RAF graduates first class of new groundbased 'pilots'

[mhm]

The Royal Air Force is chuffed this week to announce the graduation of its first class of "remotely piloted air system pilots", who have the job of piloting aircraft they are not actually in.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/04/04/raf_drone_rpas_pilots_graduate/

[viking9]

I note in another article the 'pilots' wearing desert cam. Do they wear anoraks and thermals when flying the drones over the Northern Flank, I wonder. 

Flying an Apache is probably one of the most demanding flying jobs around. The Army Air Corps prides itself on being able to take anyone (from a cook to a clerk) with the right aptitude and teach them to fly a helicopter. One of their current Apache pilots is a 32 year old woman who was an Army chef before getting the flying bug. I've seen many NCOs (minimum rank to commence flying training is Corporal) end up as senior officers.

[Anmer]

The Army Air Corps prides itself on being able to take anyone (from a cook to a clerk) with the right aptitude and teach them to fly a helicopter.

That must be true.

They even managed Harry Boy.