First Beta class RPA pilot becomes launch-and-recovery qualified

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CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFNS) --  Forging the way for officers in his career field, Rob, a captain assigned to the 432nd Wing as a remotely piloted aircraft pilot has established many firsts.

He was a graduate of the first Beta class for RPA pilots, first Beta to go to the 15th Reconnaissance Squadron, first Beta to live fire, first Beta to become an instructor pilot and as of recent -- first Beta to become launch-and-recovery qualified.

"The major significance with a (remotely piloted aircraft pilot) becoming launch-and-recovery qualified is that it begins to tear down the walls between the pilots who came from previous airframes, pilots completing undergraduate pilot training and the (remotely piloted aircraft) pipeline pilots," the captain said . "We can now say that within the operational squadrons, we all have the opportunity to become qualified to do the exact same job, whether that job is instructing new pilots, deploying or flying the operation missions from stateside.

"Hopefully, this shows that when it comes down to executing the various RPA missions, there is no difference from where you came from; once you learn and sharpen your skill sets, we can all effectively accomplish the mission together," he added.

Part of the launch and recovery qualification process is to perform a check-ride, which is split into two parts and tests a pilot's skill on an aircraft.

"The first part is accomplished inside the simulator where the instructor can throw a myriad of emergency situations at you," Rob said. "This phase allows you to test your systems knowledge on how the aircraft operates and also your problem solving skills in diagnosing what the problem is and how to correct it.

"The flying phase of the check-ride is conducted with the aircraft and is a standard sortie profile. It all comes down to the basics of forcing the aircraft to do what you want it to do, staying ahead of the aircraft and anticipating what could happen next," Rob said.

Being a prior security forces officer, the captain welcomed the career change and the unique opportunity it gave him to help the troops he once commanded.

"I love the mission and the big picture impact remotely piloted crews are having on troops on the ground," the captain said. "When it comes down to big picture support, I personally feel I am helping the men and women on the ground more so now on a day-to-day basis. Being able to watch over and provide a sense of safety to the troops on the ground lets you go home at night feeling good about what you did that day.

"Some days can be long and tedious; however, as long as you keep in the back of your head that the boots on the ground are watching, relying on us and expecting us to be on the top of our game, it keeps you focused and ready for anything," he said.

The first Beta class graduated in September 2009 and was unique in a number of ways.

"The initial group of (remotely piloted aircraft) pilots was selected from a variety of Air Force specialty codes," he said. "We all had some form of prior Air Force operational experience before being selected for the (RPA pilot program)."

In the first initial test groups, they all had at least six years of active-duty service and came from a variety of backgrounds, ranging from navigators to engineers to security forces officers. When they graduated, their new AFSC designator was 18X, which signifies Airmen as an RPA pilot.

"In the simplest form, to be an 18X pilot means you have completed a formal training program similar to pilot training but geared, tailored and streamlined to the remotely pilot aircraft currently in operations," the captain said. "It is a condensed syllabus compared to undergraduate pilot training, however, when an 18X graduates from the formal training unit, they have the basic skill set required to become fully operational within the mission control element squadrons."

(Courtesy of 432nd Wing and 432nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs)