The people who check SDF know I just got chewed out for accusing Marine aviators of being below par compared to their Air Force and Navy counterparts, but between the three American aviation services, who has the best pilots? What's the difference in pilot quality?
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Interservice ranking of Fighter Pilot skill
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Originally posted by Inst View PostThe people who check SDF know I just got chewed out for accusing Marine aviators of being below par compared to their Air Force and Navy counterparts, but between the three American aviation services, who has the best pilots? What's the difference in pilot quality?
Air Force pilots probably have it the easiest; their runways aren't moving around while they're trying to land on it, and the weather is (usually) pretty decent where they are."There is never enough time to do or say all the things that we would wish. The thing is to try to do as much as you can in the time that you have. Remember Scrooge, time is short, and suddenly, you're not there any more." -Ghost of Christmas Present, Scrooge
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Originally posted by Stitch View PostI know I'll get hammered by Chogy & Jimmy for this one but, IMHO, it's probably a toss-up between the Marines and the Navy, with the nod going to Naval pilots; the Marines are soldiers first and aviators second, but they don't have to bring a 50,000 lbs. plane down on a heaving, tossing carrier deck in the middle of the night with no lights and zero visibility without killing themselves and the guys on the deck. The advantage the Marines have is that their a/c are all VSTOL, so they're not slamming onto an unforgiving carrier deck at 150 knots + (more like 15 knots).
Air Force pilots probably have it the easiest; their runways aren't moving around while they're trying to land on it, and the weather is (usually) pretty decent where they are.
As for my opinion on who has the most skill. The answer is "It depends".
Each service brings strengths to the table. Along with different platforms that have their own strengths.Last edited by Gun Grape; 04 Jun 14,, 23:52.
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Fighter pilots need such a variety of different skills, IMO it's impossible to say who is "best".
The marines have the best harrier pilots, the naval aviators and marine officers on big deck carriers are the best f-18 pilots, air force jocks are the best f-16, eagle, and raptor drivers etc.
It is difficult to land on a pitching deck at night, but how do you compare the guy who can land in 10 ft seas on a moonless night vs the crazy wild weasle pilot who dodges 4 Sam's to bomb an AA site, to the eagle driver who sits up at 50000 ft with his buddies binning and tracking everybody down with his big radar and amraams?
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Ouch!
Reading this post is painful to the eyes.
First of all, the Army's an aviation service, too! (and maybe the Coast Guard as well, depends on how it is being counted here). True, they aren't jet combat pilots, but they are still an aviation service.
Secondly, NEVER make the mistake of calling a Marine a soldier. They are Marines first and aviators second, but they are never soldiers.
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Originally posted by Albany Rifles View PostSimple from this grunts perspective....whichever keeps enemy aircraft off my ass and provides the best CAS!
Guess now you have more to come to your aid today, then 30 years ago.No such thing as a good tax - Churchill
To make mistakes is human. To blame someone else for your mistake, is strategic.
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