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RangerMateo

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Posts posted by RangerMateo

    How's Guam

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    My friends out there have rented hous s off base and they were not that bad. Great view depending on where you go. I mean, with a 15x35 mile island that's about to tip over, you always have an ocean view. 

    Did they enjoy it? There's a three year accompanied LNO gig they just sent out (probably what pawnman referenced earlier). We went ahead and put our names in.

    Also with the tipping over do houses have backup oxygen generators in case you end up upside down. Guess we should all get a scuba cert....do they mame masks that fit 3 month olds? /s

    Return of Friday shirts / patches

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Does that mean the LOC I got last year for wearing a moral patch can get shredded?

    And yes, I am serious...

    You should push for it. Get the ADC in on it and I'd use the fact that they went retroactively and removed charges for those that violated DADT after a new policy was issued making it "ok".

    Mustache March

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted

    You know, given all the other shit we have to deal with "more with less" sequester etc a gesture from ole CSAF of suspending that particular section of the reg 1 Mar - 31 Mar would go a long way.

    • Upvote 1

    Mass Shooting in Aurora Colorado

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted · Edited by RangerMateo

    (reference the "everyone's a hero, till bullets fly" comment above, minus the hero part for this bastard).

    Yeah, like this guy. http://news.yahoo.co...topstories.html

    Sat (or dropped, can't remember) his 4 month old down, left his fiancee and older daughter in the movie theater, got in the car, and left...until the fiancee called and told him to come back and pick them up. Can't even begin to imagine how that conversation went.

    FAA OKs iPad for Pilots’ Charts

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    I know a guy who used it for his training in T-1s. Said it was the easiest thing in the world... after he finally got his IPs to warm up to it.

    2T-1v3 specifically prohibits EFBs.

    The IT pros, Apple fanboys, and hackers in my SQ are already plotting their first attempts at breaking Big Blue's grip on the iPads...

    That will endanger their security clearance. On my PR I was asked questions about computers, networks, etc, that weren't asked in my initial investigation 8ish years ago. They are taking that stuff pretty seriously.

    The other issue they have is that the iShit is all flash (memory) based and currently no flash memory connected to computers on the network, so their going to need a hella lot of "airgap" stations or get some rules changed. Wireless is a hard road to get down with USAF regs as well.

    Really don't understand why they don't go with an Android/Linux based solution that they could pay some small business dev company to rework the android framework to do specific functions (like checklists, approach plates, enroute charts, etc) and sync to a single off-net server. Wouldn't be that hard and it could run on much more cost effective (and maintainable) hardware. I heard one of the higher ups at Scott pushing this program was an Apple lover and that's why we've not really looked in to anything but the iMaxi

    Operating IMC in a MOA

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    In restricted airspace, you are most definitely able to be IMC as other aircraft may only enter by approval from the controlling agency..MOAs do not have that procedural capability of preventing stranger traffic from entering VFR (obviously, someone could enter the restricted airspace without clearance, but it may be the last time they fly for awhile).

    If VFR traffic enters your MOA, then the safest place to be is IMC since by definition they can't be there...=) IFR traffic usually will not be routed through the MOA and if they are deconfliction is done via ATC (happens every day here, they'll take away part of our altitude block until the traffic is clear). No different than VFR traffic from operating around you below 18k while you're IFR either and that's the purpose for the VFR cloud clearances, to allow enough time for IFR traffic to pop out, see the VFR dude (and vice versa) and avoid each other.

    Operating IMC in a MOA

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by RangerMateo

    I agree you are still under an IFR clearance, but most, if not all MOAs, you will be required to be talking to some sort of controlling agency while IMC, which may be center or a tactical control agency if local regs allows. Maybe I misunderstood your intent, but I don't think you are legit to just go cruising around IMC whenever you want just because you still have an open IFR flight plan.

    What is your reference for that? Also, being on discrete is still considered "talking" to a controlling agency since they can get ahold of you for traffic advisories and amended clearances...not that there is a requirement for that to be IMC either. In fact, a good example is class G airspace in which can you can be on an IFR flight plan, in IMC and have no requirement to be talking to ATC. Anytime someone departs from an uncontrolled field with weather less than 700 or 1200 (depending on the type of airfield and assuming it's not a dashed magenta airfield) you are in Class G airspace in IMC with an active clearance (that you got from FSS before departure). The PIC is the clearance authority. In places where G goes higher (think mountains and brown shady stuff on the low charts) you can technically transit the Class G on an IFR flight plan in IMC and again, you are the clearance authority. The only restrictions there are that you had to have "asked" ATC for that routing via your flight plan and they can not just send you trucking through it. If that sounds uncomfortable it should be...but again it's really no different than the guy on departure saying "RADAR contact". Full responsibility for terrain and obstacle avoidance is still on the PIC (Even in IMC) until you get the first navigational vector from ATC...at which point it becomes a shared responsibility.

    Being in a MOA means nothing special except you can do a few things like break speed limits...unless it is specifically addressed in the AP/1 or local guidance, you don't have to do anything special to enter IMC as long as you are IFR and are flying IAW your clearance (direct, block, etc). We do it everyday and sometimes with our "receiver" 1000' below us in trail trying to find clear air to do our rendezvous.

    edit: removed ATCCA reference as I just noticed someone else already addressed that.

    What really kills be in all of this is the hard on that Big Blue has for IFR ops. Our radar went down on a clear blue day and our flying machine stopped. No MOAs, individual releases from ZKC, whole nine yards. I suggested that we just stay on our local C&C freq and self-deconflict (Since we all have TCAS and GPS, at least in the T-1 world), work the MOAs VFR and then fly VFR to where ever we wanted to shoot approaches and pick up a local (Which I guess isn't that uncommon at Pensacola). People looked at me like I was Copernicus going on about the earth not being the center of the universe.

    Operating IMC in a MOA

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Operating in a MOA while IFR (Which we always are at Vance...) is no different than operating in Class E airspace anywhere else while IFR. It just doesn't seem that way, but when the controller tells you that you are "Cleared the Block Area 5 Low" (at Vance) it is tantamount to "Vandy XX maintain block 10,000 to 14,000 between the Vance 311 and Vance 326 radial, 48 nm to 68 nm". Now, if the specific MOA publishes its own instructions obviously that applies, but for a generic MOA if you're on an IFR clearance you're IFR.

    TCAS

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    IIRC it was TAS (traffic avoidance system?)

    Correct...and F NACWS, it was completely worthless.

    I think the 1000 VVI line in GP about climbs/descents in RVSM airspace is directly related to not setting off people's TCAS. Even if you have v7, anything over 1000 fpm could still set it off, especially if one guy is descending and the other climbing.

    Think it's still a good idea to follow it though at first while looking for the conflict and if there's no conflict in following it continue to do so. It's not always the guy you have in sight that is setting it off...(Happened to us at KTUL). They're also supposed to be smart enough to not have you descend into the ground (GPWS and Radio Alt are supposed to talk to it), but then again...

    RVSM Questions

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    If your airplane isn't RVSM certified you aren't getting cleared to 320 in the first place.

    We get up there all the time in the Toner on long legs. They are *supposed* to let you in as a military aircraft if they can swing it...there's even a form you can fill out if you get denied RVSM. Can't say I've ever filled one out before though.

    Information on PIT (Pilot Instructor Training)

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    I would like some input on T-1 PIT. Length of training, typical day and how students are treated. Gentlemens course? I haven't found this addressed directly via the search engine, so please elaborate. I have alot of experience flying multiple aircraft but never an IP or in the T-1.

    Thanks to all posters!

    I started in Feb weekend after Valentine's day, scheduled to finish first week of June but we're running about two weeks ahead of schedule right now. It's a decent pace once you're out of academics, but nothing compared to UPT. It tends to be faster than what the MWS guys were expecting though, oddly enough. The hardest part for guys coming back seems to be playing the game. All in all, it's not bad at all. I'd suggest finding a house to live in though as opposed to living on base. There's quite a few dudes around with houses that they rent out for $27/day.

    Typical day (early pit - AM lines):

    0500 show to print wx, notams, etc

    0600 brief time

    0800 Takeoff

    1100 Land/Debrief

    1200 Lunch

    1300 Schedule is usually fleshed out so you come back in to mission plan for the next day

    Mission planning depends on the person. Especially for Qual phase there are very few options (Brady - GRK/SJT or Kings5 - CRP/VCT) so you kind of have your bag of tricks already. Proficiency/Instruction get a little more involved with the Form/AR/AD with AD being the most involved...but even at that the charts are already prepared by the Navs so you just have to check chum and AP/1B currency (The charts do suck though, a lot of turn points are airfields...). Out and Backs will have their own special considerations (Call ahead, check fuel contract, etc). There's adequate gouge when you get here though and even a thing called the magic kneeboard that does all your AR calculations ahead of time. I'd say an hour to two to get your plan together if you don't jack around bsing with people and stuff. For the form stuff you're also expected to make up this white board thing with the mission plan on it. Most retarded thing I've ever seen, but they all expect it so we all do it. You're also forced to use BRI during Qual.

    All in all, there are very few basic missions/profiles so once you have a good library of fuel plans/175's/data cards you're good to go. I even have a word document with links that pull up all the NOTAMs we use day-to-day, weather, AHAS, etc so I can have everything ready to no-notice brief in like 20 minutes. Look on the share drive when you show up =). Most the IP's here are pretty cool...there are a few guys that people would rather avoid, but they aren't the norm....most the IPs are really cool and want to help you out. Good luck!

    Is this a written policy, or somthing internal @ AFPC?

    It's written. I saw it on some website on AFPC about the IP positions at Randolph and it was listed as a requirement. Sorry I can't point you to it, but I do remember seeing that it was listed as a requirement.

    High Speed Aborts

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    If you did a static takeoff, there's some more heat.

    Is that actually a consideration in your braking charts? Not trying to be a smartass I just am curious if there's some physics/thermo concept I'm missing here because it doesn't seem like a static TO should add anything more than a negligible amount of energy into the brakes as long as you aren't creeping or dragging the pads for an extended period of time while releasing brakes.

    Interphone Patch Cord

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Anyone have an in-line plug that would allow me to record off and/or add audio to a mil comm cord? In-line: ie would work with a fighter and not screw up regular comm usage.

    Happy to purchase one if someone knows how to build it.

    Thanks,

    DV

    Any update on this? Anyone have wiring diagrams since there don't seem to be any "for sale" items anymore...looking for something that would ideally be able to both tap the plane audio off to a VOX and playback a signal as well (from an iPod or whatever). At least some good discussion on what the dangers are of tweaking some stuff (ie - don't do this or you'll fry the whole comm system).

    Military in Uniform at Airport

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted

    Okay, I was just wondering. Personally, I can't envision a scenario where I wouldn't have civies and wouldn't prefer to wear them over a flight suit. That's just me and I'm sure lots of people have their reasons for wanting to wear it.

    That way when the pilot has a heart attack everyone knows who is assumed to be taking over.

    Fun night last night...

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted

    The 33rd's DO lives on base, three houses up from me, so you must be talking about Cappy and his family!

    They will definitly be in my thoughts!

    That it was. I couldn't remember if he was still in the DO office or not.

    Fun night last night...

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted

    I'm glad that NH doesn't have Tornados...

    We're in another Tornado watch till 7:45pm tonight.

    The 33rd DO or SQ/CC's house (Can't remember if he moved to the CC office or not) was hit last night at VN. They're trying to sell, so bad timing. Keep them in your prayers, everyone was okay.

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