di1630

Easy there Francis. No, disclaimer I haven’t seen the HUD. But let’s be real it’s a Su-22. If we justify BFM training for a super hornet shooting down 3rd gen fighter-bombers...that’s not a solid argument. I’d expect any IFF level trainee student to handle that mismatch of weapons/maneuverability. It’s just like my opinion man. But maybe I’ll seek out that video. Cheers Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

I get what you guys are saying, I was mostly playing devils advocate with the argument parallels but... Now if dudes want to argue “turning” in relation to another aircraft is BFM, that’s an entirely different thread and I’m happy to engage. I tend to believe that BFM is maneuvering to a WEZ to employ. When I was in the MERV I had to turn in relation to a Syrian jet, I didn’t consider it anything other than Deconfliction. Does a F-18 v SU-24 engagement cut it as justification for the combat importance of BFM? I’d argue no. Last real turning I know of was in GW1 with Eagles v a Fulcrum and that was semi legit but 30 yrs ago. Oh and I’m 100% for practicing BFM. I’ll never emphasize it like some advocate but the skills learned in BFM go FAR beyond training to employ weapons. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

Semi good points....however not BFM. Tactical intercepts...maybe. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

Interesting statement. If I said F-16’s shouldn’t practice BFM because the risk of a collision far outweighs the likelihood that it will see BFM based on history and future trends, what would you argue? Keep in mind last USAF gun kill was 1975. Isn’t it essentially the same? Form landings haven’t been needed in many years and probably won’t be in the future. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

Buckle up kids. 5 yrs of an airline slump means good retention and if you thought big blue gave less than two f-cks about treating your time and family well before when people could bail, now watch as people have no options. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

Heard United is furloughing 30% starting 1 Oct. 5,000 pilots. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

I’ve done 100s upon 100s of form landings. Not once was it actually required. I never had issues with them in any jet...but... That being said, in my 19 yrs and 3500+ hours, the closest I ever came to (perceived) dying in an aircraft was a T-38 form landing on the wing where the lead student flared high and slow and my student tried to follow. IPs took the jets and both of us went around in AB, I tried to just keep the gear from going through the wings and touched down, the other jet stayed airborne but veered towards us almost hitting us. Really scary, we both came in the sq white faced. I just don’t find the juice worth the squeeze on this. Form low approaches to closed in sequence.....90% of the training...6.9% of the risk. Valid and smart trade-off. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

Not sure where to put this but if you want to read about how your USAF leadership works...this is a great example. >>Yep, there were concerns. “All shit broke loose,” Negrete said. The opposition was strongest in the office of Welsh, the Air Force chief of staff. “It was an immediate ‘no, no way, get rid of this, take the hard drives away from these boys, delete this,’ ” Negrete recalled. https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2020/05/08/a-10-documentary/#7e80896725d9 Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

I just hit my 6 mo window to refinance a VA...what’s the best way to monitor and check when I could lock in a lower rate? Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

It used to, not sure today. But let’s be real, you can’t teach a lifelong jackass to be a good IP. The good IP’s probably always had their traits that made them good IP’s (minus the actual technical skills) Just like leadership, IP’s come from experience and there are quite a few predetermined traits (patience, personality, demeanor when under stress/frustration, ability to empathize with a student..etc) I’ve know some smart dudes who were awesome pilots that just weren’t great IP’s because of their personality. Let’s add that instructing a WIC student probably requires a different demeanor than a T-6 pre-solo so sometimes we just don’t get the right people in the right places. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

Experiences vary and are in many cases based on who your leadership/IP’s are and sq environment. Sadly the USAF struggles with IP’s “teaching” vs “evaluating” in its training at all levels from what I’ve seen. We’ve probably all had the rides where you are relaxed and flying well with a good IP who has molded a proper instructional environment vs flying with the IP that thinks he’s there to just find your every mistake and hammer you for it. Flying CAN be challenging/stressful AND enjoyable. Leave it to the USAF to screw it up though. I haven’t enjoyed a single UPT/PIT/FTU/TX course yet but I also use the sub-par USAF experience to make a better environment when I’m instructing. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

Rumor has it that Banzai flight has the highest washout rate among all 4 UPT bases. Those few that make it thru on average receive their 13th assignment choice. Just kidding man. With IP turnover at UPT, how a flight is for one class can be 180 out a month later with a new flight commander or IP makeup. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

Do helo guys not go thru T-6s? Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

Some dudes all arguing for training better aviators....well damn, let’s just buy some twin engine props with shitty avionics. CRM...check...non centerline thrust...check...high workload....check. We need pilots to have suitable training for their military future. I take fighter guys flying in small planes all the time. It’s a complete sh-tshow from basic handling to even managing airspace and traffic pattern. Different skill set, these guys are all 2,000+ hrs have flown multiple fighter types in sh-t weather all over the world. So I don’t buy that attaining good pilot skills are universally transferable just based on a planes being complex and tough to fly. We are teaching military pilots specific skills. That’s why we do T-6’s, to teach military discipline, rules and basics. Everyone gets a baseline military flying education. After that, it needs to be tailored better. Does a F-35 pilot need to see legacy IFF like the F-16/15C pilot? I’d argue no. Take it further, does an A-10 pilot need to fly T-38s? Should B-1/B-52 be T-1 track. All feasible I think. For the MAF, Im not sure. But my gut and experience tells me if we can cut T-38 stuff lightly, we can cut T-1 stuff heavily. It should not take more flight training to learn instruments in a crew jet than in a single seat. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

Which outdated skills are going to make the difference in a near peer war? I bet the T-37 RMI is more EMP resistant than a MFD...damn, if only we taught RMI fix to fixes like 1959-2004. If only I had a dollar for every time over my 19 years that people justified their arguments by saying “Well when we fight China” If the deciding factor for winning a near peer war is bombers flying the radar pattern or fighters needing more wing work, we are in trouble. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

Is the B-52 mission being hindered because of inability to perform well in the radar pattern? I simply disagree that more T-38 pattern work is a worthwhile task that translates to what communities need, especially crew/heavy communities. I think B-52 sims would be a better skill builder. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

What could we add at UPT to help a B-52 pilot? Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

You’ll need to convince me a single airframe that isn’t highly upgraded vs it’s 40yr old version adding to safety and ease of flying. Not to mention mission sets are probably more aided by technology than stick/rudder skills. Those critical skills needed through flying won’t be gained at UPT doing wing work and tac form in a -38 nor Radar patterns in a T-1. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

We can cut stuff....because flying has gotten easier to do safely and more efficiently than 10-20 years ago plus many critical skills from back in the day are no longer critical and worth the investment. What skills would you like to swap in for the ones cut? Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

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Embrace the changes people. Technology has improved safety, efficiency and lethality therefore we can update our training to match. Half the stuff I grew up getting hammered for learning to fly fighters 18 years ago is N/A today. That’s the stuff that is getting cut and I support it. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

Anyone know much about oil ETF’s? USO...I’ve lost my ass but you guys think that with eventual oil rebounds they could be a long term investment? Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

Warhead probably didn’t have time to arm. No idea on the fines in the tank. Impressive video Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

A lot of it depends on type of flying. If you like to go XC for days on end, those hours pay off quicker because you can park the plane and not pay a min time. There is a big difference between the 1.5 local flight pilots and the trip-takers. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

Damn, if you were in AZ I’d trade flying lessons for an annual. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app