The government owns military fighter jets, and international laws prohibit the sale of the aircraft to individuals. Military contractors can operate fighter jets but international arms regulations prohibit the sale of operational military planes to private entities.
Private companies are not allowed to use private fighter jets for operational purposes involving weapons. The other issue is the international regulations also prohibit that modification of aircraft with a civil design for military operations. Any such aircraft modified in disguise would not be able to get registered so you cannot fly it.
Why Prohibit Private Air Force?
For security reasons, in the US and Europe, the operation of the air force is the sole responsibility of the government. No company can get a license to operate a private air force. Such a scenario can promote mercenary activities that in turn can disturb peace in the country.
Military contractors have the right to own private fighter jets as provided by the country’s military laws and regulations. Blackwater is the only closest scenario where a private air force almost came into being. It used different names and other fronts to try to evade the laws, and it started with helicopters with personnel only carrying small arms.
The attempt to modify the crop duster aircraft for other tactical uses failed. The owner of Blackwater, a private security company, was a known mercenary. The US has stringent aviation regulations such that even deals conceived in total secrecy can fail to succeed.
The modification of aircraft for military purposes can be possible may be in some African states with lax legal controls. In Europe and the US, such deals may not materialize due to the existence of laws that ban private air forces. The ban is good for the country and the citizens since the state has the overall responsibility of maintaining peace.
Private Military Contractors (PMCs) That Operate Fighter Jets
The operation of fighter jets is legal as long as the company meets all the requirements in the US. Military contractors can own fighter jets, and they can use them to train military pilots. The licensed operators can also use the aircraft for other purposes as long as they comply with the aviation laws and regulations.
For example, Draken International is a private military contractor that offers training services for military pilots. Draken International has its headquarters in Lakeland, Florida and it has the largest fleets of private fighter jets that across the whole world. The company also has a base at Nellis Air Force, and it offers different services to the US military.
Draken employees have a role in helping train US military pilots. The training mainly focuses on aerial combat, and it simulates different things that should happen in battle. The practice involves an aggressor squadron that is supposed to act as the opposing force in various war games.
Source: Michael Isaacman
Usually, the aggressor squadrons use enemy tactics to portray a realistic simulation of real air combat. This method opposes the technique of training against your forces. It is also impossible to use enemy equipment hence the need to use surrogate planes. The trainees get a feel of real combat, and they also get to understand different tactics to attack the enemy.
The simulated scenario also gives the trainees an opportunity to try different techniques they can also use to evade attacks. Such kind of scene is perfect since it exposes the trainees to possible situations they can encounter in real combats. The experience is entirely new to the trainees, and it teaches them a lot about war strategies.
The other notable aspect about the company is that its pilots mainly consist of retired US Marine Corps, US Navy, and US Air Force jet pilots. The main advantage is that the retired pilots have experience and they can manage to perform the task. Draken international does not waste a lot of resources hiring instructors since it has a pool of retired pilots.
On the other hand, the retired pilots also benefit since they get the opportunity to continue serving on a part-time basis. They also help in the reserve components that also include the Air National Guard. In other words, this contractor plays complementary roles to the Air Force through the provision of vital services.
The pilots have strong backgrounds in USN Fighter Weapons School, and they also have experience as aggressor pilots. These are significant areas in different aspects of the pilot program with the US Air Force and other military engagements.
The instructors consist of senior pilots who served as commanders (USAF) and commanding officers of different operational squadrons. While still active on duty, other instructors also served as commanding officers of groups and wings. Their experience gives the contractors added advantages since they rely on experienced and competent personnel.
Aerial Tactical Advantage Co (ATAC) Military Pilots To Practice Outside
ATAC is a private business, and it has its squadron that mainly consists of retired Air Force and Navy pilots. The majority of these pilots are also former Top Gun fliers, and they have vast experience to train other military pilots. The company offers services that include aerial dogfights as well as false attacks.
The pilots get a feel of combat through an attempt to penetrate Navy ships at sea in this mock attack. These simulated aerial combats give the pilots experience about different situations and how they can approach them. The enemies in these simulated aerial combats include some of the best pilots from the Navy.
The game of simulation is beneficial in different scenarios since it gives you the real experience of the situation. The parties involved engage in practical activities only that they do not use live weapons. The training is proper since it helps you to be in a position to gain knowledge about how you respond to different scenarios.
The services offered by ATAC are crucial to the US military since it saves a lot of money. The US military aircraft do not experience constant wear and tear through various training activities. The military protects the frontline jets like F-22 Raptors and F/A-18 Hornets through the use of private planes for the same purpose. The practice is also economical in that the private contractors also provide other resources needed in the dispensation of their duties.
The US military is also in a position to focus on other vital activities in its operations. The additional benefit of enlisting the private jets by ATAC is that the pilots also get the opportunity to see something entirely new. The work is perfect for retired pilots who love flying as well as educating others to operate.
Jobs for pilots in private military contractors are not for anyone. The pilots have experience in flying Top Gun and are also graduates of Fighter weapons school. In other words, private companies recruit the cream of the retired pilots. Excellence performance in different tasks and activities is guaranteed.
Additional Services Offered By ATAC
ATAC can integrate with different military operators which help it to design suitable programs and services. The company also provides expert services in Radar jamming techniques and provides quality airflow monitoring methods. Other services include advanced electronic warfare services that include Digital RF Memory (DRFM).
ATAC continuously responds to the needs of the US military through the provision of program upgrades. The company also introduces new capabilities in training if the need arises. The company is also a leader in the design of safety management systems. The systems are specifically for the military air services which in turn improves its operations.
The company also provides tactical flight training for the Navy in the US and conducts various research and development missions. It offers advanced training at all levels up to the graduate level of the Navy “TOPGUN” program. It also provides support for various Air Force missions and the F-22 Raptor crews.
Benefits For The PM Contractors
The private military contractors also benefit a lot from offering different services to the US military. The owners of the companies are former pilots, and they have vast experience in the area. Therefore, they use their expertise to create business opportunities and are managing thriving entities.
These companies also offer a variety of career opportunities to different people who also have interests in the same field. For example, retired pilots cannot just lie idle if they feel that they are still capable of flying the aircraft. The welfare of the people involved in this business significantly improves.
To those who love flying, they can still enjoy their favorite career even in retirement. Apart from activities directly related to operating the aircraft, private military contractors also get the opportunity to perform other tasks. They offer services such as preparing meals for the uniformed forces.
They also get contracts to guard different military bases, and these activities help to improve their business opportunities. These additional tasks help their businesses to grow so that they can employ more people who have interests in the industry.
What Challenges Do PMCs Face?
The PMCs face some significant challenges in finding jet fighters as well as old planes. The private companies need to get approval from the state to import planes for use in their tasks. The acquired planes are also subject to thorough tests and should pass the FAA inspection.
The military also vets the private companies thoroughly to ensure that they meet their standard expectations. The aviation sector differs significantly from other industries, and this is the reason for rigorous checks. It is not easy to register a private company that can provide services to the military on a contract basis.
The other issue is that private companies cannot use the services of foreign mechanics. Some of these individuals cannot get clearance to get into military bases for security reasons. However, the majority of mechanics working for private companies are former military employees.
Other Purposes Of Private Military Jets
The other aspect of private military jets is that members of the public can use them on specific occasions. These aircraft do not provide commercial passenger services, but interested members have the opportunity feel them. Many people are fascinated by the super fast speeds of different military aircraft.
Some companies offer tour flights in fast jets to interested customers. South African Thunder City is a good example that provides this particular service. Cape Town is the hub of a variety of incredible adventures, and the jets are the most exciting feature.
Various Cape Town Jet Adventures are customized to satisfy your desired taste for the adventure. The operators of the jet services are flexible and open to different views of the customers. You can tell them what you want, and you also provide a budget so that they can suggest a befitting program for you.
Different jet services include flying the Hawker Hunter. The adventure takes you to beautiful places like the Cape Peninsula comprising of wonderful tourist attractions. The tour also brings you to the magnificent Table Mountain where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery around.
You can also fly in the low-flying Buccaneer, and it takes you to different places. The adventure also comes with visits to Robben Island, and you can also go for a white shark expedition. Visitors can also fly the L-39 Albatros Johannesburg to Cape Town, and it is super fast.
Private military contractors offer vital services to the US military, Navy and Air Force such as training pilots for these departments. There are many advantages of using PMCs by different departments in the military. The trainees get expert knowledge from qualified trainers who have vast experience in the aircraft industry.
The other advantage is that the government saves a lot of money by contracting certain services to specialized companies. For instance, these companies use their aircraft for training which protects the military’s planes from wear and tear.
However, PMCs are more like an extension of the military since they rely on retired military pilots. They also need to undergo thorough verification exercises to get licenses to operate.
