HerkDerka

Nothing like asking for a good old "Initial Steer" I didn't get truly good at fix to fixes until the end of UPT. Now, I live in the world of SCNS. Thank God for SCNS, because as of now "Tune, identify, and monitor" is about the only step I can remember! HD

I drive an 01 F-150XL. Damn fine truck. HD

Regarding the flight cap crush, it's one of those things that has no certain origin or qualifications It's common to see fighter guys do it, but I know plenty of heavy drivers, to include flight engineers and loadmasters who wear it as well. Regarding the origin, the crush most likely came from a combination of two things in WWII. The first is how pilots wore their headsets over their flight caps resulting in a crush after some combat time. The second being that Army Air Corps officers took the structure out of their wheel cap to distinguish themselves from infantry officers. As to who wears it and why. There is no set reason, qualification, or flight hour minimum to wear the notch. Just be careful who you wear it in front of. In my opinion, I'm all about it. It's an old tradition of a fighting corps that encourages morale and espirit-de-corps. HD [ 30. May 2004, 01:02: Message edited by: HercDriver24 ]

That's pretty intresting C-21. So you don't measure EGT? I remember the Tweet used EGT, but that was probably because it was a single compressor wussy jet. HD

I have yet to fly the T-6. But in T-44s ITT was Interstage Turbine Temerature and N1 was Engine RPM. My best hypothesis is that Np is Prop RPM which is called N2 in the Peg. It gets even better when you get to the Herc and have TIT! (Turbine Inlet Temperature). HD [ 17. May 2004, 18:41: Message edited by: HercDriver24 ]

SERE is not an attrition-oriented course. Remember, the Air Force spent a cool million to train a new pilot and its a waste of money to lose them at SERE. Don't go into SERE with a "Make or Break" attitude. It's just training. Just pay attention and learn and you'll do just fine. Hazing? No. That's what UPT is for. Yes, RT sucks, but it's not a haze. Like I said, it's just training. Also, don't believe what you see in movies. Demi Moore knows absolutely dick about survival. LOL HD

When I was at survival back in January, the SERE guys bagged (STS) on him like crazy. Even in the field they would preface lessons by saying: "This is the way you are supposed to do it and this his is that way Scott O'Grady did it. Don't do it the way O'Grady did it!" PD

Not to mention using his survival radio incorrectly. PD

I can't tell you much about his shoot down. But when it comes to his evasion techniques, he did pretty much everything wrong. He's lucky that the Marine crew chief didn't shoot his ***. PD

I'll agree that USAA is good for insurance. However, back when I was a brand new LT I called about the LT loan and they told me that I had to direct deposit my entire paycheck to a checking account with them because "They wanted a relationship with me outside of the loan". That was the biggest crock of sh-t I ever heard. They wouldn't just let me put it into a savings account which is what I normally do. That situation showed me that they were really out for my dough. I had a little experience with First Command too. The funny thing is that I probably would be investing with them, but their sales guy in Enid tried way to hard. I mean the guy came to talk to me at home etc. That really turned me off of First Command. I'm not downing on these two companies, but anyone who tries that hard to get my money has a reason that probably isn't in my best intrest. PD

IMHO Lieutenant-mobiles are a waste of money. After I commissioned I decided to not get a new car. When you think about it, you're going to UPT where you won't have time to enjoy it anyway. Even if you do get yourself a pizimp ride, what's the point? There aren't a lot of hot women to pick up in the UPT towns. I suggest using the same old POS that got you through college. After UPT, you'll be driving alot from place to place for your follow-ons and that is the time to pick up your new wheels. I did it that way and was very glad that I did. Besides, by waiting a year I got a better intrest rate on my loan. Stay away from USAA and their (In order to get the new LT loan you have to direct deposit all of your money to us BS) IMHO, why start making payments on something when your not going to be using it anyway. And believe me you won't. You'll always have one of those people who don't drink in your UPT class and they'll end up being your chauffer for the next year. PD

That was freaking amazing. Did you see those mains bend? Great vid LJDRVR! PD

Also, next time your PP instructor tries to give you a piece of info about the military, remember that he is a PP INSTRUCTOR! LOL! PD

mmkk111- To answer your questions: 1) It's during the brief and debrief (more so during the debrief). The IPs have no set ground training guide, so they just ask away. Hence, you need to be ready for any questions they throw at you. It's kind of standard practice for the IPs to ask a few questions to determine what subject you know the least on and then attack. 2) Like I said, the 12 hours is not one long study session, you have butt loads (STS) of stuff to do. Normally you have two flying events every day (flight, sims, etc) and sometimes three. There are also duty shifts to pull like RSU tours, SDO, door guard, the list goes on. So you actually don't have a whole bunch of free time. If you aren't scheduled during one of the three periods, you generally sit in the flight room and study. However, it's not like the Navy likes to think it is. You actually get very little study time during the day. However, if your class is not on formal release, you are allowed to leave until the next period. 3) Regarding your buddy, I think he's full of it. IMHO, AF training is much harder than Navy training. Went I went to Corpus, I found it ten times easier than Vance. I never missed the structured regimine that's for sure. PD

I agree: The type of flying you're going to learn in the AF is COMPLETELY different from any type of flying you've learned before. Don't worry about the past, just focus on what you're being taught in the present. PD

In my opinion, wait until after UPT I got married right after UPT and it was wonderful because it was very low stress. Also, we had plenty of time for a honeymoon. It's nice to have someone to help you study, but in my opinion, use the time you have in UPT as your last bachelor time and ENJOY it! LOL PD

The big thing to remember is this. The Tweet has the only instrument panel in the world that is the least condusive to instrument training. It's amazing how much better you get when you get to an aircraft with an HSI. Anyone remember that damn "toilet boil" in the Tweet? Man instruments sucked in that plane. The only good thing was the digital DME/bearing indicator. PD

I have several friends who went to Whiting and then on to 38's. The brakedown is like this: "Easier to get 38's" Yes and no. You still need to rate a 38 to get it. However, in Tweets your not only your grades count. The IPs also decide if you also have the flat out ability to think and react in the fast mover environment. The Navy doesn't do that with that AF guys since you don't have a Flt/CC per say. It's easier because no one is breathing down your neck. However, guys from Whiting are in for a huge shock when they get to the 38 side. Most of them have never flown a jet before, so they have the normal beginning 38 problems and also the prop-to-jet one and AF game system ones as well. I've heard Whiting guys are usually behind the power curve at the beginning. Out of my two buddies who went that route, one barely made it through talons and the other couldn't hack it. Also just a quick FYI. AF UPT students can't go to Corpus for 34's, only Whiting. The only AF guys at Corpus are in T-44s and TC-12s. Hey ENJJPT stud, who is it that's going to Whiting? PD

Any degree is fine. The main point to remember is that a degree in theology will NEVER get you a job on the outside. Trust me, my brother has a masters in philosophy and works at a Mailbox Etc. Just make sure you're going into the military. I would suggest majoring in Aviation Science like me, Chuckflys17s, and ENJJPT stud did. Easy major that is fun, interesting, and looks good on paper. PD [ 02. April 2004, 12:44: Message edited by: PegDriver24 ]

None. You use LPUs the whole time. PD

The course at Pensacola is Parachute Water Survival SV-86-A Fairchild's water surviavl is a different course. SV-90-A is non-parachute water survival and also dunker (For whirly crews). Most likely, you'll go to Pensacola as an aircrew member. PD

IMHO, don't waste your money. You'll learn all that stuff at UPT. I wouldn't want to have to break any old habits. Also, the aerobatics in UPT are not all that complicated and as long as you study the parameters, you'll do fine. PD

I agree completely Hacker. Maybe I came off wrong. I meant that radio procedures such as reading back clearances, etc. is not only procedure, but just plain smart as well. PD

My advice is to slow down and not do as much flying as you are planning. When you get to UPT, you're gonna learn how to fly in a completely different manner. Just enjoy the last time you have before the firehose. I love it when guys get slots and start prepraring for UPT three years in advance. PD

"AAFES: A part of your benefits, a part of your life!" My A$$ PD [ 24 March 2004, 21:39: Message edited by: PegDriver24 ]