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ROFCIBC · January 12th, 2005, 11:10

[ QUOTE ]
Thank you for your replies - I would love to be able to fly the "hog" someday, The Boise Guard unit flies them and the C-130's. Transfering to that unit as a loadmaster and trying to get my commision with them might be my best option. Anyway, Thanks again!

[/ QUOTE ]

Just to throw something in. Spent a lot of time in the reserves as a full timer and part timer.

Switching from airplane to airplane is very costly as has been pointed out. That being said, as airplanes come and go from and to the inventory it is a lot cheaper to take a current pilot, regardless of aircraft type and retrain them in new equipment, again regardless of type that start from scratch and get a new pilot.

That being said there are other considerations, like the rank structure. You've got a new officer with their entire career ahead of them. Lot's of time to "recover" that training investment. On the other side is the older officer nearing retirement. Not wise to spend a lot of time/money to train them in a new piece of equipment as there will be no "recovery" of those costs.

Fighter to heavy to fighter...that depends. One issue is the specific pilot training that now exists which has been addressed. Here at Barksdale they opened up a new B52 unit which was staffed initially by some of the A-10 pilots from down the street in the A10 unit. Also by current B52 guys just off active duty. Key here was if you were already trained in the B52 (as a reservist) you had a leg up.

By contrast when we opened up the KC10 unit in 1981 nobody was qualified in it as it was a totally new airplane. So we went out an looked for pilots who were tanker toads and ones with receiver refueling experience since the KC10 was receiver capable. While most of the pilots had previous heavy experience we did hire a couple who had A10 and F4 experience. Even a U2 troop. So it varies. Depends on what you need and who’s available!

Best advice, get that commission, get those wings, then worry about the rest of your career!

January 12th, 2005, 11:10	#13
ROFCIBC Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bossier City, Louisiana Posts: 591	Re: Switching Airframes [ QUOTE ] Thank you for your replies - I would love to be able to fly the "hog" someday, The Boise Guard unit flies them and the C-130's. Transfering to that unit as a loadmaster and trying to get my commision with them might be my best option. Anyway, Thanks again! [/ QUOTE ] Just to throw something in. Spent a lot of time in the reserves as a full timer and part timer. Switching from airplane to airplane is very costly as has been pointed out. That being said, as airplanes come and go from and to the inventory it is a lot cheaper to take a current pilot, regardless of aircraft type and retrain them in new equipment, again regardless of type that start from scratch and get a new pilot. That being said there are other considerations, like the rank structure. You've got a new officer with their entire career ahead of them. Lot's of time to "recover" that training investment. On the other side is the older officer nearing retirement. Not wise to spend a lot of time/money to train them in a new piece of equipment as there will be no "recovery" of those costs. Fighter to heavy to fighter...that depends. One issue is the specific pilot training that now exists which has been addressed. Here at Barksdale they opened up a new B52 unit which was staffed initially by some of the A-10 pilots from down the street in the A10 unit. Also by current B52 guys just off active duty. Key here was if you were already trained in the B52 (as a reservist) you had a leg up. By contrast when we opened up the KC10 unit in 1981 nobody was qualified in it as it was a totally new airplane. So we went out an looked for pilots who were tanker toads and ones with receiver refueling experience since the KC10 was receiver capable. While most of the pilots had previous heavy experience we did hire a couple who had A10 and F4 experience. Even a U2 troop. So it varies. Depends on what you need and who’s available! Best advice, get that commission, get those wings, then worry about the rest of your career!