How do I become an RPA sensor operator?
Qualifications required include a high school diploma or GED certificate, normal color vision, 7.5 weeks of basic military training, and being between the ages of 17-39. While flight experience isn’t required, it is beneficial.
What do RPA sensor operators do?
Airmen describing MQ-9 RPA Sensor Operatorr They detects, analyzes and discriminates between valid and invalid targets using synthetic aperture radar, electro-optical, low-light, and infrared full-motion video imagery, and other active or passive acquisition and tracking systems.
How long is tech school for sensor operator?
21 class days
Initial Skills Training The Unmanned Aerospace System Sensor Operator will attend the Aircrew Fundamentals Course at Lackland AFB, Texas for four weeks. They will then attend technical school at Randolph AFB, Texas for 21 class days.
What is a MQ-9 sensor operator?
As members of the crew on MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper vehicles, RPA Sensor Operators employ airborne sensors and sophisticated video imagery equipment to monitor airborne, maritime and ground objects.
How much do RPA pilots make?
$85,103 per year
How much does a RPA Pilot in United States make? The national average salary for a RPA Pilot is $85,103 per year in United States.
How much do RPA sensor operators make?
How much does a RPA Sensor Operator at US Air Force make? The typical US Air Force RPA Sensor Operator salary is $61,161 per year. RPA Sensor Operator salaries at US Air Force can range from $31,444 – $91,351 per year.
Do RPA sensor operators get flight pay?
That’s why James has signed a memo increasing the monthly flight pay for 18X RPA pilots from a maximum of $650 to $1,500 per month if they stay in the RPA community beyond their six-year commitment after completion of undergraduate RPA training, Air Force officials said.
How many sensor operators are in the Air Force?
In 2016, there was a 10 percent gap between the number of sensor ops assigned and how many the Air Force was authorized. By 2019, the number of assigned sensor ops remained virtually unchanged at 919, but the authorizations had grown to 1,277, swelling the shortfall to 28 percent.
Do RPA pilots deploy?
Another unique feature of the RPA lifestyle is being deployed in garrison. Most pilots, SOs, and MICs conduct combat missions from Air Force bases in the United States.
Do drone pilots get wings?
Those who go through the beta program and successfully learn to fly either the MQ-1 or MQ-9 drones receive a newly designed set of wings and an aeronautical rating of RPA pilot. They also receive RPA Pilot Incentive Pay, which is equal to the Aviation Career Incentive Pay received by other pilots.
Do RPA sensor operators get flight suits?
While it’s true, sitting in a large box affixed to asphalt or concrete there is no practical need to wear a flight suit (as opposed to flying in a airplane), flyers (pilots, CSOs/WSOs, load masters, boom operators, sensor operators and any other crew position that has something to with flying) wear flght suits.
Do drone pilots get combat pay?
Fighter and drone pilots are slated to receive the highest maximum bonus of $35,000 a year, while special operations combat systems officers the least at $10,000. Bonus eligibility based on one-year, two-year, five-year, nine-year, or up to 24 years of aviation service (13-year maximum) commitments.