General Discussion

Apparently Rotax engines are a target of organized crime (at least in Europe for now). They are showing up in Iranian drones purchased by Russia and being used in Ukraine. https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/bizarre-theft-wave-targets-same-rotax-engines-used-in-iranian-drones?fbclid=IwAR2BeFr1ribbpa62UkTrl4klDu-wzhr_O867JfQmLCzbN3EcM0OeTQ7D9mk

I have recently been considering joining the Air Force Reserve. Military service has been attractive to me for a long time, but I am only now giving it serious thought. Previously, I was very focused on a civilian career. For background, I am 28 years old and in the first year of law school, which is a three year program. I have an undergraduate degree in electrical and computer engineering. I intend to finish law school, and I will be 30 years old when I do. I am married with three children under the age of 5. I intend to have a civilian career at a large firm (not interested in JAG), during which I should be well-situated financially. I am motivated by a stron…

Hope he is ok. https://twitter.com/388fw/status/1582893659044708352?s=20&t=MTVQd_0vTp_NncTjHMj3aw

So there’s this whiny FGO in my squadron that seems like he doesn’t want to fly with me. I’m the DO, and I have a ‘go-fly’ list of people I want to fly with. I specifically ask Skeds to put us together, but every time we end up on the schedule together he takes “emergency” leave or says he can’t clear his ears. I’m pretty much the best pilot in the squadron, if not the wing, so I know I can show him a thing or two. When I talk to my life-size doll of Robin Olds, (that I keep in my office) his mustache speaks to me and says I should just smash his soul out of his body. Oh whatever should I do? These damn millennials…

Hello all, I am very interested in getting into the tactical mobility area of flying. I will be commissioning from Norwich University in about 50 days, and I will be going to UPT later on this fall. Right now, I’m really setting my sights on C-130s and C-17s because it seems like an awesome community to get into, and I really think that the overall mission fits my personality (if that makes any sense) I have a few questions, so PLEASE feel free to answer any and (preferably) all of them: 1. How hard is it to GET C-130s or C-17s? I have read in the forum that the best way to get Hercs is to bypass T-1s and try to get C-12s or T-44s at track select. Do you …

Hey everyone. I’ve looked everywhere online and done multiple searches on this forum to find the answer to this question but haven’t been able to find anything concrete. Do pilots commonly switch aircraft within their types (cargo, tankers, afsoc aircraft, fighters) or do they stay on the same airframe for their entire career? For example, do C17 pilots commonly switch to the C5 or C130 in their career or do they stay with the C17? Thanks in advance!

https://defenseopinion.com/in-a-dangerous-world-new-pentagon-mitigation-plan-would-hobble-u-s-forces/183/ One excerpt. Interesting from the perspective that major combat would probably be hampered if you apply the same expectations as HVI hunts with Hellfires, which he argues we are doing.

This thread is in response to all the healthy discussion on an unrelated thread not about the RQ-4, so now there is a thread just for the GH. Hopefully this will help my community fight two battles, the battle to be embraced by big Air Force so we can showcase our capability and the battle to address concerns that we have no capability at all, aka U2 vs RQ-4. So, we would love to integrate in a more meaningful way at Red Flag and tap into our Intel Patch's talent...As it was explained to me, the billet for an organic intel officer was established within the last year. I assume there is an Patch wearer on base but there isn't one in our squadron after former SQ/CC …

Question was asked and I'm looking for your expertise... For someone who is 5' 5" and flying the C-130J, they are curious if there's a good seat cushion on the market that is recommended by y'all. Apparently, the J-model HUD isn't adjustable (brilliant, Lockheed) and it wasn't installed for someone with a shorter seating height. Do any of you Herc Drivers have any suggestions? Thanks.

I was asked a question today by a fledgling aviator regarding instrument approaches. Instead of shooting from the hip, I decided to fire up my iPad and open up the AFMAN 11-217, but alas, it (the AFMAN 11-217) was not there. I went on to e-publishing and it’s not there either. I found a copy from 2019 on the Columbus AFB site via Google, but what am I missing here?

Apparently there was a crash of a Cessna Citation into the Baltic due to what looks like a loss of pressurization. Fighters were scrambled when there was no response to ATC as it flew on autopilot until it ran out of fuel: https://youtu.be/ZDFHOW6DxdA

Surprised it wasn't posted yet, but happy 50th to the Eagle bubbas here. An amazing combat aircraft and a brilliant piece of American technology.

Anyone know about this course down at Randolph. I know it's probably gay, but I had a good time down in San Antone during PIT and I'm looking to revisit some hos down there.

Congrats to Stalin. I'd say she's already had a successful run these past few months as the East Coast TACDEMO pilot. https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/meet-lt-amanda-stalin-lee-first-woman-blue-angels-jet-demo-pilot

https://battleland.blogs.time.com/2012/05/02/drone-pilots-we-dont-get-no-respect/ "…what is the differential risk between 10,000 feet and 10,000 miles in current conflicts?" “but I argue strongly that the differential risk of being an RPA operator in this war is at least that of an in-theater pilot.” Rodney Dangerfield would be so proud.

Read something about this from another air show guy. I haven’t been able to find anything. Anyone have info?!

Sad news for the air show circuit. Prayers for all involved. Shockwave Accident

Just curious if any Guard or Reserve guys here have done SOS in residence...alot of the pilots in my unit laugh at going to SOS in residence, but I think it might be kinda fun to hang out with some other folks and get four weeks worth of days. Anyone do it and think it's better to just go correspondence?

Hello friends. 6 to 9 month ago, I retired as a T-38 IP reservist. Talking to friends that are still hacking the mish (cool pilot talk 🙂 ), they are seeing numerous problems in T-38 land. 1st, the reduction in T-6 syllabus flying time is noticeable in newbie skill level and SA. 2nd, flight room daily morning briefs and daily stand-up are a thing of the past due to.... 3rd, IP manning is terrible. Supposedly AETC needed 249 IPs in FY 2019, they got 150 - everyone is separating. 4th, there are not enough civilian simulator instructors. Anyone else seeing the same stuff? I am drinking Belgian beer in Belgium right now. I hope you all find your way off the sinking s…

As I am posting this, I’m watching this video by Peter Zaihan and only about twenty minutes or so into this video but there is a ton of information that I have not seen or read anywhere else. This should be shown at intel briefings for an insight into what it going to happen in the next few months with the conflict in Ukraine!

Apparently China has been conducting military drills and exercises on their northeast border with Russia. China and Russia have always been “frenemies” ever since the Soviet-Sino split which peaked with Zhenbao Island incident that resulted in a brief armed conflict between the two countries in 1969. Nixon adroitly exploited this rift with his visit to China in 1972. https://www.theklaxon.com.au/home/china-russian-border-drills

https://siouxlandnews.com/amp/news/local/second-south-dakota-air-national-guard-f-16-crashes-at-sioux-falls-airport Rough month for the SD bubbas. Glad the pilots are walking away from the accidents.

Hope everyone had a safe Memorial day. I'd like to do a shot for each one that I knew, but I can't drink that much anymore. So, a toast to our brothers and sisters

To him. And prayers for his family. https://www.ktnv.com/news/one-dead-after-aircraft-crashes-during-training-mission https://www.youcaring.com/julieschultz-943161

Primarily by combat arms users in the army. But doesn't 3M also make some of spongies we as aircrew use? This might be a case to follow if you have hearing loss....