General Discussion

Hey just looking for some input regarding the landing fees from people who have been into some of the larger airports on XCs. We've got two T-6s looking to head up to Chicago this weekend and it looks like the DoD contractor at KMDW has shut down, meaning we have to head into O'Hare if we want to make it. I guess most city airports (JFK, LaGuardia, LAX, etc) charge a fee or tax for landing. Signature quoted $350 for a Pilatus landing there (no handling or ramp fees for Mil) but I'm wondering if the city waves that fee for us. They're not entirely sure at Signature so I'm wondering if any of you all have flown into O'Hare or other city airports and what you've found…

I was wondering how most units assign STATESIDE callsign numbers, i.e., Speedo 60, Pogo 21. Do most folks get a choice in the matter or are they just assigned one? If you get a choice, are there any cool stories associated with how people chose their numbers? And if there are any OPSEC issues with this tread, please delete is ASAP.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/f-16-jet-crashes-gulf-mexico-crews-searching-pilot-n243011 Here's to hoping the pilot is ok. Update here: Wreckage found. https://www.mypanhandle.com/story/d/story/f16-loses-contact-with-tyndall-air-force-base/12899/39JZdLsPnESY7jdYTqodoA

I want some good puke stories. I have only experienced some aerobatics upside down/zero G pukes, and was wondering if you'd all share your most humerous yakking adventures. (ie: puke on IP/the scope/canopy/etc) Cheers.

I've come to a time in my life where I have to decide what I want to do for myself and my girlfriend. I'm wanting to apply for Marine PLC air program, but I realize that Marine Pilots do get deployed on ships, and they don't have as many fixed winged aircraft. I've never even considered the Guard til now. Not that I was being close minded, I just always thought the Marines was the place for me. I like the idea of being able to fly, which is what I want to do, and being home with my wife. She has a career and I have to appreciate that. I'm not married. I've been with this girl for almost four years, and I want what is best for the both of us. While I can't give up my d…

From the early 1960s to the early 1990s, AF UPT consisted of a 1 track system of T-37/T-38. Helo only training from 1971 to the early 1990s. In the 1980s the military was focus on Jointness between the services. The AF decided on the Naval track system in which you could have exchange student pilots in the early 1990s. I was informed the days of the exchange program for flight students is in the history books. That being the case, should the AF return to the 1 track system regardless of EXPENSE in the T-6A/T-38C or future T-6A/T-7A? What is your opinion?

https://www.afcent.af.mil/Units/379thAirExpeditionaryWing/News/Display/tabid/298/Article/643030/farewell-b-1-the-b-1b-lancer-sets-rotational-records-before-leaving-aor.aspx Who is going to replace them? Or are we just curtailing the bomb dropping for 6 months?

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…

The new name has been chosen, Pegasus.

Link Looks like the Air Force Global Hawk is being canceled in favor of retaining the U-2. This is interesting that a manned airplane is actually beating out a UAV. I wonder what this means for all the people recently hit with a GH gig but haven't PCSd yet.

I was scrolling through my MP3s and found an old forgotten favorite of mine from college. Its an Irish folk song by a guy named Christy Moore. Its called Lisdoonvarna, and I can attest that its a great drinking song especially when all in the place of drink is singing and there is someone playing a spoon and a cookiesheet. Great times. What are your favorite drinking songs?

From the weird side of aviation... According to the web site, the idea of an Amphibious C-130 was considered back in the early 70's... or is it fake? Can't tell these days... Anyway its an interesting diversion. https://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/a-c-130-hercules-amphibian-makes-too-much-sense-to-be-t-1716610531

When the grunts in my office give me shit about the tiger-stripe BDUs (spit), I fire back with this... If anyone wants to **** with the Army....errrr....look more into this fine program, then go to https://www.goarmy.com/btg/index.htm and fill out the Operation Blue to Green Information Form. It does top out at O-3, so I am SOL. So are you, AirGuardian! Plus, they'd probably want me to cut my hair! Cheers! M2

Retirement of Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley DOD News Links 1 2 There were some rumors of who might replace Secretary Donley back in April shortly after he first announced his retirement, but it seems the last few months have gone by fairly quietly regarding this transition. Of moderate newsworthiness, as reported when he was previously appointed and now re-addressed as the new acting Secretary, Under Secretary Eric Fanning, is openly gay. I doubt this needs much, if any, discussion, though it is mentionable. Any opinions on his departure, rumors of change, or discussion of replacements?

Thunderbird crash in Co...He got out. Blue Angel Crash in Tenn...He did not get out.

Look at the newest gem the AF is hinging on to force us into the roach motels (attached and copied below in case the attachment doesn't work): So now we can't stay in Airbnb/crash pads because they weren't booked in DTS nor are they fire compliant. Who the $%*& is leading this push against us staying in decent places? Anybody else getting this letter in an email accompanied with the statement that the Air Force has to reimburse you but you will now be punished by your commander if you elect to stay in these places? MEMORANDUM FOR ALMAJCOM-FOA-DRU COMPTROLLERS AFIMSC/RM ALL WING AND SQUADRON COMPTROLLERS FROM: SAF/FMFC (AFAFO) …

F-16 Crashed this afternoon at Luke. I don't have a link handy, nor should I really throw any details up here ... so check the internets for details.

Considering putting the UK on the dreamsheet out of the FTU, and I'm having a difficult time finding the regs for importing a vehicle. I've found the UK customs website, but it's going to take some time to decipher that document. Does anybody have some good techniques or gouge for bringing in a newer vehicle? It's an 07 Tacoma if it matters. Cheers

According to this report both ejected safely. Stay safe out there. https://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/05/23/air-force-training-jet-crashes-in-mississippi-pilots-ejected-safely.html

This is a question that I do not have the experience to answer and I was wondering what other people thought about it. As far as demonstrations teams go, are the Blue Angels more skilled than the Thunderbirds or the other way around? I've seen the Thunderbirds perform a couple of times and I got to say they are pretty tight

I'm a UPT student hoping for T-44's. I have a wife, child, and a dog. Just wondering what the housing situation (on-base, rentals, etc.) is for AF Lt's going to Corpus for T-44 training? Thanks for any advice.

Hello all, I'd like to introduce myself. My name is 1LT Brogan Steele, and I am a United States Air Force Auxillary mission pilot. Our organization is also known as the Civil Air Patrol, and I'd love to talk to you all about some of the flying opportunities within the Auxillary. I've been very fortunate in my time in the CAP thus far. I am a member of a very aggressive SAR unit (Search And Rescue) that is on-call for operations 24/7/365. I am not too sure I'll release the name of my unit due to OPSEC (Operational Security) concerns, but lets just say we're one of the better-known units around the country. Because of the aggressive nature of our unit, the commitmen…

I just read this article in the Air Force times by two SSgts at Kirkuk. It further proves the Air Force demeans medals by giving a commendation medal to some A1C who helps clean up after a holiday party while guys who are putting their lives on the line can't get valid recognition. ------------- Integrity and awards In mid-November, an Army re-supply convoy was attacked by the enemy using an improvised explosive device. A second IED, spotted 50 feet ahead of them, left the remaining vehicles trapped in the “kill zone.” An Air Force explosive ordnance disposal team responded to clear the IED in order for a vehicle to be recovered and to allow the convoy mission to c…

The pseudo-thread hijack that started in the no more position and hold thread got me thinking about the responsibilities and training involved with Air Traffic Control that few aircrew (unless you've been SOF) get to see. I'd like those familiar with the ATC rules and regulations to chime in here. I already know some of these answers, I'm asking mostly to get discussion started and answers from those who are qualified in the subject matter. 1 - Just like we train our pilots through UPT, IFF, and FTU, the controllers have a training upgrade flow. Where does that occur (are there primary initial training bases) and how long does it last? 2 - Just like we can be Q3'd, …

In the pointy-nose world, how often do over-G's happen? What are the ramifications for the pilot? The beer to the MX guys goes without saying...