HuggyU2

Oddly enough, I was standing out on the ramp in front of baseops at March and saw it crash. Very surreal.

“If you have a contrail that lasts longer than 4 hours, seek meteorological attention.” (As seen on another site... excellent quote)

Hoss, It is also to prevent “conflict of interest”. The approval process was fair and simple, and supported by ALPA. I have no problem with it.

Tactical Void, I submitted a letter to the company requesting approval to work theee additional jobs on the side. None involve me flying. It was approved.

This is a trailer for a movie being done in Taiwan about the 28 Taiwanese Blackcats from the U-2 Program back in the 1960's. Gen Hua is about 93 now, and you'll see a guy names Louis Setter. Lou was the 10th pilot to fly the U-2. We had 5 of the Taiwanese pilots come to our reunion about 15 years ago. Pretty cool. One guy was shot down and taken prisoner by mainland China. He was kept prisoner for something like 20-30 years. When China finally released him, Taiwan wouldn't take him back. Fortunately, we allowed him to emigrate to the US.

For you Contracting experts: 1. What's the max you can put on a GPC? It was $2500, but I heard it went up to $5000. True? 2. If the AF wants to go sole-source on a contract without competing it, what's the most they can spend? I"m assuming it's the same as the GPC card limit ($2500 or $5000).

As a fan of the A-37, I’m looking for anything associated with the airplane. Checklists, Patches, photos, parts, etc... Let me know what you’ve got.

I would have like to attended the memorial at Randolph: https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2019/04/18/a-last-salute-to-a-raider-air-force-bids-farewell-to-lt-col-dick-cole/ But doing it on a Thursday, and not a Friday?? What moron came up with that idea. Yes, I understand the significance of the date. It's still a dumb idea.

You do know there's a "Guard/Reserve" section here, right?

Had there been a U-2 pilot in a chase car saying "Raise your left..." on the radio, these wing strikes could have been avoided.

Face it... after introducing Jar Jar Binks, the entire Star Wars brand burned to the ground, never to rise from the ashes.

Yes, 2Lt's coming to fly the T-38 at Beale is definitely a new change. I personally see this as a unique data point that will only be repeated if a lot of variables are all met... i.e. I believe it is very unlikely to happen again. I don't believe it is the "good deal" everyone seems to think it is for the guy, but I'm sure he will enjoy the experience. Going back over 30 years, I can only think of 3 CTP-only pilots that decided to interview for the U-2. All three were accepted. Two made it through U-2 training. (There may be a fourth but I can't remember at this late hour). All three had MWS backgrounds prior to going to T-38 PIT. One of the three I met on a recruiting trip. He was very interested in applying for the U-2 but already had orders to be a T-38 UPT instructor. We were able to get his orders changed to Beale instead, with the hope that he would fly the T-38 two years and then interview. That's what happened, and he's had a pretty good career to include a tour as a U-2 flying squadron commander. We had a former CTP-only T-38 instructor that left Beale not too long ago, and he's on this forum. Maybe he will chime in with his thoughts.

When it comes to getting a GTC, do like Nancy Reagan, put on your red dress, and “just say no”.

There's a big difference here: CB Ford was trying to ruin someone (Kavanaugh). McSally doesn't seem to be going the vindictive route. She simply states "Yes, it happened to me, and I get it.". She's not starting a Congressional inquiry to ruin an innocent man. If I'm missing something about her intent, let me know. I really know very little about the woman. The few things I do see since she retired from the USAF, I applaud.

Matmacwc! I'm your Huckleberry! Being a FAIP from the 1980's, I have mad fix-to-fix skills. Feel free to drop me a pm and I'm sure we can schedule a video-teleconference and I'll draw it all out (4 colors, naturally) on the whiteboard (no chalk, sorry). Sewer Rat, we can include you on the call if you want to learn too. I'm here to help.

Sewer Rat, Could you comment on pitfalls affecting the airline industry? Thanks, Huggy

Pawnman, a friend told me the FAA is mandating a fix to this. A modification will be made so that when the tanks go empty, it will really reduce the weight and allow the 777 to float higher. And the new jet fuel blend (50% Jet A, 50% helium) will also help... somehow.

Apparently, Boeing is working on a fix. I hate CNN.

Now that you are running a side business, do you you conduct business on the phone while walking in uniform, Lieutenant?

I know a former U-2 guy that got 173 credit hours of flying in January... at about $170/hour.

I avoided "safety stink" my entire USAF career. And I've never been directly involved with anything on the civil/GA side. I'm not qualified to comment.

Let me know how you feel when your daughter turns 15.

It's refreshing to come here and see people simply post information or condolences. No one trying to be an NTSB investigator like they idiots on another forum I go to. The shit they post is downright embarrassing... and disrespectful. They are supposedly "aviators"... and most are pretty well to do...and I would expect they would know better. Thanks for keeping it professional.

In U-2 News: former U-2 pilot and 1 RS/CC, Mike "Sooch" Masucci, became an astronaut yesterday. For those that know Sooch, I'm sure we'd all agree that VG picked the perfect guy for this role, and it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. NASA should have picked him for the Shuttle when they had the chance. https://www.ladbible.com/news/news-amazing-footage-shows-virgin-galactic-pilots-soar-into-space-20190223 He becomes the 2nd U-2 pilot in to space... and the 1st to go to space after earning the U-2 Solo Patch.

Because new wingmen don't have the proficiency and experience for going that low. In a training environment, is there a need to press? One size does not fit all. The former SAC Instrument School has morphed into the Advanced Instrument School, and they have done a ton of instrument-flight related research over the years. There is wreckage on final approach in to Osan to prove it. Investigating instrument-approach related mishaps drove some of the restrictions that are in place and the mishap rate in this area dropped significantly.