General Discussion

I'm a recent pilot-select waiting on a class date. I know I have a while before I even set foot into a UPT classroom but I'd like to get ahead if possible. From what I have read on here, the biggest obstacle to UPT studs is formation flying (correct me if I'm wrong). I have access to a couple T-28s and have the opportunity to do some practice formation work. Do you guys think this will benefit me in the long run? Is there anything I should do that would alleviate some of the newness of UPT flying? I'm not asking for any info that shouldn't be disclosed, just some tips or pointers on a way I can familiarize myself with the AF way of flying. Thanks.

I don't ever use AF Portal, but I recently heard that there is a way to add HARM to your workspace. That way you can see all of your AFORMS stuff (ground/flying events/hours). Does anyone know if this is true or not? If so, how do you add it to your portal workspace? Thanks, Techsan

Hello, I'm interested in becoming a PJ and I'm curious about how they are regarded within the USAF. I've read quite a bit of interesting things in the forums about SP's, but can you guys tell me about your experiences working with PJ's and what you think of them. I know that they're pretty much considered aircrew in the Rescue Squadrons. I know this isn't really about flying but I'm curious to hear some opinions from aircrew and non aircrew members. I've been on the special tactics forums but I would kind of like to hear some outsider perspectives on their community. Thanks

Just curious... How many of you participated in sports (specifically college). I've been reading a couple biographies about pilots. What I’ve noticed is that most great pilots have participated in a college sport. More specifically, the fighter pilots that I have read about, all played a college sport. Do you think being involved with a college sport helped them get where they are? It was just an observation; wanted to see what you guys thought. I thought maybe the level of competition helped them develop a mindset of always being a winner and hating to lose.

All right... I'm searching for the rule which allows distribution/possession/consumption on USAF Contract Commercial Aircraft. Example, a unit is deploying to location X - flying American Airlines Flt XX from a military base. Can we open a flask/bottle in the back? Folks are telling me we can...I need proof.

Does anyone know what the requirements are for shipping personal firearms to AK? I'm on my first PCS and have a bolt action rifle I want to take with me. Am I supposed to have TMO move it, or do I keep it on me and just put it in check baggage on the plane? I also considered having some family FedEX it to me once I find a permanent residence. I have a TDY enroute so I don't know if that will make a difference or not. The main point is: I'm not driving and want to know what's the proper way to move my rifle. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Recently, I have been considering the option of joining the Air Force. I will be joining a ROTC and hope to service my country in a way that only the military can, put my life on the line. In my search for more information, I have come to believe that it is harder to leave the military than it is to get in. My question is this, if I graduate ROTC and pursue a pilot career, how many years will I be committing? The minimum 6 years of service? Does the military have its ways of trapping a pilot in active duty or do most people just continue because they love the life? Thanks, Augustine

The post about the B-1 mishap made me think about this paper I recently wrote. Maybe there's some things in here that other pilots will find valuable. Feel free to steal and plagarize as desired. Some Things I’ve Learned Till Now I’ve been fortunate to be able to fly the A-10 for a long time. I started out on active duty, then spent time in the Air National Guard, and now fly full-time for the Air Force Reserves. I’m not yet ancient, but I am old enough to have witnessed some major changes in the way we view the world and the way we fly airplanes in the fighter/attack community. Around long enough to see some devastating mishaps, I’ve lost squadron mates, c…

So I was on a xc the other day, and the direct route of my flight put me through an MOA. While enroute, I was notified by center that the MOA was active with two aircraft(turned out to be 2 B-1's). So I said copy that, we'll keep an eye out. For me to avoid this MOA it would have been about a 20-25 minute detour to the west or a 15 minute detour around a restricted area to the east, so I figure what the hell, these planes are the sh!t and I'm sure the pilots are profficient enough not to care about a littel POS 172 passing through(perfectly legal) So I decide to keep flying through with eyes open. We see the two B-1's from quite a distance and had them in sight for a…

I was recently updating an article I wrote on pointy nose weaponeering a few years back. I interviewed the RAF equivalent of a FWIC IWSO for the article, and he talked in some depth about teaching his studs to manually calculate fusing, impact angles, penetration depths, impact speed etc. Of course, theere are also computers that can do all this stuff, but I suppose that the RAF wants to make sure that its FWIC studs don't forget how to do it the old fashioned way. Anyway, it got me to thinking about some stuff I was told about the mission planning software used by USAF strike pilots and WSOs. I was told that you could input, say, a command bunker into the computer,…

I've been searching online for a week now on some of the new aviator glasses I saw a pilot down at tyndall wearing. THey were more sleek than the normal round lense aviators. Anyone know what I'm talking about and how to get some?

In several threads I've noticed pilots mentioning a "fear of flying" and "controlling the fear". Could you guys elaborate on what you mean by that? Is it fear of the ability to control the jet at it's limits, fear of the enemy, both? Just curious, thanks.

Okay...I know I am not the only one to gripe about this, but here it goes I am sick and tired of you FAIP tools and active duty IPs treating UPT students as inferiors throughout training! Not only am I an officer, but I have earned my right to be here just as you did...what gives? And its not only the IPs that do it, but also many of the enlisted people around the base. I have had countless two stripers completely blow off saluting me just because they don't see wings on my chest. Another example...the MPF "customer service" representatives have been overheard saying "why are you calling him sir? isnt he just a student?" Dont treat us as inferior, treat us as y…

I don't know if this question has been asked, but after looking at Riddler's pics, I realized how small the DA-20 actually is. I head to Pueblo at the end of July and my question is: any tall guys have problems fitting in the airplane? I'm 6' 4" and 205 pounds and was wondering if I will be able to fit in the cockpit! Anyone have info on this? WxMan

Good Afternoon, I'm currently at Pensacola in Nav/WSO training. I just finished API (both pilots and navs go through this together), and I have at least 3 weeks off before I start Primary Nav training. I was originally selected for OTS as a pilot but was DQed for PRK pre-op being out of limits so I was redesignated as a Nav. The AF just changed the reg so my PRK pre-op is now well within limits. I've thought on this for nearly a week now and I can't decide whether to pursue getting my original assignment of pilot back or not. I'm THRILLED at the chance to be a WSO. On the other hand, I've always wanted to be a pilot. I'm age-critical (prior-enlisted) so I don't …

I came across this site and it made for an interesting read. The video's were even better if you ever wondered what a strike over SEA was like... Those thud drivers were something else! Hope you all enjoy! https://www.burrusspta.org/105movies.html

So I'm sure theres some poem or song I'm missing, but what is the significance of "him him"? I'm a young grasshopper in need of enlightenment.

I'm flying the T-38C and looking to save myself a copy of my HUD tape, but since it records the video analog, it seems impossible to find a medium to play the video on, and transfer it to my computer. Any suggestions? And buying one of those $500 tape players is out of the equation. Thanks in advance.

All, Long time listener, first time caller. I've searched (and searched and searched) through this forum for while, but haven't quite found enough info to solve my little dilemma. I'm in nav training at Randolph, 3 weeks away from a/c drop, #1 in my class, and split 50/50 on B-52's or C-130's, specifically to Ramstein. I think I'd be thrilled with either mission, so "part" of my decision making does come down to what's better for my wife. She loves traveling and all that jazz, still unsettled by the ops tempo of flying, but I imagine every new AF wife is. Specific pros or cons to either assignment would be greatly appreciated. JSM

Just watching some WWII movie and a question just came to me... Pilots that shoot down another aircraft get "kills", five to be an ace but, what did the gunners (B-17, etc.) get when they shot down another aircraft? I tried ye old Google with no luck (although somebody will prove me wrong).

This might affect some Guard guys... Can anyone confirm/deny this? If true, this is the best of example of (mis)management BS. This memo supposedly from ALPA, not Delta.

Word here at Laughlin is that as of this morning all team sorties in the T-1 have been cancelled here on out. Love them budget cuts!

Just a quick question: Without going into classified information, at any given equivalent air-to-air configuration, would I be right to assume that an F-15C can outturn an F-16D at a given low speed and altitude? According to the USAF Fact Sheets (lol), The Eagle allegedly has a higher thrust-to-weight ratio 1.12/1.30 compared to the Block 30 Viper's .0898/1.012 (depending on powerplant) and lower wingloading (only 83%) than the Viper (Block 30, at least). I assume these figures are for an equivalent configuration, and I'm assuming they're not skewed. So if someone with some aeronautical knowledge could tell me if higher t/w and lower wingloading necessarily tra…

I wish I was making this up. From the Newport News, VA Daily Press newspaper, the following in the Letters to the Editor. Man, people don't know how good they've got it. This partly infuriates me, but putting it in perspective more makes me laugh. --------------------------------- Disrespect for victims At noon on April 20, when people all across the state were gathered for a time of remembrance and memorial for the victims of the Virginia Tech shootings, aircraft from Langley Air Force Base were flying extremely noisy exercises. The loud noise significantly disrupted the solemn ceremony that NASA Langley Research Center was trying to conduct. The person or …

I love my job. I am only a C-130 loadmaster but I love my job. Every once in a while I see some really cool stuff. Here are some pics I took during todays Ft Smith conversion festivities over Arkansas.