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Archa3opt3ryx

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Everything posted by Archa3opt3ryx

  1. Archa3opt3ryx
    Sorry, that was crappily worded. Fully aware there's lots of options for IRAs (funds, bonds, even stocks if you want, etc), though I assume most people use some sort of mutual fund-ish option like you said. Just wondering what specifically Vanguard and the others offer that you consider to be better to TSP.
  2. Archa3opt3ryx
    Gotcha, thanks. You mean in terms of ROI? Your IRA (and TSP) are basically just mutual funds, right? So you're saying Vanguard and T Rowe Price (what about USAA?) have better funds than TSP?
  3. Archa3opt3ryx
    Freakin' awesome card. Much better website too than the one for my Chase Visa. With all the road tripping and PCSing I did this summer, I made bank on the 3% gas rebate. To everyone saying "max out your Roth before your TSP"....I'm kinda confused about this. In about a week or so, your TSP can become a Roth, right? Are you advising having a non TSP Roth account, or what?
  4. Archa3opt3ryx
    What's the difference between a debit card and a credit card that you pay off in full every month? The credit card has the advantage of positively impacting your credit score and giving you cash back, both of which are never bad things. So, why not have a credit card (that you pay off in full every month)? Hell, I'm getting 6% back on gas and 3% on groceries on my card, find me a debit card that'll do that.
  5. Archa3opt3ryx
    Maybe slightly off topic, but can anyone give investment advice for a new 2Lt? Zero debt, only living expenses are gas and groceries which is maybe $400 of the $2800 I'm getting every month. I have 20% of my paycheck going into TSP, and I'll switch it over to Roth as soon as that becomes available. Any other good first moves?
  6. Archa3opt3ryx
    Hey Smokey, quick question: I have my PPL, but my BFR has expired. Can I still log the time I get in the DA20, either dual or solo or both? I just looked up the FAA reg on flight reviews (61.56) and it basically says "no pilot may operate an aircraft without a flight review", but it says nothing about logging time. I assume that part of the reg is essentially waived for people with PPLs, since we're sorta considered students again, but since I'm rated catagory and class, I should still be able to log both dual and solo time, right?
  7. Archa3opt3ryx
    Thanks folks. Got it written and actually did pretty well. The research was kinda cool, mostly referenced some AFIT and similar papers. Pretty interesting to see Lt Colonels ripping on big blue's bureaucracy.
  8. Archa3opt3ryx
    Noted, thanks. +1 on the PFT. I'm from Colorado but go to school on the east coast (poor choice), and when I come home after a semester away from CO, the first few runs are pretty brutal. Expect to add ~10% to your time due to altitude. Speaking of which, any reason why I wouldn't be able to go home on a weekend? It's about a 3 hour drive. I think the thing I'm most nervous about is the memorization. I really suck at it. Any tips there, other than just writing it out over and over and over again?
  9. Archa3opt3ryx
    Thanks folks. I'm finding it difficult to find specific examples...lots of broad generalizations, but nothing specific. I'm thinking there might be some AFIT (or similar) theses that might be appropriate for me to cite in an academic paper. I found one already just through google (Understanding the Emergence of Disruptive Innovation in AF S&T Organizations, by David E. Shahady)...what's the best place to find similar papers?
  10. Archa3opt3ryx
    Hey folks, I'm currently taking a class titled "The Straegic Management of Technology and Innovation," and for my final paper I'm writing about technology and innovation (or lack thereof) in the AF. People throw those words around a lot (like this and this), but how much red tape do you have to slash through to really get a good new idea implemented? I'm sure for every positive story about the IDEA program, there's a hundred good ideas that got shot down for no good reason. At the same time, the AF has historically pioneered a lot of new techniques and technologies that have really changed the way we fight: smart weapons, stealth, and GPS come to mind. And there's ideas like Boyd's OODA loop that have had wide impacts far outside of the military. So, having not been on AD yet, I'm asking for your stories, either personal or historical, that I can use in my paper. Thanks a ton in advance! From what I've experienced in ROTC and read on the boards here, it seems like good ideas generated at a high level get backed and implemented (GPS), but it's hard for good ideas to trickle up from below (Boyd). Would you say that's accurate? Why/why not?
  11. Archa3opt3ryx
    So far so good on the ground: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2012/04/f18-crashes-in-virginia-beach-2-aircrew-eject-safely/1#.T382a45ithP
  12. Archa3opt3ryx
    From http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-03-02/air-force-grants-9-million-award-for-as-many-as-18-000-ipad2s.html
  13. Archa3opt3ryx
    *smacks forehead* Makes perfect sense. Thanks. That's what happens when you take too many classes in aerodynamics and fluids. Got it. Like a forum: use the search button! ooohhhhhhhh......now I get it. Yeah, I was wondering why there was a flaps t/o final approach speed...
  14. Archa3opt3ryx
    Got it, thanks. Couple more questions, if you don't mind... 1. On the BF, the procedures for Abort are THROTTLE - IDLE, BRAKES - AS REQUIRED, and FLAPS - CRUISE. Why cruise? For an aborted takeoff, wouldn't you want to make the aircraft as draggy as possible? Full flaps are practically like speed brakes on most aircraft I've flown. Sure, if you're going above 55 you might pop off the ground for a sec, but with the engine cut and full flaps, you'll drop back down damn quick and stay there. 2. Similarly, for an engine malfunction it says to maintain 60 KIAS. Wouldn't you want to go to best glide (73) until you're on short final and you know you'll make the runway? Also, I know you've mentioned a few times that no one cares how you were taught to fly before, the point of IFS is to teach you how to fly the AF way, and to just shut up and do it. I'm fine with that, but I'd like to know why I'm doing it that way. The AF does a lot of crap that doesn't make sense, but I'd like to think we're pretty damn good at flying. Do IP's, either at IFS or UPT, mind students asking "why" questions like those, as long as you don't argue and do it?
  15. Archa3opt3ryx
    There's an AFPC hotline? Mind PMing me that number?
  16. Archa3opt3ryx
    Damn. Next thing you're gonna tell me is they all have to be exactly 0.75 inch tall letters. :D Funny about KIAS vs KTS, since the BF says KIAS and the OL says KTS.
  17. Archa3opt3ryx
    Awesome, thanks. I'm currently on Ciba Vison AquaComfort Plus Dailies. Should I switch to one of the ones on the list ASAP? I'm going to IFS at the end of July and ENJJPT in October.
  18. Archa3opt3ryx
    Good questions, I'd like to know too. Also, Smokey, don't know if you can answer this, but what is the format of the BF/OL test? It is exactly like the tables they give you in the arrival guide, but with the operations or numbers blanked out? Like, we'll get a piece of paper that says "Engine fire on the ground, Electrical fire on the ground", etc, then we write in "Fuel Shutoff Valve - Off, Cabin Heat - Off" under it?
  19. Archa3opt3ryx
    ThreeHoler, this might be a dumb question, but what exactly do you guys use it for, other than "hey, this is really cool!" Is it just the better SA that comes with having a moving map? Or do you use it for more than that? Considering they're not officially approved for use in the cockpit....I'm just imagining a pilot standing in front of an accident investigation board saying "well, my ipad told me the localizer frequncy was 123.69, but it turns out they updated it to 169.23 and I didn't have my charts out cause the ipad is always right..."
  20. Archa3opt3ryx
    This is the singe piece of advice I've heard repeated ad nauseam for the past 6 months, and I'll probably hear it even more for the next 6. I imagine most other incoming studs are the same. So why on earth can't people pass the test on it? I'm guessing it's the easiest test you'll have for the next ~1.5 years (IFS + UPT)...if you can't pass that one.... *facepalm* Thanks for all the advice though, Smokey. It's great to know at least one Doss instructor is on here. Can't wait to get there in July! Also, just out of curiosity, when do we get (officially) sent info like the BF and Ops Limits? Does it come with our UPT orders? IFS TDY orders? Or when we arrive in Pueblo?
  21. Archa3opt3ryx
    Can you use the GPS to display your current position on a sectional or approach plate? That would be cool.
  22. Archa3opt3ryx
    I heard C-17's at McChord are already using them (or will be very very soon)? This from a guy who just graduated UPT and was originally assigned there, then switched into to something else last minute. Also, Continental was getting them before the United thing happened...my understand is it's still planning on being rolled out. American also got FAA approval this week to use them...looks like they'll be starting on the 777 first. Makes sense, I imagine with the kind of routes they fly, they have to carry way more paper (charts for divert fields and so on) than, say, a 737. http://travel.usatoday.com/flights/post/2011/12/ipad-cockpit-american-airlines/584646/1
  23. Archa3opt3ryx
    As someone heading to IFS next summer, I second that request.
  24. Archa3opt3ryx
    There was CO2 in the cockpit when they started the aircraft in a hanger. ummmm...no sh*t, sherlock? People commit suicide by running their car in a garage...that F119 is pretty thirsty for air... Why the hell is Lockheed getting $24M for fixing a jet that they (apparently) didn't design correctly in the first place? That's like saying "hey Dell, I'll give you another $1k to fix my overheating laptop...that you designed to overheat in the first place."
  25. Archa3opt3ryx
    Thanks for that report, Spur38. Glad to know there's some good people in the world.
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