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If they were to go single track, I wonder if there would be an opportunity for former T-1 IPs/heavy type pilots to be retrained / TX as IPs for the T-7?

Single track worked for years, created many of the old heads on this forum now - no need to fix what isn’t broken. Current AETC commander is phenomenal and unlike many of his predecessors doesn’t have his head up his ass.

It's not rocket science to look out at the civ aviation world, find a decent multi aircraft that you can buy at scale, and just buy it. Then send all your non-fighter, non-helo pilot studs to train with it. Wham bam, done. I or anyone with half a brain could do it in a couple of weeks if Uncle Sam will loan me the gov AMEX Centurion w/ no spending limit. Too bad it "doesn't work that way" for...reasons.

This was the AETC/CC's vision since at least 2016, but when suggested it was shot down on account they'd need twice as many to execute the mission. Here's the funny part: the T-7 is a purpose-built, lead-in fighter trainer intended to bridge the gap between the T-6 and fifth gen. AETC/A57 worked with ACC/A3 on what they wanted it to accomplish, not AMC/A3. What a colossal waste of taxpayer dollars to put heavy kids through this thing. "Universally assignable" as a goal is a joke.

Guard MQ-9. And you don't even have to give up the rank! We have, right now, 5x Lt Cols who just fly the line full-time on T10 orders and have for years. Shit, none of them are even IPs! It's wild. Best kept secret I've seen in my career so far. No leadership/management required, yet get paid (almost) the same as the AGR SQ/CCs and DOs who are busting their asses every day and twice on drill weekend. Not a bad gig if you can get it.

This

Send them to God's country. Let them breath-in a little sand mixed with death. I bet they stop protesting. Use all those GD C5s to take the "students" and drop them off.

The thing I did with my M9 during OIF and OEF was drop it. Edit: But it was always on fire and pointed at the CP Lol. But for real.

https://www.stripes.com/branches/air_force/2024-04-25/air-force-hercules-marathon-flight-13652191.html Hell yeah. Everybody loves the Herc!!!

When you figure out this secret, it's usually too late. Lol. I think you can find this golden ticket 🎟 in some whisper alley kinda backshop, full of this motley band of misfits (pilots, gunners, booms, navs, FEs, loads and every now and then a broken 11F) somewhere in the OSS. When I retired. My boss was one of my Lts. Lol. Thats how you do it. Wink 😉

Everyone is going to do contract initial pilot training. PPL, IFR, Multi. Then shorter T-6 direct FTU or shorter FBF. SGTO happening now T-6 is going away for everyone eventually and IPT direct T-7s for all my friends.

You have a rosy outlook on violent encounters. We aren't dealing with redcoats vs. colonial army rules of war either.

Nope. Nor do I hope to be. Around my normal territory, if a weapon is produced folks back away. If a weapon is fired, folks run. We aren’t dealing with organized squads of trained paramilitary. Even in Phoenix and Vegas I wasn’t carrying to win a protracted gun fight ….

I've never shot a rifle or pistol at a person and hope I never have to. And I don't doubt that my accuracy would be drastically decreased if that person might be shooting back. But I would be very interested to see an in depth study like the above data on CC shootings. Just based on personal experience, I've been to multiple shooting ranges both civilian and military and have coincidentally been shooting next to police officers multiple times. Not a single time was I impressed with any of their shooting. I know that there are many cops that would shoot circles inside my groups, but I wonder how the hit rate of CC shooters would compare with the average. That said, more bullets is always better, which is why I'm still looking to figure out a folding M4 for my truck gun.

I was discussing this the other day, after seeing what the USN pulled off almost overnight. AF buy a slew of the same darn Beechcraft and get on it NOW. All those turboprops can be delivered in 3-4 years. Guys need real flying and learning in the real world and all the things one learns by doing that. T-6 onward to King Air onward to "Heavy Whatever" is WORLDS better than T-6 to F it, we do it live. Kudos to the USN boys. AF...take notes and execute on a T-1 replacement.

Where do I sign?

we are so fucked

The FDIC just published this document regarding its preparations for the failure of a Global Systemically Important Banking (GSIB) organization headquartered in the U.S. with complex global operations. https://www.fdic.gov/sites/default/files/2024-04/spapr1024b_0.pdf It basically outlines how the Sec of the Treasury, Federal Reserve, and President will transfer all the assets to a Bridge Financial Company. I thought it interesting that they mention they plan to put the company into FDIC receivership on a Friday evening so as to be able to mobilize the plan and prevent a contagion by Monday morning. "The appointment as receiver late Friday afternoon would provide time, while most global financial markets are closed, to form a Bridge Financial Company, mobilize resources needed to conduct business beginning on Monday morning, and communicate with key constituencies (including employees, counterparties, and claimants) around the globe. The FDIC recognizes that a Friday night appointment may not be possible in all instances, and the timing will be highly dependent on the nature of the failing institution, how it fails, and market conditions at the time." The plan says it ensures that only claimants (shareholders and creditors) would incur losses and that US taxpayers would incur no liability. Translation: they'll print the money. "The ability of the FDIC and other regulatory authorities to manage the orderly resolution of large, complex financial institutions remains foundational to U.S. financial stability. While recognizing the progress that has been made toward enabling such a resolution and ending “too big to fail,” we also recognize that the resolution of a GSIB has not yet been undertaken. When it becomes necessary to do so, carrying out such a resolution will come with a unique set of challenges and risks." Any bets on who it's gonna be?

Concur unfortunately At this point (phase 3) you’re starting to refine and shape the product, allow for greater responsibility and lay the foundation for a future aircraft commander who can lead a crew, handle change, manage priorities and execute the mission. You only get that in the training environment of actually flying an aircraft in the real world with all its variables. Comment not directed at you but the GOs, SESs, CODELs and policy makers lurking here for ideas on what the AF should be doing.

This would be a good idea. I thought my TC-12 training was a good feeder for the Herk. It would give the student a more complex airplane with more than one engine to worry about. At this point anything is better than the ridiculous idea of T-6s straight to whatever heavy the student tracks. Would probably be fairly cheap operating cost wise too. All those are reasons why the AF would most likely never go for it.

https://www.navair.navy.mil/product/T-54A Perhaps, but it WILL fly in the valley-of-the-downs! Ah the good ole' days of doing an NDB approach sucking O2 mask with an engine simulated out. And uphill both ways.

That's tight. It blows my mind that the Rattler LT is the same length as the Charger *after* they added 1.25” to the barrel. I've never paid much attention to the "braced pistol" world until now. The Rattler is crazy $$$, but .300BLK is a pretty neat round. I just gotta wait for my ATF approval for the silencer and I'll be ready to find somewhere for a little training. I'm sure they're plenty of options on Texas🤣😂 Might have to at the Charger to the wishlist... I decided I'm going to try and minimize the number of calibers I own, and 9 mm ain't going anywhere anytime soon.

The real question… does the T-54 have a “god box”?