General Discussion

The British are way worse. OUCH!

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-airforce-general-idUSKCN0WJ32B "These e-mail exchanges were found to have constituted an unprofessional relationship. The investigation did not uncover any additional misconduct," the Air Force said. The anonymous complaint that triggered the probe alleged that Hesterman also interfered in the military assignments of the female officer's former husband, according to a heavily redacted copy of the investigation report.

Praying for good news... https://m.tucsonnewsnow.com/tusconnewsnow/db/348830/content/Waae7UyR

I just recieved a pilot slot through OTS. I turned 26 in march and figure I won't go to OTS till about that time next year, meaning I'll graduate UPT at 28. So am I going to feel like old man river in my class? Are most students right out of college and about 23 or so?

US F-15 crashes in Mideast, crew ejects safely Not many details, but good to hear the crew got out safe.

Anybody know why they call it a Pave hawk? Is the pave short for pavement? For example, the Navy uses Sea hawks...becuase they are on the sea. And the Air Force likes to pave 18,000ft runways? Anybody.

I’m looking for some instrument approach procedures that are difficult or challenging or unique so we can needlessly beat ourselves up. Take a look at the approach I attached, for example. The TACAN Y 13R at KNGP is much more complicated than it needs to be, just so they can use it to teach their students. Have any of you come across any interesting approaches in your career? ngp_vor_dme_y_or_tacan_y_rwy_13r.pdf

Interesting demo. And it seems India will get at least 150 of them...

Has anyone heard of or participated in the Recruiters Assistance Program (RAP). from what I understand it is a program that a Lt. on their way to say SERE for example may have some time off and can then request to go to a colege where there is an ROTC detachment and participate as a recruiter. It is done to get free leave essentially. Any information? [ 28. August 2006, 04:29: Message edited by: Toro ]

I’m an active duty Capt who managed to escape the MSG and about to start UPT at Columbus. I heard some gouge (from two Lt FAIPs) about late rated guys who end up tracking T-38s rarely end up in a fighter. Do they not like sending older folks to fighters (I’m 29)? Is there some truth here or is it just anecdotal Lt rumor? P.S I’m still very much a free agent on what I’d like to fly, I’m not a fighters or bust dude just after information

Ladies and Germs, While we in the SOF community bid farewell to one of the most reliable and requested platforms in the Air Force inventory, I invite you to take a moment to glance behind the curtain... Kind regards to you all. Et Shado Sancti Linda

Just saw this in the news this morning. I thought this would have already been posted here, but couldn't find it. I'd like to buy this guy a beer. I bet he has some insane stories. U.S. Air Force veteran accused as mercenary in Libya’s civil war is freed June 25 at 10:48 PM An American Air Force veteran who was accused of acting as a mercenary in Libya has been freed after a six-week detention, officials said Tuesday, in a murky episode that highlights the tangled nature of that country’s civil war. Jamie Sponaugle, a 31-year-old Florida man, was piloting an aircraft near the Libyan capital of Tripoli on May 7 when his plane went down, according to off…

Not good at all. https://www.kvoa.com/news/21-air-national-guardsman-indicted/

Well the impression that I got from searching threads about the RC-135 and C-21 (no luck with finding other airframes in the search) is that most pilots would rather get something else in their UPT drop. I think the electronic surveillance, recon, and VIP transport missions are interesting, but from what I gathered on this forum is that, if you're interested, in UPT you can hope to get a C-21 but that is it. How would one be assigned to one of the other airframes, like the Gulfstream? I'm sure these squadrons have a demand for a new pilots as their older ones retire. Thanks

I cannot imagine that this situation is very unique, but I haven't been able to find any definitive answers. My wife and I are expecting our first child, but the expected due date falls right in between the scheduled completion of a TDY en route at Little Rock (C-130J initial qual - I'm currently an E/H guy) and our RNLTD to our next base (Dyess). My question: Is there any way to extend one's TDY en route without taking leave until after the due date? It would be good to have some continuity in our OB/GYN appointments and have the baby in Little Rock, then travel to Abilene, versus the other two options of: -Her leaving Little Rock in the third trimester and …

Does anyone have some funny Pattern/Area Buffoonery stories to share from UPT Phase II? I love hearing that I'm not the only one acting like a moron. :confused:

Ok guys, I have a couple questions. Im currently in Pcola for Strike/Fighter training. I will be starting API in a few weeks, so all of my training is still ahead of me. Our only two airframes are Bones and F-15Es. I know we have some Bone guys and Strike Eagle guys on here, my question to you, is what are your pros and cons of your airframes? How many Eagle or Bones slots come through, possibly more E slots? How long is the IFF course? FTU for Strike Eagles is 7 months I believe, how long is it for the Bone? Deployments? Basically my flightmates and I dont have too much info as of now, im sure we will get more later, but just some basic info from the crews …

From CNN.com BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) -- A large cargo plane crashed at the end of a runway and split in two while trying to take off Sunday at Brussels airport, authorities said. Four of the five crew members on board the Boeing 747 were slightly injured and were hospitalized, said Jan Van der Cruysse, spokesman at Brussels Airport. "The plane is very seriously damaged," he said. The aircraft cracked in two after it crashed at the end of runway 220, which lies very close to a rail line and houses. Rail services to and from the airport were suspended as a safety precaution, however the crash did not affect other flights at the airport, Van der Cruysse said. F…

Looks like the Boeing folks have a new cruise missile up their sleeves...no, not literally https://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2012/10/25/boeing-successfully-tests-microwave-missile-that-takes-out-electronic-targets/

Just saw this. Implications could be huge, if Japan is willing to pay the tooling/restart cost for an F-22A while we bring online an upgraded F-22 as a result. The question is, will Congress/CSAF/DoD ever be able to tear their eyes away from the F-35 to seize the opportunity? Lockheed Should Restart the Raptor Line If Japan Wants An F-22-F-35 Hybrid Geopolitical trends, security concerns, and industrial and combat aircraft capability needs, could give birth to an American-Japanese Raptor 2.0. By Tyler Rogoway Osakabe Yasuo Reuters has published a report that came as little surprise to us at The War Zone regarding Tokyo's intere…

Hello, I'm interested in becoming a PJ and I'm curious about how they are regarded within the USAF. I've read quite a bit of interesting things in the forums about SP's, but can you guys tell me about your experiences working with PJ's and what you think of them. I know that they're pretty much considered aircrew in the Rescue Squadrons. I know this isn't really about flying but I'm curious to hear some opinions from aircrew and non aircrew members. I've been on the special tactics forums but I would kind of like to hear some outsider perspectives on their community. Thanks

Northrop beats out Lockheed/Boeing. https://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/2015/10/27/northrop-grumman-wins-usaf-bomber-contract/74661394/

I have no sympathy for Emirates. $46M per month... I'll bet they could pay their pilots a lot more, and still come in under that figure. It's a good time to be a commercial pilot. Article below: A couple of weeks ago, James wrote about how Emirates is reducing some flights due to a pilot shortage. In the past we’ve seen Emirates sometimes store planes briefly due to decreased seasonal demand. While parking planes isn’t cheap, it’s certainly more expensive to fly them at a significant loss, so it’s the best option in those cases. Emirates’ unprecedented pilot shortage Emirates is currently dealing with an issue in unprecedented numbers. Specifically, Emirat…

I was asked a question today by a fledgling aviator regarding instrument approaches. Instead of shooting from the hip, I decided to fire up my iPad and open up the AFMAN 11-217, but alas, it (the AFMAN 11-217) was not there. I went on to e-publishing and it’s not there either. I found a copy from 2019 on the Columbus AFB site via Google, but what am I missing here?

Didn't make the news but a AFSOC OA-1K had an engine failure that resulted in an off-runway excursion. I am told the aircraft had a chip light the day prior. Maintenance changed the oil, did an engine run and signed it off to fly. The next day the crew was taking off when the chip light illuminated, followed quickly by a low oil pressure warning and the engine seized shortly thereafter. The crew did a great job of getting it down but ran off the end of the runway...no one was hurt. The thing is a beast, looks like they could bang the dents out, wash it off, bolt a new motor on and go fly. The bigger concern is the PT-6 failure, one of the most reliab…