HuggyU2

https://appropriations.house.gov/news/press-releases/committee-releases-fy25-defense-appropriations-bill “Preventing the early retirement of three ships and retaining the U-2 and certain F-15s, rejecting the Biden Administration’s naval and air force divestment plans.” A long way to go to reverse the U-2 divestment. But a start. Only 16 months to go and we've parked about 25% of the fleet.

It is a really neat jet to fly, and a lot of fun. As for range... it's pretty thirsty. For my flight to Idaho, I went at 16,500 with around a 20 knot headwind, and 225 KIAS. I burned about 1.1 gallons per mile. Keep in mind: this variant of the J-85 makes as much thrust in Mil as our Beale T-38's make in MAX. It's a screamin' machine. Yes, I could save gas going to FL240/250... but there are other factors I consider. 280 gallons with the wings and fuselage tank full. 460 gallons if the tips are full. And another 90 gallons in each of the four drop tanks are possible. So... loaded up, it's about 820 gallons. Springer, I'll take you up on the offer to teach me air refueling! I ping'd a couple of guys from my era that flew them in Panama, and they couldn't remember the AR speed. One thinks it was 280 and the other thinks 230-250. This jet went to the Vietnamese Air Force so i never had the cape. One that note, 87921 flew about 2,200 combat hours with the South Vietnam. When the commies overran the South, they captured 95 A-37's... and actually flew them. Eventually they ran out of support and parked them. An Australian businessman saw them on a visit, bought 11, and floated them down the Mekong to a container ship that took them back to Australia. There is another jet from this lot of 11 that will possibly be flying this summer. I've attached a pic of the patch the owner gives everyone that gets a flight in it. Great book too. I just attended the A-37 convention in Galveston back in April. Great stories and the jet was (and is) way underrated. Check this out: By the way, look at the ejection seats in the picture of the YouTube video of aircraft 10779. Pretty non-standard, right? That's because the Australian owner/museum convinced Martin-Baker to retrofit their jet with modern seats. Crazy!

BOI.

Normally, here: https://www.westernskywarbirds.org/home.html It's in Idaho for the summer. I'll bring it back to St George in October.

Took the A-37 out for an FCF and then a cross country flight of 440 nm on Thursday. First flight since Sept and it flew great. Owner put on an additional set of drop tanks.

Nvm. I got the background.

CH, you rock. 🙏

Dash's crash was 15 years ago today. Nickel... https://www.edwards.af.mil/News/Article/395729/t-38-crash-claims-life-of-edwards-pilot/

For those not in the AFSOC-know, can someone break down who is who... where are they going... who and how did they promote from O-7 to O-9... and which ones are the douchebags? I can't keep up.

Anyone know the story behind this pic?

I propose a toast: To the incompetence of Iranian aviation. Hear, hear! And on a positive note, congrats to President Raisi: he quit smoking yesterday!

The vast majority are not climate types. Glad to see aircraft owners can get the same protection as we do with our car license plates.

So what was Mach before? Not the first time: F-22,demo pilot a few years ago had his name changed for his 2 year public gig. And the Blues have done this a LOT.

On another forum, a Navy NFO stated there are some USAF jets with A2A kill silhouettes painted on them, from "kills" in exercises. Can anyone confirm this? Signs ridiculous... but in the AF of today, I can't rule it out. if true, probably part of some DEI program?

Very likely! Monday - Thursday if it works out. I'll update when we get closer.

Looking for opinions on the CZ series of handguns. Many are DPRK compliant. None of the ranges near me have any to rent. BX sells: CZ 75 SP-01 CZ 75 Compact CA 75 D PCR Compact

On the subject of A-model support, most of the Beale jets have the stab aug CB pulled. We are told the parts are available but the only test equipment is at HMN and SZL... so we can't fly with it on. Is this your experience at SZL and LFI? And is this happening for you C-model types in AETC and out at EDW?

I just love it when someone decides to pass judgement on the financial status of others. If you are financially sound, have invested smartly, and life has dealt you a great hand, then good on you! You should count your blessings. I'm happy for you! Keep in mind that there are many others that may not be as fortunate as you, and various factors have impacted their "financial health". For example, those who lost their airline pension during the collapse of the airline industry after 9/11. Or those who were furloughed for 10+ years. The stories of how they adapted are varied, but in many cases not conducive to saving for retirment. Not familiar with the PBGC? You're fortunate. https://www.pbgc.gov/search-trusteed-plans?key= united airlines Many pilots deal with very costly things such as taking care of elderly parent(s) that are in assisted living or Alzheimer facilities. Or they have a dealt with a spouse or child that has significant medical needs. In many cases, there are not only costs invovled, but the time spent on taking care of loved ones can mean less opportunites to work. I know plenty that have incurred the expense of a painful divorce, and others that have had legal issues that have wiped them out. The list goes on. So instead of preaching to us about how some pilots cannot be trusted to professionally fly an airplane if they don't meet your standards of financial success by the time they turn 65, maybe you should simply be thankful for what you have, and offer a modicum of support for those that have't landed on the gravy train that you are able to ride.

For those of you at Langley, are their A-model T-38's getting the RoadRunner electronic ADI/HSI that the jets at Beale have?

The question is not "is there cognitive decline", but rather "how significant is it?" I would rather have a highly experienced 66 year old in the left seat than a 23 year old with no turbine PIC in the right seat (or left seat, as has been the case recently).

What's the projection on the future of the MQ-9, and/ot a fleet drawdown?

https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Portals/10/SOS/documents/Bios Leadership/Col_Kevin_Lee_Bio.pdf

The inability of the USAF to fix issues of "specialization" in career fields without feeling the need to create yet another rank structure is simply failed leadership.

We are probably going to need a separate thread for "DPRK compliant handguns". Beale BX actually has a small gun selection with some.