General Discussion

All, Long time listener, first time caller. I've searched (and searched and searched) through this forum for while, but haven't quite found enough info to solve my little dilemma. I'm in nav training at Randolph, 3 weeks away from a/c drop, #1 in my class, and split 50/50 on B-52's or C-130's, specifically to Ramstein. I think I'd be thrilled with either mission, so "part" of my decision making does come down to what's better for my wife. She loves traveling and all that jazz, still unsettled by the ops tempo of flying, but I imagine every new AF wife is. Specific pros or cons to either assignment would be greatly appreciated. JSM

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I'm currently looking at a choice between Ramstein (USAFE) and Stuttgart (EUCOM). I've been to Ramstein many times and am familiar with the area, but know nothing about Stuttgart or EUCOM other than what I've been reading on Wikipedia and globalsecurity.org. If anybody here has been there - preferably in the last 6-9 years, I'd appreciate your thoughts on the location, culture, community, etc.

Anyone have any quick math equations they use in the cockpit like the ones below? 1) Degrees off nose + 20 = crosswing percentage Example: 40kt wind 30deg off nose = 20kt crosswind component 2) Ground Speed / 2, add a zero = 3 degree descent rate Example: 120kt / 2 = 600 fpm vsi 3) 50% of wind gust = Addition to final approach speed Example: Winds gusting 20 = add 10kts to final speed 4) Add 2 subtract 2 rule for reciprocal headings and runways Example: 327 recip = 147. If add 2 to first number, subtract 2 to second number. 1st number is always opposite 2nd number. Third number is unchanged.

WASHINGTON — U.S. fighter planes intercepted two Russian bombers flying unusually close to an American aircraft carrier in the western Pacific during the weekend, The Associated Press has learned. A U.S. military official says that one Russian Tupolev 95 buzzed the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz twice, at a low altitude of about 2,000 feet, while another bomber circled about 50 nautical miles out. The official was speaking on condition of anonymity because the reports on the flights were classified as secret. The Saturday incident, which never escalated beyond the flyover, comes amid heightened tensions between the United States and Russia over U.S. plans for a missil…

Glasses, shirts, stickers, mandatory fun, matching panties, etc... How much cash is UPT going to require? Just a curiousity. Every school I've been to thus far has hit me up for something or the other.

I always wondered, when your actually active duty and your assigned to lets say an F-16D (2 seater). What if you wanted to give your brother or father a ride in the back with you. If they are healthy enough to pass the physical is this allowed?

Well I am pretty slow and it just dawned on me... The F-22 definitly doesn't have a two seat trainer version...but operantly neither does the F-35. So in a couple decades when Vipers and Eagles have been retired...no more two seaters eh? Does the AF plan on stepping up some of the -38 training (or whatever its replacement might be)? Or does it expect simulators will be so realistic by then that all a stud needs is to pass -38's and then sims? Before this I think the Hog was one of the few jets that didn't have a two seat version for training. F-16D, F-15D, F-18D/F, TAV-8B. These are just the more modern ones... Thoughts?

New O-5 here with lots of C-5 and airline time and bad habits going to Altus early next year and transitioning to the C-17. Do any of you C-5 guys that have transitioned have any thoughts on how to make it easier? What's important to study? I've heard all the horror stories about back side flying. How's Barney behind the tanker? Is the HUDD wierd to get used to? NVGs? Assaults? I liked the C-5, but it was pretty much big concrete to big concrete. I'll sit back with a J/C and read your replies. SC

It is with great sadness that I inform you SSgt Timothy P. Davis, 23 STS Combat Controller, was killed in Action today supporting operations in OEF when the vehicle he was riding in was struck by an IED. Memorial and funeral yet TBD. Rest in Peace Young Warrior....

I got my RIP for Corpus the other day and saw I was going to VT-31 (which has the actual T-44). I've been told by some guys to try and get to VT-35 and do C-12s. Other than the obvious differences between the aircraft, is there and difference in training or benefits in trying to train in one over the other?

Miranda Rights for Non-American terrorists Weekly Std. Article "Miranda Rights apply to terrorists, says Obama" So... I guess the question is who is really going to be paying for their lawyers if they have a right to one?

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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 thought the state of the union address from the President was awesome! I have a question though for those of you in uniform. I noticed that the five or six men dressed in uniform didn't applaud as much as everyone else did (not that I think that's bad). However, they did applaud on a few topics that involved military matters etc. I did think that all the applauding and standing up and down did get a little tiresome, but hey the President was doing a great job. My question is, is when do the men in uniform know when to applaud/stand and when not to? They did everything as a whole body, whether it was applauding or keeping silent, hands folded in their laps. Anyway, just …

If there are any fighter/attack ACC types out there, I would like to know how often you are pulling Gs and what is the norm during training vs combat. I guess to give you an example of what I'm asking; Would you say you are pulling Gs 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour per flight? Are you pulling 2-4, 4-6, 6-8 Gs on any given flight? I'm sure it is based on your training profile, which varies from day to day. If able, please give me various scenarios based on the different mission sets you train for. The reason I ask is because I am interested in the T-38 track, but I herniated two disks in my lower back 4 years ago. I currently have a FC1 with a waiver due to that injury.…

I have never seen a military aircraft enter a slip on landing. Can you perform a safe one in a fighter? Just curious if this is something you would only do in a GA aircraft or not. I know it wouldnt be a good idea in a big aircraft, and the airlines dont like it. stupid question, but I guess thats what this site is for, questions mate.

Anyone know the formula they use to get wind drift on the wiz wheel? I'm trying to make a spread sheet to calculate the wind drift on final for some approaches we shoot a lot. I already have one that can work the timing, just want to add headings too.

Ok here's the short story - we've been together for quite some time (couple of years) and have put off the marriage thing until we were both through with training. Problem is, I got T-1s then C-17s thinking her chances would be pretty good to go T-1s. The way the drop worked, she ended up with T-44s. If we're married when she graduates, is it possible they will trade for or drop her a -17 out of Corpus or is this most likely going to be something she can't change until years down the road hoping to cross-train? What can we do?

This past weekend I got a chance to go to Eglin AFB on a base visit for ROTC. We toured one of the facilities which I believe was a training center for Eagle crew chiefs. Inside of this building was a mock cockpit of an F-15 and one of the NCOs started explaining some of the features. She told us how one feature exclusive to Eagles was "Anti-Skid," which apparently is a switch in the cockpit that a pilot can operatate, and when activated, he/she can fly in totally coordinated flight without using the rudders (on-board computers operate the rudders automatically.) Can any pilots on this board explain this feature in greater detail? What phases of flight is it used in…

Has anyone ever experienced a death in the family or had a classmate deal w/ a death while at UPT? How does the Air Force/IP react to something like this?

When flying a jet with a HUD I was curious how much of your time is spent actually looking through the HUD, as opposed to off to the forward-side. I was thinking maybe the symbology could maybe be a nuisance at times and you just look around it? What about during BFM and SAT?

I searched I'm going to be in the Lackland/Lackland area for a couple nights this weekend and next week. What are some good ideas of things to do at night? I'm not 21 so sweet bars aren't an option. Unique restaurants or anything? All appreciated

Looks like we've got some boys missing after an attack... https://us.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/06/17/s...sing/index.html

https://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htmoral/a...s/20060818.aspx Since we were discussing it the other day, I happen to run across this article. Hope they can take time out away from their uniform boards for this. Cooter