General Discussion

AF gets new BDU's, if you can call them that.

I have become really interested in C-21s lately. I was ondering if anyone could give me a quick view of their mission, locations, etc. I was also curious if the C-21 is the same as a Lear 35, they look the same anyway.

On average, when do pilots stop flying and end up behind a desk? Can you avoid this outcome by getting a C-37 or similar job?

OffAviation topic... We had a great little snackbar with all kinds of sandwiches, cakes, candy, chips, drinks, subs, etc. It made enough money that we never got hit up for dues, never had to pitch in for going-away plaques, and had a great Christmas party last year, FREE. Last week, the AAFES boss got pissed that we were making money, and he was not. So he got legal involved....long story short, we were ordered to shut everything down. I'm sure the expenses will remain (going-away gifts, Christmas party, etc.) but the income will now be painful...dues, etc. NOW THE POINT: I know there are regs on this, and legal issues that MUST be adhered to. My question is: …

I just recieved my slot a few weeks ago for UPT and am anxiously excited to get myself prepared for it. i got my PPL when i was in high school and since then have used my license to more or less buzz around and enjoy myself. This summer i've got some money set aside and want to start flying in a much more disciplined manner to start gearing my mind for UPT... ie serious attention to detail and things of that nature. For example i'm planning on doing heavy 'mission' planning, restudying PPL material, a lot of practice with EPs, and spending time practicing manuevers with narrow altitude limits, etc. in other words doing what i should have been doing anyway. do you gu…

How long are deployments currently.Also where are bases located. Thanks Scoobs

Anybody know anything good about McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas? My brother just found out he is gonna be sent there this summer for 3 weeks for Ops Air Force (he's at the academy) and he's not too pumped about it. Most of his friends got sent overseas to Japan, Korea, UK, etc. or at least to a fighter base to get an incentive ride. I'm just looking for anything fun or good anyone knows to do there so he might have some fun. Thanks for the help.

How often do you use live bombs in training? How often do you get to shoot down aerial drones? Thanks

My wife and I are finally planning our honeymoon to Europe after putting it off for over 2 years. I have heard of hopping on a C17 out of charleston but but other options are there? What are the ins and outs of it? Our leave starts 9 Aug.. is it realistic that we would be able to hop on space a that day?

Does anyone know where I can find info on SUNT class schedule? I've been selected for UNT and an alternate for UPT. I'm just trying to find out when I expect a class date.

Just wondering if any AF guys on the board went through primary at Whiting w/ the Navy. One of my buds back from ROTC just got his orders today that he's going to start pilot training there. He was curious as to how easily you adapt to the AF way during phase 3, and how the track select works and what planes usually come out of a Whiting drop (specifically how many T-1s and -38s). Thanks for your help.

I was looking at the cockpits of the T-6 and T-37 and noticed that the T-6 has an HSI and no ADF, and the T-37 has an ADF but no advanced avionics. What kinds of approaches do they teach in each of the planes? How do you teach GPS approaches and things like that in the T-37? Do you just fly NDB approaches on the GPS in the T-6?

Is there a min on the # of hours you must have to go to UPT or is a PPL all that is needed. Thanks, TP

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?

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 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 ]

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.

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?

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.

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 …

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 ]

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

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.

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…

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