General Discussion

Check out this picture. SAA Formation

Please forgive my ignorance, but what exactly is fix to fix flying?

How much leeway does the student have in deciding where to go on a cross country at pilot training? Does the IP assign a destination or can the student have input? I know it probably depends on the IP and what phase or track you're in, but I'm wondering if the student can plan a XC to somewhere they want to go (within reason).

Two weeks ago I found out I lost my WSO slot but will be going to Intel Training instead. It's an acceptable trade. I'm actually very excited about being part of the intelligence community. Does anyone know much about Intel Training? How is San Angelo? What types of drops are there out of training? I'd really like to get into the special ops side of the intel world, specifically at McChord. Is there anything I can do to get there?

Im wondering why do some guys crush the backs of their flight cover, so the back sticks up? Others will make a the back flatten out in the back. If you arent seeing what Im saying. When you put the cover on push the back down, it creates a tail look. Can anyone tell me why? I heard a few things. In WWII the flight caps were crushed by the headset, and it stuck. Another one was that guys with tons of hours "can" do it. Then I heard that fighter/bomber guys wear the crushed-back-tail-sticks-up (USN speak ducktail) And the heavy drivers wear the one with the back flatten and sticking out back. If anyone knows the reason please let me know, and the correct …

How does having a bankruptcy on your record look, when you are trying to get a security clearance for the Air Force. (Either a Secret or Top Secret clearance) Thanks for the help.

Hey everyone, looks like I'm inbound to XL for class 05-12. I've seen a few other people on here that are going as well and I was wondering where everyone was coming from and backgrounds, AD/Reserve/Guard, etc etc etc. As for myself I'm a former AD guy thats going reserve (KC-135's). Also, is anyone else going to be a Capt?? Hope to see you all there! Andrew

Just looking over the T-6 Ops limits and was curious on the definition/abbreviation of the following: 1. ITT - Inter Turbine Temp? 2. N1 - ? 3. Np - ? 4. PMU - ? Thanks in advance.

What's the purpose of a numbered Air Force? Are they each tasked with a specific mission or geographical area?

I'm going to PIT this summer and was hoping to get some gouge so I know what to expect. I'd like to take my wife too. What is the lodging on and off base like? And the really important question... How much do they pay you while your at PIT? Thanks for your help.

I thought I remember hearing that if you are activated or have orders to move that you can terminate your lease without any penalty. Does anyone know if this is true and where to find more information?

What do most guys do for computers at UPT? Is it advisable to grab a good laptop that you can take with you to class, or just stick to a desktop in your quarters?

So, looking over all of the postings recently, there has been alot of talk about the tweet gouge. Everyone seems to agree that guys inbound for UPT should at least know the Boldface, but there has been alot of talk about the boldface having changed. Can it really change so much that it is nolonger worth looking at? Also what is the Boldface test like, fill in the blank, multiple guess, or is it verbatium write out every boldface? Any help would be appreciated.

Just curious if anyone knew what it took to become a Thunderbird. Thanks for the info.

Actually, officers can sell back leave. You can only sell back 60 days of leave in a career. This becomes a player when transitioning to the ANG/AFRC. When you do a month MPA tour, you accumulate 2.5 days of leave, which will automatically get sold back at the end of the tour. If you sold back all 60 days at the end of Active Duty, you're SOL, so they say. I sold back 30 days at the end of AD and took the rest as terminal leave before joining the ANG. Nowhere else are you going to get this much paid vacation time this quick. And if you start UPT in November, let's say, and you get 2 weeks off in December for Xmas break, they'll let you "go in the hole" or car…

This is probably an odd question, but I was wondering about vacation time. I know you guys get 30 days a year, but do you really get to use it all? If so, can it all be taken at once? I guess I’m having “commitment” issues, and was just wondering how sold my soul would be to the government for ten years or so of flying. Thanks.

I'm looking at a flight pay table here and I was curious why the jump from $206 (>4 yrs) to $650 (>6 yrs)??

I just finished Scott O'Grady's book Return With Honor, and wanted gain some perspective. I've heard two conflicting stories. One, makes it sound like he made some mistakes and sort of screwed the pooch. The other makes it sound as though the missile was a complete surprise to both O'Grady and his flgiht lead, and fate wasn't on his side that day. Any thoughts, especially from the more senior folks out there who were active when all this occurred?? [ 25. April 2004, 14:54: Message edited by: MEH9030 ]

So I was wondering if any 130 guys out there who had gone to Ramstein could give me some advice. I just got my wings and after I finsh up at Little Rock I will be going to Germany. Ramstein gets snowed on, should I bring my Trans Am, or sell it for something more practical there? Any advice on what to do with my household goods before leaving Conus? And where should I try to live when I am over there near "K-town"? I don't like living on base but I have never been over seas either, whats the best way to go? And how much pay increase if any is to be expected while I am over there, COLA etc. Anyone know where the slicks there fly to mostly? How hard is it to get leave, and …

Is/was there any rhyme or reason behind the tailcodes on jets...I mean, why the hell is Kadena "ZZ"?? Also, why don't heavies have the traditional two-letter tailcode? The only time I've ever seen it was an SJ on a KC-10, and ZZ on a KC-135...always been curious.

Question, For active duty UPT guys, do you think it is a wise decision to buy a car before going to pilot training or to wait until one is finished. I have the oppertunity to take the USAA loan and get a good deal on a 2000 Wrangler Sahara. Any Thoughts?

Anybody out there know what the current story on the Osprey is?I know they are back in testing, saw one flying around Edwards two days ago, but what is their proposed IOC date? If you have got any info I would appreciate it.

I remember hearing that if you get stationed at Mildenhall or Lakenheath you have to put your pets in quarantine for X number of days/weeks. Is this still in effect? What's the story on this? I'm hoping to get stationed at Mildenhall, so I'm curious as to how this works (I've got 2 dogs). [ 09. April 2004, 18:39: Message edited by: backseatdriver ]

Any tips on housing? I am married w/kids. I called Moody's housing office and was told there was a 12 month wait...not much help for 6 months of training. Someone told me that all UPT students had to live on base and that we were basically stuck on base. Can anyone validate or dispell that rumor?

I hear a lot of talk about military traffic patterns with fixes and all kinds of stuff. What does a military traffic pattern actually consist of? Is a VFR pattern more like an approach or is it just a general procedure?