HuggyU2

Post retired a few months ago. Good riddance. Any idea where he went? I'm guessing it wasn't the airlines.

My limited knowledge came from talking to the three Army pilots that applied to the U-2 program many years ago when I worked the inter service transfers for pilots from other Services. They were helicopter pilots that had gone through the Army's fixed wing qual. Two were flying King Airs, and one was flying the ARL. It's been close to 15 years since that happened, and possibly a lot has changed... and your post alludes to the fact that it has. xcraftllc: thank you for the detailed information. Excellent post.

I was fortunate in that, while I knew they existed, I didn't deal with too many during my career.

My phrasing was a "military fixed wing program". Going through one month at FlightSafety is not one of those. Is that still how Army helicopter pilots transition into Army C-12's?

The T-38's supporting F-22 ops are using them. And a few years ago, Whitman got approved to use them... though I don't know if they actually are using them.

What do you mean "a transfer"? Into UPT? Or directly into a USAF fixed-wing unit? Last I recall, Army C-12 pilots had never been through a military fixed-wing program.

Everhart is bluffing. Even if he tried to implement Stop Loss, the blowback would be unpalatable.

May I ask why you want to join the military as a pilot?

Attention squadron commanders: when your people want to harvest palm oil, demand that they complete the Hazardous Activities Form.

Say what you will but I enjoyed my 4 years in Del Rio. Granted, that was so long ago that my Alzheimer's may have rewritten what I remember.

Although not "Guard", I personally know a former U-2 pilot that separated, and was actually recruited by the Reserves to go to USAF TPS. (He turned it down for yet another great Reserve opportunity). With the whole "Total Force" thing going on, I certainly can envision Guardsmen going to TPS sooner rather than later.

You're not from around here, are ya?

I don't watch football... but if I did, why would it matter? Doesn't everyone Tevo the game, and skip the commercials anyways?

By whom? So instead, they need to remove the ENTIRE glove to DO THEIR JOB?

I have no idea. It is what you make of it. However, none of the the pilots were told by AFPC they had to go there.

We don't discuss "the breakdown", unless I misunderstand you. Ask your Squadron-mates if you're a decent pilot, self-starter, someone they trust, someone who pulls their own weight (and then some), and they want to be on the road with. If the answer is yes, then apply. If you feel the application process is so lengthy that you don't want to start it until you know your chances, then please don't apply. Have you considered taking leave and going to Beale to talk to them?

You should probably read a little about her. She has done very well, and appears to be quite respected for her abilities.

Good times in Havasu. One BO.net person who I never met decided to come down and join us for the party. Thanks for making the effort to join us, Bobsan. It was great to meet you.

I haven't had that one. But I go to their Redlands AirFest every year and have tried most of what they create. No surprise they have grown in popularity so fast. Their AirFest is 20 May this year.

Aluminum Overcast. Im pretty sure they will be selling rides. Unfortunately, a different aviation experience is also this weekend, and I'll miss Havasu.

For those going cross-country westbound this weekend, Hangar 24 Brewery is having the grand opening of their new Lake Havasu, AZ location. B17 should be there, plus a number of airshow performers hanging out. Good times... especially if you show up in a military aircraft in your flight suit. If you're military and will be there, drop me a note. The beers are aviation-themed, and the artwork on the labels is classic. Even better... the beer is outstanding. https://www.facebook.com/Hangar24Havasu/ http://hangar24brewery.com/index.htm

A 737-800 crashes with 180 people onboard. It was being flown single-pilot. The NTSB determines that having a second pilot onboard would have probably prevented the crash. How many hundreds of millions of dollars will this cost the company in lawsuits, settlements, insurance payouts, stock value, loss of the airframe, etc...? ------ A 99.99% safety rate means Delta Airlines (mainline only) crashes a plane every 4-5 days. If airlines are going to change to single- or no-pilot cockpits, the safety factor will need to be perfect. Not "as good as a Global Hawk".

Whoa!... slow down, Trigger. Not every airline is allowed to have wifi enabled in the cockpit. Let's not get too crazy here.

If they want retirees back in uniform for this, they will need to find a way to do it without taking away their retiree pay. Otherwise, make them contractors. Otherwise, the financial penalty is just too high for most former military pilots.