General Discussion

BLUF: Where would you think a good start might be to look into/start bugging people about possibly getting USERRA protections for TDART slots? My Congressional Representatives? A military rep somewhere that has more lobbying clout? Tom Cruise? Crazily enough, my 38-yo, Billy Madison-ass is UPT complete and a couple days from graduation and official wings on my chest. I’m stoked for PIQ and beyond as I continue to grow as an MWS pilot. But, one of my biggest gators is getting closer to the boat: the end of official pipeline orders after my 140-150 days of unit seasoning. To continue to become better and more qualified pilots, the Reserves have switched to civil-s…

https://www.mypanhandle.com/news/eglin-plane-crashes-after-flyover/?fbclid=IwAR2vjFyJH7uCT2Mcqy5CMOD6GXo-cPsjUbniCkWG45pEItVKBtj49-ugPmM Reports are the pilot ejected.

Anyone else see this video from the Blue Angles in Detroit. Some guy with a drone got pretty damn close to these guys. Not to mention he's waaaay above legal drone height. The tallest building in Detroit is 727" and it looks like he's well above that. The OP took down his video (that had his name all over it) but someone else posted it up. Some people are not that bright.

Snowbirds jet down around an hour ago it seems. The video is awful to watch , doesn’t look like chutes had time to deploy.

It's official, there is no longer a height requirement for flight school. Do they get extra pillows, if so, do they come in different sizes?

https://www.foxnews.com/us/air-force-pilot-vietnam-honored-texas-high-school-student-tribute Pretty feel good story.

Launch at 4:30pm EDT today (27MAY):

Saw a thread on this a while back but thought I’d get an update on the 2 piece flight suit. I’ve heard the 2 piece is mandatory for combat missions now, but what about otherwise? Will the green bag eventually be phased out, or will it remain a personal choice? Haven’t been able to find a very solid answer online other than the 2 piece now being authorized in-garrison and deployed. What about UPT? Thanks!

Anyone know or have a contact at AFPC that deals with promotions? Can send to my .mil if needed.

Currently at Vance about halfway through T-6s and recently hooked two flights in a row resulting in being put on flying CAP (commanders awareness program). Getting off altitude from poor trim and being task saturated in the pattern drove the unsats. I’m just hoping to hear some stories from guys that got their wings after struggling during UPT and what actions did you take to improve? I spend hours chair flying every day, but something just hasn’t clicked yet.

More bad news. The search is on. Here's hoping. 2020 sucks. https://news.sky.com/story/us-f-15-fighter-jet-crashes-into-north-sea-off-yorkshire-coast-as-major-operation-underway-12007159

I finally graduated college in May at 28 years old. I wasn't able to go to college until 24 and my mentality for doing well, studying hard, everything has been a pilot slot in the Guard but also the Reserve, Active Duty and even further back up plans with the Army or Coast Guard. I've have several people tell me over the years that I should have a more open mind and not be focused on pilot slot. I should also consider other potential careers in the Air Force. Of course they brought up the you're an officer first (which is true) and that you will be flying a desk 90% of the time like every officer position in the Air Force (which is true) but I always bring up that on…

Does anyone know where the regulation is of who can use GUT time? Any pilot (Guard/reserve) can just sign up for this at any base that has a sim right? Is it first come first serve or does each base scheduling office have first dibs. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

We've got a few T-6 pilots (AETC unit) that really like the visor shown at the link below. https://www.aquilaoptics.com/index.php?m=Home&c=Products&a=view&id=2 This visor is not currently approved for flight in AETC, and I'm trying to do our folks a solid and at least run down if there's an easy path for the powers that be at AETC to say yes without going down the AF1067 rabbit hole. Anyone here fly with this visor in ACC or elsewhere and familiar with any official safe to fly approval for them? Thanks in advance!

I have often heard that it's a fighter pilot's air force so I was curious to see if y'all thought certain MWS get overlooked for opportunities like exchange tours, promotions, etc. Or are some MWS favored for those kinds of things?

Thankfully the pilot is fine. standby for a safety down day? “ A U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper assigned to the 49th Wing crashed during landing at Holloman AFB at approximately 1800 MDT today. The sole pilot on board successfully ejected and is currently being treated for minor injuries. Emergency responders are on scene; additional details will be released as they become available.”

https://www.defenseone.com/business/2020/07/us-may-need-nationalize-military-aircraft-industry-usaf-says/166894/ Interesting proposal, or more so, the problem set. The F-15EX was highly argued for on grounds to keep Boeing in the fighter game but what happens if they drop out an LM becomes the only supplier?

Hey guys, Really appreciate all the information I’ve learned from you guys over the years. I’ve been applying left and right to Guard/Reserve fighter units for about two and a half years now. I’m getting impatient and am starting to consider AD. My scores are relatively good and I’ve been told several times by a couple units “You’re a great candidate; there’s not really anything you can do to make your application better. Just keep trying.” 28 years old, Pilot: 90 / Nav 85 / PCSM 86 w/ 73 flight hours, Max PCSM 96. I played college sports, graduated on the honor roll, have my PPL, etc. My question is this: should I go AD, what are the odds I g…

The ANG/AFRC commuting thread exists but I was wondering about the experience of active duty people with long commutes: Has anyone ever lived in DFW and commuted to KSPS? It’s two hours but seems doable with a crash pad a few nights a week. I know IPs live in Edmond and commute to Vance at about 1.5 hrs. That’s below SMD!

Just finished UPT and C-130 school. Waiting for my shipment of HHG's back to my home unit right now, in fact. My UTM / finance is saying I do not qualify for DLA moving back to home station because it's considered a "separation PCS." Can anyone chime in on this? Seems insane to deny almost $3k worth of DLA. Moving is effing expensive, especially with a wife, 2 kids and a dog... Just want to make sure I'm asking the right questions and not overlooking anything. Thanks in advance!

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/08/12/politics/fbi-investigating-air-force-helicopter-shooting/index.html Discuss....

Currently at UPT and starting to think about a dream sheet. Unfortunately ole' COVID has really hampered operational guys from stopping by so I can pick their brains. I'm AD and I came from a Viper guard unit (enlisted but I did interview). I enjoy flying but as much fun as fighters would be, I'm pretty sure I don't want to spend my days in a vault. Looking for advice on any of the following: U-27 and 28s CV-22 130 (SOCOM) ISR 135s U-2 B-52 T-38A (to my understanding this is considered a pre-22 assignment?) I greatly appreciate any insight.

What is the current status with ‘hawg retirement? I have heard various opinions such as they are re-winging all 281 aircraft (implies non of them are going to be retired). I’ve also heard that they’re planning on retiring about 40 or so aircraft, and several of those will be from guard units. Any concrete answers out there? Or is it a constant variable depending on politics and current day events? Fingers crossed they’ll keep all 281 🤞

Hey all, I searched around for this question but couldn't find a good answer. I just had my first checkride outside of AETC in the MAF, and I feel like I knocked it out of the park. I got "commendables" on a few items from my EP. I've never heard of this. Is it just a "good for you no one cares" kind of thing or will it help highlight me in a positive manner, look good on boards, etc. Are they very common or is it a rarity?