MILAVIA Forum

Military Aviation => Air Forces => Topic started by: Webmaster on April 10, 2008, 06:16:30 PM

Title: Exchange Pilots (RNLAF)
Post by: Webmaster on April 10, 2008, 06:16:30 PM
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:

Exchange pilots in the RNLAF
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