Question(s) about the Imperial Starfighter Corps

Post by **NecronLord** » 2005-04-19 04:33am

Does anyone know how much authority a decorated starfighter pilot can weild aboard an Imperial Navy ship? Are TIE pilots like modern fighter pilots, which is to say, generally officers, or are they effectively enlisted men?

Anyone have any evidence about the strictness of discipline either?

Spanky The Dolphin · Post by **Spanky The Dolphin** » 2005-04-19 04:39am

Pilots:
Only commissioned officers in the starfighter force actually fly fighters. Non-commissioned personnel are engaged in starfighter support activity. The highest officers are not often involved in combat; they will be involved in overall strategy and command.

http://www.theforce.net/swtc/order.html#notes-flying

Post by **NecronLord** » 2005-04-19 04:47am

Yeah. Found that already. I'm wondering if there's evidence to the contrary before going with it though.

Hopefully not. Saxtonian rank structure suits my purpouses

FTeik · Post by **FTeik** » 2005-04-19 05:47am

Well, as a Captain Sontir Fel commanded a Dreadnought in A.C.Crispins HanSolo-Trilogy.

Not to mention, that real life US-carriergroups are usually commanded by former Naval-Aviators.

Spanky The Dolphin · Post by **Spanky The Dolphin** » 2005-04-19 06:18am

For the most part, Imperial military rank structure seems to resemble British conventions.

Gorefiend · Post by **Gorefiend** » 2005-04-19 06:30am

Just read the Making of Baron Fel comic.

Imperial Pilots are officers that require to go through some of the hardest academy training there is and as said before Baron Fel did command a Dreadnaught (and even a customs vessel), for a while.

Publius · Post by **Publius** » 2005-04-19 04:27pm

The Imperial Sourcebook, Second Edition includes the following statements on Naval Aviator training:

The epitome of officer training is the Imperial Naval Academy. Its academic standards are stringent and its training methods are the most advanced of their kind. The Academy system is designed to instill loyalty, build discipline, and develop team interdependence. The greatest of naval commanders and fighter pilots have come from the Academy. Graduation from it is almost essential for promotion to the very highest echelons of naval command.

and

The highest aspiration of most young naval officers is to become a starfighter pilot. It is the single most dangerous, demanding, and prestigious job in the Imperial Navy. Only officers who graduate in the top five percent of their class qualify for flight training. The remaining top third of their class qualifies for flight-related specialties such as astrogation, weapons systems, and other support skills. Because of the tough entrance requirements and extensive training offered at the Imperial Naval Academy, all officers in the top third of the Academy qualify for flight.

Before instruction is half over, pilots begin to fly training missions under actual combat conditions. This trial by combat policy swiftly adapts the trainee to combat, culling those who are unfit and teaching the rest things they could never learn under peaceful training conditions. By the time a pilot is certified for combat, he flies missions as regularly as other starfighter pilots. The new pilots are then transfered to the wing which is their permanent duty station.

Naval Aviators are commissioned officers within the Imperial Navy, and some have risen to very high rank and decoration (e.g., Soontir, Baron Fel, Tan Maarek Stele, Admiral Chiraneau, &c.). As such, a Naval Aviator is due the same respect and obedience due to any commissioned officer, line or staff, and can exercise general authority as a commissioned officer.

PUBLIUS