So today my interlocutor is a retired American military pilot, now a civilian pilot and at the same time the most popular aviation blogger on the planet, known by the nickname Combat_Learjet, with a clip of 770 thousand followers in Instagram. So let’s get started.
- Who is Mr Learjet?
- I am a retired American military pilot. I now fly for a major airline in the United States.
- Why did you decide to become a pilot? And at what age did you take this decision?
- I decided to become a military pilot when I was about 18. My cousin was a B-1 Bomber pilot and I wanted to follow in his path.
- How does the training of a military pilot take place: is he trained as a pilot from the very beginning, or first he is trained to be an engineer, and after that as a pilot? how many years does the training take?
- In the Air Force we go to “Undergraduate Pilot Training” UPT for one year. Pilots are trained to only be pilots. After graduating UPT then you go on to learn the aircraft you will fly in the Air Force. It takes several months more.
- We have such different education systems that I can't help clarifying: In how much time does a normal pilot in the United States make his initial "solo" flight and how long does the training take in total?
- The initial solo is usually accomplished after 10-15 hours in the aircraft. The average training takes 12-15 months. But training never really ends because you are constantly training for the next level up. Once you are trained you constantly continue to upgrade to different positions. Copilot, aircraft commander, instructor, evaluator.
- What was the most difficult thing during your service and is there something that you miss now?
- Initial pilot training was very difficult. It is a year long and requires a lot of studying. A lot of people don’t make it through pilot training due to the very high standards. And I miss…I miss serving in the military overall.
- What aircraft were you assigned to after the pilot training and what other types of aircrafts did you master?
- At the time when I graduated from the pilot training, we had too many pilots, but there were very few planes available. Actually, near one half of the class did not receive an aircraft assignment after graduation. And the graduates could wait for 3 + years to get the job assignment. There were no fighters available at that time, If you chose to fly F-16, for example, you would have to wait for it to become available and you couldn’t choose the location you would be based at. And some guys just didn’t get it in the end. So I was happy to get my first assigned to the KC-135R tanker. I flew the tanker for my first 10 years of my Air force carrier. Then I transferred to the C-21 and flew it for the next 17 years.
In general, I have flown Cessna 152, 172, T-37, T-38, KC-135R/T, C-12, C-21, 737 300/500/700/800/MAX
(Сеѕѕпа152 and 172 are piston-engined, training aircrafts, T37 and T38 are also training aircrafts, and the T-38 is a supersonic training aircraft. KC-135 is a large tanker, C-12 is an electronic warfare aircraft, and then the well-known models went on. FB’s note)
- If you had the opportunity, what aircrafts would you like to fly?
- I always wanted to fly the attack aircraft A-10 or the B-1 Bomber. I love both of those aircraft.
- Just to fly? or smash something on the range to smithereens?))
- I love the aircraft and the mission. Yes shoot guns and drop bombs!😁
- After how many years of service can you retire? What does an average retired military pilot do?
- We are eligible to retire after 20 years of service in the military. I served 27 years. Most pilots go on to fly for corporations or the airlines after retirement. I am currently flying for a major airline company.
- Have you ever had meetings with Russian aircrafts in the sky? And how do you think American pilots treat Russian military pilots?
- I have never personally met Russian pilots in the air. As for the relations, I think there is mutual respect between American and Russian Pilots. We have a lot in common, actually. We are aviators, and we share the same passion.
- Have you ever been to Russia?
- Unfortunately I have never been to Russia, I hope to visit someday.
- In the US how do land military pilots treat naval pilots and vice versa?
- There is mutual respect among the different branches of military service, however we still give each other a hard time, we kid each other often. We tease each other in person and online about who are the best pilots. There is a friendly yet competitive rivalry between the different branches of service. Every branch thinks they are the best.😊
- How do you feel about helicopter pilots?
- I totally respect helicopter pilots. I have no idea how they fly those things in such challenging conditions. Respect.
(Well, our pilots, if they do not fly helicopters, also do not really understand how helicopters fly and try to stay away from helicopters, just in case. :)) FB’s note)
- Do you have any official holiday, when people praise the aviators? For example, in Russia, we celebrate the Day of the Air Force in August
- We celebrate Veterans Day, however there is not a special aviator day we celebrate.
- Do you have any special rituals, superstitions, traditions in the US military aviation?
- One ritual we have in the military is teasing the new guys. When I was new they told me I had to go out in front of the aircraft to help calibrate the radar. They wanted me to hold up a mirror as they tuned the radar! 🤣 I didn’t fall for it, but lots of guys do.
(Well, we have exactly the same, it is offered to bring a bucket of deviation to every second person 🙂 FB’s note)
- How do you celebrate the first independent flight? Any traditions?
- In the Air Force, after your initial “solo”, you are tossed in a tank full of water by your fellow classmates. No matter the season
(Severely! :)) For some reason I was sure that our tradition to hit your ass on the landing gear after the initial “solo” is an international thing. FB’s note)
- And what about the last flight (before retiring for example)? Any rituals here?
- Yes. We call it a “ Fini” flight. Fini is short for final. Our tradition is to get sprayed down with water and champagne. The pilot then usually drinks the champagne and shakes friends/ fellow pilots hands! It is both a joyous and sad time.
(This tradition is very similar to ours. Just in our case the pilot drinks our traditional drink. I have a video of how it is happening. FB’s note)
- In Russia, we have such a joke or saying: military aviation rests on “rivets and wisecracks”. What does military aviation in the US rest on? Can you say that there is a specific humor in the aviation? Is this sense of humor important?
- Humor is a big part of military aviation in the United States. We enjoy teasing and playing practical jokes on each other. We often deploy as crews and spend lots of time together. We drink together and build great Lifetime friendships!
- By the way, speaking of drinking: are American pilots able to drink aviation alcohol in a proper way?
- Air Force fighter pilots like to drink a terrible tasting whiskey called Jeremiah Weed. It has some significants from years gone by. I have tasted it and it is terrible.
(So it turns out that someone different drinks alcohol, right? It can’t be! :)) FB’s note)
- Do American pilots clean the territory where they serve? For example, the grass between the slabs on the airstrip - who cleans it?)
- Pilots do not usually clean the grounds on the airport. That job is usually contracted out to company or accomplish by other military members. Pilots can and do help out with dirty jobs from time to time.
- Are pilots in the US allowed to wear glasses or contact lenses?
- When I entered the military your vision had to be perfect. Once you are trained as a pilot it is ok to wear glasses. I’m older now and wear glasses. The rules have changed and you can be selected as a pilot as long as your vision is corrected to 20/20 with glasses.
- And for example bomber, after he is trained, later he can wear glasses if they make his vision perfect?
- Correct.
- And what about fighter-pilots?
- Yes. Fighter pilots have some stricter requirements. You must not be color blind for any pilot position. And these requirements change from time to time.
- Military pilot outfit: your likes and dislikes in it?
- I enjoyed wearing our “Flight Suit”. It was functional and comfortable. We had so many pockets, I often forget things and accidentally washed them!😂
- What kind of watch do you wear? and what’s your favorite one?
- My favorite watch is a Bremont. They make specific watches for the aircraft you flew.
I wear a Bremont and smart watch to track my health. Samsung is my smart watch.
- Have you ever seen UFO?
- I personally have never seen a UFO, however I have several friends who have.
(Well FB also has such friends, they periodically not only see UFO, but also come into contact with aliens :)) FB’s note)
- What is the strongest and most interesting aerobatic team in the world in your opinion?
- If I answer this question I will make some of my friends flying on acrobatic teams angry!🤣. I will say I enjoy watching all teams perform, they each have their own personal flare.
- There are a lot of cool photos and video in your blog, and we can see on them that many American pilots use mobile phones, cameras, tracker watches, and other "smart" gadgets during flights. Is it allowed?
- When I first entered the military, taking pictures in flight was not allowed. The rules are less strict, however I am sure pilots get in trouble from time to time posting pictures they shouldn’t.
- I can't help asking it as a blogger to a blogger - why did you decide to start the blog?
- I started Instagram 5 years ago just to share some of my personal pictures. And I soon discovered there is an amazing aviation community on Instagram. I discovered your page one day from a friend sending me one of your post. I was fascinated to see some of your behind the scenes pictures and videos.
- Who is your typical follower?
- Most of my followers are people who loves aviation.
- Have you ever met your followers in real?
- I have met several people over the years. I like to stay anonymous so I don’t do it very often. I have lots of people who hate me following. My page is the biggest American Pilot page and people want to blame me for everything 🤣🤷♂️ For example, this is an important holiday weekend for Americans. Monday is called Memorial Day, the day we celebrate all of our fallen military members. I have a post I do every year and the amount of hate I receive is unbelievable. I still do the post to honor my fellow military members who gave their lives up.
- Do your followers ask you to help them? In what cases and what kind of help?
- I get lots of questions from followers on how to become a pilot. I try to give advice and help them out when possible.
- Is the presence of a military pilot in the family a matter for pride in the US?
- My family was very proud of my military service and my profession as a pilot.
- In our country the military profession is considered to be a great challenge for family life, as the pilot spends too little time with his family and they have to move quite often. What about US?
- Military life can also be challenging in the US. We spend lots of time away from home as well. It has to be a calling. It can be hard on families. Changing duty stations is another challenge in the military. It is hard for wives and children to move to new areas.
- What character traits do you value most in people/colleagues? what are the most important character traits for a pilot, what do you think?
- I value integrity, loyalty and hard work! Pilots need to professionals, work hard at their profession and always strive to do the best job possible. Sounds silly but it is what makes the best pilots.
- Do you have any other Hobbies besides the blog?
- I enjoy outdoor activities. I hunt, fish, hike, and ride dirt bike motorcycles. And I have one more hobby – this car. It is a 1934 Ford 3 Window Coupe. My dad started to build it many years ago and mostly had finished before he died. So I just finished it. In May I brought it to home at last. The red color -it is my dad’s choice.
- In Russia many people love your film "Top Gun". Especially for the great flying scenes. Everybody is looking forward to watching Top Gun 2. Basing on some of your posts, you also love this movie, don’t you? What kind of films do you like in general?
- I loved Top Gun and it definitely motivated me to be a pilot. This film is a legend! It was made more than 30 years ago but still it is great. I am also looking forward to watching the second part. I am friends with one of the actors on TG. He said it will be an amazing movie, the flying scenes are INCREDIBLE. I think it will be just as good as the first one. I enjoy military movies overall. The ones that are based on a true story are my favorite. “Lone Survivor”, for example.
I also like films about submarines. Like “K-19” with Harrison Ford. My father served in submarines. It takes a unique person to serve on a submarine. I have the utmost respect for that career field.
- What does the word patriotism mean to you?
- This is a great question. Patriotism to me is simply a love for your Country. I consider myself patriotic, I love my Country as I am sure you love yours!
- What would you like to say or to wish to my followers?
- I am grateful for the platform of Instagram. It allows our Countries to share amazing aviation content and hopefully get to know each other more.
P.S. As a conclusion, I would like to note that there were a little bit more questions)). And honestly I admit that some of them were of such content, whether they are asked to me, probably It would be followed by a response like "good try, comrade"😊 For example, concerning the problem of transferring of military pilots to civil aviation, or the ones about the organization of internal and external travels and etc. I understand all the nuances of communication between the Russian Fighterbomber and the American military pilot (even if they are retired). The nuances that do not allow you to get the answers to all your questions. Therefore, I am very grateful to @Combat_Learjet for not only accepting the offer to give this interview to my blog, but also for trying to answer most of the questions as much in detail as possible.