HuggyU2

I've found "easier" means that the folks in the squadron are left dealing with the shortfalls of that course of action.

The FTU. Duh!

The pilots that got the early retirement were the beneficiaries of this. I've yet to meet one that regrets doing it.

Beale got rid of the traditional Group CC two years ago, and went to the A-staff. Not positive, but I think they may be going back to the Group CC thing this year.

Thanks to those at Vance and Columbus that came by to meet us. We even had one pilot that came in from another base a couple hours away to listen. Based on what I heard, there are still a lot of inaccurate beliefs about the U-2, so if someone tells you "you can't apply because of X", give us a call to verify that.

Attn Vance Pilots: We will be at Vance late tomorrow and will be doing a meet & greet at the 25 FTS. Should be around 1730... but check your emails. Students interested in learning about the U-2 are welcome too, and we are glad to have you show up.

I'll bet Air University has it.

Update for those at CBM interested in a potential U-2 career: We hope to arrive Thursday morning. 14th FTW should be setting up a location in one of the flying squadrons for us to answer questions and talk about the U-2... probably Thursday afternoon. Maybe Friday morning also. Happy to talk 1-on-1 anytime during the weekend. Just track us down. And if you want to see why the T-38A is way more awesome than the T-38C, come take a look.

It was about five pages in because of limited recent activity. Here you go...

If you are a member of AOPA, you may be able to get free advice from their medical staff. Not positive... but give them a call if you're a member.

I'm a Paul Harvey fan.

12-15 months for me.

First flight will depart Palmdale late this year.

Lord Ratner is right. Simply look at the Railway Labor Act and how it is used to prevent airline strikes.

Attention Columbus AFB IP's and student pilots... Beale will be bringing a T-38A to the Columbus AFB Airshow next month. The plan is to get there Thursday, and have an informal meeting Friday for anyone interested in learning more about the U-2 Program. No rent-a-crowd... the only people that will be there should be pilots interested in learning more about a U-2 career. Myself and Lt Col "Ghost" will be there. Ghost is the U-2 FTU DO, and will become the 99 RS/CC around June. He was a former T-38 IP at CBM 18 months ago and flew the U-2 previous to that. If you won't be available Friday morning, you simply need to let me know and I can arrange for us to meet at the airshow on Saturday and chat. As mentioned, happy to talk to student pilots also. We can't get you for at least 4 years, but knowledge is power. Drop me a pm if interested.

The pilot flying the first flight of the X-59 is a friend and former U-2 pilot. I plan to go down there for that first flight. "First flights" are pretty rare these days, compared to 70 years ago. From what he can tell me about the aircraft and the research leading up to it, it's very interesting. NASA also used a YO-3A and TG-14 for a lot of the data gathering. It's neat stuff.

LOL wut? Is there no one in your squadron that you know that is getting out or has gotten out? Are any of them your friends? If so, you should speak to them.

Butters! It is good to see you back! I have not seen a post from you in a very long time.

True, but have you tried playing the audio backwards and listening?

Frontier and Spirit pilots are both represented by ALPA... so the seniority integration should go silky smooth.

Follow the science.

Haha... Hacker, it is good to see you doing what you were always meant to do. And finish your damn book!!!

Thread creep, but we had a U-2 guy that said if he was in a plane going down and knew he couldn't get out, he would unstrap... and right before impact he would shove his pencil right up his ass. Why? To give the AF accident board something to think about.

Good info. Thanks.

The claim is has come from some former VFA skippers, one of whom claims to have heard the PLAT audio. A Navy skipper who is a friend of mine vouches for him. But until that audio is released, it won't get much traction.