I know that there has been a lot of concern amongst the member of the Afterburner Club and in general that the career of fighter pilot is a dying profession.
While there are a lot of changes that will occur to the job of fighter pilots, and the development of drone plane technology will likely mean that there will be less fighter pilots in the future, I have discussed before, both on this blog and in the live calls, that there will be jobs for fighter pilots in the future.
So why does this keep coming up? I blame the media!
Ok, I am being a bit sarcastic when I say I blame the media, but I saw a news story this week that once again reminded me that the idea that fighter pilots will soon be a thing of the past is a story that the media seem to love reporting.
Recently a group of fighter pilots from Denmark that were going to be sent to the United States for training have been told that they will no longer get to follow their dream.
The reason is due to cutbacks in the Danish Military budgets which have lead to fewer fighter jets being purchased by the country.
Now as I see it, in this case it is not the improving technology that is to blame for fewer fighter pilots in Denmark, but military budget cuts!
I have mentioned it before, but these cutbacks are a much more significant threat to your profession than technology is.
Drone technology is real, and it will be used in future military missions, but if we do not take these types of budget cuts seriously there may not be the money to even get these programs off the ground.
The media is usually pretty fair, but let’s face it , cool new technology is definitely more exciting them budget cutbacks!
So what do you guys think about how the media represents fighter pilots and the military in general, and do you think that they are covering the important issues?
Chris says
Ed,
It seems like the media can’t wait to pump out drone stories whenever they get the chance, and that is very discouraging to those of us who want to fly in the cockpit. Putting less people at risk is great and all, but that’s what we’re signing up for.
Additionally, generally speaking, I believe the media has been pretty unfair in how they’ve covered various topics, and even while most outfits try to support the military as much as possible, I’ve seen plenty of times when they just don’t do all of the research and report the whole story.
Last, yes, sometimes they do a good job on important issues, but by far they’re dropping the ball. Honestly I don’t give a damn what celebrity just had kids, or who won on American Idol. I want to know the truth about what’s going on overseas, and what really affects us on a financial and national security level. And when they do cover big events, more often than not it’s for ratings over journalism.
Anonymous says
Ed,
Couldn’t agree with you more about the media. Darn anyone who thinks fighter pilots will become extinct some day. I am currently in school trying to get my degree so i can take the necessary future steps to get inside of a jet. And i can tell you for me theirs not a sole person in this world that is going to stop me from achieving my dream and serving my country. Have a good day.
Matthew
John says
Ed,
I agree with the statement regarding budget cuts. A lack in financial is a much more prominent reality for pilots of all kinds. In terms of future technology, the history of aviation best illustrates the changes which pilots may one day face. The United States military released a 5th generation fighter, which will take many years for the technology to be deemed as useless.
I recently finished my degree and other credentials which qualify me to apply to Air Gurad units. I currently work on the F-15 armament systems in Oregon. The pilots which I often talk to do not seem too worried about the F-15 disappearing anytime soon. The F-15 has been around for quite a while, which gives future fighter pilots a good idea as to how long the F-22 and F-35 will be around for.
The fighter pilot world is competitve. It always will be. Be prepared for competition and don’t give up on the dream to fly. If you want to be a fighter pilot, fight for it! Best wishes.
John
Anonymous says
Ed,
So far the Air Force, as you know, has been the primary operator of drone aircraft. Most of my air force buddies I went through primary flight training with that selected fighters will end up flying drones. Unfortunately, the availability for fighter spots in the Air Force is slowly dwindling. All more reason to go Navy or Marines!!!
Andrew says
Ed,
First of all, let me say that this is a great forum, and that I think that you all have great points. I agree, the media does tend to blow things out of proportion, and it is frustrating when you get false/inaccurate information, or when the media focuses more on less important topics. Another point that I would like to make, and many no doubt will agree with me, is that it sure can be both uncomfortable and frustrating to be faced with the prospect of either being forced to fly a UAV, or even worse, not flying at all, especially if it is due to budget cuts. Truth be told, although it would be nice to fly a 5th generation fighter like the F-22 or F-35, I would be just fine with flying a 4th or 4.5 generation fighter, like an F-15, F-16, or F/A-18, and believe it or not, even a 3rd generation one, like an F-5. And I agree with all of you, in that, if you want something, like being a fighter pilot, then go for it!
By the way John, do you work for the 142nd or 173rd FW?
Sincerely,
Andrew
Jake says
Ed,
I appreciate the updates! To Ed and the Guys who wrote above me. I agree completely about how the media never really gets the full story out, or chooses to focus on other matters of much less importance. Thing is Americans love the drama and the excitement of the “Celebrity” world. Its a shame that we as Americans dont have more drive to focus on whats really important. I recently recieved an E-mail about Chuck Yeager ( any pilot worth his wings knows Yeager) He put out a story about a WW2 Vet who jumped into Normandy Prior D-day. ITs really good i hope it works its way around to you all. Anyway this man who was part of the Greatest Generation recieved no major awarding recognition when he passed away. Chuck Yeager continues to say how ” I like how the MEDIA chooses our HEROS” True that. Drones are coming along, and maybe a F-UAV will come about. I dont see it ever fully replacing the MANNED planes. Those reading this obviously have some sort of desire to fly whether it me private, commercial, Military, or shoot just taking a Glider up every so often. A pilot is a pilot. If you want it? You can get it!!! Fill your mind with positive thoughts, and remember “dreams aren’t something to wait for they are something to work for” F-35 Pilots advice to me! I may only be 19, but no matter what your age is, if you stick to your guns, work hard and have the passion. Sooner than you think you’ll be requesting permission to take off from Control Tower. Goodluck to all and see you in the Sky! ” AIM HIGH “
Jaime V says
I can say with a certainty that fighter pilots will be around for a long time. Heres the reasons why I think so:
1.There is currently no camera system setup that can capture the peripheral vision and fluidity of scanning the battlefield, that is needed for dogfighting and CAS like human vision can. Until technology can achieve this, this will hold true, planes cost too much to allow the possibility of an enemy gunning down all our aircraft because cameras can’t track efficiently.
2. Seeing demonstrations of China shooting down satellites with their missiles, allows the possibility of losing satellites that control Gps and UAVs. Watching million dollar craft crash because no one is controlling them is not an option. Transmitting craft also poses a risk of detection and vulnerable to homing missiles despite stealth.
The above points are pretty hard to overcome. A human somewhere along the line has to enter the battlefield whether on foot or air. Technology is far away to emulating and capturing the situational awareness of a skilled fighter pilot in a dynamic tactical environment vs a guy watching a computer screen. In very basic hit and run attacks or maybe like laser guided bombing of a single target do i see an UAV being remotely guided, along side manned fighter escorts.
What do y’all think?
-jaime
Jarah says
this sucks now i have to work even harder to become a fighter pilot. every thing I’m doing right now is to get in to a cockpit of a jet fighter.
JOSE GARCIA says
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John says
Andrew,
I work with the 173 FW in Klamath Falls. Its an excellent unit to work for. The F-15 is aging, but timeless.
John
Ed Rush says
I love it…hey, just like John Kennedy said, “We go to the moon…not because it is easy, but because it is HARD!” Just one more reason you’ll look in the mirror and smile when you get those wings pinned on your chest! Look…if it was easy every Tom, Dick, and Harry would be flying fighters. As it is…you should be GLAD it’s hard. You Afterburner Club Members have the inside advantage. But it’s still going to take some work. So, go get that flight slot, ok!!!
Steve says
I can say with a certainty that fighter pilots will be around for a long time. Heres the reasons why I think so:
1.There is currently no camera system setup that can capture the peripheral vision and fluidity of scanning the battlefield, that is needed for dogfighting and CAS like human vision can. Until technology can achieve this, this will hold true, planes cost too much to allow the possibility of an enemy gunning down all our aircraft because cameras can’t track efficiently.
2. Seeing demonstrations of China shooting down satellites with their missiles, allows the possibility of losing satellites that control Gps and UAVs. Watching million dollar craft crash because no one is controlling them is not an option. Transmitting craft also poses a risk of detection and vulnerable to homing missiles despite stealth.
The above points are pretty hard to overcome. A human somewhere along the line has to enter the battlefield whether on foot or air. Technology is far away to emulating and capturing the situational awareness of a skilled fighter pilot in a dynamic tactical environment vs a guy watching a computer screen. In very basic hit and run attacks or maybe like laser guided bombing of a single target do i see an UAV being remotely guided, along side manned fighter escorts.
What do y’all think?
-jaime
Yoga says
But isn’t it better though to have a drone instead of people dying on the battlefield ?
although if the drone malfunction its the end of us all, they make drones or AI is for our own good aren’t i correct, so why is it a big problem. All i know is that even if you put computer in a jet plane, their reaction and action won’t be as good as when brains controls it, of course they won’t be afraid of any kind of dangerous situation….but im sure for jet plane or ground soldier it is hard to replace them all with robots.