HuggyU2

Don't feel bad at all. I spent 4 years at DLF with no airline service. Back then, we drove these things called "cars" to where we wanted to go. Everyone crying about no airline service needs to give it a try. Get a fast "car" and go. With your buds. You can be at SAT airport in about 2 hours. No different than flying out of DLF. And a lot more convenient. BTW... front gate of DLF to front gate of Randolph in 2+12. On a Friday. Going through the city at rush hour. (According to a friend... not that I approve of such behavior from 22 year old student pilots.) That was when the Auger Inn was "a thing". Oh... and when you see a Border Patrol airplane at 50' AGL flying east-bound, down the shoulder of Hwy 90, and they pass you... and then YOU decide to pass THEM... it's pretty fun. I had a blast in DLF. There's no reason you can't. Even if you're from "up north" and used to having 1,000,000 people in a square mile of city. Give it the college try.

The U-2 is not an option for at least 4 years. But keep it in your long-term cross-check. As for Squirt's post, the first 4 sentences have value... ignore the rest. He will grow up some day.

In the big picture, congrats on your qualification as a Herc pilot. Another fine Lockheed product.

I hope you are kidding.

They have been combined before, for all the reasons you state and more. With the cyclical nature of things, maybe it will happen again. I don’t believe it changed relationships for the better when MX was in the flying squadron.

Total military time is about 7,300 hours. 4,100 sorties.

Orange is the new green.

When the idea was discussed about doing this interview, I wasn't sure I would do it. However, Hacker spoke very highly of Steve and assured me it would be great. He was right. Working with Steve was a pleasure and he's a class act. I'll admit he got me talking about some stuff I hadn't thought about in a long time. We did the interviews some time ago, but I believe Steve plans to add on to the interview with some additional talks that we are doing now. bfargin, you were very close. UPT Class 86-05, started 4 June 1985. Thank you for creating a well done final product, Steve. (And especially for your editing work!! You know what I mean!! Haha!!)

That’s cool! I got a ride in one in Uvalde Texas a few years ago. Just beautiful!

It's been a big eye-opener to see the lack of proficiency (mainly due to having never trained to it) of many commercial pilots when it comes to unusual attitudes.

The former 9 RW/CC was brilliant, and a man of impeccable style and taste. Nothing "questionable" about his decisions.

I can't tell you how many times pilots have told me "I didn't apply to the U-2 because I didn't fly the T-38 in UPT". Note: flying the T-38 in UPT is not a pre-req for the U-2. Off the top of my head, I'd say at least half of the U-2 community went T-1's. Read the application requirements.

There's another thread on Kaepernick elsewhere. In any case, Brickhistory, I hope you had a great 4th.

Thanks for posting that. I found that article in 2011 when I was over there. I couldn't recall the title and hadn't been able to find it since. Well worth the read.

What do you know or suspect that is driving this statement? Just an overall observation on UPT training? Do you also mean to include FTU syllabus training?

Sooch (former U-2 squadron commander) flies again: https://www.space.com/virigin-galactic-spaceshiptwo-2nd-glide-flight-spaceport-america.html

The two pilots that were selected for the FACT were excellent choices. We all hope they continue to excel. I've got quite a few thoughts on the pros and cons of the FACT assignment in general, but it would be inappropriate for me to do so on this forum.

I don't know, but it would seem unlikely. The FACT program has been a test program and only two pilots were brought in through it. It will be while longer before they are ready to interview. As I understand it, once they have gone through the entire process, the Wing will look at whether or not to continue the FACT program.

9RW/CC Change of Command today. Two back-to-back U-2 pilots as the Wing Commander??!! Am I taking crazy pills?? Col Clark arrived in 2018... the first U-2 pilot to command the Wing since 1985. He got a LOT done. Great job, Andy. And now Col Fox is the Commander. Top-shelf choice. No doubt, the tradition of excellence will continue. Congrats to Hf on taking command. Thinking of applying to the U-2? They hired someone yesterday. Not for everyone... but how about you?

I just closed a VA IRRRL refi last week: I was at 3.5%, and dropped to 2.75% with a .25 point cost. No brainer. The agent I used is the wife of a former military pilot. PM me if you need the contact info, but you should be able to find that rate elsewhere (but not at USAA).

Bite your tongue. The green bag will be around when intergalactic travel is commonplace.

I seem to recall the Navy's flight boots had steel toes... but the AF didn't allow steel toes in theirs. Am I remembering that right?

I hate Guard and Reserve guys. All of them. Even my friends. I hate them. Day 1 of UPT, we were in the Laughlin auditorium, sitting there to get our foot prints taken in our Blues, and each of us asking the other what we wanted to fly. "I want to fly the F-15"... I want to fly the KC-10"... ... ... ... The one Reservist in our class: "I'm going to fly the F-4". Us: "What do you mean you're 'going to fly the F-4' "? Him: "I'm a Reservist". Us: "So? What does that mean?" (note: this was before the internet, where you could find out all about the Reserves without lifting a finger) Him: My unit is at Wright-Patt. We have F-4's there, and that's what I'll fly." Us: "Wait... what?... Hey!! You KNOW what you're going to fly already?? Maj XX, can I transfer to this Reserve thing, sir??!!!!" You guys all suck... and we hate you.

https://ktxs.com/news/local/wanted-dyess-airman-captured

Years ago, David Clark changed the design of the torso harness (i.e. parachute harness), to make it a touch lighter. The weight was irrelevant, but they removed all of the padding that made sitting in the suit so comfortable. The first time I wore my "new" harness was opening night of OIF on an 11+ hour sortie. I was more uncomfortable after 3-4 hours in the new harness than I would have been after 12 in the old one. Another dumb idea made without consulting the end user.