The first pilot training graduates to go straight to Unmanned Air Vehicle training for the Predator (as noted previously) have recently graduated from the Predator training course.

Some have described the actions as necessary given the high demand for UAV missions in the ongoing conflicts.  Others have worried that removing pilots from their pilot role (of actual aircraft) when they have little to no experience may doom their ability to return to the cockpit after 3 to 4 years of the non-flying tour.