Thread: Viability and (legality!) of flying aircraft as a merc...

You're going to be doing a lot of black market work for weapons, since nobody will openly sell you anything you need. Oh, and you're going to have to find a way to get your aircraft/weapons/equipment/personnel through multiple countries (legally or illegally) to get to your destination. And you'd have to find a way to get a legal contract with a government to avoid being branded a terrorist/insurgent yourself. There is no going rate because there's no supply OR demand.

Edit: You could probably find some demand in Africa, but SA-7s are cheap and EVERYWHERE and won't have much trouble taking out your PC7.

Edit2: I really miss playing Strike Commander on PC. :(

You for sure want to use their airplane for that kind of work. Big chance you'll not retain (covers a multitude of events) the aircraft and then what? There's always a market for airplane drivers. By chance did you ever see Lord of War? You'll be competing with pilots from other countries and airforces that are used to making a lot less money than you. If you just want to fly, don't care about the money, working conditions or the State Department then sounds like it could be a lot fun!:

Hmm... Thanks for the suggestions. One of the other possible solution (given the fuel range) is to base myself out of somalia and act as a kind of 911 for shipping in the gulf. I'm sure they have support but still it's probably kind of lucrative. How would countermeasures like flares work against a real old weapon the Sa7? Ethics are a concern but for me personally but that would make it a bit easier *gets into argument with self over how desperate some of these poor people are* But then I would need some ground support. I'd rather not have my heart eaten (literally) because of something stupid like engine failure so on 2nd thought... meh. Well in any event.

Originally Posted by Porsche917LH

Hmm... Thanks for the suggestions. One of the other possible solution (given the fuel range) is to base myself out of somalia and act as a kind of 911 for shipping in the gulf. I'm sure they have support but still it's probably kind of lucrative. How would countermeasures like flares work against a real old weapon the Sa7? Ethics are a concern but for me personally but that would make it a bit easier *gets into argument with self over how desperate some of these poor people are* But then I would need some ground support. I'd rather not have my heart eaten (literally) because of something stupid like engine failure so on 2nd thought... meh. Well in any event.

That kind of thing takes deep pockets. Millions of dollars, equipment, etc. See "Secret Puntland Miltia". That started last year, hit the news last month. Somebodies flying those (six) planes.

Flares if you got 'em, egress to the east in the morning, west in the afternoon. The missiles have to track into the sun.

If your already dead who the cares whether they eat your heart? Probably a great honor. If not then you hope they get indigestion.

ALOL
Check this out if it is legit. 89k for a Mig 29 in operable condition. Raptor Aviation, LLC

Maybe not so suited for ground attack but with a good pilot this could challenge all 3rd gen and maybe some 4th gen hardware... You would need new avionics and all that good stuff so it could be costly.

Originally Posted by Porsche917LH

ALOL
Check this out if it is legit. 89k for a Mig 29 in operable condition. Raptor Aviation, LLC

Maybe not so suited for ground attack but with a good pilot this could challenge all 3rd gen and maybe some 4th gen hardware... You would need new avionics and all that good stuff so it could be costly.

How long can you keep it flying? Maintenance on an L-29 would be bad enough but a MiG?

Originally Posted by sappersgt

How long can you keep it flying? Maintenance on an L-29 would be bad enough but a MiG?

In an unprepared strip without a full team to constantly over see maintenance and little spare parts flow not so long... It would be hell on the engine ingesting dirt and crap like that. Plus getting fuel... Good incentive to down the enemy migs and steal spares!

Originally Posted by Porsche917LH

So with aviation related opportunities being a bit of a downer and down sizing of western nations air forces what's a hot shot guy (or inclined female) straight out of college with his/her 250 and complex aircraft endorsement going to do?

Aha! What about purchasing a low wing aerobatic aircraft, militarizing it (rocket pod, MG's etc.) and offering it to crappy little countries or as extra air support in the middle east (a misnomer if one was ever invented) embroiled in a counter insurgency or the odd civil war... What's the going rate? What are the legal constraints and will it exclude for you from employment with the USAF in the future? How would one go about getting hooked with a contract? Would this be a good business model? Who would you see to pick up the arnament?

I should like to add I've done quite a bit of searching and the only thing I could really find was on Neall Ellis.

You will be arrested on the spot once you land in a Geneva Convention Country as your plane and you are illegal combattants in a war to which you have no legal status. Mercenaries are not legal combattants.

Originally Posted by Officer of Engineers

You will be arrested on the spot once you land in a Geneva Convention Country as your plane and you are illegal combattants in a war to which you have no legal status. Mercenaries are not legal combattants.

Ok. Chances are this would preclude a future military career...
So this is something to do after retirement. How about starting a PMC and flying in support of coalition forces in a war I have no business in. Is this legal.

On a side note do opportunities flying for the 3 letters still exist (though I guess they have been largely supplanted by PMC's)

You do realize that freelancer merc work is not found on the web,but in some pub in whatever fvcked up country.Or even more likely by personal contacts with trusty individuals(which of course means you have to know these guys and more importantly.they must know you).
About the PMC's &flight,there a few giants in that area &niche that will get all the good contracts.

Military and mercenary careers are not the same thing.Although you could fly for whatever NGO is now giving aid to South Sudan or soon to Ivory Coast(at least until the butchering starts and the FL returns).

Good luck in your adventures.Don't forget to write a book.

Originally Posted by Porsche917LH

Ok. Chances are this would preclude a future military career...
So this is something to do after retirement. How about starting a PMC and flying in support of coalition forces in a war I have no business in. Is this legal.

On a side note do opportunities flying for the 3 letters still exist (though I guess they have been largely supplanted by PMC's)

You have some f_ckewd up views about merc work.

1) Mercs ain't going to get rich.
2) Most mercs don't live well.
3) Most mercs don't live long.

I'd be a lot more concerned about small arms fire up to 12.7mm than SA-7 while flying a turboprop... but that's just me.

The USAF and Navy pilots in Vietnam had the luxury of outstanding SAR services, while you'd more than likely be on your own in an environment that would not be pretty.

Originally Posted by Officer of Engineers

You have some f_ckewd up views about merc work.

1) Mercs ain't going to get rich.
2) Most mercs don't live well.
3) Most mercs don't live long.

I gathered that... It's probably sucks but not as much as being unemployed. But primarily I'm just wondering... If my military career (for whatever reason) doesn't work out then it's nice to have options. I guess flying humanitarian aid in the bush could be exciting as well. I don't want to be like my friend who is flying for a small regional airline, making next to nothing, and stagnating in a dead end career with nothing to break the monotony (although monotony is a good thing with respect to your life)
Getting shot down wouldn't be an option... I'd have to buy thick multi ply Lexan windows and kevlar inserts for the cockpit and engine cowls. But just one bullet in the right place would be enough for a very bad day I guess. I'd probably end up chopping up the rear of the plane and installing a double tail configuration for extra redundancy. I'm sure almost everyone has seen it but for around 100k in todays dollars here is a fantastic aircraft.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyO14gRRzU4

Kevlar and bullet resistant glass... 195K top speed. Good arnament easily serviceable plus it packs up into a small trailer. Engine is a Chevy V8 and could be swapped back for an air cooled beetle engine... (I'd stick in a turbo charged porsche flat 6 personally but then again I like porsche...)

Originally Posted by Mihais

Military and mercenary careers are not the same thing.Although you could fly for whatever NGO is now giving aid to South Sudan or soon to Ivory Coast(at least until the butchering starts and the FL returns).

From the Source...

International wire reports monitored in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA on Monday say "hire for pay" fighters and "arms dealers" have been circulating in and around the Ivorian capital and neighbouring countries and "looking for work."