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What Kind of Jobs Does a Combat Aviator Do?

Thursday, July 16, 2009
Related Tags: combat | mission | aircraft | pilot | aviators
 

Instructions

Types of Combat Planes

  • Step 1:
    F-22 by Beige Alert, Flikr Creative Commons attributionThe military has several types of combat aircraft. There are fighters such as the F-16 Falcon, F-15 Eagle and the F-22 Raptor. Attack aircraft are the A-10 Thunderbolt and F/A-18 Hornet. Bombers include the B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit. Cargo aircraft like the C-130 that land in remote places and combat areas are also considered combat aviation as are Army helicopters.

Aviator Positions

  • Step 1:
    The pilot, co-pilot, weapons officer and navigator are aviators. Some combat aircraft have only a single pilot. Some require two or three aviators to accomplish the mission.

Function

  • Step 1:
    Apache helicopters by Army.mil, creative commons attributionAn aviator's flying duties consist of mission planning, the actual flight mission and debriefing after the flight. Mission planning and debriefing are usually at least two hours of work. The flying mission may be as short as 30 minutes for a fighter near the combat zone to a 20-hour mission for a bomber going half way around the world and back.

Time Frame

  • Step 1:
    Air Force and Navy combat aviators are required to have a college degree. Selection for pilot training is a competitive process, and once selected, basic flight school takes about one year. After that, the aviator attends specialized training in the aircraft she will fly or navigate. The training to become a combat aviator is extensive and challenging.

Potential

  • Step 1:
    Combat aviation is an exciting and dangerous career. Aviators who want to continue a military career path can become commanders or work in different headquarters as staff officers.

Resources


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