Jump to content

Springer

Super User
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    212

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    7

 Content Type 

Posts posted by Springer

    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.

     

    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. 

     

    • Thanks 1
    • Upvote 1

    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

    • Like 2
    • Upvote 2

    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.

    • Like 3

    "Biden Didn’t Learn for Days That Pentagon Chief Was in Hospital"

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by Springer

    11 hours ago, nsplayr said:

    I 0.5 FTE vs full-time, buying an airplane, and flying the (future) grandkids out for very expensive hamburgers.

    Hell, I might even build that canoe one day!

     I highly recommend the book Die With Zero by Bill Perkins. I liked the book a lot and got a lot out of it.

    Kill two birds with one stone, build the plane and fly the grandkids. I'll check out the book but having no 'squids' and wife's current spending, we are on a direct path to Die With Zero.  

     

    • Haha 1
    • Upvote 1

    "Biden Didn’t Learn for Days That Pentagon Chief Was in Hospital"

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    1 hour ago, nsplayr said:

     

     

    Also Austin is 70...for s sake Boomers, ing retire already! Hand-build a canoe in your garage and let your grandchildren sleepover for the weekend. GTFO of high office and enjoy the fruits of a lifetime of labor. And I say this to all of you equally  in the 65+ age range. When I am that age, I sure as hell won't be commuting to an office 6am-8pm, busting my hump flying around the world.......

    As a Boomer I took your advice at 59:

    Embedded0904628e06a648bfae80697e87802a34.png

    IMG_0583 (2).jpg

    feetlake2.jpg

    • Like 10
    • Upvote 3

    On the struggle bus at UPT, heading for a CR

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    On 12/25/2023 at 9:47 PM, Biff_T said:

     

    UPS, Fire bombing, Flying gay helicopters into hairy shit and pulling dudes off ...thats the best.  Pulling men off lol.   

     

     

    Befriended a one-striper w/glasses on my first flying assignment in Germany.  Had him over for dinner a few times then lost track after new assignment.  Years later he found me. Just retired from "Flying gay helicopters into hairy shit."  Pics of him flying below.

     

    short.jpg

    firefirghter.jpg

    19275148_123316104929003_1598039472259527909_n.jpg

    • Upvote 4

    On the struggle bus at UPT, heading for a CR

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    admdelta, it kills me to hear this.  Went through this with my UPT roommate and always wondered if I could have done more to help.  Turns out he should have been wearing glasses but by the time it was discovered it was too late.

    Becomes an F-4 WSO.  AF sends him to law school.  Eventually becomes an AF judge.  Works three VERY high vis AF cases including the AWAC helo shootdown and the Khobar Towers bombing.  Retired a couple years ago as a Federal Judge.

    Good luck.

    GA Aircraft Flown

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    10 hours ago, SocialD said:

    Best of luck to Van's, they've done more to advance GA than most.  I have a buddy building a 12 right now who works for Van's remotely, will be interesting to see who it's going for him.  Thankfully, I think he has the entire kit already.  

    Quoting someone else that I totally agree with, "Now he’s coming out of retirement and throwing his own money at the problem to try to save what he built, and I’m sure, his legacy. It’s a sad deal."

    Been associated with Van's for 35 years:  

    Embedded8e6f654d2ff84b64a65a43b92b328786.jpeg

    • Upvote 3

    college

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by Springer

    On 11/3/2023 at 4:06 PM, wikz said:

    another problem is Hawaii is small and our only university doesn't offer any aviation degrees except aerospace engineering. I would have to be a mad man to go down that route lol.

    Do major airlines care about degrees? .....would it matter what major I chose?

    .......'seems like a business degree is something I am going to look into in the future.

     

    Took me 5 years to graduate from the U of Hawaii.  Who in their right mind does it in 4 over there?  Majored in Business barely passing due to spending most of my time on the U's Sailing Team.  I am living proof college has little bearing on your future aviation endeavors as I flew fighters and for Delta.

    • Upvote 1

    GA Aircraft Flown

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by Springer

    2 hours ago, fire4effect said:

    I've considered building or buying one already built. In fact, I think someone quoted Van's as saying some of their biggest competition is from already built RVs. Go figure. I think if they trimmed their product line back to 2-3 models and figured out how to do a 2 weeks to Taxi like Glasair they could run the table. Most people don't want to spend 4 years building they want to be flying. My .02. 

    Calling my ins company to up the value of my -8.

    Business Announcement From Van's Founder Dick Vangrunsven - VAF Forums (vansairforce.net)

    From the above forum link:

    Long story short, we are seeing the end of an era. That’s not to say the new era won’t be OK, but this was really the last kit manufacturer that could be built on an average middle-class budget. With all of the other component prices increasing exponentially, like engines and avionics and props, I think we are really seeing the end of the traditional budget home building era.

     

×
×
  • Create New...