Bergman
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Posts posted by Bergman
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I've been surfing some GA websites lately and wondered about the cost of ownershi, maintenance, and operation cost for a few different airplanes. Anyone with any experience out there?
Specifically, I'm talking about Bellanca Decathalon and/or Citabria, Christen Eagle II, and the various Pitts models. Any other good aerobatic GA airplanes I'm leaving out? How about the Van's RV-series?
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Not a problem! I just wanted to quell any panic amongst the newbies before it reached fever-pitch.Originally posted by AirGuardian:ANG's consolidation of assets and making their units more relevant to the fight is what I intended in my first message.
As to the Vanguard discussion, you're right. ANG units had better find a smart way out of this on their own, othewise it's not going to be pretty. While I am of course biased toward the "The more flying units the better!" philosophy, anyone with a brain can see that the writing is on the wall for many flying units. I don't have the numbers in front of me, but I image that , at any give time, there weren't large numbers of ANG assets in place for OIF/OEF. It sounds like the majority of units have pulled their time 'in the box' (sts) but does that justify a standing force of 40 FWs?
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Before everyone breaks out in a panic (AGAIN) here is the link to the official BRAC info:Originally posted by Flaco:Also, when are we going to hear specifics on the BRAC?
http://www.defenselink.mil/brac/
A few excerpts from the "Timeline" portion:
May 16, 05 Secretary of Defense Recommendations. Not later than this date, the Secretary
must publish in the Federal Register and transmit to the congressional defense
committees and the Commission, a list of the military installations that the
Secretary recommends for closure or realignment.
Sep 8, 05 Commission's Recommendations. Not later than this date, the Commission must
transmit to the President "a report containing its findings and conclusions based
on a review and analysis of the Secretary's recommendations."
Sep 23, 05 President's Approval or Disapproval of Commission Recommendations. Not later
than this date, the President shall transmit to the Commission and to the Congress,
"a report containing the President's approval or disapproval of the Commission's
recommendations."
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The AF DOESN'T let them call you at work. I don't know how they justify it, but it seems like accepted practice with them. They also shouldn't be using squadron recall rosters to find new clients. Whoever gives them a copy should be shot! :mad:Originally posted by NoseArtGal:I can't believe the AF let them call dudes at work... Lord.
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Yeah, still got it. It is lost on the former TAC guys at my unit, however.Originally posted by PAB:Hey Bergman, still got that SAC patch, heard you took some shit for it at UPT...
I did take some heat for wearing it at the club. It worked out OK...he was only the Deputy OG. :D
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I think it's more like Instructor Pay or Alert Pay.
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Go rent Dr. Strangelove!
"Gentlemen, you can't fight in here...this is the war room!"
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I am sure it can be done. A couple of thoughts:
1) I would get hired by your "new" unit before telling your current unit what you are up to. Don't put it past some folks to torpedo you with another unit out of spite.
2) Where are you going to find the time, during UPT, to find/interview with another ANG unit? Perhaps you will get lucky and just call an OG/CC and be hired, but more than likely they will want you to interview in person (although many units do phone interviews as well). Of course, if your "new" unit is in your hometown and/or state they might bend the rules for you.
3) Many ANG units will be wary of you trying to switch before giving your current unit any return on their investment. It doesn't give a sense of loyalty to a unit if you're trying to switch mid-UPT.
4) You had better be doing well in UPT to even consider this (unless you're in -38s looking for a heavy unit, i.e. you aren't doing well enough to fly fighters but still want your wings). If you're not doing well in T-37s or T-1s, your best bet will be with your current unit. No other unit will want to inherit someone else's problem child. I hope this isn't your case, but if it is...something to think about.
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Sounds about right. IIRC it's 75% of your initial ADSC, so 7.5 years of the 10.Originally posted by wannaairlift:I think you needed to have done 8 years on AD though before you can apply for that
The 10 year ADSC starts the day you get your wings. So after a casual job and UPT you're looking at 11-12 years total commitment to the active duty (unless you are allowed to Palace Chase). It's been mentioned a few times in other threads, but right now the Palace Chase program is going like crazy...guys being let go (to the ANG) after only 2-3 years on active duty. Of course, 2 years ago it was nearly impossible to Palace Chase. Go figure.
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I had this discussion with our Career Enhancements Superintendant (SMSGt type) a couple of months ago. According to her, you get the "full-time" retirement as soon as your retirement points/365=20 years. So if it takes 27 years to get to that point, between prior AD, UPT, MPA tours or whatever, then that's fine. But you will still get the full time retirement.Originally posted by PAB:Also, kind of in line with my first post, it is my understanding that if you serve 15 years AD, do 5 years in the ANG, then do 5 more full time AD years and retier, you can draw your 20 year AD pension immediately, then when you turn 60, your Guard points then get factored in.
I can email her for the reference if you like, although I believe her as she's given me good gouge before (saved me from the ROPMA board to Major and then helped expedite my PV promo). Which brings up a relevant question...have you pinned on yet PAB?!
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Not a problem. AMS is the ANG equivalent of OTS and is just a 6 week TDY so no need to move the family. It's the standard yelling, physical fitness, academics, etc that you woudl expect from a commissioning source.
From there you'd have to PCS for UPT/FWQ. Your FTU would be a TDY if you go heavies (C-17, -5, -135) or most likely a PCS for fighters.
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I don't have a reference handy to support this opinion, but my gut feeling is that you will NOT be able to direct-commission into the ANG/AF. Only medical and legal folks can get away with that, I believe.
Having said that, the commissioning program for the ANG is the good 'ol Academy of Miliary Science (AMS) in Knoxville, TN. It's a 6 week class that send you on your way as a 2Lt ready for fixed wing qual. My best guess is that's what they'll have you do, assuming you get hired by an ANG unit.
[ 25. December 2004, 23:38: Message edited by: Bergman ]
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I don't know about the rest of the Navy's golf courses, but Pensacola's is pretty nice. Right on the water and pretty cheap, IIRC. The O'Club there used to be pretty sweet as well...lots of free/cheap beer and pizza is always a good thing!Originally posted by tktktk:Oh and one last tip- bring your golf clubs. Rumor has it that mainside pensacola has one of the nicest navy courses in the country.
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YGBSM! They're getting Article 15s for THAT? Just when you think the AF couldn't get any more ridiculous and/or PC.
If I'm gettin' an Article 15, I want it to be for something cool...buzzing the tower, flying inverted 3' from a Mig 28, or dating the Admiral's daughter.
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Sounds like you're a little discouraged! Not to worry...it really will be pretty easy.
Basically, your Det was right: just show up! Once you get to the front gate, have them give you a base map and/or directions to the VOQ (you'll need to make a reservation ahead of time; if they're full you will have to stay off base. Either way, you claim the expenses on your travel voucher). Once you've got a place to stay for the first few days (until you can either get a BOQ or apartment off base) it'll be time to get in touch with the training squadron.
It's been a few years since I was stationed there (ok, so you would have been a freshman in high school at the time so maybe more than a few) Anyway! If memory serves me, the Air Force has a personnel building somewhere on the main part of the base (as opposed to the hangars where the flying squadrons and naval museum are located on the far west end). They've got a full staff of folks that will help you in-process...things like locator card, active duty ID, SGLI, pay accounts, etc. They should also be able to tell you who your boss will be and/or who to report to and when. I believe the Air Force outfit running the show down there is still the 325 FW/Detachment 1.
As for the housing situation, it'll depend on when you get there. Seems the BOQ is full almost all the time, so that'll mean it's time to rent an apartment or a house. When I was in VT-10, I lived in an apartment on the northeast side of town (out by the mall and airport). After 9 months there, the drive to work (or anywhere) got to be tiresome, but that is coming from someone who had never commuted (now that I've worked in D.C. I have changed my tune!) If I could do it again, I would get a place on the beach or as close to it as possible. A lot of guys would rent houses on or near Perdido key to the west or Gulf Breeze to the east. Guess it depends on your interests and budget.
I've gotta run for now, but I hope that info is helpful. Let me know if you've got any other questions and we'll get you hooked up, as I'm sure there are a lot more people on this board with better/more recent info than me.
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Hmmm....because we can?
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I don't know that I will be able to sleep tonight after watching that!
[ 17. December 2004, 11:03: Message edited by: Bergman ]
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Depends on the unit. About 80% of our unit's overseas flying is moving pax and "light" cargo back and forth. The other 20% is refueling. Other units are probably different.
A lot of times a tanker unit will 'pick up' a fighter unit...land, grab their maintenance and support folks along with some spare parts, then drag the fighters across the pond.
In my limited tanker experience, it's not too often that a -135 will be just moving pallets or cargo around, but I'm sure it does happen.
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BRAVO! To me, the above quote really says it all about your post. If you're going to try engineering, ANY type of engineering, you need to want to be an engineer first and foremost. If your dreams of flying don't work out, you will be stuck being an engineer forever. If that fate doesn't appeal to you, don't even start the program.Originally posted by my_daddy_is_not_connected:If you THINK this shit is remotely your passion, aviation technology and an MBA with aviation concentration will put you closer to being happy around airplanes. If
I am a long since graduated Electrical Engineer who muddled my way through the program because: A) I had a full-ride ROTC scholarship in EE, B) I thought a technical degree would help me get a flight slot (it did...back in the day there was a multiplication factor for degree difficulty), and C) I thought it would help me land a good job after the Air Force. Looking back, I should have chosen a different major. It would have given me a higher GPA, more of a social life in college, and a better chance of finding a civilian job now that I am not full-time Air Force.
The fact of the matter is, and this is why I quoted that line specifically, that to stay in aviation you are much better off getting an Aviation Management, Safety, or Operations degree than an engineering degree. It turns out that the people with "soft"/people skills have: A) A much easier time finding jobs and B) Better long-term earning potential. How many CEOs are there with engineering degrees? Not many. The people that move up (in position and $$$) are the ones that can deal with PEOPLE, while the engineers are stuck in $60,000/year desk jobs forever..UNLESS they switch to management!
So back to my original point...if you don't enjoy engineering FOR ITS OWN SAKE, I would recommend against it.
[ 14. December 2004, 01:01: Message edited by: Bergman ]
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A quick search of www.dfas.mil under the "Military Pay Information" tab reveals...
2Lt Base Pay =$2264.40
Subsistence Allowance =$175.23
Flight Pay= =$125.00
Total=$2564.63 before taxes per month ($30775.56 per year)
I am assuming you would be living on base, and therefore would not get a housing allowance. That pay info would be good for the first 2 years, not including the cost-of-living increase every January (3.5% of base pay this year, I think).
As for Guard bumming, you're looking at $75.48 + 1/30th of your flight pay ($4.17) per drill period. With 96 drills and FTPs per year, that would be $7646.40. Add in your 2 weeks of annual training at $1282.32 and you're at a MINIMUM of $8928.72 or so just for doing the bare minimum as a part-time Guard bum. Depending on the unit, you could earn quite a bit more than that. We have part-time 1Lts who are on "Temp Tech" orders that start at $7400 PER MONTH. But those are pretty hard to come by and there are no guarantees how long it will last.
Hope this helps!
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The fact that someone went to AMS doesn't necessarily mean they are an inexperience pilot! One of our AMS grads _FLEW F-100's_ in the 70's and is STILL FLYING! Overall, our "average" pilot has 2000+ flying hours!
Granted, our unit is a little unusual in that we just converted from F-16s to KC-135s. Most of our guys were A-7 then F-16 guys for the past 20 years, so they have little -135 experience but tons of fighter hours. Of our 5 academy guys, 2 were former AD fighter guys and the other 3 were active duty -135 IP/EPs who are teaching everyone how to fly the tank. We also have another IP/EP who is an ROTC guy, and one active duty liason IP.
I still think your line of thought on this is a bit off. It's not like every ANG unit replaces all their pilots every other year with folks from active duty. From what I've seen, the turnover is pretty slow in ANG units. A unit may take 1 or 2 active duty people per year. Compare that with 1 or 2 UPT guys (who go to AMS) and the ratio of incoming 'new guys' is 50/50. Most units have a quota of how many pilots they need, so it's not like whenever an active duty pilot calls up they just join the unit. They have to interview for an available slot (not in the same group as the UPT people).
Again, this is just my perspective from my unit and the other 2-3 I have flown with. I am sure you can find units who have 80% former active duty pilots, but I would think most ANG units try to avoid that because it "poisons" the unit with AD mindset (which isn't always a bad thing). Believe it or not, some units would sacrifice experience in order to bring a 'guard baby' up through the ranks.
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Because most units hire from within or hire civilians "off the street"! If they give out 2 UPT slots per year, both of those are going to AMS for commissioning. Like I said, this is just my unit...others may vary, but out of 40 pilots we have 5 academy and 1 ROTC with the rest being AMS grads.Originally posted by flyguy:How can 80% of the pilots in your unit come from AMS when units only select one to two pilot candidates at the most a year for UPT slots ?
I stand by my point that if you're looking for a way to "appear involved" with the Air Force when applying for an ANG/AFRES slot, there are better/more visible ways to do it than AAS. AAS won't hurt your chances, but if you're fooling around with that rather than working on good grades, or full participation in an ANG unit (if you're already enlisted in one), then you're heading in the wrong direction, IMHO.
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Why would you want to?!? The chances of your average ANG pilot (the guys who sit on the selection boards!) knowing what AAS is are about 0%! Maybe other units are different, but in my unit I am the _only_ person who was ROTC...all the rest were AMS (80%) or USAFA grads, and thus don't know much about AAS.Originally posted by skipro101:My question, is: Can I join the Airnold Air Society without being in the AFROTC (or any other military branch, for that matter)? And, if I can, do you think it would look weird? Has anyone ever done this?
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Wow...if it was anyone but Doc I wouldn't believe the story! But with that dude anything is possible.
When someone with that much flight experience does something that stupid, it really makes us all look like a bunch of clowns. Not to sound like my dad, but he should know better! What if something happened...EP, bird strike, etc. Just plain stupid.
Glad to see he's still setting a great example for all the commanders (or everyone for that matter) that work for him.
Aerobatic General Aviation plane info
in General Discussion
Posted
The plane would be for my own use...no instruction, just a fun-flying airplane with light acro capability. All of this is just a pipe dream, of course (as PAB pointed out) because you can't possibly afford an airplane and have kids! But it makes for interesting discussion.
I really like Van's RV-8 and I also love building stuff (I'm a vertern of many muscle car projects) so that seems the logical choice. But that puts off your flying by 4-5 years. However, the outstanding performance and satisfaction from having built it yourself has got to be immense. Vans and the Cozy (canard) builders seem to have a good web ring union. Haven't been able to find much on the Christen Eagle, which is disappointing because it's such a beautiful airplane. Anyone around here built an airplane??!
Love the T-6 pics! Even if you could afford the purchase price, the fuel bill would kill you!
What do you guys think of $30-$40k for a Citabria just to get into airplane ownership? Your not going to set any speed records, but seems like it'd be pretty fun to fly (coming from someone who has never flown tail dragger).