<![CDATA[Useful Product Reviews & Military Discounts Latest Topics]]>https://www.flyingsquadron.com/forums/forum/25-useful-product-reviews-military-discounts/enMilitary focused Pilot Logbookhttps://www.flyingsquadron.com/forums/topic/24336-military-focused-pilot-logbook/Hey everyone! My name is Brian and I am an Air Force helicopter pilot. I know, we are a rare breed, but we do exist.

I got tired of trying to log my flights and keep up with a paper logbook or excel sheet, and of all the logbook apps out there none of them met my needs for military flight logs or they charged too much money. So I created my own logbook app!

I have it up for beta test on Apple's TestFlight right now and would like to offer it up for anyone to try. Once I get enough feedback I'll put it on the App Store too. It's free, and I plan to keep the core functions free forever. This is a passion project for me, so please share in the spoils of my work. All I ask in return is honest feedback and suggestions.

https://flightopslog.com/

Happy flying!

-Brian

]]>24336Wed, 29 Apr 2026 01:20:16 +0000Military Discountshttps://www.flyingsquadron.com/forums/topic/1542-military-discounts/Recently I have been asking the local restuarant in my area if they have a military discount. I have found that any military member that doesn't ask is cheating themselves.

I went to On the Border, got 50% OFF!! I understand its like a one day a week deal but my hostess reaped the benifit via a nice tip

Bennigans Pub offers 20% off.

Smokey Bones 10%

Ill be asking at Red Lobster and a few more.

These are local or places I went in military cities. Point being is ask you server. You may be pleasantly surprised.

[ 04. July 2006, 03:20: Message edited by: Toro ]

]]>1542Sat, 04 Jun 2005 15:04:00 +0000Car Loanhttps://www.flyingsquadron.com/forums/topic/22921-car-loan/ Looking for a bank with a good rate / good customer service.  Any recommendations?  Trying to avoid USAA.

]]>22921Fri, 13 Dec 2019 00:31:15 +0000Looking for good NVG/night flying flashlighthttps://www.flyingsquadron.com/forums/topic/22237-looking-for-good-nvgnight-flying-flashlight/ Any recommendations?  Ideally looking for something that is dual output, white/bright for walk arounds but also can use in the cockpit to augment / backup those little NVG fingerlights.  Preferably green and fairly dim etc...

I was looking at the new surefire aviator, but I had the old one and it was way too bright to use in the cockpit.  Anyone using something they like?

 

]]>22237Sat, 19 May 2018 17:57:57 +0000<![CDATA[Credit Cards / Cash Back & Rewards Options]]>https://www.flyingsquadron.com/forums/topic/18081-credit-cards-cash-back-rewards-options/What credit cards are you guys using to get the best rewards? We have no consumer debt anymore (cars are paid off, etc) and we're thinking about using a credit card that gives rewards for day-to-day purchases, staying within our budget as we have since first setting one when we got married, and paying it off to $0 balance every month.

We see USAA gives 1.25% for purchases over $17000/year with cash rewards tailing off at different tiers under that. Is there something better out there? Am I misreading USAA's offer?

Suggestions?

]]>18081Tue, 29 Mar 2011 00:51:51 +0000Hylete Workout Gear - 40% Off for Militaryhttps://www.flyingsquadron.com/forums/topic/21961-hylete-workout-gear-40-off-for-military/ Hylete makes a limited line of workout apparel that I have found to be durable and useful for the gamut of my workouts ranging from powerlifting to sprint exercises.  I would normally refrain from referring on this site, but Hylete offers 40% on all purchases to military members.  Shameless referral link:  https://share.hylete.com/x/LDeAx1

 

ETA:  The above link gives 40% off for the initial purchase.  To get 40% off for all purchases (50% off for 15 or more items), you need to sign up with their Service League.  Much like AMEX's SCRA verification, you enter your name and email, they verify your affiliation and you are good to go.

]]>21961Wed, 27 Sep 2017 16:17:29 +0000American Airlines Admirals Clubhttps://www.flyingsquadron.com/forums/topic/21131-american-airlines-admirals-club/ Apparently AA allows military into any of their Admiral's Clubs for free as long as you are traveling same day on AA and have orders.  What kind of orders are they looking for?  I'm not sure.  But if you are active you are always on orders, AF 988 leave orders are just that, orders.

 

I'm going to try this on Friday afternoon at PHL and will report back.

Click here to see the AA policy

]]>21131Wed, 17 Feb 2016 21:24:33 +0000Good tax preparation in Colorado Springs? https://www.flyingsquadron.com/forums/topic/21067-good-tax-preparation-in-colorado-springs/Was wondering if anyone had a tax preparer in Colorado Springs that they were happy with. 2015 was busy for us with a PCS and new rental property so we're looking for someone familiar with the military. Thanks!

]]>21067Fri, 01 Jan 2016 22:17:23 +0000What's your favorite US based airlinehttps://www.flyingsquadron.com/forums/topic/20826-whats-your-favorite-us-based-airline/And why?

]]>20826Sat, 15 Aug 2015 21:31:09 +0000Pilot roller, pubs bag + commercial carry-on optionshttps://www.flyingsquadron.com/forums/topic/20990-pilot-roller-pubs-bag-commercial-carry-on-options/So, I've had to call "uncle" as I can no longer carry heavy bags to the aircraft--my back can no longer handle long bag drags with a lot of weight on my shoulders... yes I have to become one of "those guys".  I need some advice on what to buy so that I can roll it across the tarmac with checklists, headset, 1" binders, IPAD, etc...but also put it in the overhead for commercial flying with a flightsuit and boots.  Probably something that I can place another bag on top of, so I can roll two on one like airline pilots do.

I know there was a thread awhile back where a guy was pitching his pilot, rolling, pubs/nav bag, but I couldn't find that thread anymore. I've seen the 130 NAVs that bring their handy roller bag that they can sit on in the cockpit, any idea where to get those and if it is worth being identified as a NAV?  I can't imagine you can get a lot in those bags for commercial flights though.

 

]]>20990Sat, 14 Nov 2015 16:20:52 +0000Bed Bath and Beyond - Veteran's Dayhttps://www.flyingsquadron.com/forums/topic/20979-bed-bath-and-beyond-veterans-day/So a friend just posted she got 20% off her ENTIRE PURCHASE for being a veteran.  Apparently this is happening today and tomorrow (10-11 Nov 15).  So if you've been meaning to go buy some stuff for your house, now is the time!

]]>20979Tue, 10 Nov 2015 16:00:50 +0000How to play all of those movies/TV shows you got while deployedhttps://www.flyingsquadron.com/forums/topic/20955-how-to-play-all-of-those-moviestv-shows-you-got-while-deployed/While recently deployed, I've found a lot of people are interested in setting up a home media server to play the movies and TV shows they "acquire" while they're down range. So, I wrote up a quick list of gear that helps a lot, and I will write up a "how-to" to follow!

For the gear you need at home, there's three main categories: Something to play the media (Raspberry Pi 2 is my favorite choice), something to serve the media (WD My Cloud EX 2100 or similar is what I like), and a decent network to tie it together (I list a few examples).

For the Raspberry Pi Kits:
Raspberry Pi Kit with everything you need, I have one of these and I prefer the case more than the other kit:
Raspberry Pi 2 Kit by Vilros
Other Raspberry Pi Kit, don't care for the case as much:
Raspberry Pi 2 Kit by CanaKit
With both of these kits, you can use "NOOBS" which is pre-installed on the SD Card in the kits. With "NOOBS", you just plug the SD Card in and boot up the Raspberry Pi. You'll get a screen with a list of options, and you just pick OSMC. Each of these particular kits are $69
 
For the NAS:
The Ex 2100 w/ 4 TB is newer, and faster than the Ex 2. However, it's slightly more expensive
WD My Cloud Ex 2100 w/4 TB - $385
 
The Ex 2 w/ 4 TB is obviously then older and a little bit slower. But this is the system I'm using in the media room now, and it works great.
WD My Cloud EX 2 w/ 4TB - $323
 
If you're considering spending the $385 on the EX 2100, you may also want to consider buying the EX 2 with 6 TB instead.
WD My Cloud EX 2 w/ 6 TB - $385
 
For the Router:
TP-Link
This is what I own, it's a great price and works great:
TP-LINK Archer C7 - $99
 
This is the next model up. it's a little bit faster, but costs a little bit more:
TP-LINK Archer C9 - $129
 
This thing is ridiculous, but you won't need to upgrade for like 10 years (or 3):
TP-Link AC3200 - $258
 
Linksys
This is what I will probably buy next, I'm a huge fan of Cisco products, and this one seems legit:
Linksys AC3200 - $184

So, if you have inputs about something you've found that you like better, let us know! I ordered an Amazon Fire TV stick, but I haven't been home yet to test it with the NAS. 

]]>20955Sat, 31 Oct 2015 14:56:57 +0000American Express - Platinum Cardhttps://www.flyingsquadron.com/forums/topic/20812-american-express-platinum-card/I have the American Express Platinum Card. I highly recommend it if you go TDY a lot or do a lot of personal travel. They will waive the annual fee ($450) for active duty military just by simply filling out their online form:

American Express SCRA

It has a ton of benefits. My favorite perk is free access to The Centurion Lounge. My wife and I were able to settle in and get some free food and drinks before flying to Venice from Vegas. Additionally, it earns rewards points that you can use for just about anything you can imagine, from purchases on Amazon to trading points with Hilton, Delta, or many other travel partners. Some more benefits:

  • Free Global Entry
  • $200 a year in statement credits for your choice of airline in-flight purchases (I chose Delta and got seat upgrades)
  • Free Boingo Wi-Fi
  • Immediate SPG Gold Status
  • Roadside assistance (up to 4 requests per year)
  • Airport lounge access for Centurion Lounge, Delta Lounge, Airspace Lounge, and free Priority Pass membership

Link to the card:

https://www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/platinum

it appears like they have reduced the annual fee to $175. 

]]>20812Fri, 14 Aug 2015 10:05:40 +0000BarclayCard Arrival+ Credit Cardhttps://www.flyingsquadron.com/forums/topic/20885-barclaycard-arrival-credit-card/Like many here, I already have a AMEX platinum card for free due to the awesome benefits it provides and the fact that it's free to active duty military once you request SCRA benefits with AMEX.  However, it's not a good "day-to-day" credit card.  Also, vendors who take AMEX are sometimes hard to find.

 

Enter the BarclayCard Arrival+ card, which is a World Elite MasterCard.  Find a link here:
https://www.findmybarclaycard.com/barclaycard-credit-cards/?campaignId=2165&cellNumber=1&Referrerid=BCSBA0815PRD

 

This card typically costs a user $89 per year just to own, and the interest rate is typically higher than USAA's offerings.  HOWEVER, you can get GREAT adjustments to the terms of the card agreement by simply calling the number on the back of the card and requesting SCRA benefits.  Here's what they did for me:

1.  All fees waived (including balance transfer fees, late fees, annual fees)

2.  Interest rate on the card is set to 0%.  That's right:  ZERO INTEREST on a CREDIT CARD

3.  ZERO foreign transaction fees

 

 

Their points system is fairly generous, and spending $3k on the card in the first 3 months will net you 40,000 points (worth $400).

 

If you don't have one yet, I recommend you check it out.  It's a great deal if you're on active duty, and it has become my go-to card for just about everything...just to take advantage of the generous points/cash back system.

 

Free stuff is cool.  Get with it.

]]>20885Fri, 18 Sep 2015 04:39:58 +0000EXAMPLE PRODUCT BRAND - MODELhttps://www.flyingsquadron.com/forums/topic/20811-example-product-brand-model/This is an example of a product description. I got it directly from the manufacturer and they offered a military discount if you call 555-5555 and ask for Banjo. It worked super great and I highly recommend it.

]]>20811Fri, 14 Aug 2015 09:51:07 +0000