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Springer

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Posts posted by Springer

    GA Aircraft Flown

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by Springer

    9 hours ago, SHFP said:

    The KC-97 was often challenging if at Night and with reduced visibility.   Had to lock out the Slats to prevent there cycling as our speed was so slow.  So it was a wallow.  Additionally, we would refuel in a slow descent.  USAFE operations required to be Mission Ready you need 4 successful refuelings.  2 135s, Day and Night, and 2 97s. But if your first in house (USAFE) was a Night 97 and you could demonstrate abilities, then the other 3 were waived.  

    KC-97.jpeg

    Great photo, mine is in Germany's  Baumholder Track.  Had to tap burner to hold position with the high AOA.  '97 had the best director lights.AAR.png

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    GA Aircraft Flown

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    5 hours ago, AC&W said:

    Do you recall the airspeed by any chance? Curious if toboggan was required. 

    Also looking at some photos, with the probe and external fuel lines it gave an appearance of a snorkel and goggles. 

    Do you know if the AAR equipment was configurable, could it be added or removed per mission? Again, the external appearance hints that it could potentially be a straight forward configuration swap. 

    I don't remember the airspeed but we did the standard tanker rejoins in the AAR track like the Phantom and had no problems staying with the tanker.  I gave all my Dragonfly stuff to Huggy so he might know.  All ours had the AAR equipment when we received the planes from the Guard/Reserve (that was a first) and put the O-2A's in the Boneyard.

     For the younger guys, in the late '70's there were massive AF DOS's as the airlines were hiring...think deregulation.  But then almost overnight all the airlines began furloughing ('81) and the AF wanted us back.  We could almost write our own orders...I didn't want to go back to Recce and thought the OA-37 at DMAFB would be cool.  I was right and after a 4 year commitment, went back to the airlines.

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    GA Aircraft Flown

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by Springer

    13 hours ago, Danger41 said:

    You could AAR in a A-37? I didn't know that.

    Yes, from both the -135 & KC-10.  Only USAF a/c at the time ('80's) that did probe/drogue, fun but challenging.  Once plugged you had to offset the a/c left or right to put a "S" bend in the hose to keep from disconnecting.  Early on we were getting poor connections with massive hose leaks.  On one flt with a student the leak was so bad we went IFR...he pulled back without realigning. When we disconnected the hose aligned with the right intake pouring fuel into the engine, flaming it out.  Down we went.

    Huggy has connections...bet he can get tanker support for his trip to OSH.  I can be his IP, no charge.

     

    Navy F18 doing the same offset:

     

     

    • Upvote 1

    GA Aircraft Flown

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by Springer

    10 hours ago, bfargin said:

    What kind of legs does the A37 have with internal tanks? And, with the 2 drop tanks on each side?

     

    In ACE flying the regular tweet, we'd shoot for around 350 miles or so and sometimes stretch to 400nm legs. You'd have to go high 23 to 25K to be safe on the 400 mile plan. I'd imagine the A37 is a little more thirsty so even with more fuel it might not go much over 450nm or so? Thats gotta be a blast Huggy.

    Thinking around 690 nm as I flew regularly with WG/CC between DMAFB and Bergstrom (Austin) with 4 drop tanks.  Never flew it in any other configuration.  Carries more external fuel than internal.  Flew non stop New Orleans to Honduras (see pic) but we AAR'd on the way.  

    Huggy is going to love the plane.  I felt comfortable in it after one flight.  When down to internal fuel it would fly up it's own a$$hole.  Closed patterns were basically Immelmanns.  UPT grads were getting FAC (OA-37/OV-10) assignments with a guaranteed fighter afterwards.  Guy in pic went to F-15's, retired DAL CA now.  Good looking guy on the right flew RF-4C's prior.  What's an IR/VR route?  🙂  Fun times back then.

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    GA Aircraft Flown

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by Springer

    On 5/26/2024 at 8:34 AM, HuggyU2 said:

    Took the A-37 out for an FCF and then a cross country flight of 440 nm on Thursday.  First flight since Sept and it flew great. Owner put on an additional set of drop tanks. 

    Great work Huggy...lookin' like a real A-37 now:

     

    A-37 Honduras.png

    • Upvote 4

    AFSOC SMA killed by police in home

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted

    On 5/15/2024 at 12:38 AM, flyusaf83 said:

    I did not appreciate the tone of the Sheriff’s press conference, when he basically justified the murder before showing the video.  Pointing out with emphasis the lame excuses that will be given for the ridiculous choice to unload your gun into someone who is no threat, in their own home.

     

    Just say you are sorry, that you feel horrible for the family of the victim, that you fully support murder charges, and that you are resigning because your department is full of trigger-happy douche-canoes.

    The Sheriff sets the tone for his department.  In incidents like this, he should be the first to go.  Not unlike in the military, seems at every base I was at when there was an accident, the sq/cc or wg/cc was replaced.

    • Upvote 1

    The new airline thread

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted

    Here is what is being said:

    - The pilot was not a new hire
    - This incident happened weeks ago
    - This pilot helped trap the errors on the flight in question. The entire crew discussed it after landing. They all left on good terms.
    - The pilot discussed their day later with a friend.
    - The friend, without permission from the pilot and without their knowledge, called the FAA hotline.
    - The pilot’s name, picture, and other personal info has been shared across multiple airlines.

    Does flying start feeling like a job after a while?

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by Springer

    12 hours ago, TreeA10 said:

    After 4000 hours of military flying and 14,000(?) hours of commercial flying stretched over 39 years, I'm still not bored and wondering what I'm going to do when I finally grow up and have to get a real job.  

    After being paid to fly, some of us will pay to fly.

     

    IMG_0003 (2).jpg

    • Like 5

    The new airline thread

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted

    20 hours ago, SocialD said:

    Glad to hear!  Just going off what my broker shared and what some of the locals at my airport are seeing.  The broker said they just had to tell one of their long time customers  that he's probably better off just self insuring at this point.  He's 70 with no accidents.  Hope yours continues to stay reasonable. 

    I flew international before, but was displaced during rona.  Chose 717 FO for seniority.  Opted to stay on the 717 and upgrade rather than reinstate to the 330.  I found that one time zone was way better for me than doing international.  But I also live local and can often snag day turns where TAFB is less than pay.  My last two day trips I was back in my house before 1300.  To me, a layover is a layover...all I need is enough time for a quick run, maybe a beer and 8 hours of sleep, though I prefer to never layover if at all possible.  Most of my domestic cities aren't any worse or better than the same 6-9 places I went international.  AMS got boring after the 69th time I was there, nevermind I was constantly walking around with a headache.  I think I could fly longer do this over ocean crossings all the time. 

    Thanks, I use a broker as well but has kept me with the same company the last 9 years.  I'll go self insure (cept liability) if need be.  Did it with an experiemental I had a hundred years ago when the airlines paid nothing and were going to crap.

    Same airline (NERD guy).  All changed when the airline did away with long downtown layovers during BK.  I remember leaving MSP for one of those in SFO (when it was great) and looking at my FO saying, "This is no longer fun."  I really feel for all you flying domestic.  Always had one long layover and took my wife-to-be on many.  We did it on the airline's dime and had fun.  Still travel in retirement to Europe for the ambiance we can't find in the US but stay away from crowds and tourist.  No kids so we can blow the wad. 

    Seems like I spent a quarter of my life in AMS. Hated it....slept when I got in (no augmentation back then), cocktails at 5, dinner at 6, in bed by 9, wide awake at 1am.  Don't even nonrev thru there if I can help it.

    The new airline thread

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted

    On 5/3/2024 at 1:59 AM, SocialD said:

     

    The status quo is 65, so the onus on data for such a change is on the pro change crowd.  I was talking with my aircraft insurance broker yesterday and they said insurance premiums skyrocket in your mid to late 60s.  Not sure what data they're using.  

     

     

    I have heard the same but has not happened in my case.  Renewed last week and it went up an additional $150 for my acro taildragger.  I turn 75 next month.

    When the age went from 60 to 65 never dreamed most would go to 65 let alone 67.  Having said that I left at 59 and have never looked back.  If you are not flying international, I can't imagine what a layover is like in our crappy cities today.

     

    Track Selects and Assignment Nights

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    5 hours ago, dumpster flyer said:

    Columbus 24-10

    C-130H - CTANG

    C-130J - Keesler (AFR)

    C-130J x 2 - Dyess

    MC-130J x 2 - Kirtland

    KC-135 - McConnell 

    KC-135 - March

    U-28 - Hurlburt

    C-17 - McGuire 

    C-5M - Dover

    T-6 FAIP

     

     

    Only 12 in your class?  I think we started with 50.

    Fighter TOLD/W&B

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by Springer
    I fucked up my spelling, what else can I say?

    On 3/28/2024 at 5:25 AM, GettinReady said:

    Not a 22 guy, but the Viper’s flaps are tied to the gear handle. Is the 22 like this as well or is it a separate switch? It was never mentioned in the AIB, or maybe it was and i missed it when I skimmed through it. Still trying to rationalize how that «accident» could have happened. 
     

    For anyone out there in T-38 land, do not early rotate. 

    This is what was great about the mighty Phantom's "Rotate for Dummies".  You started the TO roll with full aft stick and let the a/c decide when to rotate. 

     

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    DFW National Cemetery Flyover Coord Assistance

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by Springer

    On 3/15/2024 at 8:36 AM, Zero said:

    Long shot, but I know there are experts here who might be able to help. 

    BLUF: Long-time A-10 leader passed away this week, and is being interred at DFW National Cemetery next week. We're looking to see if we can get a 4 Ship flyover but have no idea where to start with the airspace. That cemetery is 10nm SE of the eastern runway at DFW, so airspace should be simple. Right? 

    Coord through official USAF channels to approve it is underway, but would like to know if anyone has any words on where to go otherwise; ATC POCs to coord and/or approve, or even just to find out if there's no way to proceed. They've done Memorial Day flyovers there, but I'm sure they have plenty of time to coord in advance for something like that whereas we have a week. Any point-outs are greatly appreciated, even if it's to show that it's unpossible so we can plan for an alternative COA here at Moody.  Thanks in advance.

    Cheers,

    Zero

    Really hope it works out for you Zero.  I did exactly what you are doing 45 years ago when I led a 4-ship of Phantoms over Dallas for a passing F-4 driver.  Can't believe we pulled it off w/#3 going missing man but had to severely limit how high he could climb.  We had one radio in the plane and a guy on the ground with a portable.  It was a goat-rope but oh so satisfying if you can make it work.  Sorry I can't add any usable advice but wish you much luck.

    • Upvote 1

    Air Force is hiring for civilian T-6 IPs

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by Springer

    On 2/13/2024 at 11:19 AM, SHFP said:

    Brabus, you are breaking my Heart.  Flew the hard wing C, D, Es and the Slatted E.  Great machine.  But then it was the only real choice for me back then (before you were born).

    Check Six, D

    Same SHFP.  Some wanna'b kids in here.😁

    phantom1.jpg

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    Music

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted · Edited by Springer

    I like old garage bands.  The drummer, Butch Atkinson went on to be a Navy P3 pilot and later Delta.  Died in the late '90's from heart issues I believe.

    Tom Petty did a great cover.

     

     

    • Like 1

    The new airline thread

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted · Edited by Springer

    4 hours ago, brabus said:

    No one will top that fini flight! (in the airlines)

    Hear he is great to fly with as well.  He also wrote a book about the Viper.

    Keith Rosenkranz is a retired American fighter pilot and author. As a captain in the United States Air Force, he flew 30 missions in an F-16 Fighting Falcon during the Persian Gulf War.[1] He later wrote a book about his experiences in the war, titled Vipers in the Storm: Diary of a Gulf War Fighter Pilot,[2][3] which included a foreword from Vice President Dick Cheney. Rosenkranz was interviewed twice by CNN prior to the Iraq War.[4][5] After nearly nine years, he left the military and became a longtime Delta Air Lines pilot (for 17 years as of 2009).[6][7] He wrote an article for the New York Times about the Tarnak Farm incident[1] and has been quoted in newspapers regarding other aerial accidents.[8][9]

    B-1 Down at Ellsworth

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    2 hours ago, Prosuper said:

    Back in the days of overwing refueling we sometimes install the caps but not latch them on a very hot day to account for fuel expansion and put a write up in the 781 to make sure to check them on crew show.

    I have a permanent blue stain on my white winged RV-8 because of not doing this.

    Commanders are dropping like flies this year

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    1 hour ago, Dogs-N-Guns said:

    My math was 1 day commute there, 1 day commute home for each 7 day trip, two trips per month for a total of 4 days commuting. This is what I assumed as a FNG FO regional as the bad side of normal. I would assume it gets much better after 1-2 years. This was my conclusion after anecdotal conversations with my friends that went the airline route and reading multiple forums posts. There is only 1 legacy domicile within 2 hours of where I live, with no guarantees I would get that, so I assumed commuting (don't want to move), which really affected my decision. YMMV.

    Nothing wrong with your decision.  Back in the day I commuted 1200 miles for 25 years but no way would I commute now.  And after 4 ocean crossing in 6 days I was wiped out.  I was single at the time, can only imagine the pressure on getting back home if you are married.   Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the job but it was a means to an end. Made enough by 59 and exited.  You can always build or buy an airplane.  I did and have never enjoyed flying as much as I have now.

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