General Discussion

The post about the B-1 mishap made me think about this paper I recently wrote. Maybe there's some things in here that other pilots will find valuable. Feel free to steal and plagarize as desired. Some Things I’ve Learned Till Now I’ve been fortunate to be able to fly the A-10 for a long time. I started out on active duty, then spent time in the Air National Guard, and now fly full-time for the Air Force Reserves. I’m not yet ancient, but I am old enough to have witnessed some major changes in the way we view the world and the way we fly airplanes in the fighter/attack community. Around long enough to see some devastating mishaps, I’ve lost squadron mates, c…

Since informing me of my selection to UPT, it seems I've been placed aside in "the holding pattern." I was pulled off of a deployment so that "someone who is going to be here can gain more experience." Additional ERT's and upcoming TDY's have escaped me for the same, "we need to train new folks." While I thoroughly enjoy being pulled from BattleStaff with my inevitable departure, I'm screaming "WTF! I'm here for 6 more months!" While some LT's in my group were given the, "Thank you for your service, have a nice life...let me know if you need a letter of recommendation," other changes have now felt the ripple effect, bringing me to my point... I learned a …

==From Wikipedia== One wing is enough? On May 1, 1983 during an Israeli Air Force training dogfight, an F-15D collided with an A-4 Skyhawk. The right wing of the Eagle was torn off roughly two feet (0.6 m) from the body. The pilot, Zivi Nadavi, disobeyed his instructor's command to eject and managed to land the crippled aircraft successfully. The aircraft was able to land because of the large horizontal surface area of the tail and the amount of lift generated by the engine intake and body ========================= Thats amazing. Could you imagine being that stud, hearing your IP telling you to eject and saying "Nah, i got it... sir"

I am wondering which would most of the folks here rather have: a great unit and mission in a less than cool spot like Cannon, or what they think is a less than cool mission in a great spot? Would it matter if you had a family? Just sort of curious.

Today I had someone in my squadron walk up to me and ask me if I wanted any additional equipment before I go to UPT. He said my squadron was willing to hook me up with things like extra flight suits and gloves. Is there anything I should request that some of you guys wish you would have had before going to UPT?

I used the search function but no luck. For the Fellow C-17 guys or other heavies...what is the best affordable seat cushion to get? I can only seem to find this one online: https://www.oregonaero.com/products/details...D=1221&CID=1267 If there are any others you know of or recommend I would appreciate it.

Anyone here tackled a law degree as a Guard or reserve pilot? Im in that position to start next year, and wondering how it all works out. Were you able to keep the flying to a sat. level? Not looking forward to it by the way, but something to fall back on!

Does anyone have advice on housing at Tinker AFB in Oklahoma? I am headed there for casual at the end of July and my wife and I dont know if we should live off base or on base. Anyone have advice for what apartments to look at or what to definately not to look at? Thanks!

Here's a cool link of a panoramic view of the cockpit. Thought someone here might enjoy taking a look. https://www.gillesvidal.com/blogpano/cockpit1.htm There is a camera mounted on the tail? Kinda neat...

I will be going to RIAT (Royal International Air Tattoo @ RAF Fairford) this year, anybody else here going? Or been there and have some gouge? THX, HUMPS

Yikes! https://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2052559/posts Nice job by the crew!

I opened the WSJ this morning and on the front page I saw this article on the Afghan Air Corps. It's a pretty interesting look inside to see what they're like now (Wow!) and how the US guys are trying to straighten them out and show how it's really done. It's a pretty interesting read. Imagine doing some of that stuff in your own squadron! ("Will there be lunch?") https://online.wsj.com/article/SB122091943902612681.html

I would really like to get my hands on an HGU-55 Flight Helmet and mask assembly. I have been to GENTEX and EBAY, but I figured I'd check on here first before I buy. I would like to purchase these items for my aviation collection. This would be a great addition. What happens to old used equipment? Pilots keep them for their collection? If any of you dudes have any that you would part with, PM me and we will talk about pricing. NOTE: Hopefully I will gain soon into AFR or Guard so I wont have to worry about it, but I would still like to see it in my office. Thanks Gents Cheers -summers

https://www.baseops.net/jeppesen/ Just noticed that link on the main page... What's the deal with this, how is baseops involved? (the link on the main page points to a baseops site, not a jep site). Also noticed that milplanner link... Jep getting more friendly with the DoD?

https://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/...ion-damage.html Apparently it doesn't take much to hit $1 Million with this bird. How long ago was the classification system created and with the cost of production and repair would it be time for reclassification?

I was reading about some of the Thud pilots in Vietnam having specialized "party suits" and wondered where they all went? I saw this post but I have not really seen any pilot wear one. Has the PC-Shoe influence caused the party suits to fall by the wayside? Seems like it would be a good way to show that bit of rebellion in the AOR while still maintaining that "professional" appearance.

Need some help... Contemplating McgUire as a follow-on (C-17). Can't really find info about the housing situation (off base), except you have to drive about 30-45 minutes, and sometimes up to an hour to get to base from home, and then, you are forking $1500 bones on a mortgage. Where are the places to live? And what/where exactly are the new communities around the base? Looking for a 4 BR, approx 175-225K...am I dreaming? I've heard Mt Holly, Burlington, and Cherry Hill. Am I barking up the wrong tree, or are there different places locally that I should try to research. Thanks

Anyone been to Osan on a command sponsored accompanied tour. My husband and I just got orders and are trying to find out info about going together. Any info from people who have been to Osan would be appreciated.

I am wondering what kinds of non flying jobs you reserve guys might have within your units that help support you (and your family) in addition to flight time. Or what jobs do you have outside of the units that allow you time to fly. Or do you find that you get enough flight time to not have to worry about a second job. In college I majored in International Studies. Basically that consists of politics, economics, history, literature, geography etc. Typically it was more of an analytical work. I would be given a country to study, then forcast how it would react politically, economically etc to the actions of neighboring countries and world events as a whole. Are t…

Haven't seen this link posted here yet, may have missed it. Got this link from my old man, an eagle driver turned Boeing rep. www.fighterpilotfilm.com Slainte

Anyone know where I can get the sound clip of that back seater having a "major bowel movement"? I can't find it anywhere. Thanks!

Does anyone have a good website for ordering those mini static displays that you see on peoples' desks? I'm trying to find one for the T-6, but on base they've only got a tweet. Internet searches are somewhat fruitless also. Thanks.

I am just curious if ANYONE has heard of a Flyer getting a Civilian Institution slot from AFIT at any point in their career. Trying to put together some facts to take with me and see how far I can get. If you know of anyone that has gotten the 18 months off to go do this, PLEASE let me know!!! I want the Air Force as a career so I don't know why it would be a big deal, as I would continue flying afterward???? Can anyone offer anything. Thanks

How much does it usually cost to have bikes shipped? Or is it free?

I heard that instructors can use the planes to fly wherever they want on the weekends.Does anybody know if this is true.