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Hercster

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Posts posted by Hercster

  1. I'd argue it's a step back from the intent of IFS.  Wasn't the origination of this entire movement to save money down the road?  That if you can't hack IFS, then you probably can't hack UPT and let's save the AF some bucks by not sending you just to wash out.  Now that we're helping the "slow swimmers" what the difference?  If we're out to help everyone, shut the whole program down and funnel the cash back into UPT.  My $.02

    Same with the push for more aviators out of the Academy.  The root cause was they had to return pilot slots to AFPC *gasp* and maybe some extra ROTC guys got their dream job.  I'd much rather fly with someone who has worked their ass off to get a slot, then a dude who had to be "motivated" to take a pilot slot.  It's not my job to motivate you.  It's my job to instruct a motivated individual.

    • Upvote 2
  2. At the risk of drawing fire, CAP can be a valuable tool. CAN be. As a former cadet, I got my first solo in a Cessna, traveled to Japan, got a flavor for UPT, learned how to use a DF, and read the crap out of my aerospace book because I loved it. But yes, I saw the opposite as well. All about what you put in and work to get out of it. Commence spear throwing.

  3. Adding another parallel anecdote to help illustrate the culture hurdle:

    In a former life I flew on Marine KC-130s. Our flight engineers, aside from ensuring that the landing gear was lowered, were also taxi qual'd. No shit: depending on the field that we were broken at, they would do all of the usual coord with ground and tower, and do high power engine runs (on the active, if that's all that was available).

    Ok, so with that story, let's hear from our AF Herk brethren: would the AF taxi qual a FE?

    Doubtful...think of the safety analysis that would have to be done. Think of the paper and powerpoint briefings...think of the children!

    Seriously though, probably not. We'd just burn a whole crew to get the check done, just taxi early to the runup area and then join the formation for a good ol' Black Jack-20. And then take the lead because they'll have an oil overtemp, 2 will have to reset SKE, 3 actually needs to drop an actual so he'll drop back to 4, while 4 will do a dry pass which is great training for the indoc nav, and finally they'll all drop off after the third route while we do pro and ask for an overflight just because.

    • Upvote 1
  4. What I meant by that is that if I go back, I'll have more time as a J co-pilot than I do as an AC from E/H's. I'll be that major (hopefully by then) that they don't know what to do with, an ADO perhaps that gets the misc projects. Haven't even deployed as an AC yet, so I feel like I'll have no credibility to boot. At least that's my perception...

  5. So...despite the RPA bashing, what would some of your collective advice be for a guy like me? Low time legacy C-130 background, 1 flying tour, 1 CAOC tour, now on my 2nd non flying deployment. I'm not competitive for the airlines and with my low hours, I have a feeling it would be awkward to go back and cross train to J's.

    I'm seriously considering going drones, which would possibly open up contractor/law enforcement opportunities down the road if/when the AF decides to RIF folks once again, or I get passed over for not planning the last Christmas party.

    Thoughts? Much thanks in advance, commence the sarcasm and ridicule.

  6. Short answer: as best as you can.

    Long answer: realize you can't control everything, regardless of your geographical location. There's emergency leave if the situation warrants, and hopefully your supervisor/commander are good enough dudes to let you do that. Friends/family/squadron support back home is also key. My wife needed some help with stuff around the house (I'm deployed right now) and the shirt came through and lent a hand. I felt like I should have been the one to fix it but I obviously can't. Just like Frozen "Let it go, let it go"...

  7. Great point Lloyd and well put. No arguments. I experienced a minor case of racism myself in downtown Little Rock. Went into a store to upgrade my phone. Stood around for a good 15 min without so much as a "hello" or "welcome," but the next customer (take a guess at their skin color) was immediately helped. We left after that. Something is wrong with this country when the very proponents of equal opportunity will slam you just for not being black.

  8. I briefly woke up in the Big Blue Room to hear a chick complain to the IG about how mustache march being promoted by the CSAF was basically a sexist thing to do and the how the females are being reduce to "roadies." You would not believe the applause she got...

    But then he responded by saying, while not speaking for the CSAF, he probably meant it as a morale thing and that there was nothing wrong with a little spirit. To which he received the other half of the room's applause. I was shocked how split the room was.

  9. You shouldn't need to do that. The new brakes need no warm up - creeping on engine run indicates bubbles in the hydro system. If MX bleeds them properly (I understand it is a different procedure than the old brakes needed), they should work without requiring any drag on taxi.

    Um yeah, creeping shouldn't happen at all. Last year we took one of the first legacys on the active side outfitted with the carbon brakes and it did the same thing with the pilot and co standing on the brakes. Immediately took it back to mx. I would agree they become MORE effective once warmed up but not required to do a t/o power run up.

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