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Show HILLTOP TIMES 4 TIME S Oct. 6 2011 Q&A: High-time pilot talks F-16 evolution BY BRYAN MAGANA 419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs L t. Col. Michael Brill, the world's high-time F-16 pilot, recently talked about the evolution of the F-16 Fighting Falcon and the pilots who fly it. Since 1980, Brill has racked up more than 6,300 hours in the cockpit, making him the most experienced F-16 pilot in the world. He's called the 419th Fighter Wing home for more than 20 years, now serving as chief of safety, giving him keen insight into what's changed and what's stayed the same. Question: In 30 years of flying the F-16, the aircraft's capabilities have really evolved. What stands out the most? Answer: The advances in the weapons we carry have had the biggest impact on how we employ. Things like Night Vision Goggles and Data Link have enhanced our ability to fly in poor weather and at night, but the precision munitions have completely changed how we do business. With dumb bombs, we flew at low altitude or in packages of 20-30 aircraft. Now we fly as two-ships at medium altitude. Q: How has F-16 pilot training changed as a result? A: There is 10 times the amount of pre-mission study and planning. The missions and attack profiles are so complicated that guys will have to do hours of study, where before we only looked at an attack for a couple minutes. We used to fly with one or two pieces of paper that had all our mission data. Now we literally have books of data that we fly with. Q: You've flown around the world, including seven tours in the desert. How have deployments changed, or stayed the same, in 30 years? A: The deployments themselves haven't changed too much over the years. They are longer now, but the facilities and the workload remain similar. The big difference since 9/11 is the type of missions. Prior to Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, our missions were primarily airspace denial. In Operations Northern and Southern Watch there weren't any U.S. troops on the ground. Our role is critical now in that the guys with boots on the dirt are relying on us (pilots) for their survival. There is a lot of pressure to have your act together knowing Americans are down there depending on you. Q: Speaking of chang- Business Administration Consigner 25esigner Consignors Always Welcome CDYENHNO ° File photo THIRD EDICT 0,,lln 939 E. Hwy. 193 #A Zebra 4-(- Layton, Utah 84404 Lt. Col. Michael Brill is the world's high-time F-16 pilot. es, you've spent more time in the cockpit than any other F-16 pilot. How have you changed? A: I think I've learned that change is inevitable. A lot of people dread change; I've seen so much that I almost welcome it. Q: As we look forward to fifth-generation aircraft, what legacy will the F-16 leave? A: The F-16 will be remembered as one of the best fighters ever produced. It will be in the same class as the P-51 Mustang. I was extremely lucky to be able to fly it for so many years. The 419th was on the leading edge the whole time. We had so many firsts it's Pt(e-er4tit Owner/Sales etrnSignerAegner impossible to credit it all to luck. The great people we have had and the hard work they put in made us one of the premier wings in the world. GPM. 446 801-771-7119 C #801-540-8tales ICE CREAM & YOGURT Free taste test event, music and give-a-ways! Any Medium Sized Ice Cream or Shake www_subzeroicecream.com 1978 North 6ub2e.e1C.C.aam fpm 1200 West. Layton. Utah 84041 find us on facebook: focebook.com/subzerolcecream `04 Mustang Mach 1 * 40th Anniversary * See our website for more info www.auto-outfitters.net Information Systems Education • • • • • • • • ONE OWNER ONLY 15K MILES 6 SPEED MANUAL OVER 10K IN UPGRADES SUPERCHARGED GARAGED LIKE NEW $18K Auto Outfitters 3349 s. 1900 w. 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