General Discussion

I’m pretty clueless when it comes to stuff like retirement, investing, and so on. But I’m starting to get concerned and want to make sure I’m going to be okay at retirement. I want to start to learn this stuff so can anyone recommend an on-base service that might help me with this? Would USAA be a good source to get info? I have a brother in law who was in the Army and is now a banker so he can probably help me decipher the specifics of programs but he will probably first ask me what programs are available (if any). I’m just looking for something stable and relatively low risk to start putting money away for the golden years. I have no idea yet if I will be in f…

Reading some interesting C-model pubs and it mentions that training in the 300-100 foot AGL range should be in short segments consistent with real world risks, etc. How often do albinos do that stuff? How often do you other fighter guys really get down in the weeds, like below 500 AGL??

What are the different routes you can take on your ALFA tour? What do most dudes do? After ALFA, do you usually go back to an ops flying assignment again? What do you do after your second ops tour is up?

Ok, so I decided to go after my dream and not think about money or anything like that. I am so excited to be an AF pilot, but what can pilots expect financially? I know about the pay charts and flight pay, but what can you count on making? If you stay in for 10 years where can you be financially? (Assuming that you are responsible and invest.) For 20 years and beyond where can you be? I've heard of officers investing well and retiring completely after 20 years with 1 million+ in the bank and a nice house. What's your take on all of that? Is flying for the airlines after you are done whether it's 10 or 20 years a good way to go? I don't care about being a huge …

After UPT, what stuff do you keep and what stuff do you have to return? If going on to a fighter, do you keep the helmet/mask?

Anybody have any success in getting the FAA to sign off on the new Hawker 400XP type in addition to the BE40 and Mitsubishi Diamond? Beech has renumbered their assembly line, much like Gulfstream did, and apparently the Hawker 400 is the equivalent to our T-1 but I have not heard of anybody getting all three types out of UPT yet. Thanks- Guppyguy

Just for my own discussion/knowledge sake, I've been trying to come up with the mininum runway lengths for our various AF. Do these #'s sound right? F15 - 8000' F-16 - 6000'(Forward Zone) & 8000' normal T-6A - 4000' C130 - 3000' combat and 6000' normal T-37 - ? C-17 - ?

as gay as it sounds, I'm happy it's true. I had my last two checkrides in the tweet this past week. Any advice for the T-38?

I just selected to go to UPT when i graduate from college and i have many questions about UPT. *What is the hardest part of UPT and what is the best advise anyone can give to a green 2Lt going to UPT? *Is there things i can/should be studying while still in college to get me ahead of the game? *How hard is it to get fighter/bomber track select? I have many more questions, just cant think of them right now. Thanks for the help

I'm putting down Space and Missiles as my first choice on my 53. I know most of the stuff on this site is flying related, but if someone has some insight in to the Space & Missiles field, I'd appreciate a little guidance. Things like what to expect for my first assignment, bases (good ones, not so good), training, lifestyle and such. Thanks a lot

With no bags and no AR, how long can the eagle and viper stay up, sts? For instance...the single-ship demo guys and T-birds. How much gas do they have left after the routine?

I did a search but didn't come up with much. I'm looking for any advice on casual at Andrews AFB but specifically -where to live/not to live (is the BAH really $1200) -is IFT done on Andrews or at a local airport (AF 1 I'm sure can get in the way) -what jobs you will be performing on the base (if any) any to volunteer for (I used to be base honor guard when I was enlisted) -what uniform you have to wear the most -any incentive rides ( I know there are mostly C-__'s) -how bad can the traffic get -etc etc I really appreciate it guys. Congrats to all those others that just got their assignments. Mick

So, I return from my 4-ship to the range today and read on my email that the AETC/CC has authorized the GWOT-S medal for *everyone in AETC* regardless if they have or have not directly participated in the Global War On Terror. WTF??? That is a slap in the face to those of us who have spent hours and hours flying CAPs for Operation NOBLE EAGLE. As if it wasn't bad enough that the GWOT-S was the only recognition ONE flyers are going to get...now it's pretty much just being given to *everyone*.

Just found out yesterday i'll be doing casual and IFT at Wright Patt. Not as sexy as somewhere in florida, and no damn back seat rides, but kinda sweet to get to do ift where the wright brothers flew. Anyways any gouge on Wright Patt would be appreciated, especially if there is someone who knows a cool job for a new Lt. to try and swing (since there are no damn planes there that arent in the museum!!!) If any othe Lt's are goin let me know and if we can live off base, we can get rooms near serority row

I feel like I am getting screwed by the Air Force. I am AFROTC and was awarded a navigator slot as a alternate in Novermber of 2004. 5 days later I was given a pilot slot. In January 05 I went to Brooks. On the 10th of this month, I was told I was DQd from pilot because of my eyes, but I was given a waiver for navigator. However, no navigator slots are available at this time. Because of this, and the timing of it all, I have been slated to be a missile/munitions maintenance officer, but I have not been given a base. They said that I may get a nav slot back if one becomes available prior to commissioning (14 May 05), but if not, I have to take the missile/munitions …

For all you 21 guys, quick question... I'm interested in flying the C-21, and the only dudes I've ever talked to that flew it all flew 130's afterwards. Is that the typical follow-on? Or are there other options? Do you have much say in that to begin with? Thanks for the help

For my airlift brethren: 1.- The PILOT always make THE RULES. 2.- THE RULES are subject to change at any time without prior notification. 3.- No CO-PILOT can possibly know all THE RULES. 4.- If the PILOT suspects the CO-PILOT knows all THE RULES, he must immediately change some or all THE RULES. 5.- The PILOT is never wrong. 6.- If the PILOT is wrong, it is due to a misunderstanding which was a direct result of something the CO-PILOT did or said wrong. 7.- The CO-PILOT must apologize immediately for causing such misunderstanding. 8.- The PILOT may change his mind at any time. 9.- The CO-PILOT must never change his mind without the express wri…

What kinds of things do you real pilot-types look for in a watch as far as functionality? Stop-watch feature? Backlight/indiglo, etc? I read about all those Breitlings and Citizens, and please correct me if I'm wrong, but those seem like little more than something fancy on your wrist.

I am sure there is a post on this somewhere, but does it take to become an Aggressor Pilot? That sounds like a neat job. Do you apply after you have flown say an F-16 for a few years or after your an IP, or even have a high amount of combat hours? How competitive is that? Id imagine it would be almost as hard as making the Thunderbirds..am I wrong? Im bored, so thought I would ask so it gave me something to do. Yeah guess you could say Spring Break sucks in pittsburgh..lol id almost rather be in school. Lastly though, does the USMC still use Kfirs as aggressor type aircraft, or have those phased out? thanks, just wondering.. [ 26. March 2005, 17:27: Message e…

I understand the basic U,F,G,E and downgrade grading system at UPT but I was wondering exactly what types of things count as downgrades during flights? How much do you have to bust airspeed or altitude to get a downgrade? what other things would you get a downgrade for? what things would cause you to hook a ride? if you have specific examples from rides that would help. Thanks.

Any Viper dudes out there know where the Snake Dance originated and what the story behind it is? I heard it's from Korea, but wasn't sure...

I know that a PPL is not necessary, but most people say that it is very beneficial to increasing your chances of getting a pilot's slot in the Air Force. I am thinking about taking the Air Force ROTC route and attempting to get a slot that way. Has anybody else here got their PPL before trying to get a pilot's slot? If so, how much did it help you? Is a PPL enough, or should a person also get an Instrument rating (which usually takes longer than getting a PPL and is very expensive)? I have talked to many people involved in Air Force ROTC and they say that the major you take is not a force at all, just as long as you get a bachelors and a good grade. Considering thi…

Tragic Loss ERAU and NAC alum ENS Steve Elledge was killed yesterday in a plane crash near NAS Meridian. There is a memorial on the Navy Club homepage: https://www.db.erau.edu/campus/student/clubs/nac/ Steve was a loving husband, an awsome dude and a great friend who would do anything for his bros. He died doing what he absolutely loved. GodSpeed -j Attached Thumbnails

FYI for Mustang fans: https://www.mustangsmustangs.net/p-51/p51sh...6/gmlhome.shtml

I just got a notice from a fighter wing in the NE to apply with their unit for an upcoming board. First off, I've never talked to this unit in any way. Has this ever happened to anyone? I don't even know how they got my info. Regardless, I'm staying loyal to my sponsoring unit.