Vandy01

That's good to hear... Mine is about 2 weeks "late" in relation to my previous payments- It appears to be stuck at AFPC somewhere, I had the FSS look into it, and that's also what it shows in the CMS case. I'm not in panic mode or anything, but how it takes so long to go from "processing" to "paid" is beyond me...

So..... has anyone actually received their aviation bonus payment this year, or is the USAF out of money (and just "fixing the glitch" by not paying us)?

Don’t do it. You’re going the wrong way…. The Navy.. even the reserve component.. isn’t nearly as civil as the AD USAF, let alone the guard/reserves. It’s a different culture.. at a minimum, make sure you fully grasp the expectations and “possibilities” you may face. Reference: 11 years AD Navy, 8 years guard, 3 years AD (vlpad) USAF.

I heard weed is ok though.

Correct. The Light Grey is still rocking the mechanical ADI.

All for the low low price of tens of millions of dollars, too!

That would require some sort of redundant computer controlled flight control system or capability. and also probably a terrain database of some form. And maybe a RADALT. The light grey doesn’t have any of those things. the light grey Eagle is a mechanically controlled, hydraulically actuated flight control system with a very rudimentary analog single channel flight control computer “overlay” called a CAS. The CAS is not required for flight, and often “falls offline” during BFM... the CAS only allows for a little extra stabilator movement (7 degrees of trailing edge movement if I remember correctly)... it’s not connected to any other flight control surfaces. yes. Every fighter should have AGCAS... to equip the F-15C with it would require a significant retrofit of the on board systems and flight controls (not that it can’t be done... the F-15E has a 3-channel redundant digital flight control system. So maybe it would be possible to retrofit that). Probably cheaper overall though to just replace the old jets with new ones that already incorporate this technology (F-15EX? F-35?)

The breakers in the 35 are pretty long- well above the apex of the pilots helmet (sts?)

Yeah... it’s nothing like the F-15, despite the “digital” portion of the DEEC. In the F-35, the throttle sensitivity/flight control logic changes based on the regime of flight you’re in... and also based on settings like putting the gear down, or opening the AR door. It’s very noticeable in the AR mode: the jet basically dampens out over corrections.. the throttle needs to be moved significantly to get a small movement forward out of the jet. Think of it kind of like the throttle on a modern sports car (electronic throttle maps... “sport mode”, etc). A “fun” side effect of an all digital jet.

Great question that I don’t know the answer to.... which control logic “reigns Supreme” between the aerial refueling logic, and the powered approach (gear down) logic... my guess is the gear down logic.., which would probably make the turn a little more comfortable for the F-35 pilot (throttle is very numb in the AR logic). just speculation though

I flew the t-45C about 15 years ago... I don’t recall that discussion. Currently flying the F-35A... and no- no discussion on a manual TRS pull prior to controlled ejection. I don’t know that it would change anything. In both aircraft, they have canopy breakers on the seat as well... just like the other 4th gen “normal” jets I’ve flown.

I know a couple people that ejected from T-45’s... none directly complained about that to me. lots of folks have ejected from harriers, with no issue with the Det cord. the F-35 TRS Det cord is probably “improved”.. the pilot from the Eglin mishap did say he had tin shards embedded in his skin... so there’s that.

I don’t need a rand study to tell me that.... and I’m willing to bet the three separate aircraft would have each been better, too....

Being so weapons limited, I’d argue that the internal gun is damn near mandatory.., despite our gun chine problems and the questions about the accuracy of the HMD symbology... and don’t hit me with “external 9’s”... although the sidekick option is compelling. so.. give me more thrust to weight (like.. a lot more)..and then the larger wing of the 35C... that way I can actually get out of trouble and execute some real L&L tactics if need be as opposed to being more reliant on the magic pants....I’d take a slight hit on gas for that... as I’m often running around with a ton of fuel and no amraams left during a DCA. Lots of nuances to this discussion I haven’t even touched on.. a bit of thread drift too.

The only people that gripe about the "system" are the people that it chews up and spits out. The people that are tracking tend to enjoy it, or may even love it. The rift seems to occur around the senior O-3 level... When some bros are bitching in the bar, others may say "yeah, it sucks, but...." And then the conversation trails off. Once the rationalizations or self justifications set in, they've got you. I truly believe that the guys at the top don't think it's broken: why? Because "it worked for them, and they are so great as to make GO, so the system must work." I don't think anything major will come of this. Guys will stay in, guys will get out. The guys that stay in will fly a little more, and probably Won't have to do these stupid 365s as the manpower will be required in the cockpits. Lets face it: if the AF needs pilots- it's got plenty- they just won't send them to these stupid schools anymore. Honestly, having less pilots will probably improve the QOL for those that do stay.... As for the bonus- only time will tell, but my gut reaction is it won't make much of a dent.