How Are Pilots Assigned Different Squadrons?

[TaimiKhan]

Why are viper pilots going on JF-17? isn't it like the aircraft that JF-17 is replacing (Like A5, Mirage and J7) should have their pilots being trained on JF-17?

Becoz pilots from A5s & Mirage & J-7 have no experience in operating fly by wire jets and advanced jet like the JF-17, thus the initial pilots are all from the F-16s, which made it easy for them to drive the JF-17 and come to know about it. Once sufficient number of pilots got trained, then the test & evaluation commenced and final touches were put to the plane and now good pilots from Mirages / F-7s are being trained for the JF-17s as viper pilots got banned due to shortage on their side. I even heard that at one stage option was given to ex-viper pilots if they want to return to the viper program, they refused as they liked the thunder more then their older love viper.

So now JF-17 is getting pilots from non viper sqds, first simulator training and then actual training and i did heard that may be the F-16s dual seat are involved to train these rookie pilots to get them a feel of how a fly by wire aircraft acts. May be other members can put light on that.

 

[Najam Khan]

Why are viper pilots going on JF-17? isn't it like the aircraft that JF-17 is replacing (Like A5, Mirage and J7) should have their pilots being trained on JF-17?

F-16 and Mirage pilots have more expertise with handling big radars and hi-G maneuvering. For any F-7P/PG pilot its very difficult to absorb all the basic and advance lessons on these topics and the mission computer, only exceptionally good pilots (and pilots with X number of hours in an operational unit) move onto JF-17 from F-7PG (but not 'P').

 

[airomerix]

There is nothing like 'big shots' from the No.1 FCU squadron will get posted on vipers followed by Mirages and F-7s etc.

For a posting on F-16 Block 15 squadrons, a pilot should have a minimum of 500 hours on either of the two types, F-7 and Mirage. The selection criteria for Block 52 is even more tougher, minimum of 500 hours on F-16 Block 15 alone.

The big shots from No.1 FCU squadron are posted on Mirages since they are multi role and more sophisticated. Where as the lower lot is sent to F-7s. Before 2007, the flying rate of PAF pilots was lower hence by the time pilots achieved 500 hours on F-7s or Mirages they were already Squadron leaders. But now a days some of the outstanding Flight Lieutenant make their way to No.11 squadron aswell.

As for JF-17s, Initially only experienced F-16 and Mirage pilots were assigned to thunder. Now the rookies of F-7s and Mirages are also finding their way to thunder squadron.

 

[Armstrong]

There is nothing like 'big shots' from the No.1 FCU squadron will get posted on vipers followed by Mirages and F-7s etc.

For a posting on F-16 Block 15 squadrons, a pilot should have a minimum of 500 hours on either of the two types, F-7 and Mirage. The selection criteria for Block 52 is even more tougher, minimum of 500 hours on F-16 Block 15 alone.

The big shots from No.1 FCU squadron are posted on Mirages since they are multi role and more sophisticated. Where as the lower lot is sent to F-7s. Before 2007, the flying rate of PAF pilots was lower hence by the time pilots achieved 500 hours on F-7s or Mirages they were already Squadron leaders. But now a days some of the outstanding Flight Lieutenant make their way to No.11 squadron aswell.

As for JF-17s, Initially only experienced F-16 and Mirage pilots were assigned to thunder. Now the rookies of F-7s and Mirages are also finding their way to thunder squadron.

After a minimum of 1000 hours most Block 52 pilots should be as old as my Grandma !

 

[Donatello]

There is nothing like 'big shots' from the No.1 FCU squadron will get posted on vipers followed by Mirages and F-7s etc.

For a posting on F-16 Block 15 squadrons, a pilot should have a minimum of 500 hours on either of the two types, F-7 and Mirage. The selection criteria for Block 52 is even more tougher, minimum of 500 hours on F-16 Block 15 alone.

The big shots from No.1 FCU squadron are posted on Mirages since they are multi role and more sophisticated. Where as the lower lot is sent to F-7s. Before 2007, the flying rate of PAF pilots was lower hence by the time pilots achieved 500 hours on F-7s or Mirages they were already Squadron leaders. But now a days some of the outstanding Flight Lieutenant make their way to No.11 squadron aswell.

As for JF-17s, Initially only experienced F-16 and Mirage pilots were assigned to thunder. Now the rookies of F-7s and Mirages are also finding their way to thunder squadron.

Yes i agree.

As JF-17 numbers ramp up and they become the back bone, most pilots would be going to JF-17 anyway. I guess it would be tough choice to pilots to choose between JF-17 and F-16 BLK52/MLU aircraft. I wonder what the pilots think of JF-17 flying compared to those flying F-16 BLK 52?

 

[airomerix]

Yes i agree.

As JF-17 numbers ramp up and they become the back bone, most pilots would be going to JF-17 anyway. I guess it would be tough choice to pilots to choose between JF-17 and F-16 BLK52/MLU aircraft. I wonder what the pilots think of JF-17 flying compared to those flying F-16 BLK 52?

I dont think pilots get a 'choice' inbetween squadrons and jets. Once they are sent to an OCU squadron, they have to complete the course and then accumulate specified hours on that time.

It is without doubt that only the top notch pilots get their hands on block 52s. We might witness flying officers flying the thunder after a decade or so once the jf-17 numbers hit 300-400.