Vprdrvr69

Huggy. I've spent the last 7.5 years deliberating and waiting for life to slow down so I can build my RV-7. I waited so long that eventually the -14 was introduced and I was quickly sold on it. When my profit sharing check showed up a couple of months ago, my wife told me to buy the dam tail kit already (she's a keeper!); guess she got tired of my constant yapping about it. I went to the Vans factory last month as well and got the full tour and RV-14A flight. Having flown in -6, -7, -8, and now the -14, I have a decent ability to compare them. Of course, I am now building the -14 so I am a little biased. The best way to think about the -14 is "2 seat RV-10 capable of gentlemans aero, and builds more like a -12." It is by far the best to sit in for room/comfort and has great visibility with the lowered longerons (-8 would be close). It's very light and nimble but also very well balanced. The -10 airfoil used was a great choice (just shorter span) for cross country or IFR. Also, the usable load is insane. You can almost always take full fuel and load- literally two hop across the country if you can sit for that long. Usable load for aero is great as well, especially compared to -6/-4. It's a hot rod like any RV. The throaty -390 lifts the -14 off the ground as fast as you can gently apply full power. I swear within seconds of leveling off at 2500 we were already doing 150+. My plan is to fly with Mrs. Wonderful Wifey all over the country and then beyond. She would absolutely appreciate the difference between the -7 and -14A. I also want to be able to introduce people to basic aero (loops, rolls, Cuban-8's, etc). If you're thinking about the -14 you will not be disappointed. The quality of the kit components and instructions are incredible. My hold up will be waiting for money as opposed to time. As my project gets underway, you're more than welcome to come visit. I'm up the road in Truckee. Cheers! (Pic of -14 and -14A)

Was in exactly your shoes quite a few years ago. I was adamant that I wanted fighters and A-G was my top choice. Mudhen top choice. Had top pick out of UPT and the deck had all of the cards to play EXCEPT for the -15E. Went Viper and loved it like a wet dream. Then TAMI rolled around- over a decade later, I'm still pulling that bitch outta my ass (no sts). I went U-28's when they were brand new. Any one of my deployments exceeded what I may have ever accomplished in my -16 career... and I did 8 of those deployments. The rotes were tough and many sorrowful memories are embedded with the war stories. War is a bitch. I did other AFSOC stuff afterward and am now enjoying my afterlife as an airline dude "living the dream." Every single airline pairing that I go on begins with "where'd you come from" followed by a short tale of how cool the Viper was to fly. After those few minutes, the next four days are spent telling stories about early life of the U-28 and those real memories that I'll share for a lifetime. I never lose my audience with those stories. The U-28 and AFSOC influenced me in ways that I never imagined, and that I fought against (being a too- cool SSFP). They opened up opportunities when I left the usaf. Looking back, things always make more sense. At the time, I thought leaving the jet was the end of the world. Chase your dreams kid. If you want the pointy nose fighter and have the stats to make it happen, then pick the one that fits the mission you want to tell stories about from UPT ADSC expiration date through airline retirement. All of the "what's wrong with the usaf bullshit" absolutely applies to ACC in every weapon system. AFSOC a bit less but it's still there. If you want to seriously take part in helping the dipshit mohammed worshipping suicide bomber goat f&kking a$$hole meet his 69 virgins them don't hesitate to put AFSOC at the top. You will execute bad guys in that command. That's a promise.

I'm shocked. Guess GC and his cronies have it all figured out. I can't thank dipshits like him enough. As a 2nd year UAL guy now, I pick up a 3% pay raise in Jan, which on average months, nets me 150% what I made as a AD Major. In Feb I get a nice 4.4% raise again (thanks DAL bubbas). Then, in mid-Feb I'll receive a profit sharing check that exceeds GC's entire monthly pay, whatever his rank actually is. Shortly thereafter I hit year 3 and pick up another 23% pay hike. On top of it all, I average over half of the month off and currently live three miles from Lake Tahoe. My family finally has a home and is happy. Even my fu(&;ng dog is a happy camper. Life isn't perfect but it's pretty damn good and exponentially better than it ever could've been on AD. I do USAFR shit on the side because I want to and don't let it detract from my life. It doesn't pay and also doesn't interfere while still letting me do something worthwhile. There is no comparison between where I was and where I am. I didn't post to brag. I posted to help those facing such a grand decision and turning point in their lives. Take the leap. Life is good. If you don't, mama blue will be there to coddle you and GC will be there to continue ass probing you with big black veiny!

Alpha, There is some great advice and pros/ cons posted for you here in this thread. I'm just going to pile-on to share my take and opinion since I wasted 20 minuted trying to remember my login password. These are very important decisions that you will need to make and you really should give it very serious consideration. Like others have said, if she is The One, you probably need to put a ring on it. The difference between GF and wife in the military is huge. If she is The One, she deserves to be treated as such especially as you guys enter the military and UPT training. Don't leave her out of this incredible part of your life together. If she is The One, she needs to be prepared to move or drop her school and accompany you. This will become the norm and be one of many sacrifices that she will make. If she is The One, then both of you will be better served by being married and supporting each other though the challenge of UPT and beyond. If she is The One, UPT will be just Chapter One. You can't read a great book and skip the first chapter. Determining whether she truly is The One is obviously the difficult decision that you need to make. If she is The One, then UPT, FTU, your first assignment, your many TDYs/ deployments, you last assignment, the missed Xmas'- birthdays- anniversary's- births- etc, your follow on career, your retirement, and happily ever after's will all be separate chapters in this book of life together. Embrace it...together. While an aspiring young fighter jock can only focus on the near rocks...some of the crusty old dudes here will give you valuable perspective on the far rocks. The comaraderie, experiences, and stories that you will gain from the USAF as a pilot are invaluable. Likewise, the USAF will F¥CK you over repeatedly due to its own bureaucratic ineptitude and failed policies. You will embrace your military service for the rest of your life. Your stories will be a source of pride. Your experiences will be your treasures that you will share repeatedly and joyfully. But, the USAF will very likely be a shorter part of your life than you can imagine now at your young life of about 22 years. I promise that your family is undoubtedly far more valuable than the USAF could ever hope to be. u Chang. This forum has centuries of experience amongst its users. If it wasn't for Hacker and his early internet blog (Road to Wings- pre Bops) I might not be here. You'll get all sorts of perspectives and stories and they each bring such value. There is no right or wrong answer for your situation; the right answer is the one that you decide and act upon, after thorough careful considerations. Here's my story in a shell- My wife and I met when we were too young to drive. After high school, our sporadic younger flings became serious and we took our relationship to a commited level. I felt that she could be The One and acted on it. Together, we spent the next 8 years beginning a life together starting with absolutely nothing but each other. I worked on cars putting myself through college and flight school. My wife and I were a team and she stood by my side, while everyone else mocked my dreams. With toddler age children, I finished college and flight school while working full time and supporting my young family. I poured everything that I had into my OCS (OTS to be correct) package and prayed that I did well enough to be accepted. Thankfully, I knew that if I was not accepted, I had my family and passion to succeed in life however that deck was dealt. I was accepted and obviously my family continued to support me through OTS/ UPT. I absolutely couldn't imagine not having them by my side through training. The hardest challenge that I faced was being away from my family for OTS. UPT was not a problem especially with the support structure that my family provided me. Having young kids allowed me to occasionally disconnect from UPT and training to enjoy life a little bit. That mental break is crucially important. With their support and understanding of my studies, I did very well and finished at the top of my class. I went on to fly fighters and did well. Sadly, I spent many fighter TDYs partying like a young single fighter pilot and I regret that to this day. Why? Because the fighter jet came and went. Guess what stuck with me through thick and thin? Yep. I also saw many fly-by-night marriages that lasted a year or two at best. The military isn't going to take you to great locales...your hometown with your hometown HS sweetheart may be better than some would lead to believe. Fast forward a decade and some... The USAF is lost and spatially D'd. After hundreds of days deployed over non-stop bursts and being sick of the politically correct, social experiment that has become the US military, I punched out of AD. While I cherish my experiences, friendships, and stories, this was such a wise move for both my career and family. Remember the book of life that I spoke of? I'm barely into Chapter 7 now. I left AD and worked for a crazy outfit building crazy airplanes for a while while prioritizing my family. After realizing that my book might end abruptly, I decided that an airline career was a wise choice. 15 years ago I was the most determined wannabe fighter jock in the world. Now I'm a much wiser airline pilot and my family couldn't be happier. I couldn't be happier. I love my wife and she loves me. My kids love me and I would do anything in the world for them. I just took one to college and couldn't be prouder of the young man that my wife, errr.... we raised. I now spend so much time with each and every one of them. So much time. I look forward to every day not because I want to fly to Hawaii or DC, but because of the time that I can spend with those that really matter to me. Aside from a few disturbed weekends here and there, the USAF is nothing but great stories and memories about a time gone by. So...embrace your future. It's amazing and you should be thrilled. You should be proud. If this GF is serious, and you are too, don't exclude her because of cold feet or indecision. If you want to be a fighter pilot then learn now how to be decisive. My story is just one of many. Use the info that you have. And now I'm that I'm out of beer...

Shack!

Sometimes bad attitudes are justified. Many in the UAV world have ample reasons to be furious. You measure success based on your income level as it relates to the rest of the country, which immediately tells me that you either serve for the wrong reasons or ended up in the USAF by accident. The "flying club" that we all miss so much is the one that truly focuses on tirelessly executing the mission while flying actual airplanes...you know, killing the bad guy and breaking his shit! There is no brochure and I agree that it is a tragedy we can no longer accomplish this as advertised. Sorry if the cool guys never let you come play. Most of the Flyers that I served with are some of the brightest and most capable individuals that I have ever met (I think you would be excluded though). They will have no issue making more than they do on active duty once they reach the "outside." They will also find happier lives so that they no longer upset you with chronic sport bitching. You miss the point. It's not about money, flying clubs, or bro-points. Dudes are pissed because they've been screwed in the ass (there's your homo slur) and can't help but to vent. Volunteer for your UAV and enjoy...you might like the ass screw by the way it sounds.

Since I've had quite a few tonight and am bored...i'll be your huckleberry. Our Air Force is broken code-3 and is getting worse by the day. You're either a naive dipshit or a pathological liar on the level of Mrs. Clinton. Either way, you're doing our service a huge injustice. If many in our morally corrupt society wanted to join...they are more than welcome to. We actually are an all volunteer force even though it quickly escalates into indentured servitude on the rated side, which you are quick to take advantage of (15 year commitments right?). Many in society are welcome to join and yet they don't. They don't answer the call. They don't possess the selflessness and patriotic sense of duty. As the culture continues to erode...more won't. "Some members" are so sick and tired of the culture that clowns like you and this current administration are responsible for. JQP nailed it with his latest updated blog post regarding fighter pilot manning. Our Air Force is falling apart at the seams and you're blind as a bat for not seeing it. Shame on you and those around you for not fixing it when you had the opportunity and insight given to you by members of this board. I gave you advice a couple of years ago when I was on my very last deployment- it mimiced everything that you hear here. I took your advice though and thank you for it. My feet made the right vote. You're welcome for my service but that service wasn't for you. It was for the boys and girls who's daddy's came home because I was in some shit hole for the umpteenth time doing my duty. It was for those that still believe in this great country and Liberty. I voted with my feet for my personal reasons and am grateful every single day. Not only did I spend my first year out of AD making more money than you do (no matter what your rank is), I saw my family a lot more and focused on "real shit" that includes lots of mission oriented flying. Having a desire to spend even more time with my family and maybe eventually get back into owning a business, I decided to go fly for a major airline. Holy shit is the grass so much greener than the rotten brown shit you constantly urinate on while telling everyone that it's getting watered. People like you truly don't get it and think that the airline opportunity is WHY we left...it most certainly is not! Back when I was flying vipers, there was no amount of money that would've made me even utter the word "airline." It is however the reason WHY we no longer have to work for dumb shit mother f~ckers who erode the incredible service and culture that we were so proud to be apart of. I miss it, but it's gone. Sticking around won't make it come back. I now spend ample time writing recommendations for my military bros and am so happy to get words when they get hired. I encourage everyone that I know to get the f~ck out ASAP before retards like you institute stop-loss. Most heed my advice like I heeded yours. All are thankful once they reach the other side. Someone in this thread nailed it when they mentioned the ripple effects. Most of the <1% of us that sserve end up with family that follows in our footsteps. It's part of the pride that we took in our former culture. I had two boys that were ready to fly jets. One of them heads off to study Aero Engineering next year and our discussions have already concluded that he is best NOT going into the USAF. My other son figured this out for himself a few years prior when he cried himself to sleep because I had missed Christmas yet again during one of my 9 deployments. How do these numbers fit into you're spreadsheets? Your 1% is about to become .1%! You're f~cking high. Our AF will be on life support and the culture will be so bad you might regret ever joining after you do. Forget doing SAPR 4 times a year. Well make suicide prevention a quarterly requirement as well. You should be personally satisfied but you likely won't be and its getting worse by the day. Who cares about money...but NDAA is already trying to screw you yet again because you make too much. Professionally satisfied...I was but God knows that most aren't. I'd consider this doubtful. Bottom bottom bottom line... Chang, you're a bumbling idiot. That's the beer, not real emotion. It's frustrating that no matter how much people on this board inform you, you always know better. You look at our lives quantitatively as though we are numbers and green/ red bubbles. We look at our lives personally because they are. We will never see eye to eye. When we resort to looking at things quantitatively- we leave. The emotion, culture, and personal aspect are why we joined and why we would stay (or otherwise leave). You should go ahead and retire Chang. Thank you for your service.

Wow...I just went back and reread the comments section. Truly disgusting and sadly somewhat representative of what's happening to our country. I just read a story about Lt Gen Boykin and Ft Riley that had me shaking my head as well. I'll save that for another thread.

Very tragic day for military aviation. Just after a Thunderbird crash earlier today. Thoughts and prayers to the family. Nickel in the grass. https://www.rt.com/usa/345242-blue-angels-plane-crash/

Almost how we made TAMI-21 following the lucrative VSP circa ~2005-6. Great job AFPC- especially you Chang...ya dumb shit.

"According to the presentation, the Defense Department also bans the word Redskin pitting the Pentagon against its hometown NFL team." Funny how the biggest operation in modern times was called Geronimo. We use Tomahawk missiles to rain death on crazy radicalized Muslims. Apache gunships kill anything that moves when the fangs are out! The native Indian reference list goes on and on and on... And we're worried about offending someone because of the name of a football team! WTFO? These crazy progressive fuks are fundamentally changing our society, that's for damn sure. Of course, that might be my "privilege" talking...

Crazy enough, that location doesn't bother the ball with the taildragger set up. Two blocks of AT-802s with this pod were sold and the sensors hold up pretty damn well to any debris blowing off of the prop. Nose gear kicks up a lot more. I think I might like it on the wing though, for masking issues. This thing will taxi anywhere you like, cables included! Short and semi-prep conditions are normal ops for this beast. I agree with the ground loop comment though-big tail draggers are a chore and consume lots of training time that could be spent teaching dudes how to kill bad guys. Yep! It's ridiculous! It's not fast, but when is the last time you had anyone check in to the stack with 12 hell fires and 8 hours play time? That's the niche. You'd be surprised about the technology outfitted on this bird, and it's getting better by the day. Datalink and encryption are at the mercy of export laws and customer capes. It could have Link tomorrow with a US buyer. The center pod is handy because it holds a lot of tech and antennas, including the Vortexi, but I would also like to see it somewhere else for masking issues to make operations easier for customers similar to a YAF pilot. Options include the FLIR 380 (though the MX-15Di is awesome), armor, and IRCM set up. Did I mention it has a HUD coupled to a fully integrated weapon computer tied into the color MFD avionics system? For everything we have done in OEF/OIF post 9/11, this thing would've provided a metric shit ton of support, saved US tax payers hundreds of millions, and most importantly, preserved the fleet for a future war where CJs and Mudhens will do something beyond NTISR and permissive CAS- God knows the F-35 won't be there to do it! These are cheap and cost next nothing to operate and maintain.

https://www.iomax.net/archangel/ 8+ hours of fuel, huge load out, MX-15Did, vortex, 7 radios, and rugged as hell!

Easy fix- how bout we stop saluting this civilian then? Probably because he is also the commander-in chief. Hence the reason he should honor the respect intended by such salute and render one back in a professional and respectful manner. That's why some are upset. It's about respect. I suppose the fix is to remove the salute from Marine POTUS customs and courtesies.

UFB! What a joke. Question is, does he put down the coffee at the golf course?