Pilot Error

The Air Force will fall just short of its fiscal year 2012 goal for training unmanned aircraft pilots, according to Air Force spokeswoman Lt. Col. Max Despain. The Defense Department in April reported to Congress its FY-12 goals for Air Force unmanned aircraft training, noting a need for 327 new sensor operators and 146 pilots. Despain said the service will likely reach its goal for graduating sensor operators but will graduate only 130 new pilots "due to normal student attrition." She added the Air Force is continuing to work to fill the gap with "individuals ready for the demands" of its mission.