The implication that Jason (EXTAAFLY) presents is a complete and total insult to every other qualified airline pilot out there, civilian or military background.
26+ years flying for an airline, 7+ years flying for the Navy, combat included, 23,000+ hours logged and counting, I have the utmost respect for EVERY crewmember I fly with, civilian or military. There is NEVER a question of their qualifications, training takes care of that. There is always a question about everyone's background in a good way. We ALL have stories to tell and we ALL can learn from them. This nonsense that mine is bigger than yours is just that, nonsense!
We build and fly RV's because we ALL love them. That we can replicate a lot of what we did in the military with these machines, formation and aerobatic flying, is a bonus. If we can pass those skills to others, it makes all of us safer aviators.
Oh come on Karl. . . Seriously? Did you miss the very FIRST line of my post? (I went back, highlighted it in bold print and then provided a definition of what it means) My tongue was in my cheek. Everyday we go to work, we fly with talented people from all walks of life. I have been earning a living as a pilot for 27 years. My line about regional pilots was. . . Wait for it. . . A JOKE. I was a regional pilot from the days of 8 legs, 6+ IFR approaches to minimums, with 6+ de-icings. I have never thought of myself as the top of the class, that is why I can poke FUN at myself. I am a builder. I have owned a built RV6. And I have thousands of hours in just about everything that ever came out of Wichita and Vero Beach.
A good friend of mine, years ago when he, I and a couple of anti EAB guys were having a conversation about EAB v. Certified. He, an A&P, airline pilot, and genuious in all things mechanical made a point that. . . All airplanes are designed and built by someone. And that was meant that EAB can and in many ways is as good or BETTER than certified. My line about all airplanes are built by someone and was not meant to tear down EAB. . . It was meant to raise EAB and Vans to par with certified. Why would I be pouring $200k in to an RV-14 if I was living in a “glass house”
Again. . . Most of what I wrote in my post was meant as COMEDY. . . That is why there was a disclamer. That is why I refuse your premise that I completely besmirched the entire community of military pilots. I have the utmost respect for all that they do and have done for this country. The emoticons should have given that away. I am sorry you think this way. . . But that was certainly not the point of my post. That is why there was a. . . Disclaimer and smiley face emoticons.
Some times you guys really need to get a bit of a sense of humor. In 27 years of a successful career, with an almost flawless training record (didn’t everyone bust their initial CFI in the early 90’s? Oh, this mediocre civilian did. Only 1 bust in 30 years of check rides almost every 6-9 months) I have certainly been on the receiving end of military pilots ire for my position. . . Like a recent new hire at my company that spent 15 minutes. . . Incredulously pointing out that he couldn’t believe I got hired with “no jet time”. I typically laugh it off and compare it to Nose Wheel v. Tail Wheel or Chevrolet v. Ford. It is a debate that will always be a part of our world. . . Some people take it seriously. . . I do not.
For those of you so greatly offended. . . That didn’t bother to read the very first line of my post. Please go back and read the first line. . . If you’re still greatly offended by my comments. . . I am sorry. It was meant as a professional, courteous, razzing of my fellow professionals. In no way was it meant to disrespect EAB or Military.
Chill Bruh!
Krea. . . My apologies. We met at Synergy in November 2017. I didn’t mean to steer your thread off. My response was meant as a tongue in cheek comparison to all the walks of life we encounter daily. General, military and commercial aviation and the debates we passionately discuss/argue daily while cruising over the world.