HuggyU2

I would disagree with you. It is so much more than just a trainer. Designed in the 1950s, it has done a fantastic job for 50 years in transitioning pilots to supersonic fighters, and a myriad of high-performance heavies and bombers. NASA astronaut trainers, USAF and Navy TPS usage, test squadron aircraft for chasing cruise missiles on low levels. And most recently, a jet used to save hundreds of thousands of dollars in its F-22 adversary support role. Versatile... and impressive. Did you know it briefly held the time to climb record in 1963? And be thankful: had the T-38 not been selected, it would have been an F-100 variant. I'd bet we wouldn't be flying those anymore. When it came to getting out of Del Rio, Randolph, or Beale on the weekend, the "two-engine, twin-turbine, JP-8 slurpin', dual afterburnin', supersonic bar hopping machine" was the perfect steed. I met a lot of people as a result of the T-38. Even flew six sorties with Steve Ritchie. I got 5 rides in the T-38 in college; solo'd it in 1985; flew it all over the U.S. in some very challenging conditions, and on gorgeous VFR legs through the Sierra and the Rockies; flew my fini flight on 24 Sept 2014. Some trips were solo, some were with my favorite people. Loved it every time I got in it. And I am a substantially better pilot today because of all the sorties I flew in that jet. I've got over 100 types of aircraft in my logbook, including 8 sorties in the Viper (one from the front seat), a smattering in the Eagle, two in the T-45, three in the A-4,... F-18B, F-18F... and plenty more. From my perspective, looking at those other 100 types I've gotten stick time in, the T-38 is pretty impressive. F16 capabilities? Nope. But just because you're married to a Brazilian supermodel doesn't mean every other woman is a let down. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Whoa! Are you a drug addict?

Well... as long as Obama isn't on this forum.

You are exactly spot on. Good point.

Call and make an appointment. They won't see you without one. I'd recommend you bring in the Form 8 that qualified you initially as an IP, as well as your last three check rides. I also brought them my flying time summary. Fill out an FAA Form 8710. If you live a long way from the FSDO, I'd give thought to just signing up for the American Flyers test, and knocking it out that way. One time fee... and for about $25 extra, they will process it all for you, and you never have to go to the FSDO.

I was 1.5 years into my airline job, sitting sideways as a 727 second officer, on a flight between MCI and ORD. I was a 2nd Officer Line Check Airman and was giving a new guy a checkout. We got a few odd messages from the crew scheduler on our ACARS unit, and thought there had been a power failure in the North East US. Landed in ORD, and nothing was moving. That was when we knew something very unusual was happening. Sat on the tarmac a few hours. I tuned in a news broadcast on the radio, and literally gave the passengers a play by play for 90 minutes. I remember walking back through the cabin to check on the pax, and a women stopped me and said "my brother works in the twin towers.". After a few hours, we were able to get permission to drop the rear stairway of the 727, and off-load everyone. Once I was inside Ops, people were in shock. I recall the staff ladies crying, and the pilots watching the TV. I figured out where my hotel was, and headed out of O'Hare. What was very eerie was going through that tunnel between the two United terminals: middle of at the day, and I'm the only person in it. Came up to the main ticket area of O'Hare, and the only other people there were National Guard with automatic weapons. Surreal. Spent 5 days in Chicago, and was on the first plane that went into San Antonio. I had decided 6 weeks earlier to go back onto Active Duty, and return to the U-2. I'd also called the U-2 SQ/CC at that time, and he supported my decision. I had completed all of the paperwork for AFPC, and that stack was sitting on my desk at home when I left to fly that trip on 10 Sept. Once I arrived back home, I waited about 2 days, and made the 15 minute drive out to AFPC at Randolph, and hand-walked my Return to Active Duty application in to Adriana Bazan. Couldn't wait to get back in uniform. I was back on Active Duty on 19 Nov 2001.

The MC-12 virus is 99% permanent. I spent 13 months there as an O-5, and was overjoyed to leave that shitshow. Hopefully, you are persistent and will beat the odds.

So classy.

Good info again. I'll speak to the airport manager and see what the story is. In any case, the Airshow is sponsored by an excellent craft brewery, and ends with a concert. Last year, Everclear headlined. Good static warbird turnout, including one of only 3 flying P-63s and one of only 7 flying P-38s.

Yup. But if your experiences are like mine, I'll take a military jet to a civilian field over a military field any day. Example: taking a T-38 into Eglin for gas. Then going to Million Air at Houston Hobby. The night and day differences stand out when you visit them just hours apart SBD would be my choice over RIV.

Thanks for the replies. Great information, as I had not considered a few of the aircraft mentioned. The airport is KREI and is at 1600' MSL. I'm guessing the largest aircraft they could handle would be a C-130, just based on the limited parking. That's probably a stretch too. The M-28, U-28, T-6, and C-12 would be a hit. If any of you are interested in a one-day, cool SoCal show in May 2017, drop me a p.m. and let's see if we can make it happen. BTW... flyovers: stage out of March ARB or KSBD, do flyover, then come to the party. Two years ago, the Canadian Hornet Demo guy staged out of SBD, and they helicoptered him back and forth, since it is only about 5 nm away.

What fixed wing AF aircraft could potentially support being a static display on a runway that is 4500'x75?

BWAA! Hahaha!!!

Has anything official been reported in the Thunderbird mishap? Also, could someone post the link for the public site that has the AIB results for past mishaps?

Is there any relevance to having this thread remain in the "Pinned" section?

Heresy!!! Burn the witch!!!

More good video and narrative... and Lt Gen "Matic" Otto in an interview. He's a great American and military officer. For those considering a career in the U-2, enjoy the following: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-air-force-reveals-new-360-degree-video-of-u-2-pilot-perspective/

I went for just Wednesday. As expected, amazing time. Lots of rumor and scuttlebutt about EAA losing big patrons. I'd like to see their financials for the past year.

I just heard about the crash yesterday near Vance. I'm curious what kind of knee-jerk reaction the AF will make due to this. Irrespective, my sincere condolences to the friends and squadron mates of the Lieuteant that died.

I was in Miami a week ago, and Pan Am Flight Academy has a 707 sim they do type ratings in. They apparently have clients, Educate your FSDO.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gene-lee-72368312

Why is any of this relevant... to anything? A 2Lt that's unpopular with the status quo. Newsworthy.

DEFINTELY not. Great guy.

EXCELLENT news! Thanks for posting. In this case, it's perfectly fine to say "I told you so".

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2016/06/07/air-force-thunderbirds-return-to-flying-after-crash-but-air-show-schedule-uncertain/