Exchange Pilots (RNLAF)

[Webmaster]

I just read an article on exchange pilots in the RNLAF magazine "de Vliegende Hollander" (64-4, april 2008, p. 12-17). It had some nice interviews with some US pilots flying in the RNLAF now. The interviews are not that special, bit on the operational but mostly about cultural differences. I thought I'd share the following info though, I thought it's quite interesting:

RNLAF currently has 10 places for foreign exchange pilots, and has 8 places abroad for RNLAF exchange pilots.

RNLAF pilots abroad:

• USA: 1 F-16, 1 C-130, 1 KC-10
• UK: 1 Tornado (last time, RNLAF wants an exchange pilot on the Typhoon instead), 1 Chinook
• Canada: 1 CF-18
• France: currently none, but RNLAF wants one on the Rafale
• Germany: currently none, but RNLAF wants one on the Typhoon

Exchange pilots in the RNLAF

• USA: 2 F-16, 1 C-130, 1 KDC-10, 1 AH-64
• UK: 1 F-16 (Tornado pilot), 1 Chinook
• Canada: 1 F-16 (CF-18 pilot)
• France: 1 F-16 (Mirage pilot)
• Germany: 1 F-16 (F-4 pilot)

I assume that it's a Tornado F.3 pilot and Mirage 2000C pilot, but the article didn't mention which variant.

Now you might wonder about those interviews, to sum it up they said the following

C-130 pilot noted:
- only air-land ops (no medevac, airdrop, formation flying, night vision)
- chain of command shorter, less structured
- more flexibility
- RNLAF C-130 pilots have different backgrounds (US basically all the same)
- Afghanistan: RNLAF = day-time support (logistics) missions, USAF = day&night tactical missions

Apache pilot noted:
- US flies low and fast, RNLAF flies higher and longer range
- RNLAF way of flying is safer and provides better situational awareness
- Afghanistan: RNLAF = QRF on stand-by, USAF = airborne QRF
- Afghanistan: RNLAF = 4 beds in armoured container with airco, USAF = 15 fieldbeds in one tent

F-16 pilot noted:
- more flying, less paperwork/briefing time
- multifunctional use of F-16
- Afghanistan: RNLAF = ISAF ROE, USAF = OEF ROE