down doesn't make his/her flying any less noteworthy.
 
WDD said:
Yeah - it's different than 10 years ago. IMHO - where he / she actually is sitting is irrellevent. What is the pilot accomplishing? How is the mission being managed?

The fact the pilot isn't pulling G's or might be shot down doesn't make his/her flying any less noteworthy.
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Tell that to those that have been shot down, were pows or surviving family of the above. :mad:

Needless to say, I disagree with you.

Nothing will make war worse than increasing the ability to kill people without putting yourself in harms way. It’s a bad thing all the way around. At least with nukes the magnitude frightens us from the temptation to use them. Drones are immune to that fear, it seems.
 
Salty said:
Nothing will make war worse than increasing the ability to kill people without putting yourself in harms way. It’s a bad thing all the way around. At least with nukes the magnitude frightens us from the temptation to use them. Drones are immune to that fear, it seems.
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Standoff weapons have been around for many years. The ability to kill people without putting yourself in harms way is nothing new. It's part of our job to protect the warfighters, not to ensure they have to place themselves in harm's way due to some perceived moral obligation.

Nauga,
Magnum!
 
Salty said:
Tell that to those that have been shot down, were pows or surviving family of the above.
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There are Air Medals, Bronze Stars, Silver Stars, Medals of Honor, and other decorations for ALL of those who contribute at that level. To only have one recipient a year for this award wouldn’t do that group justice. This is for recognizing other, (add: exceptional and typically) non-combat contributions.
 
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nauga said:
It's part of our job to protect the warfighters, not to ensure they have to place themselves in harm's way due to some perceived moral obligation.
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Amen.

Patton: “No bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country.“
 
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