HuggyU2

I love this tradition! After landing in a 4-ship, I led them to dept end EOR, went to the SOF freq, checked them in and produced my coin. The SOF, who had SA, keyed the mic, and we could hear him tapping his coin on the SOF desk. Needless to say, I ended up buying the round, since everyone claimed a safety violation, since while digging for their coins, numerous items nearly fell out of their pockets (ear plugs, money, etc..) and FOD'd their cockpits. But it was worth it.

#1: SA and being a clear thinker

Johann, Agree. We've got plenty of warrior enlisted/officers in the USAF. We just need to put THEM into the leadership roles at these deployed locations. I'd take my squadron's survival NCO over any officer in the non-support group if it came to a deployment,... POW situation,... or game of kickball. Ditto for the E-3 we have sitting behind the duty desk. Warriors, both of them. [ 16. April 2006, 13:13: Message edited by: Huggyu2 ]

Buddy of mine is down the street at (base x) a few weeks back. He gets back from an 11 hour sortie, throws on a shirt with "VANS" written on it, along withthe Van's logo. Some unidentified dude stops him in the chow hall and tells him the logo is too large IAW Wing policy. Pilot informs him the logo is 2" tall (which ok), and that the word "VANS" is a "trademark", not a "logo", and he should learn the difference. They argue. Unidentified gent says the Chief wrote the new reg. Pilot tells him Chiefs don't write regs, offciers do. Finally, pilot asks this guy who he is, and he is a SMSgt. He runs off, cries to the Chief (who is watching from afar), and within 36 hours, the sq/cc is getting asked about it from the O-6 level. We have GOT to take back control of the USAF from these idiots --- officers and enlisted alike. These stories paint a sad picture of what is going on. Technique: when pulled aside by someone for some silly-ass infraction, get close, look them in the eye, and at the top of your lungs yell, "NOTED!". Very effective, I've found out. [ 16. April 2006, 13:17: Message edited by: HerkDerka ]

When I was a FAIP (back when everyone flew the T-38, and dinosaurs roamed the earth), we'd rack-and-stack the entire class, then draw a line. If you were above the line, you were "FAR'd" (Fighter/Attack/Recce). You had to be FAR'd to be FAIP'd. Fighter/Attack/Recce/Trainer is "FART'd", but I digress. Anyways... I know plenty of pilots that didn't do so great in UPT that really came on strong after a couple of years with Wings on their chest. I know a few fighter guys that were min-FAR'd, and kind of plateaued over the years. It became clear to me that deciding who is the best pilot based on UPT ranking is like figuring out who should be the next partner in a law firm based on their Freshman undergraduate GPA. During the 3 years I spent as T-38 PIT IP, I flew with some pilots out of heavies that had great hands (sts) and were outstanding IP's. So, while the whole "figher qual" thing is probably alive and well, it's simply a way --- not necessarily an accurate way --- to stratify candidates for a follow on assignment. Think of it like the OPR: it's not accurate, there's got to be a better way, etc... but no one will bother changing the system. [ 05. April 2006, 02:01: Message edited by: Huggyu2 ]

Vetter, Flying with others that are great people and great pilots can really improve your situation. I've been fortunate to be in an environment where, even though the day-to-day grind can be long, I look forward to showing up in the squadron each and every day. If you are not in that kind of environment, keep looking. It will reset your love of aviation.

Their timing is perfect, too: with the demise of the ever-popular Tomcat demo, I'll bet the Strike Eagle's will be a crowd pleaser.

Seems the last few years, the Navy controllers that have PAR'd me have been substandard. I don't know if something changed or if I'm just having bad luck with them. The Brits give a great PAR. Anyone ever have the Brit gal in Cyprus give you the "dirty talkdown"?? What a hoot!

If I understand the question right, then: No, you do not need to make a "perfect circle" airshow-type loop (like I did today in my friend's Pitts). Instead, you try to hit 500 KIAS at the bottom, 200 at the top (and still inside the vertical limit of the MOA), and back to 500 at the bottom. And no rolling during the maneuver; just a nice straight pull.

I broke mine at graduation. I then had a "UPT aviation themed" print that I found framed, with my class' scraf and patch in it. At the top, I have the broken wings, with the pieces separated by about 1/4 inch. Makes for a nice conversation piece. [ 17. February 2006, 02:23: Message edited by: Huggyu2 ]

In the U-2, when "on the road", most of us fly with 3-4 handhelds. Sounds like overkill, but each serves a specific purpose. The one we use for "normal ops", and just plain navigatin' and SA is a Garmin 196. We've got some new ones, and I think they are Garmin 96C (I haven't used them). Locally, I fly with a Garmin GPS III; old, but very effective. Our unit bought a few, and we sign them out when needed. We will put them in with the trainees when they go solo, and then download the plot when they return, allowing us (the IP's) to see exactly how their flight progressed. Yes, you can bust a ride based on your HHGPS plot. They're great in the T-38, especially when VFR. Keep your destination's range in the HHGPS, and you can constantly work your Bingo and maximize your playtime. [ 17. February 2006, 02:17: Message edited by: Huggyu2 ]

Can I get an "Amen" to that, brothers!!!

Someone has to be willing to step up and take a bullet. If the SQ/CC doesn't, then how about The Mayor? Start singing the songs and call the potential bluff. Don't like that?: make a HUGE announcement that he's received notice that the Wing CC is offended, and that these songs are off-limits. Very embarrassing for said-WingCC. The Mayor won't do it? Then YOU stir things up. And it sometimes means taking a bullet. You've got to decide if it's worth it. For me, it's fun, I've got little to lose, and "they" usually back off. Guys, I'm with you. It's getting ridiculous everywhere. But the most shocking post is the one about the ANG shutting pilot bars. Tell me that's just one ANG unit, not all of them. It's got to be a mistake. STOP THE MADNESS!! [ 25. January 2006, 09:43: Message edited by: Huggyu2 ]

Great post!

Hacker, Did the high time guy retire or PCS? Who is it? The 7400 hour pilot is Frank Lerquin (sp?). However, getting those kind of T-38 hours is a thing of the past, since "career trainers" and the ACE program are gone. Most of those high time guys bounced back and forth from ACE, PIT, and UPT. I figure there must be some 3000 hour pilots at PIT, but haven't heard for sure.

I heard that there is/was a Moody pilot with 1000+ hours in the T-38A, 1000+ in the AT-38B, and is getting close to 1000 hours in the T-38C. True statement? Also, other than this Moody pilot, is there anyone currently flying the T-38 for the USAF with over 3000 hours in the Talon?

I guess there is a reason that my Wings sit ABOVE my ribbons.

Checking in, sir,.... at FL700+

Judge each job/slot on its own merit. There a some very small military pilot units out there that can (or would) benefit from having a GS-13 or contractor pilot flying for them. It may not fit an F-15 or C-17 unit, but it very beneficial in other places.