thedrifter
10-29-07, 07:18 AM
New Osprey transition slots limited to fixed-wing pilots
By Trista Talton - ttalton@militarytimes.com
Posted : November 05, 2007
JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — Only four of the Corps’ 100 qualified Osprey pilots have fixed-wing backgrounds — that’s four who’ve transitioned to the MV-22 in the past five years.
“Naturally, the V-22 community is made up of rotary-wing folks,” said Lt. Col. Chad Blair, aviation manpower analyst at Marine Corps Headquarters. “So, with that comes the rotary-wing mind-set.”
The Osprey program needs more pilots used to thinking about speed and altitude, he said. A Marine administrative message mapping out the requirements for this fiscal year’s aviation transition board opens six Osprey slots that must be filled by fixed-wing pilots.
MarAdmin 599/07, published Oct. 15, includes transition conversions into the Osprey, KC-130J Hercules, UH-1N Huey and CH-53D/E Super Stallion communities.
“What we want to do is infuse the V-22 community,” Blair said. “We’re looking for the fast and high mind-set for the fixed-wing communities. We think six is a good number right now and that’ll be our starting point next year.”
The Corps is targeting pilots who have at least one deployment under their belts.
Blair said that all fixed-wing pilots — especially seasoned captains and majors — who volunteer to transition will be considered. Pilots in the Marine Corps Reserve are not eligible to apply.
“But we would be more interested in having F-18 pilots transition and the reason is because the F-18 community is the healthiest right now,” he said.
Four of the Corps’ F/A-18 squadrons — two reserves and two active-duty — are in cadre status. This status gives the Corps the option to stand up the squadron without legislative action.
With a goal to double the number of Osprey pilots to 200 by 2009, the Corps has been coming up with ways to encourage aviators to transition to the MV-22. Last year, the Corps cut the competition for CH-46 pilots, streamlining the transition process from Sea Knights to Ospreys. And, more recently, the Corps raised annual bonuses for certain pilots to transition to become Osprey.
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Training Squadron 204 trains about 24 pilots a year, Blair said.
“Naturally, the more V-22 squadrons there are, the higher their production will go,” he said.
By 2012 the Corps plans to train 50 pilots a year in the MV-22, he said. Some of the six West Coast-based Osprey squadrons will be operational by then, with the first expected to arrive in the first quarter of 2010.
All three of the Corps’ existing operational MV-22 squadrons and the training squadron are based at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C. Three more are planned for New River, with the next expected to stand up in early 2008.
Ellie
By Trista Talton - ttalton@militarytimes.com
Posted : November 05, 2007
JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — Only four of the Corps’ 100 qualified Osprey pilots have fixed-wing backgrounds — that’s four who’ve transitioned to the MV-22 in the past five years.
“Naturally, the V-22 community is made up of rotary-wing folks,” said Lt. Col. Chad Blair, aviation manpower analyst at Marine Corps Headquarters. “So, with that comes the rotary-wing mind-set.”
The Osprey program needs more pilots used to thinking about speed and altitude, he said. A Marine administrative message mapping out the requirements for this fiscal year’s aviation transition board opens six Osprey slots that must be filled by fixed-wing pilots.
MarAdmin 599/07, published Oct. 15, includes transition conversions into the Osprey, KC-130J Hercules, UH-1N Huey and CH-53D/E Super Stallion communities.
“What we want to do is infuse the V-22 community,” Blair said. “We’re looking for the fast and high mind-set for the fixed-wing communities. We think six is a good number right now and that’ll be our starting point next year.”
The Corps is targeting pilots who have at least one deployment under their belts.
Blair said that all fixed-wing pilots — especially seasoned captains and majors — who volunteer to transition will be considered. Pilots in the Marine Corps Reserve are not eligible to apply.
“But we would be more interested in having F-18 pilots transition and the reason is because the F-18 community is the healthiest right now,” he said.
Four of the Corps’ F/A-18 squadrons — two reserves and two active-duty — are in cadre status. This status gives the Corps the option to stand up the squadron without legislative action.
With a goal to double the number of Osprey pilots to 200 by 2009, the Corps has been coming up with ways to encourage aviators to transition to the MV-22. Last year, the Corps cut the competition for CH-46 pilots, streamlining the transition process from Sea Knights to Ospreys. And, more recently, the Corps raised annual bonuses for certain pilots to transition to become Osprey.
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Training Squadron 204 trains about 24 pilots a year, Blair said.
“Naturally, the more V-22 squadrons there are, the higher their production will go,” he said.
By 2012 the Corps plans to train 50 pilots a year in the MV-22, he said. Some of the six West Coast-based Osprey squadrons will be operational by then, with the first expected to arrive in the first quarter of 2010.
All three of the Corps’ existing operational MV-22 squadrons and the training squadron are based at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C. Three more are planned for New River, with the next expected to stand up in early 2008.
Ellie