HuggyU2

Moose, We don't own it: it's CAF owned. ... and BTW, it's spelled " y'all ". (I'm a Texan... couldn't resist)

It's an SNJ-5. Me and two other guys started a Commemorative Air Force squadron here, and acquired the SNJ from HQ CAF. As for the other two guys, 1 is a former USAF MX guy, who is a T-6/SNJ restoration expert. The other is a former U2, F-16, T38, and TPS grad who I've known a long time. We named it the 1st Aero Squadron. Here's a picture of it.

Odd conclusion to this: the aircraft is really an L-6, a not-so-common military version of the Cadet. The owner gave me the name of the guy that restored it 10+ years ago. So I called him. Got all the info, blah, blah. He was surprised to hear it was up for sale. I call the owner a few days later to make an offer. Voicemail. Wait a week. Call back. Voicemail. Two days later, owner calls and says "sorry, the guy that restored it heard I was selling it, called, and I sold it to him." Between this and my '67 Camaro not coming back to me, I've got plenty of money to finally start flying the SNJ. The glass is half full... never empty.

Perfect!

If you don't know, don't worry about it.

If any of you are getting to work with Dingle, you're lucky. Understands the mission, gets it done, works hard, and is frickin' hilarious.

I did something like that recently. A Captain in a flightsuit (RQ-4 guy, didn't know him) was leaving the building and halfway to the parking lot. No hat. You could tell from his expression/demeanor that he felt "caught", and had probably waited until the coast was clear. He sheepishly looks at me and salutes,... I return the salute, smile and say, "good afternoon!" while looking right at him, and continue inside. There was no doubt that he simply couldn't find his hat. There was no doubt that I recognized it. There was no doubt he was going to fix it ASAP. There was no doubt he appreciated that I didn't berate him on the obvious. There are communication skills and techniques other than verbal. It appears that many in the USAF are weak in that area. Now,... rather than discuss hats and sunglasses-on-the-forehead of officers, let's morph this discussion into why so many USAF Enlisted can't render a proper salute in a timely manner and with some military bearing, like the other military services can.

As Kuma says: "You 'Aim High',... I'll target the bullseye."

Is it actually called "YoYo's"? Is she still working there?

Same for my experience in AETC, SAC, and ACC.

A Rearwin? Never considered it. I think most (not all) are side-by-side, and I'd prefer a tandem. The vis in the cadet is pretty good. I've only flown one and it was modified by increasing the window area,... much like the L-6. Actually, the L-6 is what I'm considering. Trying to decide if I should make an offer this week to the L-6 owner I'm talking to. The Interstate's have a 23012 nearly-symmetrical wing,... works great in Pietsch's Jelly Belly act, you have to admit.

Do any of you have any experience owning one? I'm considering buying one, and am looking for data.

Back to the "Who is the one person most responsible for safety at an airshow"... The airshow industry did a survey this year, including this question. 91% of Airbosses said the Airboss is. 28% of pilots said Airboss. And 60% of airshow organizers said Airboss. As one airboss stated (I'm paraphrasing): the fact that 71% of pilots think they (pilots) are most responsible just goes to show how little they actually know.

Maybe he is referring to the 3 GH pilots we hired to be full time T-38 IP's, including funding full-up PIT training. Or maybe the 2 GH pilots we interviewed and selected to the U-2. Or maybe the GH pilot who is my squadron CC, and is a good guy, doing well in the job. Or maybe the attempts I personally make to invite GH pilots to Daedalians (so far, only 1 regular taker). Yeah,... I'm a exclusionary asshole.

U-2 "retirement" has been pushed out to 2016, as per the FYDP. GH replace the U-2? That's funny. Personally, I'll put money down that the U-2 will still be around when GH is retired.

Care to elaborate?

Tell you what,... you let us know how it pans out for you.

You post THIS after having me... Mr PowerPoint-Unable... build the airshow brief for this week?? You, sir, are despicable.

Back to airshow safety... So, who do y'all think is most responsible for safety at an airshow? Air Boss FAA Rep (Inspector in Charge) Individual Performer Organizer of the show ("Individual Responsible")

Are you going to go thru the Fixed Wing Qual program? If it still exists, I recall it was only around 6-7 months. And I'm guessing you got your Army Fixed Wing rating via Flight Safety, or something like that?

2..., I mean "Deuce".

Curious... There's a lot of respect for Lt Gen Frank Gorenc. And for good reason. Big guy, he is. I'm guessing he's never had a 36" waist or smaller. Seems it hasn't affected his ability to be a great commander.

... except for the fact that it we shouldn't be so overmanned in CENTCOM that they have the folks to "monitor" these tests. $28M for the testing program AF wide, and we need to trim our spending?

Spoo, Is this your not-so-subtle-way of poking me in the eye? For the record, Comm had NO control of those "bad boys".

On a happier note, I saw the March ARB C-17 Demo perform twice this weekend. It's at least the 22th performance I've seen them do. They created the profile, they have a lot of experience in that unit, and they do a fantastic job. I see a lot of airshows. I ask folks "which military demo was your favorite". More than a few choose the March C-17 demo.