Balloon pilot?

[CommodoreMid]

Ok my NROTC unit has this board in the wardroom with all of the various warfare insignia on it and "Naval Balloon Pilot" caught my attention. We have Naval Balloon Pilots? How does one get into this career field because that sounds totally awesome?

 

[HighDimension]

Yea, that sounds super exciting. I can see Fly Navy and other jet guys dropping their jet slots for balloon slots ASAP.

 

[HAL Pilot]

If you want to be a Navy Ballon Pilot, you're going to have to talk to this guy first.....

 

[Cobra Commander]

How does one get into this career field because that sounds totally awesome?

I concur!:icon_tong

 

[nittany03]

I believe that insignia (1/2 of Naval Aviator's wings) went obsolete when they got rid of the last blimps.

And the heck with balloons; I want to fly a dirigible . . .

 

[Flash]

I believe that insignia (1/2 of Naval Aviator's wings) went obsolete when they got rid of the last blimps.

And the heck with balloons; I want to fly a dirigible . . .

They did but I remember reading in some Navy propoganda mag that a few instructors at University of New Mexico earned them with the NROTC's balloon program

 

[Swmtb]

I wonder what the natops for a hot air balloon is like.

 

[Fezz CB]

I wonder what the natops for a hot air balloon is like.

Seriously. How do you Egress from an exploding blimp? GERONIMOOOOOOOOO! MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

 

[Purdue]

I dont think it's possible to earn the wings (er... wing) anymore... but last I heard there were four (actually, three now I believe) old retired dirigible pilots still alive.

And although flying a dirigible is NOTHING like any other airship, if we still had them... I'd jump onto that career-path in a heartbeat. I think it would be awesome. But sadly... the Navy gave up on "lighter than airs" a long time ago.

Guess I'll just have to "settle" for Jets (hopefully). hehehe

 

[Pags]

Maybe go chat with the folks at Goodyear next time you're in Akron.

 

[Cobra Commander]

Maybe go chat with the folks at Goodyear next time you're in Akron.

Those turds where out here last year doing touch and goes at our local airport. Talk about a royal pain in the a$$! They totally screw everything with that blimp!

 

[Swmtb]

Those turds where out here last year doing touch and goes at our local airport. Talk about a royal pain in the a$$! They totally screw everything with that blimp!

I wonder what speed they fly in the pattern at? "Got passed by a man on crutches"

 

[FMRAM]

Seriously. How do you Egress from an exploding blimp? GERONIMOOOOOOOOO! MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

For the answer to that...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Excelsior

 

[Lawman]

Maybe go chat with the folks at Goodyear next time you're in Akron.

Hey I fly out of that airport.

 

[Banjo33]

I dont think it's possible to earn the wings (er... wing) anymore... but last I heard there were four (actually, three now I believe) old retired dirigible pilots still alive.

One of the T-2 sim instructors at Meridian was a dirigible pilot.