Torch169

Now I truly understand why us Guard bums get such a black eye... Goddamnit...

I made the mistake earlier this year when I was at Laughlin of calling one of the skycops that was called to the dorms an "SP." Now, when I was growing up in the enlisted ranks, we always called them SP's. When the hell did it become a huge issue to call them SP's? It was one of the funnier moments when the young cop, who may or may not have been shaving with a blade, told me, "I'm not the police, I'm the first line of defense for the United States Air Force." That's right, kid...Lift weights, dip Cope, look at yourself in the mirror with beret on. Most importantly, do something amazing.

I think it's almost certain that it was somewhere around VFR entry. Just about everyone I know, including myself, had the shit scared out of themself at least once at that point. Honestly, I don't think it matters how well the VFR entry point is distinguished by a ground reference, it's always going to be dangerous and regardless of TAS or NACWS or no extra equipment, like in the mighty Tweet, keeping an eye out always works the best. By the way, they sure as hell don't make 'em like they used to. I'd take a reliable, hearing-destroying Tweet over a Veg-O-Matic anyday. In a short aside, I remember seeing a busted down, flat-tired, faded-out T-6 at Laughlin with the tail number 001. The year it was made: 1995. Twelve years and already a worn out bucket of bolts. Very fine work, Raytheon. And an even better investment by Big Blue.

I'm confused about this see and avoid thing... does that mean you actually look outside in a VFR pattern?! Now they tell me...

Outstanding.

Yeah, technically a jet engine... If I had to guess...belly-up at VFR entry? Maybe I'll watch Fox News to hear about a Democratic party sabotage plan hatched from deep inside the Mississippi woods. Either way, it's good to hear they punched and are good to go.

Manhart's babbling was entertaining...and she even threw a "so to speak" in there. Fantastic. Why couldn't she have been an MTL at the Acaduuuhhhhmee uv Minuuuuhhhmum Standerds?

What's the problem JG? Don't want to be in a blind leading the blind Herc at LR? Looking at some of the other threads, it looks like the Nashville school house has a chance to be stood up by the summer. It's a long shot that we could end up there, but it beats the shit out of being back in an E. By the way, aren't you too busy to be on here?

Porn? On the computer? You've got to be kidding me! But seriously, play flight sim for enjoyment or to roll 747s, not to practice anything! Tons of people on here have mentioned the UTD's and how great they are as training devices. My words of wisdom, and something that helped me, especially in instruments, go to the UTDs and literally fly a whole friggin' sortie. You no sh!t are getting paid to use those things and actually get a feel for the way things are going to go. However, they never did trim right... Who cares if you can't see outside? Most pilot training bases have nothing good to look at anyway...well, there was always Arriba on a Saturday night...

Booyahkasha! The needed penguins will climb onto the ice when the time is right. In the meantime, keep the fun, care-free, boldface reading penguins out of the water for as long as you can by not getting wrapped around the axle about flight sims. Instead, use your computer for its true purpose.

Ah, the O/A-37B Dragonfly... Quoting an LSI instructor from XL, "the Beech Duke is perhaps the sexiest airplane alive." Funny shit, I must admit but I digress. He flew Rhinos in Vietnam, so I'm sure that he was around the A-37. Not surprising, he didn't find the l'il Dragonfly appealing to the eye but he still thought it was great having a heavily armed Tweet with T-38 engines. My old man flew A-37s back in the 80's (Last of the Sport Models) and I gotta say it is my favorite airplane of all time. Maybe I'm biased because I grew up around it, but for those that experienced it, it was quite a sight. Long live FAC!

And that whole "four fans of freedom" thing must be a sham!

I know there was another 22 that carried the IFF stipulation with it. Other than that, can't quite remember...

THE GENERAL. Of all the military leaders, BG Olds stands out as, perhaps, the best leader of them all. As I stood, tonight, in the club at Laughlin, hearing the news that the general had died, I had a rush of sadness come over me. In my opinion, he is not only what a fighter pilot should be, but what an Air Force leader should be: brash, assertive and to-the-point. In other words, do what it takes to get the f-ing job done. Of course, I had a Malibu and OJ in his honor, toasting the man that has been my life-long hero. Assuring is the fact that he is once again flying with Chappy James, dancing in and out of the clouds, doing what he loved the most. Hopefully there is a young lady up there, sitting in the middle of his pipper. For the man that knew what being a pilot and an officer in the USAF is all about, we salute you. Sir, may you make us, who have the power at our fingertips, the best leaders of the best air force in the world! -Reez

I'm assuming that there are places around Laughlin to pick up cockpit trainers, but does anyone know for sure? I tried getting onto a website recommended by a guy that just finished pilot training but the site was down. Hell, if anyone has a used one, throw it on eBay and make back some cash!