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Plane Answers: Civilian vs. military pilot — which one is better?
Nathanial asks:Hi Kent,
My dad has been an airline pilot for a major carrier for over 25 years and also fly's the 757/767, he was also a naval aviator for 10 years before that. He talks about the difference in pilots that were trained in the military vs. the civilian trained pilots. I want to know if you can tell right away who is an ex-military pilot or not? Is there a difference in flying styles? Is one better than the other?
Also, I currently attend College at Syracuse University. To get home for holidays and breaks if I want to use my non-rev passes, I have to take a 50 seat RJ to a larger airport and then connect. However, during the winter my mother has prohibited me from doing so after the accident in Buffalo last year. In the winter she makes me buy a seat on an Airbus that a low cost carrier flies out of Syracuse to JFK, where I connect with my dad's airline.
Is it safer to fly on a larger aircraft in the winter...especially in a climate as harsh as Syracuse can get?
Thanks for the great blog... it has provided some well needed study breaks. Keep up the good work!
There has always been a debate over which background, civilian or military, turns out the better pilot for an airline. But it's impossible to get an unbiased view from a pilot since he or she will likely claim their path to the airlines was superior. Civilian trained pilots may argue that a fighter pilot is at a disadvantage since they've never flown as part of a crew at an airline. And military pilots may claim that a civilian pilots training is more of an unknown to a perspective airline.
I personally come from a civilian background. If I were to do the hiring at an airline I would insist on an even mix of pilots from civilian and military ranks since both bring a different set of experiences to the company.
In the cockpit, rarely does the subject of military or civilian training come up while we are working together. We're simply there to do the job in a professional manner with a focus on safety, passenger comfort, efficiency, and on-time performance. And we usually like to have fun doing it. But neither pilot group has a monopoly on professionalism.
I honestly can't tell if I'm flying with a military trained pilot or civilian pilot when I go to work with someone I haven't flown with before. Navy pilots are teased about their crosswind landing capabilities, since crosswinds aren't generally an issue when landing on an aircraft carrier, but I haven't seen any difference in techniques.
As in any occupation, it's the approach a person takes to the job that's important. I've seen civilian and military pilots who are professional, talented, detail-oriented, and above all, safe. And I've seen examples of pilots who were no longer motivated to learn, were weak in the simulator or who were selective in their procedural compliance. But these examples weren't exclusive to military or civilian pilots.
Some of the best pilots I work with came to work for their airline without a chip on their shoulder and they were ready to learn from pilots of varying backgrounds.
In the future the vast majority of pilots will come from the civilian ranks, and airlines will become more adept at determining which flight schools and regional airlines can turn out the sharpest pilots.
I can understand your mom's concern with smaller regional jets and turboprops. Contrary to media reports, the vast majority of regional airline pilots, even the co-pilots, now have over 3000 hours of flight time under their belts. And since the Syracuse to JFK route has either Canadair Regional Jets or Airbus A320's icing isn't as big of an issue with the higher flying jets. Statistically speaking, she should be far more concerned if you were ever to consider driving from Syracuse to the JFK Airport.
Do you have a question about something related to the pointy end of an airplane? Ask Kent and maybe he'll use it for the next Plane Answer's Plane Answers. Check out his other blog, Cockpit Chronicles and travel along with him at work.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
nberger Dec 28th 2009 10:27PM
Hey Kent,
Thanks for the awesome response! Keep up the great work!
Old n' Bold Dec 29th 2009 2:21AM
If you want to take a "sideways" jabb at a former Naval Aviator on his technique, just compliment him on the fine six-wire landing.
Peak Airways Dec 29th 2009 12:10PM
That's not entirely true about military pilots not flying as part of a crew. Cargo pilots (C-5, KC-135, C-130, etc..) are part of crews.
Kent Wien Dec 29th 2009 12:12PM
Thanks for the good catch. You're absolutely right, of course.
nberger Dec 30th 2009 9:00AM
i discussed this with my dad, and he agrees he was definitely a part of a crew. he flew and commanded p-3's and sometimes was responsible for up to 15 people.
he says it is very similar to being an international captain at a civilian airliner, except your layover locations are a bit different. ;)
Kent Wien Dec 30th 2009 9:06AM
Absolutely. My dad was a C-119 pilot in the Air Force as well.
Iberich1 Jan 1st 2010 12:49PM
It doesn't really matter where your training or experience comes from, more on the attitude of the individual as has already been mentioned. As a retired Captain, I've seen the Good, Bad, and ugly. Now I sit in the terminal and watch the crew members wandering by. What amazes me are the ones that have no pride in what they do. If an individual looks like he just jumped out of bed having slept in his uniform, my thoughts are that he probably approaches his flying with the same attitude.
After two years flying in India recently with co-pilots who came to the job with perhaps 300hrs of flight time, and move immediately into the right seat of an airbus A-320, you find out very quickly who you can depend on. Normally, it's the guy with the best attitude.
Kent Wien Jan 1st 2010 12:50PM
Well said.
Jay Jan 15th 2010 11:44PM
"Peak Airways", If you'll go back & reread Kent's comments regarding military pilots working with/as a crew, he stated: "a fighter pilot is at a disadvantage since they've never flown as part of a crew at an airline". He was referring to FIGHTER pilots, not C-130, C-141, C-5 or any other cargo or bomber pilot. Having spent thirty years in the Air Force, I have to agree with his assessment. Fighter pilots are trained & use to working as a independent. They are not use to watching out for or taking care of anyone but themselves, especially when it comes to assuring that their crews have the proper quarters, transportation, feeding, etc. Crew "teamwork" is virtually an unknown to them. It's rare when you find one who knows otherwise. My association was with both types of pilots, Therefore, I know from where I speak as I've been there, done that & experience the indifferent, insensitive & uncaring attitude by them far too many times in my career. FYI, I'm also a pilot. Retired, but still a pilot!
PS: Kent, Keep up the good work! You make me miss it everyday!
Old n' Bold Feb 8th 2010 7:17AM
Then there was the Connie driver who, halfway twix HNL and San Fran, lost ole #1. In his calm cool demeanor, he got on the PA and reassured the pax that all was well and that their ETA would be a little later than expected. Wouldn't you know it, as they sailed on, first #2, and shortly thereafter, #3 went AWOL. As each mill took the rest of the evening off, the captain's reassuring voice rose a few octaves, lending a modicum of doubt among the pax. As the sturdy bird droned on at V2min, one of the pax turned to his seatmate and said, "If we lose one more motor, we'll be up here all night"!
RADAR Feb 13th 2010 7:18PM
Is Merrill ur father? seen him flyin b-29,really enjoyed watchin him several times love the music.....