Description
Today, more and more missions call for remotely piloted aircraft, such as the MQ-9 Reaper and the RQ-4 Global Hawk. And as the demand for these specialized aircraft grows, so does the demand for qualified pilots to fly them. Whether it’s providing close-air support, gathering intelligence or conducting strategic air strikes, RPA pilots are an integral and growing part of our nation’s air defense. In addition, RPA Pilots are officers in the U.S. Air Force responsible for guiding others and leading by example.
Core Skills
- remote systems operations
- sensor and payload management
- intelligence collection tasking
- situational awareness and battlespace management
- mission planning and execution
- data interpretation and reporting
- human-machine interface operations
- checklist and procedure compliance
- risk management
- crew resource management
- leadership and supervision
- training and evaluation
- briefing and debriefing
- multi-system monitoring
Common Certifications
- FAA Remote Pilot Certificate (Part 107)
- FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate (if prior manned experience)
- Certified UAS Pilot (industry-specific)
- Safety Management System (SMS) Certification
Civilian Career Paths
- UNMANNED SYSTEMS
- AVIATION MANAGEMENT
- INTELLIGENCE ANALYSIS
- PROJECT MANAGEMENT
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Equivalent Roles in Other Branches
Data sourced from official Air Force publications and public military occupational references. Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.