El Duderino

Some ejection seat trivia that "common folk" may not know: - Early models of the F-104 Starfighter had ejection seats that fired down instead of up. Obviously no zero-zero capability there. - F-111s didn't have ejection seats perse, but an entire ejection pod that kept the pilot and BN/WSO/EWO (EDIT: whatever the guy in the right seat was called) in climate controlled comfort for the ride down. This past Sunday I met a gentleman who was shot down in an F-111 and had to ride the pod down. Luckily he and the pilot, who had a broken back, were rescued before the VC could get to them. [ 23. June 2005, 16:04: Message edited by: El Duderino ]

Pure gold man. That was the best post I have seen on Baseops in about a week or two. Keep stories like this coming if you have the time - it's nice to hear something positive.

I wonder if "The Price is Right" honies were impressed by this kids "wings." I bet he got some serious tail that night. It's crap like this that makes ROTC people look like dorks. Does this qualify the kid as a poser? Oh by the way Aurora, Have you seen a man eat his own head . . . no, well then I guess you haven't seen it all.

PILOTED, If you don't apply you won't be a pilot. I think it is up to you and how bad you want to be a pilot wether it would be a waste of time or not. If you apply the worst they can say is no. I am not an AF pilot yet but will be going to UPT at Whiting. I had been DQ'd from flying for a back issue (compression deformities/fractures from a genetic disease, no pain or lack of mobility, I didn't even know I had this until they looked at the xrays from my FC1). I had to delay my commissioning three months while I waited for the results of an ETP and it definately wasn't a waste of time. Best of luck to you, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Bushmaster, I gathered that Apaches don't carry A2A from your earlier post I just thought I would point out a scene from Hollywood that was depicting your hypothetical situation and how movies typically embelish almost to the point of absurdity. I guess it just didn't translate. I liked the Homer picture though. -Dude

This thread brings to mind one of the fine Hollywood examples of accurately portraying military operations. I am of course talking about the movie Firebirds, arguably the finest example of acting from Tommy Lee Jones and Nicholas Cage ever seen. Anyone remember the scene were the Apaches take on Saab JA-35s (I think that was the model) and hose them down with Stingers? Totally awesome. I think it would have been better if they had a scene of the Apache flying inverted over the fighter flipping them the bird, ala Top Gun. If you see it in the movies it's possible right? -Dude

I have not broken my back but do have compression deformities in some vertebre due to a genetic disease called Sheurman's (sp?) Disease. My FCI went in back in August or September and I was subsequently DQ'd from FCI, II, and III, because my vertebre were compressed more than 25% (which I believe I was told was the waiverable limit). The b|tch of it is I sent records in showing I have never been treated for back pain, injury, or any other problem (see your asymptomatic). I had an MRI done by a civilian spine surgeon who stated that my condition should not limit me from any activity I wanted to take part in. An AF spine surgeon reviewed my MRI and said he also felt I should not be kept from flying. What sucks even more is that my PAS talked with the doctor that DQ'd me. As I understand it the doctor said that while his instinct said my back probably would not be a problem there was no prescident for him to write a waiver for it. I was supposed to commission back in December but had it delayed until March 31 while I wait for the results of an Exception to Policy. Bottom line cb03t, it will depend on what your specific circumstances are and how they fit within the regs, F16PilotMD can better tell you what they are then I could. If you do get DQ'd I say fight tooth and nail to find some way around it. The worst that could happen is they say no and you also get to spend some time being a college student without having to go to class which means any night you want. If they say yes it will have been well worth it. Hope this helped some. Good luck and keep everyone posted. Dude

Eluzion, A huge factor in the success of PRK is the patient's dedication to using the prescribed eye drops after the surgery - don't use them when you should and halos are a greater possibility. I had my PRK done two years ago today and don't regret it one bit. I think that 20% of PRK patients having poor results is an exageration. PRK is an elective surgery and there is some risk involved. But if you really want to fly for the Air Force and PRK would open that door for you, I say go for it. Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions. Dude

I have been fortunate to hang around an organization that performs at air shows so I know a little bit about what goes on. The FARs have a speed restriction of 200 to 250 kts below 10,000 ft depending upon what airspace you are in. At air shows they get an FAA waiver for airspace that's 4-5 miles radius from "show center" and up to 17-18,000 ft. This allows military and warbird performers to fly faster than the FARs allow as well as the aerobatic performs to fly all their maneuvers that you wouldn't be able to do any other day over a controlled airport. The fighter demo pilots usually make a high speed pass that bumps up against the MACH. This is what I have picked up by sitting through airshow pilot's briefings and talking with performers, it may not be holy writ but should be pretty accurate. Dude

Can AF aircrew accept any promotional items an FBO may offer? The FBO I work at does the AvTrip program through AvFuel. Every gallon you buy you get 4 points, every 5000 points is worth a $50 savings bond. You could rack up some serious $ if you put several thousand gallons in your C-whatever per stop. I've heard of other FBOs that offer a free steak dinner per so many gallons. There was a rumor that the other airport here in town was getting a lot of business because the hot receptionist had a thing for pilots and would take them to a back room to show her appreciation. Her boss didn't know if he should fire her for sleeping with customers or giver her a raise for all the business it brought in. Just curious if the Fraud, Waste and Abuse people would frown on taking incentives. Dude

It's a long list but I think it is pretty damn funny. This last one is especially true. Why airplanes are better than women: • You can predict an airplane. • If you respect an airplane it will be good to you. • Airplanes don't have PMS to battle. • Airplane skin doesn't wrinkle as badly. • An airplane won't criticize your performance. • Airplanes don't comment on your piloting skills. • An airplane doesn't care where you were last night. • Airplanes don't care about how many other airplanes you have flown before. • Airplanes don't cost as much money. • Airplanes don't get pregnant. • Airplanes are faster than most women. • Airplanes don't take forever to warm up. • Airplanes don't spend hours in front of a mirror. • Airplanes like to do it inverted. • Airplanes won't keep you waiting. • Airplanes won't insist you shower before entering it. • Airplanes don't cry when you break up with them. • Airplanes don't talk back. • Airplanes don't get headaches. • Airplanes don't take half of everything. • Airplanes never stand you up. • It's easier to get "trim" in an airplane. • Airplanes go down ... women just bring you down. • An airplane is cheaper to maintain. • You can't get diseases from an airplane. • Airplanes don't care if you fart. • Airplanes have better struts. • An airplane doesn't care who yanks it's stick. • You can keep an airplane from stalling. • Airplanes can be turned on by a flick of a switch. • You can approach an airplane from the REAR. • You can proudly show your airplane inside and out. • An airplane won't slap you for being a "bush pilot". • An airplane doesn't ask you to put on a raincoat before entry. • You can easily leave an airplane before sunrise. • Airplane exhaust fumes smell better. • Airplanes lose weight faster. • You don't always have to "hand prop" an airplane. • Airplanes don't care if you fall asleep while in them. • Airplanes don't care if you enter thru the back door. • An airplane does not get mad if you "touch and go". • An airplane will not get mad if you ride someone else's airplane. • An airplane's cockpit is cleaner. • At least a DC-10 sucks! • You can calculate the peak performance of an airplane. • An airplane is easy to roll over. • You can still ride a fifty year old airplane. • Up to five people can ride in an airplane. • Airplanes expect to be tied down. • Airplanes can get high without throwing up. • Airplanes last longer. • Airplane's don't need as much lubrication. • Airplane's don't droop after ten years. • Airplanes are easy to love. • You don't have to sweet-talk an airplane. • You can always tell when an airplane is going to give out. • An airplane moves when you tell it to. • Airplanes give a better ride for the money. • An airplane goes anywhere you direct it to. • Wide body airplanes are more attractive. • An airplane will kill you quick...a woman takes her time. • An airplane takes less time to turn around. • An airplane does not object to a preflight inspection. • Airplanes don't make you "pull-out" to eject. • You can change the looks of an airplane. • Airplanes come with manuals to explain their operation. • Airplanes can handle thrust better. • Airplanes don't scream. • A 747 can keep you up for 14 hours. • You can adjust an airplane's attitude easily. • Women have more drag than lift. • An airplane's payload can be calculated. • Airplanes have strict weight and balance limits. • Airplanes have ash trays and tray tables. • When you put fuel into an airplane, it does not spit it out. • Sometimes you can ride airplanes for free • It's easier to understand what an airplane needs. • You can fly an airplane any time of the month • Airplanes don't come with in-laws. • Airplanes don't whine unless something is really wrong • Airplanes don't care about how many other airplanes you have flown • Airplanes and pilots both arrive at the same time. • Airplanes don't mind if you look at other airplanes, or if you buy airplane magazines • If your airplane is too loose, you can tighten it • It's always OK to use tie downs on your airplane • However, when airplanes go quiet, just like women, it's a bad thing.

I had a follow up last week at a nearby AFB. They took xrays and a radiologist looked at them on Thursday. I was giving the findings by a flight doc yesterday. --- FINDINGS: There are multiple thoracic compression deformities, severe at the T7 level. The vertebral centrum at T4 measures 30mm in height; at the anterior aspect of the centrum T5 is 24mm, T6 is 22mm, T7 is 17mm, T8 is 19mm, T9 is 25mm, T10 is 25mm, T11 is 30mm, and T12 is 34mm. There is no retropulsion of any vertebral centrum. The compression deformities appear to be old, with healing. There is some osteophyte formation at the ventral aspects of the centra and also noted laterally at T7, 8, 9 and 10 on the AP view. There is no destruction of bone seen. The patient appears to have very minimal kyphosis as a result. IMPRESSION: Multiple compression deformities as noted with minimal kyphosis. --- A lot of what the flight doc said didn't register after he said put flying aside for now and make sure the AF will accept you as a new accession. Quite a kick in the nuts when I was ecspecting to go in and have this writen off since I haven't had an accident, sports injury, or suffer from any back pain and then am told I may not even get to wear the uniform at all. What I did understand is that I have multiple compression fractures in my back and the odds of me flying anything, especially anything with an ejection seat, are slim to none. These findings should have been sent down to Brooks today and since I am predicting bad news to come back I am trying to put together a waiver packet in advance. So far I have documentation from my pediatrician of 18 yrs and my current doctor documenting no treatment for back problems or trips to the emergency room for an accident or injury. I am trying to get an appointment with an orthopedics Dr for later this week to get a 2nd opinion. What are some other items that would go in a waiver packet? If ejection seats are out of the question I see my only hope of flying for the AF as going to Whiting and flying T-34 (no rocket seat) with a T-1/T-44 follow on. Can you recieve a waiver with a caviat of not being allowed to fly an ejection seat equiped aircraft? How much do scores factor into a possible waiver? PCSM 99, OM high 80's, 1 semester Cadet Wing CC, 180+ hrs flying time, PFT score (old version) of 410. I've busted my *** to become the best officer/pilot candidate I can and am going to fight like hell to stay in AF and hopefully fly. My only experience with the AF has been 4 yrs as a cadet. I love the people and the way of life and haven't even experienced the real thing yet. As long as there is a chance I am going to keep the faith and keep fighting. Any advice or suggestions would really be appreciated. Thanks. Dude

This week I finally got something back about the FC1/MFS I did at Brooks in April. It looks like I have to do some follow up work and was hoping F16PilotMD could shed some light on the problem I may have. From the Report of Medical Examination: "Request current consultation from: Orthopedics for finding noted on chest X-ray. There is evidence for a mildly increased thoracic kyphosis with moderate loss of height of the T8 vertebra and mild loss of height of T7. The findings are compatible with prior trauma." The report says to include examinee's personal and family history related to the condition, past and current signs and symptoms, treatment rendered, and dates. I am really in the dark about what all of this means other than it could keep me from flying. I have never been in an accident or suffered any kind of back injury playing sports. I don't suffer from any kind of back pain. I lift weights 3 or 4 times a week and do squats without any discomfort in my back. I occassionally fly in a Pitts and pull over 5 Gs and don't have any problem with it. There is no family history of back problems. -How serious is this condition? -Is it possible that my back just grew this way? -Does this require a waiver and if so how difficult is it to obtain one? -Since I don't have any medical records for symptoms or treatment of this should I just have my doctor and my parents' doctors write a letters saying as much? F-16PilotMD I would really appreciate any info you could give me. Thanks a ton in advance. --The Dude

I just got back from Brooks for my FC1 and MFS on Friday the 23rd. I'm in ROTC so the process may be different for OTS, AD and Academy folks. I was there during the third week they were doing the combined FC1/MFS so there will probably be some changes in the future as the kinks are ironed out. If you had PRK like I did it will be a little different for you, here is how it went: -After getting the pilot slot I talked with the cadre at my Det about scheduling a time. Go talk with one of your NCOs to set up your appointment. -You will have to go to Aerospace Medicine website http://www.brooks.af.mil/web/enhance/index.htm . Click on Flying Class 1/MFS link. There is a link with some FAQs and one to start application and fill out forms. -You have to fill out the Form 93, Form 696, and ROTC Pesonal Data Sheet. These have to be emailed down to Brooks 2 or 3 weeks before your appointment so make sure they get done. You should be able to get the email address from one of your NCOs. If you had PRK you must fax all of your Pre/Post-Operative forms down too. -After all of this is done the people at Brooks should be able to confirm your appointment and then your cadre can make your travel arrangements. Billeting was full when we went to Brooks so we had to stay in the American Heritage Inn off base. It is only about 200 yrds from the gate and was pretty nice, but only had about 12 channels worth of TV. It cost $47 a night and you have to pay that out of pocket, it should be reimbursed later but it still puts a dent in the old wallet if you have to stay the whole week like I did. -Before heading down south (sts) make sure you have everything: orders, a copy of your physical used to contract into ROTC (DODMERB), your PPQ result sheet, Form 46, Det issued PT gear, $, prescription glasses if applicable, sunglasses (you'll get your eyes dilated with some strong s**t), a 13"x10" envelope with your Det's address on it and if you're a PRK person a copy of all your Pre/Post-Operative paperwork. -I flew down on Sunday and was met by the "Action Officer" who is the dude that drives you to the base and back to the airport. I lucked out because our "Action (Inaction, j/k Gonads) Officer" is a buddy of mine who commisioned in December. Be sure to get some dinner before 1900 because you can't eat for 12 hrs before the testing starts the next morning. Also, NO ALCOHOL for 72 hrs prior, yeah I know it sucks but it will taste that much better the following weekend. -Testing starts Monday, you have to be there by 0700. In the morning you will: get your teeth X-rayed, see a dentist, do a hearing test, get an ultrasound of your heart and EKG, give 7 vials of blood, pee in a cup, get your vitals taken (Blood pressure and heart rate), do some eye tests (depth perception, close up eye charts), and go over your medical history with MSgt Nagel. After lunch we finished the day with 4 hours worth of Neuro-pscyh tests (personality and IQ) that will leave you wishing for a drink (you'll get it after you take the tests). Don't worry about these, they don't count toward the FC1/MFS. They are used as a baseline in case you have a head injury or something later in your career. -On Tuesday morning we peed in another cup with someone watching this time, measured our sitting/standing heights and got weighed. We also did some more vision tests (3 books worth of color vision and the red lense test) and you will get your eyes dilated and see the eye doctor. If you had PRK DO NOT get your eyes dilated, you will do that another day. After lunch you will get chest X-rays taken and see the flight doctor for the physical. PRK people ask to be one of the first to go, after your physical you can start doing some of the extra eye tests and see the opometrists/opthamologists. After the physical you are done. -MSgt Nagel sat down with everyone individualy and gave us an informal debriefing on any issues that may DQ us. This is NOT official and he will make this clear before you start so don't go home and pay for a bunch of tests that you probably won't need. This debrief is nice because you will have some idea of where you stand so you aren't worrying yourself sick waiting to hear back from HQ. Now don't freak out when you read this next part. 0f the 13 cadets that were down there when I was, 12 of us have a DQ, the week before I went 11 of 12 had a DQ. The vast majority of these DQs are stuff that can be fixed or waived (cavities in your teeth, PRK, etc) so don't jump in front of a bus or anything like that. That pretty much covers it for those that didn't have PRK, if you did there is some more info further on in this post. After you are done with testing on Monday and Tuesday the rest of the day is yours. I would suggest going to the River Walk downtown there is tons of stuff to do. There is a mall, movie theater, all sorts of restaraunts (Hooters), the Alamo is there (not terribly exciting but worth a look). The "Action Officer" isn't responsible for taking you around after he drops you off for the day so you will have to take a cab. I had really good luck with Yellow Checker company (210) 222-2222. It cost $12 to get from the hotel to the River Walk. Sorry for the super long post (sts) but hopefully this will cover any questions you may have. Let me know if there is something I didn't cover. If you have had PRK read on you have to stay a couple of extra days so read on: Wednesday and Thursday are full of eye tests and eye docs. The doctors are looking to see if you have any haze left over from the surgery or anything else wrong with the eye. A majority of the eye tests I took seemed to be concerned with how contrast sensitive my eyes were. Contrast sensitivity is something that some people loose after having PRK. I don't know how in depth I can talk about the tests they did. Before I went to Brooks I found a website http://www.contrastsensitivity.net/ that had lots of good info about contrast sensitivity. If you search around the site you can find some examples of contrast sensitivity tests that they may or may not give you at Brooks. They also check to see if you have a problem with glare, again something you can search on the internet. They do all of the tests both corrected and uncorrected, so if you have any prescription left, it will be a long couple of days for you. I lucked out because both my eyes are Plano. If you are headed down to Brooks I hope everything goes well for you. If you have any questions about the FC1/MFS or PRK let me know and I will answer them as well as I can. [ 26. April 2004, 04:20: Message edited by: El Duderino ]

I can't speak to specific problems the V-22 may have with hydraulics or VRS, but I have to disagree with the argument that there is not enough experience with this type of aircraft and that we need to let the technology mature. The concept of the tilt-rotor aircraft is almost 50 years old. The Bell XV-3 first flew in 1955 http://avia.russian.ee/vertigo/bell_xv-3-r.html, the CL-84 in the late 50's http://www.exn.ca/FlightDeck/Aircraft/Milestones/cl84.cfm and the XV-15 was flying by 1980 http://www.dfrc.nasa.gov/Gallery/Photo/XV-...EC80-13848.html. The first flight of the V-22 was in March of 1989. That is a rather large body of experience. I don't think it is short-sighted to reevaluate a program that has been around for 15 years and is still questionable in safety. The capabilities that the V-22 would bring to the battlefield are definately something that we could use. I think it would be wise to explore other possibilities to bring these capabilities to bear instead of feeding this program money and lives. You've got to know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em. Just my 2 cents. Back to studying Western Civ. [ 26. April 2004, 04:23: Message edited by: El Duderino ]