Saw a bit of a TV show on a couple nights ago.
It was about the UAVs in use in the middle east, and how effective they are becoming.
It was about the pilots that flew them from a base in Nevada, in shifts.

The technology in them, picking up the heat from a recently fired rifle being carried by militants who just ambushed a patrol, and using that to fire a missile accurately all the whole being 2 miles high in the sky (from memory.
Pretty amazing.
They reckoned in the future all the planes will be pilotless.

Nah, I don't think so...

I mean, we've seen the War to end all wars, the weapon to end all wars, and now the UAV will end all wars?

Only untill some other alternative comes up, countermeassures are found, or the number of collateral damage get's too high.

What I cannot get my head around, RAF pilots based in the US near Las Vagas are flying UAV's in Afganistan.

The start of robo-warfare.

Originally Posted by VDKMS

The start of robo-warfare.

The mind boggles. Its scary.

Originally Posted by eTe

They reckoned in the future all the planes will be pilotless.

Not while pilots still run Air Forces.

Originally Posted by Spartan613

Not while pilots still run Air Forces.

Hopefully. Would have loved to be a pilot. And I can't imagine most of the pilots wanting to give up real cockpits.

Originally Posted by eTe

Hopefully. Would have loved to be a pilot. And I can't imagine most of the pilots wanting to give up real cockpits.

I really don't see UAV's taking over from manned aircraft.

If you want to be a pilot, go for it mate and good luck to you.

A buddy of my son who has a pilots licence who offered to teach my son to fly, my son declined. At times I feel like hitting him over the head with the biggest hammer I can find

Originally Posted by BritinAfrica

A buddy of my son who has a pilots licence who offered to teach my son to fly, my son declined. At times I feel like hitting him over the head with the biggest hammer I can find

Oh wow why would he do that... I'd do dark things for that opportunity.
But nah I wanted to be a jet pilot back in high school. Wasn't motivated enough to get the grades.
Today, I think I've said it before but I'm training for something else, hoping to be ready in a bit over a years time.

Originally Posted by eTe

Oh wow why would he do that... I'd do dark things for that opportunity.

My son reckoned he wasn't interested in civilian aircraft. I wish I had that opportunity when I was his age, I'd have jumped at the chance even flying civi aircraft.

Originally Posted by eTe

But nah I wanted to be a jet pilot back in high school. Wasn't motivated enough to get the grades.

Its a pity you didn't get the grades. I was talking to an ex RAF pilot who did 22 years and then another 18 years flying for the South African Air Force. He started off as a RAF Master Pilot (Warrant Officer) flying Mk 18 Spitfires, got his commission then onto jets. He said and I quote, "Flying was never a job, it was a fantastic paid hobby."

Originally Posted by eTe

Today, I think I've said it before but I'm training for something else, hoping to be ready in a bit over a years time.

Whatever your going for, good luck. Train and train hard, the rewards will make all the pain worthwhile.