General Discussion

OK, I looked through the search function of the board and couldn't find it. I'm looking into applyin for a boomer position and wanted to get the skinny on the process. Is there an age limit? I have going on 15 years AFRES/Ang time. I am a pilot for a law-enforcement agency here in Ohio, so I do have some idea of the CRM aspect of things. I looked into trying to go UPT, but I'll be 35 in March '07 so I'm pooched on that avenue. Is being a boomer worth it? Although I won't be a pilot on a 135, will my interaction as an aircrew member give me valuable experience that I can bring back to my civilian flying job? Any hints, suggestions....etc gladly welcomed

Haven’t posted on here before, but I’m just looking for some advice. I’m dropping in a few weeks and dream sheets are due in a couple weeks. I’m graduating out of Sheppard and have been an average T-38 student. My mass score etc. is roughly middle of the pack, which in the current environment means I could be assigned a wide range of stuff. Some background, I’m married, planning on having kids in the next couple yrs, and I’ve also had some long term family challenges arise with my parents/siblings. I even had to go home on emergency leave to take care of some stuff with my folks. Long story short, I’m curious what some of the more experienced ppl on here might think…

https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2020/03/06/air-mobility-command-ends-flying-only-career-track/ “The bottom line is, there just wasn’t the appetite there for the program” Seems like it was a great deal. Only have to maintain tactical proficiency with zero chance for a non-flying assignment or PME. Only two C-17 bubbas took that deal... What went wrong? Is there something we’re just not hearing about?

Looked around and didn't see a general thread on the subject of Fire Bombers & Tankers. The demand is only going to go up and I think it's reasonable to assume job opportunities will only increase in the near term. Would love the hear from folks with experience on the mil & civ sides of aerial firefighting. A few questions to start: How much of a benefit would a TFR be given the operation environment of marginal VFR at low altitudes? What has been the evolution of the "lead plane" concept? Does the tanker simply keep sight and then drop on command?

I’ve scoured the JTR (only outlines must be used for “temporary lodging” and “must use government lodging if available”). Been given the green light by finance saying the Pentagon doesn’t have an attached lodging requirement so good on the economy. Am I good to AirBnB with TLE? I know I have to have an itemized receipt (doable) for each night. Finance Guy around?

Here we again, another person to say the era of fighter jets are over. I just wanna hear what the real pilots here have to say about this? https://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/28/elon-musk-says-the-fighter-jet-era-has-passed.html

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/32401/general-atomics-wants-to-give-aerial-tankers-their-own-missile-laden-loyal-wingmen-drones Any thoughts on this? Seems pretty interesting, but I'm just a new guy trying to get more educated-er.

The discussion of moving CSAR from ACC to AFSOC is alive and well again at HAF. I am curious what the actual customers of our “insurance policy” think about this move. I would also love to hear from the AFSOC folks in the room if this is actually a mission you want to execute?

MARSRADIO, ex-phone patch net, provides Official / Morale phone patches, radio checks and METAR / TAF information for DoD units. Operators of the net are volunteer. For those that may be flying tomorrow, 24 February (1500z - 1800z), I'm asking you to considering calling in on our net and wish Ray AFZ5RS a happy 99th birthday. Ray has dedicated his life to the military in one form or the other. He was a pilot in World War II and has been an active member of the MARS phone patch net since before the Vietnam War. We would like to left him know he is appreciated for his service. Here is a flyer about the "operation". If possible, post in your operations are…

Several years ago I stored my POV when I went to Japan, then did a COT to USAFE. I had a POV in storage on my original orders and was briefed by TMO that I could just keep my car in storage if I wanted to. I did so, spent a few years in USAFE and got back to CONUS and picked up my car this past summer. Last month I got an email from an accountant at TRANSCOM giving me a week or so to give my authorization for storing my car. I sent in both sets of orders. TRANSCOM comes back saying that my Japan storage is okay but I will be billed $7k for keeping my car in storage for my USAFE tour. This is the first I've heard that it may not have been authorized. I sent my follo…

Has anyone seen folks wearing beards and turbans? If so, how are folks in the squadrons reacting? I've been out for 4 years...kinda glad I didn't have to deal with this. https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2020/02/11/air-force-officially-oks-beards-turbans-hijabs-for-religious-reasons/?utm_expid=.jFR93cgdTFyMrWXdYEtvgA.0&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F

Anyone use CloudAhoy either personally or in their squadron? I know someone in AMC does, because it's available on our EFBs. Looking for any information you have. How good of a debriefing tool is it? Did your squadron pay for it? Does it play nice using the iPad/ForeFlight/Stratus? Pros/Cons, etc... Thanks! Any info is appreciated.

For those utilizing the T-96 Trainer Simulator, anyone have one currently certified as an FAA flight training device (should be at least a level 4)? Cheers

I feel lucky that I flew on these for awhile. The Fulton pickups were a hoot even though i didn't do any live ones.

I now this probably isn’t the place for this, but I am at a crossroads. I just graduated MQ-9 training and I can’t help but feel like I am not good enough. I find myself asking “what could I have done differently.” I applied for Pilot back in ROTC and had RPA as my #2 choice with CSO. I can’t help but wonder what could I have done differently to have received a pilot slot and it’s starting to have an impact on my happiness and demeanor. My dad and brother are both pilots, so it was instilled in me at a young age that that’s what I should be. Because I haven’t achieved this I have a feeling that I am a disappointment. My family has shown no interest in my training and did…

So I’m sitting here at the gate on a delay at Logan (thanks Newark) reading the Bomber 134 thread and discussing it with the Capt and a C-17 taxis by. Odd for BOS but whatevs. Capt says “Do they use those for firefighting? Seems like those would be awesome for that.” Which got me thinking, with so many ANG units equipped with C-17s, are they going to adapt or develop MAFFS for that airframe?

I tried searching, but i didnt come up with anything. I keep hearing about gates you have to make as pilot to progress in your career. What are these gates? Is this something that I can find somewhere on AFPCs maze of a website? Thanks for the help.

Long story short: Prior service Marine Weather guesser. Spent the last 10 years trying to become a pilot. Was AFROTC in college, didn't get selected for field training. Applied to Marine OCS, contracted, but not selected for OCS 3 times. Enlisted, got numerous inter-service transfers approved but had recruiter troubles. Recruiter was negligent in submitting package before deadline and EAS'd before the following deadline without telling me, right before I was deploying. Started Navy OCS application during deployment. Was injured on deployment requiring surgery. Spent remainder of my enlisted contract recovering. Summer 2019. Applied to Active duty Air Force…

What's the best earplugs for the pilot and shooter?

I am a medical officer with 3 years in and want to switch fields to become a pilot. I am already commissioned before my 29th birthday (I'm 28 now). Can anyone assist? I have called AFPC and my functional and they either say they've never heard of it, or that I'd lose rank (don't mind)--and still no help after that. I am seeing if anyone knows anything else in order to help me out and if it were even worth my while with only a few hours of pilot training and ground school knocked out. Phone numbers, e-mails, or contacts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Just a new pilot musing here, but why wouldn’t the Pegasus have some form of winglets or raked wing tips? Although they would probably add some weight and development costs, it’s been done before on 767s and seems to be a cost-effective measure to increase fuel efficiency on all kinds of commercial aircraft. Given the thousands of hours these aircraft will fly, wouldn’t the extra cost be recouped in fuel saved quite easily? Is there something I’m missing here? Appreciate any input.

Rather than reinvent the wheel, I have a request... I would like a copy of an ejection seat briefing guide that is given to pax. I don't mean the classroom briefing guide that the pilot briefs before the flight, but more what an egress instructor gives a pax during their seat training before the flight.... discussing seat position, canopy jettison, post ejection, etc... Obviously I don't need specifics to a particular kind of jet. I would just like the overall items so that I don't forget to include anything on the one I'm writing, which will be specific to the aircraft I'm working with. Hard copy, electronic... if it isn't that many pages, you can just…

Is it possible? I imagine that quite a few units are bottom heavy with everyone bailing to the airlines as soon as they hit ATP mins. I'm worried about getting enough flying time when I get off seasoning days. I imagine local sorties wouldn't make much sense, but I would love to jump on a deployment since I won't be back from PIQ before my unit heads out. Also, under the new "Total Force Office Training" model, can Guard dudes go fly with a Reserve unit or even AD? Thanks!

Al Qaeda-linked Somali militant group claims responsibility for deadly Kenya mall attack https://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/09/21/attack-on-nairobi-mall-kills-10-people/?intcmp=latestnews#ixzz2fZJEpDZR Pack your bags, there are terrorists in Kenya! Wait, what? Kenya is in Africa? Never mind.

Lockheed Martin is hiring an F-16 Flight Manual Manager to the team at Hill AFB. If you or anyone you know might be interested, and you aren't going to the airlines, please consider applying! LM Aero is a great company to work for and the work environment and team at the F-16 SPO are top notch! PM me if you have any questions. You don't need to have F-16 experience (though it would be great if you did!), but you do have to be aircrew. https://www.lockheedmartinjobs.com/job/hill-air-force-base/f-16-flight-manual-manager/694/14369192?fbclid=IwAR1NKFDcEoO-0cWDep4KYV8TuXhqkCg2GYQK2__08C1VKRUUZHFO4yOCiAw