HuggyU2

I wish Hindsight was wrong, but he's not. I fear the long-term repercussions from this event are going to be significant for the warbird and airshow communities. FYI, there has not been a US airshow performer mishap that has killed a spectator since 1954. US airshow rules are actually pretty well written. For example, the 1988 Ramstein Airshow disaster occurred on a maneuver that wouldn't be allowed in the US. And before someone reminds me that 10 spectators died in the Reno crash, keep in mind that was "air racing", and falls under a totally different set of rules and procedures than airshows.

Weaponize it, and it will be the FU-2. On that note, funny story: https://theaviationgeekclub.com/how-the-iconic-u-2-got-its-name-test-pilot-tony-levier-gave-kelly-johnson-the-finger-johnson-returned-giving-levier-the-finger-and-yelled-u-2/amp/

They are the Keepers of the Two Holy Mosques. You are an infidel. That's how it works. They are strategic partners, apparently. Questions?

Amazing insight by Mr Dickstein. Glad to know the T-7 will be operational next year. Shit hot.

I don't know how it is done in other communities, but where I come from, we have a chat group where all of us that are either IN the airlines or are TRYING to get into the airlines go to ask questions and get mentored. We all know each other at some level, unlike a generic internet forum. Being a UAL pilot, all of the U-2 Drivers working at UAL are on our own separate Signal chat group where we ask questions, and help out the new UAL pilots just arriving. We have a guy who knows the contract inside and out, and offers all sorts of advice on these matters. We have guys on widebodies that can speak to that. We have WB and NB captains that can speak to that. If your community doesn't do this, you should consider it. The amount of information exchanged weekly is incredible. And the ability to go to a group of trusted agents to ask questions in confidence about unions, scheduling, probation, sick leave, commuting, vacations, the RLA, asshole captains, etc... is invaluable. I'm sure most of y'all are doing something similar. But then I read posts here from people that work in flying squadrons but have zero understanding of the basics of airline employment... and it has me wondering how they can be around all of these folks heading to the airlines and not know the answers to what they are asking. There are a ton of folks you probably know that have the answers to many of your questions. Organize your community.

Danger, they cannot do that. It is illegal and will be used against them if it goes to court.

It is likely a bit less than that since some certainly retired early or died since "the list" was published.

UAL still has about 75 non-members that crossed the picket line in the CAL strike, and around 7 that crossed the UAL picket line in '85. The last one retires in 2028. The rest of the 14,000 pilots are ALPA members.

There is enough turmoil inside UAL union LEC's that I can't see a lot getting done for at least a few months.

OK... that's pretty funny! I concede!

Communication is also the responsibility of the Sender.

In complete contrast, the MC-12 program was a shit show. I'd pay a king's ransom to have that year of my life back.

1 Nov will see a whole new thrash in the UAL saga.

Thanks for that. It helps me understand why my fellow squadron mates treat me like they do. #enlightened #olddelriofaip

I stand corrected, then. Thanks for the post and updated information.

No one is advocating that it be "a replacement for the plane or even a sim". It is one of many "tools" available. If used correctly, many believe it is an excellent training tool. We have a new U-2 pilot here that come from a UPT base as a T-6 instructor. He told me about a student's Dollar Ride after training in the VR device: said student took off, went to the MOA, was able to stay in the MOA, did a VFR recovery and actually found the VFR Entry point without any IP assistance, and got the plane to Initial. I'd call that "a significant data point", and shows that the VR device may have a time and place in the UPT syllabus.

What's the latest on this program? Are the 6 initial cadre still all going to Laughlin? The first 3 of 6 are supposed to be hired in the coming weeks... but it's been rather quiet. When I inquired back in June, I was told I was 35 years beyond the cutoff. As you might guess, I was triggered... but I'm ok now.

This past year of watching my kid go through traditional UPT (not 2.5) was somewhat eye opening to me as I got the first-hand account of training, syllabus, etc. Some of it was good... a lot of is wasn't. Huggy Jr graduated with 65 hours in the T-6 and 72 in the T-1. Wow... that just seems incredibly low, and with a lot less solo time than I remember during my years in Training Command. I went though Vance earlier this year and got a look at the virtual trainers, as well as getting to talk to the T-6 IP's there. My impression is they are well on the way to finding some really good, new ways to train future UPT students. Some of the stories from the T-6 IP's I spoke with were very enlightening and positive. As usual, it sounds like the line IP's are doing a great job with what they are given. Much like Edison trying to invent the light bulb... AETC is going to make a lot of mistakes as they create 2.5. And yes, they will learn and adjust from them. The eventual solution should be a much better UPT... hopefully soon. Of course, that's assuming they fund it properly and actually quit skimping on training for the sake of the All Holy Time Line. Until AETC started moving toward these new training methodologies, UPT really hadn't changed much in over 50 years. I'd say it was time to find a better way to do things. The road to change isn't easy. I'm confident AETC will be successful... the question is when will that happen?

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/10/20/russian-missile-launched-near-rc-135w-raf-aircraft-black-sea/ Malfunction? Sure it was.

Our Recce squadron finished off our last bottle a while back... before most of us heard the news. I'll find a bottle somewhere.

So is "being kind to your fellow man" and "honesty and integrity". But I see no need to have a dedicated office for each of those two wonderful concepts, run by a senior NCO who can provide programs on how I can do them better.

☝️ ^^^^^ 👆 ^^^^^ ☝️ ^^^^^ 👆 ^^^^^☝️ Your one sentence sums it up.