HuggyU2

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: https://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/

Yes, he hit another jet in the Diamond at the Patrick Airshow early in the season. I have no idea if there was a documented problem earlier, or if it was a one mistake policy.

Sorry to disappoint. His 2d star is enroute. https://www.af.mil/AboutUs/Biographies/Display/tabid/225/Article/467062/brigadier-general-russell-l-mack.aspx

Most likely, that rumor would only be true if #1 was released from the team. The other positions can be replaced in short order. When Smack Mack was fired, they brought Lefty Arlinghaus back. Movers were at his house, and everything came to a stop. He got back up to speed pretty quick, even though he went from 2 years as a Solo, and into the Diamond. That happened late April, and I seem to recall they were back on schedule in mid June.

No kidding. The Swiss Demo team had a mid-air today too. https://www.airlive.net/breaking-swiss-f-5-fighter-jet-just-crashed-near-leeuwarden-air-base-in-the-netherlands/

Very, very well done, Jack. https://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/783640/edge-of-space-emergency-tests-aviators-skills.aspx He's the 4th U-2 pilot I know to earn this distinction, and the 3rd since 2003. I believe the Kolligian Trophy is the only individual award given by the CSAF.

Haha!! You mean like: "Think we can make it through those trees?" Thanks to all. Sounds like I'll try to get a copy of one of these briefs that y'all have referenced, and build a briefing based off of it. If any of you have an unclass copy you are willing to send, please pm me. Toro: If I end up needing someone with more relevant experience than me, I'll reach out to you. Appreciate the offer.

I'm looking for speaker(s) that you know of that give presentations on the threats, errors, and how to minimize risk in low level maneuvering. I recall many years ago getting a mandatory briefing from the Physiology folks at Randolph, and I remember it being well done, though very brief. I figure that the way the CAF has brought down the low-level CFIT rate over the past decade means that there are folks at D-M, Luke, and elsewhere that give a good presentation on the subject, and know it pretty well If you know of anyone that fits the bill, please send me their info... put them in touch with me... p.m. me for more... whatever works. Thanks.

Look up "class act" in the dictionary and you'll find the Snowbirds.

Smokin, Agree. However, in the Airshow scenario, the rules in the US are written to really minimize this possibility. Putting a jet into the crowd at an Airshow in the US is unlikely. The last US Airshow spectator fatality was 1954. Before someone corrects me, the Reno Race accident was not an Airshow. Night and day.

F16Deuce, You're right. Please accept my apology. There are numerous things that "could have gone wrong" and the SIB will figure it out. I've deleted and replaced my original post. Pretty impressive that the pilot doesn't even appear to have any ejection injuries that a cold beer won't remedy I do feel bad for your friend though:. 1. Ejects 2. Meets Obama 3. ? Bad things always come in threes. Tell him to be careful.

As someone who has designed the aerobatic box for airshows, I'd like to see how they set this up over a stadium. My friend in attendance said they did not do the Bomb Burst. I guessing that the combo of mountains and other LimFacs makes it not feasible. Another friend said the show was delayed due to POTUS but looked great I'm also curious to know if TBird1 gets a phone call from someone with 4-stars about having a performance with POTUS in the crowd. I'm guessing there is some additional external pressure in this scenario, even for a demo team. I cannot remember how long the team was down after the 2003 Mountain Home crash, but I hope there is a Block 52 somewhere getting red, white, and blue paint, and a smoke system installed so they can get back to what they do best.

Vaya con Dios, Jeff.

More proof this country is f'd.

In the 1980's, Anderson had a permanent B-52 squadron there. My U-2 classmate got assigned there right out of UPT. He said it was paradise for a 23 year old Lieutenant.