The Netherlands, one of the few countries that builds its own F-16s, rather than purchasing them from the US, is reportedly reducing its fleet of F-16s by selling some to Chile.
The Dutch are also one of the partner nations in the F-35 program, which is intended to replace the F-16, though their continued participation has been controversial.
An article at MSNBC talks about the controversy of pilots sleeping while in flight. The discussion about airline pilots is a separate issue; the article specifically mentions military pilots, however:
Even a 10-minute nap can improve a pilot’s performance, said Scott Shappell, a Clemson University professor who as director of the Human Factors Institute helped write the flying policies that govern military pilots.
In the military, pilots flying alone have been allowed for decades to take naps, Shappell said. “I can tell you absolutely, but good luck trying to find proof of this, in the military we have single-seat pilots take naps,” he said. Read more
The Air Force celebrated its birthday on 18 September; the “celebration” inspired some to repeat the frequently asked question: Are pilots becoming obsolete?
But that specter of obsolescence is beginning to haunt some of the most tech-savvy men and women in America – Air Force pilots – as the service looks toward an unmanned air fleet capable of any and every kind of combat and support role, from close air support to cargo and refueling; a fleet “smart” enough to work together, even “swarming” to carry out tactical and strategic missions.
More at Military.com.
Update: European-based BAE has proposed its Hawk to replace the T-38.
The US Air Force has already replaced its primary training aircraft: The T-37 has now been replaced by the T-6. The T-38 is the second tier of basic pilot training, the aircraft in which all fighter pilots (and sometimes bomber pilots, depending on what year students attended) complete pilot training. A report out at the Air Force Times indicates the Air Force is “looking to replace” the jet trainer. Given the age of the planes and the horizon of the acquisition process, it might be a statement of the obvious.
The 50 year old T-38s have already been updated with advanced avionics and even completely new ejection systems. Updates don’t make the aircraft any newer, however, and the aging fleet of T-38s will ultimately need to be replaced.
The crash of an A-10C Thunderbolt II (aka Warthog) at Moody AFB in May has been attributed to “human error,” according to an Air Force press release.
According to the report, the cause of the mishap was specifically attributed to the pilot’s initial decision not to abort the takeoff. After deciding to abort, the pilot applied an inappropriate braking procedure based on his perception of being at a lower airspeed. Additionally, pilot-static [sic, pitot-static] system blockage, task misprioritization, distraction and procedural error were all substantially contributing factors to the mishap.
The months long turn around in the publication of the results of the investigation is not without precedent.
HarperCollins, 2009.
Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters is the autobiography of the now-celebrity pilot who landed American Airlines Flight 1549 in the Hudson River on 15 January 2009. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger is both an Air Force Academy graduate and a former Air Force fighter pilot.
From the perspective of a pilot, Highest Duty is a fascinating read. The book is well written, managing to string the 3 minute ordeal through 330 pages of Sullenberger’s life without becoming slow or overly tedious. While his celebrity status was cemented by the ordeal, the book covers not only the emergency landing but also his life story.
One of the more intriguing parts of that “life story” has been the element of faith, but not for the reason most might expect. Read more
Last week a North Korean MiG-21 reportedly crossed the border into China and flew 90 miles before crashing. Reports indicated it was due to mechanical failure, and the pilot died in the crash.
A South Korean news agency speculated it was an attempt to defect.
FoxNews has an article about Ensign Steve Crowston, a Navy officer who said he was the victim of sexual discrimination:
The harassment began in August 2009, says Crowston, 36, when his fellow officers called him into a room for a review of call signs, a military moniker that easily identifies a service member. He says his name was written on a whiteboard with a list of call sign recommendations: “Cowboy,” “Gay Boy,” “Fagmeister,” “Cowgirl,” “Romo’s Bitch,” “TO, “Terrell Owens” and “Redskins.”
Call signs can be used in official military correspondence and Read more