General Discussion

Sorry, if this has been mentioned before. I did a search and nothing came up. Myself, like a good portion of people have heard the myth growing up that you need an engineering degree to become a military pilot. I know this isn't true but I didn't even though that until 5 or so years ago. Growing up I heard from enlisted personal, civilian pilots, teachers, guidance councilors, my parents, other civilians, etc. I know most pilots probably have business degrees or something. I know Robin Olds had a history degree, I believe Dan Hampton who wrote Viper Pilot had a degree in Architecture and I read a while ago about an A-10 driver who was an 0-6 during Desert Storm that …

Does anyone know the story behind the Legend of Quijibo? Its a zap that shows up all over. He's been zapped all over the world. Story I heard was he was a Herk pilot at Yokota named after Bart's made-up Scrabble word on the Simpsons. Anyone care to expand on this?

Question for the smart guys/gals that have come before me. I’m a T-1 IP at CBM. Currently on terminal leave for retirement til 31 May 2020. I have completed half of indoc at a major Air Line, before our class got sent home due to CoVid-19. I’m a prior C-17 guy and the functional said there could be a September training date available if I do withdraw my retirement paperwork. I know most are going to say I’m crazy for wanting to go back, but AETC is not for me. From what I remember is I would incur a 2 year ADSC for the PCS but not for the training, or is that still a thing. I already have a seniority number and the military liaison at said company stated going back act…

Hello All, I joined the Air Force with an MBA; however, I was hoping to use AF Tuition Assistance to earn a second Master's degree in a technical field. With that being said, I recently was made aware that the TA Program will not pay for lateral or lesser degrees. My question for you all is, is there a waiver process to get around this stipulation and take advantage of the TA program, or are there any other programs I could use to earn a second Masters aside from the GI bill or the Hazlewood Act? Thanks for the help!

Since it's been asked about and/or discussed in several different threads, I'm just going to post this here... Related documents: Mission Essential Determination -- Basic Military Training and Technical Training During Coronavirus Disease 2019

I'd like your opinions... Will airshow attendance suffer due to the current COVID-19 situation? Or will people tire of so many other "events" being cancelled that they may make extra effort to go to an airshow?

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?