On Mar 13, 1:29*pm, "vaughn"
wrote:
It appears that the Air Force is experimenting with non-rated UAV "pilots".
Since as a civilian pilot I could potentially be sharing the same airspace
with these folks, I am not sure this gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling.

Of course, the government could always "solve" any potential problem with
more restricted airspace...

Vaughn

"Citing a projected shortfall of 1,500 pilots over the next decade, the U..S.
Air Force has begun training 10 non-pilots to fly unmanned aerial vehicles,
or UAVs. The Air Force says UAVs flew 400,000 hours in 2008, double the rate
of the previous year. Because every sortie requires support from seven
people on the ground, officials say existing fighter and bomber personnel
simply cannot keep up with demand. FlightGlobal.com (3/12) "

This website

http://www.uavm.com/uavregulatory/access5unite.html

and others strongly indicate that it's unlikely UAVs will be flying in
United States airspace anytime soon unless you count R/C models.

I hope that indication is correct. On a related note, I think training
other than that required to become a licensed pilot should be required
to fly a UAV.