HuggyU2

About 3-4 years ago at Beale, one of our pilots didn't get as high a strat from the Wing as this person should have. When given feedback, said pilot was told "For example, you're not the president of the CGOC". So... said pilot decided to fix that shit. Somehow, the U-2 CGO's learned the bylaws, called for an election, ensured all the U-2 pilot CGO's got the word... and said pilot was elected to be the president of the CGOC via a hostile takeover. The non-Ops Group CGO's were NOT happy about this. Classic pilot solution: "I saw a problem, now I've fixed it. Next?"

Mmmm... maybe your entire class sucked? Seriously though... I would have no further "bright ideas" on your difficult time at PIT.

Well, stract, your "intuition" was correct. We will not be bringing a U-2 to D-M. However, we will probably bring a T-38A (not that piece-of-FOD C-model), and an MC-12... no promises yet, though. Go buy a lottery ticket... you knew more than I did.

Well... as a former PIT IP, I'd say that maybe you didn't perform well enough to PA out of the events.

Maybe... if all these folks put as much effort into their training as they do into the hours of worrying, bitching and researching this housing issue, they'd be out of PIT quicker, bust less sorties, and be better instructors. And, yes, I lived in the Q's when I went through PIT as a lieutenant. They were just fine.

It's about time!

I don't know the AFI answer. But no one has time to worry or care about what you are wearing in flight. Assuming your MJ's are polarized, that creates some "issues" with looking at the cockpit display (or so I'm told) and is probably forbidden. If you are getting ready to go to UPT, you will be wearing a helmet through the T-6 phase. I would not subject my expensive MJ's to that (nevermind the polarization issue). Get some gov't freebies. They don't look like much, but they work ok. And the price is right.

CougarDriver,... the tough part is getting the hours in a normal 3-4 year tour. That said, C-21 pilots do better than most. However... if the MC-12 appeals to you, then you should consider it. You'll get 2 months at Beale during your 10-11 months "in the MC-12", and it will give you a chance to look at the area, and check out the U-2. And if you decide the U-2 isn't for you, you will have the opportunity to transition to the MC-12 mission. If the MC-12 mission does not appeal to you, stay in the -21. Before you call us out in public, stract, maybe you should check with the one guy at Beale that works the Aerial Events issues for the Ops Group... oh wait!... That would be me! So... if you have an email from me or the 9 OG/CC saying we aren't going to be there, then please let me know. Thanks! BTW... if we do bring the U-2 there, please be sure to be at the Big House with us. Last time, we shut the place down. I don't recall any local drivers there when we did. Weak.

Best post of the month.

Two posts, and generating that kind of scuttlebutt? Impressive.

You know me, Spoo: all I really use is a Sectional. And I cannot deny using the charts, since there is now video evidence to the contrary. In any case, a rare occurrence.

Nice steal!

Let's see... - Rainman doesn't talk to the media - Rainman does not live in AZ, and has no vested interest. - Rainman is smart enough to be careful about saying something on an internet forum and increasing the risk for a lawsuit. "Well, I think that covers the flybys..." Questions?

Not necessarily "the best", but have you read "The Black Watch" by Ernie Gann? The events are true, and everyone in there except the main character are "real people".

The policy just changed. It is still very limited, but AFPC will entertain an interservice transfer for Navy/Marine/CG personnel that are accepted to the U-2 Program. For info, call the 1RS Director of Recruiting at DSN 368-4447.

Uh... no.

After that email went out, I spent a few minutes "researching" the 3 regs/AFI's that the MSgt from Base Ops referenced in stating his point about FOD checks. As it turns out, each of the 3 were taken out of context, and there was NO requirement. He did a less-than-poor job of his responsibilities. Had I done a similarly poor job of researching a tasker that I'd been given, I would have been (deservedly) chastised and/or removed from my position of responsibility. I broke down the arguments that he stated, and sent them to leadership: sure, if they want the engine shutoff, that is their perogative, and we need to salute smartly and do it. However, nowhere in the regs is it required, or even implied. But Fudge is correct: that email chain was pretty funny. Since the major involved is a good friend, I watched the whole thing transpire from 12 time zones away, and it was like watching a car crash in slow motion... he just didn't realize who was on the "Reply to All". "Reply to All" got me in a lot of trouble at Randolph when I managed to reach out to the AETC/CC and Command Chief. That faux pas almost left a mark.

With the throttle parked in the NW quadrant (like it is on takeoff),... and the air conditioner set fairly cold... and the humidity is right,... you will get air conditioner induced "fog in the cockpit" (which is a boldface item... yes, it can get dense enough that you cannot see anything). There are two floor vents ("chimney vents") that face upward,... and that's why you saw the fog coming up. In that particular scene, that was the rear cockpit with the photographer. (edit: looks like HiFlyer just posted about 2 minutes before me,... while i was typing, hence the redundant answer). NEFlyer: thanks for posting that video. I'd never seen it before. That photo shoot took place about 2.5 years ago, and we never saw the results. The still shots are the ones that made it into AF Magazine a few months ago. The photographer has a website: www.horizontalrain.com and has done some unique work. For any of y'all that have seen the Mountain Home jets flying with an Indian Sukhoi, or the B-2 shot (from a T-38) over Whiteman, it's the same guy, Sagar Pathak. The charts are seldom used, actually. But, they usually fold up easily. However, there's always those times when they won't fold, and you hit the "get this damn thing away from me!" point, and it gets stuffed. Oh well... there's plenty more in the flight planning closet. Personally, I'll jam it on to the dash when I'm flying into a rising/setting sun, and can't see anything anyways. The AF Magazine shoot had a nice still photo of the scene where the U-2 and T-38 shadows are in formation in the grass, on the low approach. That was done at ~200 KIAS: pretty fast for a U-2,... and the T-38 had the flaps down. My very first time flying solo high, I was over Southern Cal, and trying to figure out how to heat and eat my tube food... so needless to say, I'm not looking outside much. Suddenly, my peripheral vision is aware of some movement. I look outside and, going the opposite direction and fairly close, is a Palmdale-based U-2. Just when you think you you are all alone...

Good question... do you know the answer? Yes.

No shit! However, this will probably be treated like a bad WX day on a Friday: it's obvious that no one will turn a wheel the entire day, but rather than utilize the time to get everyone together and get necessary training done, and then push to the bar early, we drag the schedule out to the bitter end,... and still not fly anything. And of course, no one gets home until 1800 either. In this case, all these Raptor pilots could already be doing something beneficial somewhere,... but no, we need them ready to go "just in case the WX breaks in the next 10 minutes".

I didn't know you flew light gray Eagles.

If you need supplemental, look at Army Air Force Mutual Aid Association. They have the best rates I've seen. And no "aviation" nor "war" clause. If you're going to bet against yourself, you might as well pay as little as you can...

Ha! You knew this was coming. And it will probably expand next year, when the 2010 recalls come up for the voluntary 1-year extension.

I know the square root of crap about the Guard/Reserve. And I've got a lot of friends that got there, even though I didn't... I tried though. That said, my dealings with guys that work 2 "pay periods", have their commercial travel paid for,... and that brag to me about making bank and owning 2 houses (C-17 guys) because they are able to work the system WRT rules and AFI's that I don't need to know (since I'm not a G/R guy),... well, I'm not sure the taxpayers are getting all they should. And yes, I know we are keeping some very experienced and quality people in. Got it. But the impression,... right or wrong,... is reality.

You really need to hang out with a higher quality social network. But, if you are enjoying it, more power to you.