Every day that we inch towards 30 Sep 2025 makes it a little harder to turn back. 

I have no inside information, but I'm hopefull that something will get extended... which would maybe require a few more pilots. 

The first flying squadron in North America.  Tasked with chasing Pancho Villa around the US-Mexican border.

Currently the FTU for the U-2 and T-38A at Beale.

Hail Dragons...

On 9/25/2024 at 9:34 AM, SurelySerious said:

Astro-Inertial sales rep enters the chat

Haha, this. 
 

The U-2 and SR-71 had an old but great Astro-tracker.  We flew it on missions that went way north, where there was always overcast (which precluded doing a ground fix update), and before GPS was really integrated into military flying ops.
 

I believe it was maintained by Northrop. 

IIRC, it tracked 300 stars and gave us around 700' of accuracy. I had an engineer tell me a few years ago that 700' is terrible, compared to modern standards. 

Unfortunately, airline certification for an Astro-tracker will take decades and cost millions of lives. Too bad. Works great, lasts long time. 

I hear it is tomorrow, 26 Sept, leaving Travis.  

Central Coast AirFest in Santa Maria CA is this weekend, 21-22 Sept.

It's right by Vandenburg SFB, and the best warbird airshow in the nation.  

Two of the only 5 De Havilland Mosquitos will be flying in formation... the first time that has happened since 1987.  

The F7F Tigercat just cancelled but the flying lineup includes:  P-38, F8F, SBD Dauntless, TBM Avenger, P-40, lots of Mustangs, B-25, MiG-15, Yak-3, P-63, Sea Fury, the only P-47 Razorback that files... 

Also, F-18 Demo Team.  And the A-10 Demo Team in their 3rd to last airshow before the team is disbanded (thanks a lot, Frank Kendall).  

https://www.centralcoastairfest.com/

 

United plans to hire 1,700 in 2025, as per the Instructor/Evaluator meeting last week. 

Summary?  I don't use that app. 

Durbin. Ugh. 

Obviously, I don't know all of the facts, but this appears to fall squarely on the shoulders of the Army pilot who was PIC.  

We give a ton of orientation flights in the U-2 and T-38, and if we were to allow the guest flyers to exceed our capabilities to keep the aircraft safe, that's on us.  

What was the O-6's billet in the F-35 world?  

There sure are a lot of replies to a rumor started by a 2Lt casual student. 
 

Of note, the nephew of a guy I know just showed up to his Navy/Marine F-35 RAG... 5.5 years after starting on active duty.  We aren't the only ones  

 

Accountability:  I've always been impressed that the commander and executive director of AFPC weren't both fired by the CSAF for their inability to manage the rated force.  

 

For you airline guys, I heard some really crazy shit recently about another merger. I heard it on the crew bus from a flight attendant and...

We use Fresno and Lemoore for our local diverts and go there often for training sorties. 

With 9,500 and 8,000 at FAT, and 2 x 13,500 at NLC, most of us would choose NLC if we had a runway length / stopping issue. 
 

Nevermind the fact NLC is the Navy: they know cables"; have them on all four runways; and inspect them regularly (not that we can take a cable in the T-38A). 
 

I'd like to know what the after action report is on the broken cable at FAT. 
 

I've landed a T-38 on the Edwards lake bed once. A decent option this time of year normally. But you don't want to show up there without pre-coordination, only to find out the lake bed is unusable due to rain. 

Honestly, people should go to jail.  Someone made some deals under the table.

https://www.twz.com/39945/the-air-force-spent-134m-to-repair-39-hail-damaged-t-1-jet-trainers-its-about-to-retire

 

BTW, what is AFF at Randolph?  

Possible extension of U-2 operations, according to noted British journalist Chris Pocock.  Things are getting interesting, assuming he is somewhat accurate. 

https://dragonladytoday.com/2024/08/17/keep-the-u-2-by-downsizing-the-operation/

 

7 hours ago, Pitt4401 said:

I am reminded of the SF bike cop (apparently we used to have those) who biked over a mile to the reports of an active shooter... then engaged from 50+ yards with an M-9 against a dude with a MAK-90, and won.

 I remember this. Only 4 days later, the B-52 airshow practice fatal crash occurred, also at Fairchild. 

It really was epic combat shooting by the SF Airman. 

UhHello,

That's good to hear. However, I'd put the  CATM folks in a different category than the "line" SF troops.  The CATM guys enjoy shooting and shoot a lot. 

20 hours ago, skybert said:

I hope they killed them all

 

Haha... if you ever went to M9 qual and watched the young SF Airmen shoot with you, you would know this is a pipe dream.  

On 5/19/2022 at 9:20 AM, BashiChuni said:

Doocy is a Chad

Nope.

He's Fox News' very own "stupid son of a bitch" (according to POTUS).

Do any of you know this ex AF Flight Surgeon?  

https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/lets-honor-the-past-but-bid-farewell-to-the-blue-angels/

 

Today is 1 August...

On this date in 1955, Tony LeVier went for a taxi test on Groom Lake in a new Lockheed aircraft that had yet to be flown.

However, the aircraft had different plans, and before he knew it, Tony was airborne in what was the unplanned 1st flight of the U-2. 

So today, the pressure-breathing, pressure-suited prima donnas celebrate 69 years above 69,000 feet. 
 

And tomorrow, over 25% of all living U-2 pilots on the planet will gather for an exceptional Homecoming to celebrate the solo flights of what could be the last class of U-2 trainees. 
 

Hail Dragons
 

The Navy T-38 pilot in the orange shirt is FISHRAG!

Good guy!!

It was great to see Clayton Bigsby after so many years too!

The T-50 was the obvious choice. 

But... they couldn't let Lockheed win another big contract. 

No, this LT waa going to a fixed wing program. 

I'll see if I can find him and ask. 

13 hours ago, Clark Griswold said:

...we have the resources just not the leadership

... I could see those studs going to a different program with contract instructors, GA training aircraft and then winging.

1.  I don't believe we have the resources.  The USAF is financially broke.  I mean hard broke. 

2.  About 3 months ago we sent a casual Lieutenant to a UPT program they are doing in Georgetown Texas.  I can't recall specifics, but it sounded very interesting and pretty far outside the box for what I'd expect from the USAF.  Very glad to see it and curious how it will pan out.  

What's wrong with the AF... and with Boeing?

They are supposed to be working TOGETHER on the T-7 procurement,  not against each other. 
 

The AF never put out a requirement for an internal ladder in the signed contract.
 

And how does Boeing get so far into the development without calling the AF and saying "hey, did you want a crew ladder?"  They are (or were) the design "experts".  They didn't catch this?

Now it's too late and the "solution" is they will carry a portable ladder with them. And apparently, it will lean against the side of the jet because the side rails are not capable of hanging a T-38 style ladder there. 
 

How is the incompetence that bad on a $30M trainer?  Shameful.