General Discussion

Do fighters ever practice intercepting airlines, or are they allowed to over the CONUS? I remember seeing a site a while back where French Mirages routinely intercepted USAF flights travelling over their airspace, and have also seen pictures on airliners.net where they'll fly on the wing of an airliner as well. Thanks

Link: https://news.yahoo.co...-084104472.html Hrmph... Kinda reminds me of the Mig pilot who defected from N Korea... actually became a professor at ERAU in Daytona Beach. Ballsy move.

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?

Is it extremely uncommon for someone to grayout a fair amount when pulling ~4.5 Gs in a G-ex for the first time when trying an AGSM? Thanks for the info.

https://taskandpurpose.com/marine-aircraft-crash-off-japan/ Haven’t seen anyone post this yet. No words on the crew but a total of 7 to be involved. Hope they all made it. 🍺

https://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=1025605 I'm voting for photoshop. The jet's exactly the same height above the ground it would be if the gear were extended. There's no blur which one should see if the photographer was panning to keep a 300 knot AC in his viewfinder. No heat signature. Don't know enough about fighters to comment on nozzle position. It also looks like he's offset from the centerline. (#2 in a taxiing formation?) I'm just a stupid airline pilot, but if I were beating up some airfield at 300 knots or better, I'd be glued to the centerline. Discuss... [ 02. May 2006, 05:33: Message edited by: Toro ]

Note: applicable to all phases of UPT/FTU

I have heard that a lot of Air Force pilot communities have a lot of social drinking occasions. In light of this, what happens when an officer or anyone for that matter doesn't drink for religious or other personal reasons? Thanks!

I was cruising through some recorded ATC comms on liveatc.net, and came across this of a U-2 trying to get back to Sigonella, and apparently getting some grief from the controllers. Audio doesn't have the controller comm, just the U-2. Pretty interesting stuff though - gotta love VFR on Top at FL600..:) Dragon 20 on 25711.1.wav

If I used the wrong search terms, I'll help setup the stake. Source I've looked and am still looking. Does anyone know about this? I'm wondering if it is good for any loan, secured or unsecured. Sallie Mae is starting to piss me off (again) on a student loan. [ 01. September 2006, 05:41: Message edited by: Toro ]

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.

According to this: https://www.airforcetimes.com/article/20130708/OFFDUTY02/307080019/Vance-background-AF-Lt-Col-s-novel And we all know how pivotal the yellow-helmeted 2lts are to KGB info ops. I keed, I keed. Hopefully it's good & takes off. Anyone got it on pre-order?

It seems that AC upgrade takes different amounts of time depending on the airframe you are in. Can heavy drivers give input on how long (on average) it took for guys in their specific aircraft to upgrade to Aircraft Commander?

https://www.kcentv.com/story/25146842/reports-of-shooting-on-fort-hood Thoughts and prayers to those injured... edit: second local outlet reporting https://www.kake.com/home/headlines/Active-Shooter-situation-reported-at-Fort-Hood-253639761.html?llsms=780041&c=y third local news reporting: https://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/Active-Shooter-Situation-Reported-At-Fort-Hood-253635771.html Big 3 (CNN, FOX, MSNBC) are spinning trying to find something to report (some worse than others). Linked to Drudgereport and others... Nothing solid on motives.

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How do we make a patch that is obviously copying a well-known, trademarked brand, without getting fined/imprisoned? Seems like every patch out there is a clear violation of copyright laws, yet somehow was approved by both a patch company and a chain of command. But Mardonco just told me they wouldn't do our patch because it would be illegal. ? Thanks.

My RA is telling me that AF mission planning tables, that are countertop height, no longer exist......I've attempted a quick search of comerical vendors and short of custom builds it seems like no one makes these tables. How is it possible that the AF has thousands of these tables, but no clue where they came from? Has anyone worked with or purchased these tables recently? Thanks

Anyone know where I can find a copy of the GP online? More importantly, just need Ch. 4 to print and take with me on the road this weekend. Thanks.

From af.mil 3/10/2006 - U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFPN) -- "Recognition" is being reinstated here after a three-year hiatus. Recognition 2006 events start after classes March 16 and conclude with a celebratory dinner March 18. Recognition marks the transition of the fourth classmen to upper class status. It is the ceremonial acknowledgement that the fourth class as a whole has successfully met the military training requirements expected of it and is prepared to continue its four-year journey through the rigors of academy life. In 2003, the decision was made to end Recognition as part of an overall culture and climate change at the academy. By professionall…

Does anyone foresee a replacement for the C-21 in the next 5 to 6 years ?

Very tragic day for military aviation. Just after a Thunderbird crash earlier today. Thoughts and prayers to the family. Nickel in the grass. https://www.rt.com/usa/345242-blue-angels-plane-crash/

As I am posting this, I’m watching this video by Peter Zaihan and only about twenty minutes or so into this video but there is a ton of information that I have not seen or read anywhere else. This should be shown at intel briefings for an insight into what it going to happen in the next few months with the conflict in Ukraine!

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…

While the news has been covering Venezuela Iran is in the middle of a revolution regime change. Reports indicate Khamenei plans exit to Moscow.

Apparently certain year groups in the MX Officer career field have significant short falls at my base and they are asking aircrew to help back-fill AMU OIC and MX Ops Officer (MOO) positions. The deal is that the rated folks would be allowed to continue flying and maintain currency but their main job would be MX for a given period. I was essentially offered such a position and since I am a former MX officer thought it might be a good fit/opportunity. My understanding is that in my case it would be to take over a MOO position. Apparently, also, It's an initiative that the WG/CC is a big proponent of. Does anyone on here have any experience with this sort of situation …