herkbum

Don't know anything about FW's way of doing business, but most of the UPT selectees I was commissioned with and went thru UPT with were non-prior service. My unit does not require prior service, eventhough it does help.

There are numerous guys in my squadron that have had the Herc over FL310. The highest I've heard is FL370. And yes they say it is a pig up there.

If you are an Aircraft Commander in a current C-130 model, then there shouldn't be any follow-on training. You are qualified to fly the herc. If you go to a Guard unit, the chances are you will start off in the right seat. This gives the unit a chance to evaluate you and see what kind of guy/pilot you are. It is not a knock against you personally, this happens to everyone. After being in the right seat for a while (time frame can vary greatly), the unit will cert you, again, as an AC. Although, you timing may not be the best. We find out the results of the BRAC this week. If it goes thru as is, there may be a shortage of C-130 cockpits in the Guard/Reserve. Everyone keep their fingers crossed that the Herc world is not turned upside down. We are hearing the results could be posted as early as Thursday evening.

KIPP, Great analogy! That is going up on the squadron wall!!

I believe most of STR1CK's comments pertained to heavy units and Rainman's were obviously pertaining to fighter units. I have been in the Guard tac airlift community for 13 years and I totally sympathize with STR1CK's comments. The AD herc units do send their co-pilots to AC school with 800 hrs and this can be waived down to 700 hrs. These are total hrs and not herc hours. I personally feel this is too early for someone to be sent to AC school. Especially, if the majority of these hours were obtained in the desert. By reg the AC is supposed to land the airplane in a combat environment, hopefully the AC are allowing the co-pilots (against the reg) to get the stick time. You can see how this can cause quite a bit of rust for the co-pilot. I don't know if the AD has hurt its relationship with the Guard, I know many Guard members that would help out there AD counterparts as much as possible. Rumor is that we will here something as early as 15 Aug. Let's hope the right decision is made.

I also flew with this instructor and feel he is one of the best "hands" guys I flew with. Flew many of my formation rides with him and felt he was a great at getting his instructional points across without being condescending, but he was a hammer as the USEM. Would sit you down in a heartbeat, especially when one of the students wants to "hover his Tweet at Marble". Also thought he was a stand-up guy and I still believe it. I don't know the particulars of the case and I don't want to know. It sounds like a mistake was made, and unfortunately, he is going to pay for it. Best of luck Brimestar!

That's classic! I'm at Delta now and might try that, eventhough I don't drink coffee.

I hear they will be a huge "Wheels Up party" in September.

Rainman, I feel for you bro! Sometimes I forget the little luxuries of the airlift world.

I bought 2 UA shirts while in the AOR, black and brown. I wore them when we flew during the day and they were a lot cooler than cotton t-shirts. I like how quickly they dry. 100 degree heat, with the flak vest, you tend to get a little warm. Once leveled off, remove the vest, unzip your flight suit and aim the AC vent to hit you square in the chest. The shirt would dry in a few minutes. I highly recommend them!

I had a trailer stolen while at Baypoint. Luckily, the motorcycles were in the garage. All of my buds that lived on the island, loved it. The traffic situation can suck, but the probably have the JFK finished by now.

The Guard has a state, as well as a federal mission. 90% of the time, we fall under the governor of the state. We are "federalized" by Presidential Mobilization and various other activating sources. We are held to the same standards as Active Duty (as a -130 Guard guy, my flying requirements are exactly the same as an Active Duty guy), but we have multiple ways of getting paid. This is only a brief overview of what the Guard does. Do a google search or go the Air Guard's website. This really depends on what career field you decide to enter. Could be as short as 3 months or as long as 1.5 years. I believe basic is still 6 wks. and tech school lengths vary. AMS is 6 wks, with varying lengths of schools for officers. Call a Guard unit near you and talk to the recruiter and ask generalized questions.

I keep a paper logbook. I make sure what I put in the logbook matches the -781 (hour for hour, column for column). This way there are no discrepancies. I log the hours after every flight. I never want to get behind again, it's a pain in the a-- to catch up.

Hey F16PilotMD, Are there BP meds that are OK for flight? I heard there might be 1 or 2 now. This will probably be a player for me in a few years (family history). Controlled now thru exercise. Thanks.

You are right at the limit. As far as I know, the age limit is still 30 by the time you start UPT. It would be a tight timeline for you. My recommendation is- put a thorough package together and apply to many units, when you turn-in your package, stress that you are "age critical". Make sure you have all you ducks in a row (all requirements met- PPL, etc.), because you will not have much time for leeway. If you don't go for it, then the answer is definitely "no". You will always regret it if you don't make the effort. Do everything you can do to make yourself the best candidate. Best of luck.

The majority of our pilots are in aviation related jobs, but we do have a few doctors, lawyers, etc. Most of our navs are in non-aviation related jobs. This stems from the lack of a good nav-related civilian job. Our engineers are navs. No one says your civilian job has to be related to flying, some people like the change of pace.

Be comfortable, but I wouldn't do the t-shirt thing. To be honest, I have really paid any attention to what someone was wearing. I would wear a polo-style or button down shirt with jeans or khaki pants. You don't want to stick out like a sore thumb. As stated in another post, being yourself is the most important thing. Best of luck and be personable.

Only officers (pilots, navs, and I believe ABM's) are rated in the Air Force. As stated above FE's are enlisted.

Hey baseops, you going to Corpus change of command? One of your former squadron mates and my former IP (BW) is now in my squadron and I believe he is heading out on the Stingray Express. Hope all is well at the 'Nam.

You do not have to be in AFSOC to do the "down and dirty" tactical stuff in the herc. Most slicks fly at 300' AGL on NVG's and all the cool stuff you are talking about. The big difference between AFSOC and slicks, slicks do the formation thing, where AFSOC is mainly single ship.

I know if you come through Corpus, not sure about other bases, they have TFAP. Not sure what it stands for, but basically you can go straight to a Guard unit, if they are willing to take you and if it is their turn to accept someone. I didn't go through it, I'm already Guard, but my unit has accepted 2 guys straight from Corpus. They do a 3 yr tour and then go on. I believe it for them to build hours. If anyone else can add more, please step in!