What is a Fighter Pilot? The name Fighter Pilot can be attached to any of the following pilots if he flies
a Skyraider, a Skyhawk, a Crusader, a Warthog, a Super Saber, a Tomcat, an Intruder,
an Eagle, a Super Hornet, a Cobra Gunship helicopter, and many other fighting military aircraft.
A Fighter Pilot is always a Fighter Pilot even when he is grounded, in hack, hospitalized, retired, and even
when he is deceased. Some pilots flew fighter aircraft, but were not Fighter Pilots. They were afraid of the mission,
canceled night flights, downed airplanes in poor weather, turned back before crossing the bomb line in combat, called in sick
when scheduled for a night carrier landing, and often heard night noises during day flights. We branded
these pilots cowards. We knew we were a breed apart from those who let fear of accident, injury, or even death in flight,
guide them astray from the dauntless spirit borne in the brave heart of a real Fighter Pilot.
True Fighter Pilots are courageous. Who is the best Fighter Pilot? They all are. If the pilots don’t exhibit that attitude then they are a drawback
to the group.
Movies are made about Fighter Pilots because people are awed and inspired by the
skill and coolness of Fighter Pilots under stressful and near-death situations. Even within the Fighter Pilot ranks there’s
a hierarchy, at least in the mind of the Fighter Pilot. Not
to belittle
the missions of other military pilots, the
airline pilot that
ferries your family, the crop duster
speeding low over the fields, the daring
acrobatic pilot, or any other aviators who earn their living flying, but it’s just
a fact that
Fighter Pilots are at the top of the heap. Most
fly alone, they face the enemy many
times far beyond friendly lines and often
right in their face.
Fighter Pilots learn very early, in combat, that bullets and missiles fired at them have the right of way and
they must avoid a collision with them at all cost.
And yes, that includes the brave
Photo Fighter Pilot, flying alone, unarmed and unafraid to go to the very spot where armed Fighter Pilots have just attacked
the enemy and have them stirred up like a swarm of mad hornets. They get the battle damage pictures knowing that the enemy
will be trying their best to knock them out of the air. "Nothing
in life is so exhilarating as to be shot at without results," said Sir Winston
Chruchill.
Being a True Fighter Pilot--It is A State of Mind.
You can always tell a Fighter Pilot, but you can’t tell him much.
