Jumpseat18

Thanks deaddebate. So if I go to the Flight Doc with symptoms, I'll be placed on temp DNIF, then what's the criteria to get flying again, just let time pass and try again?

BLUF: Can anyone suggest a good remedy/sinus decongestant for sinus barotrauma? I've experienced mild sinus barotrauma a couple of times and, what I'll call a severe occurrence once (felt as though someone was stabbing me in the forehead with an ice pick), over the past three years. All times have been on commercial airliners only on descent from over an hour long flight. The most severe occurrence was on an overnight flight from the States to Europe; the entire descent was downright debilitating. I've probably taken about 150 commercial flights over the last three years and only noticed it on about three of them. I've also piloted Cessnas below 8,000ft regularly over that period and had no issue. I don't remember being noticeably sick or congested during any of the occurrences. The pain is focused to just the area above my right eye, my right sinus frontalis. I'm slightly concerned about a random severe episode with the more rapid altitude/pressure changes during UPT. I've tried Afrin, which helps slightly, but not greatly. Anyone else experience this or suggest a remedy?

It came up in my interview with the individual unit, but not with AFRC. So since you've already been sponsored, I really don't think it will matter. ...But, as others have suggested, you've got a little time til the board meets so if you've got the scratch, go get checked out. I just recently completed my BFR after not flying for four years, it only took two hours of flying time... It feels good to get back in the saddle.

AFRC didn't care for me. Got my PPL 6 years ago, hand't flown in 4 when my package was submitted to the board, still approved. And actually, I think the only date entered on one of the application forms (AF Form 215, IIRC) is "Last Date Flown"; so even if you don't complete the BFR for currency, just go fly some amount of logable time with an instructor so you can update that form.

Dammit Randy Quaid, for putting the idea in their head...

They, almost undoubtedly, will.

Awesome, congrats!! Did they provide training dates? Also, who contacted you - recruiter or hiring officer?

Anyone heard any chatter/results from the November AFRC board yet?

If they made a sweeping cut to the A-10 fleet, what do you think would become of the Hog guard/reserve 11Fs (assuming they don't want to fly whatever the follow-on aircraft is at their unit; like how the -130J was proposed for MD's 104th)? Seems like the -35s may be farther away from that community, at least in large numbers.

Nice. It appears the A-10 is (kind of) safe for another year. The President is expected to pass the current version of the 2016 NDAA. The ambiguity comes in the form of what is considered "significant reductions" in part C: SEC. 141. BACKUP INVENTORY STATUS OF A–10 AIRCRAFT. (a) Maximum Number.—In carrying out section 133(b)(2)(A) of the Carl Levin and Howard P. “Buck” McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113–291; 128 Stat. 3316), the Secretary of the Air Force may not move more than 18 A–10 aircraft in the active component to backup flying status pursuant to an authorization made by the Secretary of Defense under such section. (b) Conforming Amendment.—Such section 133(b)(2)(A) is amended by striking “36” and inserting “18”. SEC. 142. PROHIBITION ON AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR RETIREMENT OF A–10 AIRCRAFT. (a) Prohibition On Availability Of Funds For Retirement.—Except as provided by section 141, none of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for fiscal year 2016 for the Air Force may be obligated or expended to retire, prepare to retire, or place in storage or on backup aircraft inventory status any A–10 aircraft. (b) Additional Limitations On Retirement.— (1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided by section 141, and in addition to the limitation in subsection (a), during the period before December 31, 2016, the Secretary of the Air Force may not retire, prepare to retire, or place in storage or on backup flying status any A–10 aircraft. (2) MINIMUM INVENTORY REQUIREMENT.—The Secretary of the Air Force shall ensure the Air Force maintains a minimum of 171 A–10 aircraft designated as primary mission aircraft inventory. (c) Prohibition On Availability Of Funds For Significant Reductions In Manning Levels.—None of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for fiscal year 2016 for the Air Force may be obligated or expended to make significant reductions to manning levels with respect to any A–10 aircraft squadrons or divisions. (d) Additional Limitation On Significant Reductions In Manning Levels.—In addition to the limitation in subsection (c), during the period before December 31, 2016, the Secretary of the Air Force may not make significant reductions to manning levels with respect to any A–10 aircraft squadrons or divisions.

Any update on upgrades or on cancellation talk from the squadrons? I know this got vetoed, but if this 2016 NDAA language sticks, it seems promising: SEC. 146. PROHIBITION ON AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR RETIREMENT OF KC–10 AIRCRAFT. (a) Prohibition.—Except as provided by subsection (b), none of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available for fiscal years 2016 or 2017 for the Air Force may be obligated or expended to retire, or prepare to retire, any KC–10 aircraft. (b) Exception.—The prohibition in subsection (a) shall not apply to individual KC–10 aircraft that the Secretary of the Air Force determines, on a case-by-case basis, to be non-operational because of mishaps, other damage, or being uneconomical to repair.

Thanks deaddebate, I'll try to stay on my recruiter the next week and a half.

Does anyone have gouge on what a UPT applicant can do to ensure their package is submitted timely to the AFRC review board, other than constantly pester their recruiter? Any way for a civilian applicant to verify the package makes it to AFRC?

An ANG unit I have applied to needs my approved DD 2808. My AFRC recruiter (who organized my FCI/MFS) is unreachable while on leave, anyone have advice on how to obtain a copy of the final stamped and approved DD 2808 directly from USAFSAM or AETC?