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AZwildcat

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Posts posted by AZwildcat

    The new airline thread

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted

    On 8/21/2020 at 11:18 AM, Hacker said:

    Had three friends get FedEx interview invitations this week, and one get a job offer at UPS.

    The dudes who got Purple invites:

    - One current active duty pointy-nose TPS grad O-4 with a separation date on file this fall.

    - One former pointy-nose driver, now reserve SUPT IP O-3.

    - One former AD/reserve MC-12 and C-17 O-4, now a couple years into a Legacy (and vulnerable to being furloughed) who didn't previously have a FX app in.

    The UPS guy is a former pointy-nose DO who is freshly-separated.

    Did the guys with FDX invites all have an internal rec?

    ADS-B

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    13 hours ago, HuggyU2 said:

    Which of the single-pilot airframes have ADS-B now?

    T-38C?  T-6?  Any fighters?  

    If not, what are the plans?

    Separate question:  If the T-6 doesn't have ADS-B, does it have some sort system to identify squawking traffic?  

    Edwards already did the testing the for the T-38s and T-6s, TCTOs are out.  I don't know about the T-6 timeline but the T-38s will start happening soon.  All The T-38Cs and T-6s are TCAS equipped, as far as I know no plans for ADS-B in...Stratus/iPad does that well enough.

    For fighters, everyone's going to IFF Mode 5, which I'm pretty sure can satisfy the ADS-B out requirements though some sort of PFM. Same thing for the U-2. Obviously no one is meeting the 2020 deadline.

    GPS on EFB plug-in

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Bad Elf makes a small GPS receiver with a lightning connector that plugs into the iPad.  Works fine, but slow to initially acquire position.  No ADS-B, just position.  They also make various bluetooth GPS receivers that are probably better, but if you're in an environment where bluetooth/wi-fi is a no-go, this is the only solution.

    iPads with LTE/cell capability have an internal GPS antenna that is as good or better than the little Bad Elf...so if your unit is buying new iPads, spring for the cell capable ones, it's well worth it.

    The best way to go is something that gives you GPS and ADS-B in.  Stratus is great, we use them...6-9 hr battery life.  There's also the Sentry puck, which is ForeFlight's latest proprietary thing.  I think the battery lasts longer, some other neat things like a CO2 sensor for GA flying. I don't have much experience with the Dual options, but they offer similar capability, but Bluetooth based.  All of them also have a poor man's AHRS system as well.

    There's no perfect setup for everyone, depends on your aircraft/mission/restrictions/etc.

     

     

    GPS on EFB plug-in

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    40 minutes ago, KPPV1 said:

    So when you plug in the bad elf you have to download an app for it. Will it work without it automatically?

    It will work without the app, just plug it in and go. It can take roughly 30 seconds to a minute to get its position the first time you plug it in, but after that it'll be solid.  You can also run a micro usb cable into the side of it to charge the iPad while you're using it.

    I would, however, recommend downloading the app if you can for firmware updates.  If you can't download it on your EFB, then do it on your own iPad/iPhone.  Just plug the Bad Elf in, open the app and it'll tell you if a firmware update is available.  The newer firmware fixes some glitches with acquiring a position.

    • Like 1

    GPS on EFB plug-in

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Bad Elf plug-in will work fine with ForeFlight.  I'm assuming your iPad doesn't have internal GPS.  What you're "allowed" to do is dependent on the MAJCOM, aircraft, unit, and syllabus if you're in training.  Generally speaking though, the Bad Elf is certified as legal carry on equipment.

    • Like 3

    U-2 Dragonlady info

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Not 100% on this but i beleive the intent is if the interview doesn’t go well or other circumstances make the U-2 not a good fit, they will go back into the assignment pool for any CAF assignment.

    More to follow.  Should be interesting, and a great opportunity for the right person.

    U-2 reservists (and T-38 CTP) to me has always seemed like a no brainer, but it’s been tabled for all the years we were sunset.  The gears are turning now, i think it will happen eventually.  Especially if we have any hope of retaining talent and experience in this current climate.

    • Like 1
    • Upvote 4

    T-6s Grounded; More OBOGS Issues

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    10 hours ago, Standby said:

    Big Wig Boss: “Here is a metric shit ton of money...make things better.”

    Officer with decent idea: “Thanks sir!”

    If that's the experience at your base then great.  I'm all about the squadrons getting the latitude and the funding to explore new ideas.  We're doing that at Beale right now, and yes it takes up my time and energy, but I enjoy doing it and I'm not getting pressured from bosses to make it work with no resources so they can brag about it. 

    However,  what I've heard from others in AETC is that it really has become a full time job for some, and another look-at-me dick measuring project for leadership to show the bobs how innovative they are.

    Hacker is right we don't want the MAJCOM to provide a end to end solution, it's always a disaster (ref: EFB program).  I've found the most successful technology initiatives happen when the pilot(s) with the good idea get the funding AND the ability to hire specialists to create and sustain it for them.  It's not much different than all the other queepy jobs...who's a better front office admin or scheduler or UDM?  They pilot who's there 40% of the time because they're flying/TDY/deployed or the civilian/contractor who sits there 8 hours a day and has perfect continuity? 

    I'm supposed to be first and foremost a leader (or at least that's what the AF told me), so it makes no sense for me to be turning wrenches or screws on DIY projects.  I should be hiring specialists to do that and providing the vision and direction for it.  It's just like in business...Tim Cook isn't spending time running ethernet cables around the building or cutting the grass out front, because his time is worth more than that.

    • Like 1
    • Upvote 2

    WTF? (**NSFW**)

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted

    1 hour ago, Hacker said:

    Those guys didn't sacrifice anything, other than a bit of dignity in having to brief their bros on the ins and outs of sky-dicks.

    That's the joke....ref Kaepernick Nike Ad

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