What do retired fighter jocks do for kicks?

Again not strictly air combat tactics (block move as necessary.)
Just read recent thread.... slightly unhappy about tone of some of posters......VERY happy to see Andy Bush and Deacon211 still posting. If you haven't got anything better to do (which almost certainly you have!) interested to know what retired fighter jocks do for kicks....that you're allowed / willing to admit to. Do you miss it ?

TIM

This retired guy went to the airlines and then retired from that. I quickly decided that having nothing to do wasn't going to work, and happily, I got a job offer to help start up an airline training program. That was 12 years ago and I'm still at it and still finding that it fills my desire to stay connected to aviation in some way. Most of our students are relatively young, and I get a lot of satisfaction seeing them finish the program and go on to chasing their dream.

Andy

That's awesome Andy, and great to see you around. We all miss your wisdom on matters martial and otherwise!

For my own part, I flew in the airlines for a bit. Got out to take care of some family and have worked in the Gummint for the last few years on aviation stuff.

I miss flying Tacair every day. More than that I miss hanging with the boys. They were an irreverent, boisterous bunch, and probably needed someone to throw hand grenades at them for the rest of their lives. But they were some the finest people I have ever known.

I think they just grouse about how much easier the kids have it today

But seriously, it must be a very difficult transition for some. To excel in such a highly competitive environment with camaraderie they'll never know again, and to then somehow fill that void in civilian life must be trying indeed. Being a fighter pilot sets your personal bar so high, that to find something as fulfilling afterwards seems a steep challenge.

It would be interesting to know how many didn't go to the airlines . Or for that matter never flew again. I recently saw an interview with a World War 2 Mosquito pilot. When asked why he never flew again answered; "I flew a mosquito....what else would I want to fly ?!?"

TIM

After 10 years active duty, I did the airline gig for 28 years. Retired at age 59 a year ago (tired of hotel van rides and hotels). I currently fly a Citabria in a club, tow gliders in a Super Club at a different airport, and fly the PT-22 and L-5 in a Commemorative Air Force unit at a third airport. I'm having so much fun! And when the snow flies I play BoS/BoM.

TIM...reference the Mosquito pilot's remarks. I get it. That's the ONE airplane I wish I could have flown.

Sounds like a hoot Busdriver. I have to admit that the Citabria is a fun little ride...I also fly it out at the local club. Hmmm.

Ahh..... the mosquito.

Not wanted by the Government and not initially wanted by the RAF; so two good pointers to an outstanding design.
Obviously why sit behind one merlin when you can sit behind two !!
(Now the Lancaster on the other hand is just being greedy.)

Here's to less snow and more Citabria......Tim.

The 82nd ATRS (Aerial Target Squadron) in the US Air Force employs a lot of retired Air Force fighter pilots to fly their drones. Most of the pilots are, in fact, former fighter pilots that are now working as government contractors.

In December 2016, the USAF said goodbye to the awesome QF-4E Phantom IIs (yes, the Air Force was still flying Phantoms until the end of 2016!), which now have all been replaced with QF-16s.




I also know quite a few former fighter pilots that are now flying air tankers (aerial firefighting aircraft, not refuellers) for CALFIRE and USFS.

Some fighter jocks travel to a country they used to fight against and hit them up for rides.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSXrgMiowDc



-Irish