I used to be an F18 airframer and when I left the community, it wasn't really that healthy. Jets being sent off for center barrel replacements, squadrons trading jets for deployments, and very little flight hours getting done.
I am in Primary and starting to think about my options. I don't know anything about the Harriers health or what kind of hours new pilots could expect there, and the F35 is kind of a pipe dream, so I'm not considering that for now.
My question is, is this not the right time to go Jets? Assuming I get Harriers or Hornets, would I be able to get the flight time necessary to complete the quals I'd need? When I got my air contract, I just assumed I would go jets. Now I'm not so sure that would be the best option, given the budget and all.
Disclaimer: I don't care about how many actual flight hours I get, I'm not thinking of building time for airlines. But would I get enough hours to get the appropriate quals done before going on a B-billet? I would hate to go jets, not have the chance to complete level-X, go do a B-billet and not be able to get back because "we don't need a senior Capt who isn't level-X already".
I am in Primary and starting to think about my options. I don't know anything about the Harriers health or what kind of hours new pilots could expect there, and the F35 is kind of a pipe dream, so I'm not considering that for now.
My question is, is this not the right time to go Jets? Assuming I get Harriers or Hornets, would I be able to get the flight time necessary to complete the quals I'd need? When I got my air contract, I just assumed I would go jets. Now I'm not so sure that would be the best option, given the budget and all.
Disclaimer: I don't care about how many actual flight hours I get, I'm not thinking of building time for airlines. But would I get enough hours to get the appropriate quals done before going on a B-billet? I would hate to go jets, not have the chance to complete level-X, go do a B-billet and not be able to get back because "we don't need a senior Capt who isn't level-X already".