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-Short Attention Span Theater-
Fighter jet crashes during training mission near Phoenix air base: Pilot escapes with only minor injuries after safely ejecting moments before impact
2022-02-11
[Daily Mail, where America gets its news]
  • The French-made Mirage F1 was performing a routine training mission Thursday

  • It crashed at 11am near the city of Buckeye, about 15 mi from Luke Air Force Base

  • The plane was owned by military contractor Airborne Tactical Advantage Co.

  • 'The pilot is safe and doing well,' said a representative from the company

  • A Mirage F1 operated by a different contractor crashed in Las Vegas last year, killing the pilot
Posted by:Skidmark

#7  When you have a hard time keeping pilots, someone forms an contracting business, hires those pilots at a higher pay scale then the government can pay and retain the skills. Zoomies don't like desk jobs nor momma the constant rotations(reassignments).
Posted by: Procopius2k   2022-02-11 18:32  

#6  For vs. private air force/training private air force? Or some Heinlein style teaching where you learn to down a Mirage, passing a level to take on a more modern frame?
Posted by: swksvolFF   2022-02-11 17:22  

#5  ^ First flew in late 1966. In service 1973-1992 with the French Air Force. Retired 2014. 720 built. Also used by the Iraqi, Spanish and Hellenic air forces.
Posted by: M. Murcek   2022-02-11 17:08  

#4  Is the Mirage F1 a bit obsolete these days.
Posted by: CrazyFool   2022-02-11 16:49  

#3  If that’s what this bit from the article means, Procopius2k:

Airborne Tactical Advantage is one of a growing number of contractors that fly aircraft to help train military aviators. The company provides aggressor aircraft to help military fighter pilots learn their trade as well as other services to the military.
Posted by: trailing wife   2022-02-11 14:46  

#2  Contractor OPFOR?
Posted by: Procopius2k   2022-02-11 13:45  

#1  Mirage F1? Louis Gossett Jr. flying these things?
Posted by: swksvolFF   2022-02-11 13:38  

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