On Tue, 09 Dec 2003 03:38:43 GMT, "Gord Beaman" )
wrote:

"Mortimer Schnerd, RN" wrote:

monkey wrote:
Like I said before, dud, you shouldn't be in any fellowship for
"fighter pilots" unless that's what you are/were.


Therein lies the conundrum: were you a fighter pilot if you flew P-51s on the
airshow circuit? The Mustang was most definitely a fighter. Were you only a
fighter pilot if you flew fighters for a military service? Or only if you've
fired your guns in anger?

I agree, it is...and while I can't stand the gasbag I hate to see
an injustice done (if it is indeed being done). About the only
authorities qualified to speak are former or current military
fighter pilots. (IMO). I wonder what Ed thinks? Perhaps dude
could ask him?

-Gord.

Well, since you asked...the long answer can be found in Chapter 16 of
When Thunder Rolled. The chapter title is "Pilots Flying Fighters" and
refers to the truism that assignment to a fighter does not make one a
fighter pilot.

The short answer is that being a "fighter pilot" is a state of mind;
an attitude about life and achievement. While I was operations officer
in the 613th TFS in Spain, I had a young FAIP (First Assignment
Instructor Pilot--plow-back into training command instructing in
undergraduate pilot training) show up in the squadron with a nametag
declaring himself "Jim Teak--Fighter Pilot".

I explained to him that he might be flying a fighter, but he would be
a fighter pilot when other folks told him that he was. That remains a
good criteria for donning the mantle. In the meantime, I suggested
that his name tag was misspelled and poorly punctuated. It should have
read: "Jim, ---Weak Fighter Pilot". And, from that day forward, his
nickname was Weak. He wore it proudly and eventually was recognized as
a Fighter Pilot.

As for Dudley, despite his initial intemperate reaction to Dan's
question, I think that he has enough experience flying tactical
aircraft and the acknowledgement of enough fighter pilots throughout
the US military community to be able to associate his name freely with
the Fellowship. If Fighter Pilots call you a Fighter Pilot, then, by
my definition you are one.