F-16 Crash on the Nellis Range April 4, 2018
Salute!
Well, Okie, some Birds had to transition to the Viper like Fifi did. She was a Mudhen pilot but apparently had good hands. Didn't hurt she was attractive, but I have to admit she helped USAF recruit a lotta capable women. Her follower, Samantha, was one of the best solo pilots I ever saw.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicole_Malachowski
As I said, the team votes on you, and the guys I knew said that the flying was not a big deal unless you were a complete ham hand. They had to travel with the team for a few shows and "behave" themselves or whatever.
Lemme name a few: Blaisdale, McCartor, Running, Carter, Bolt, Brimmer, Mish, Riggs, Masters, Lance "Yum Yum", Stelman and the beat goes on.
I am waiting for some "leaks", as USAF usually keeps stuff quiet unless there's an out and out mechanical problem. The inadvertant engine shutdown at the Springs a few years ago had a quick resolution, as the plane was intact and the faulty lever on the throttle was easy to find.
Gums sends...
Well, Okie, some Birds had to transition to the Viper like Fifi did. She was a Mudhen pilot but apparently had good hands. Didn't hurt she was attractive, but I have to admit she helped USAF recruit a lotta capable women. Her follower, Samantha, was one of the best solo pilots I ever saw.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicole_Malachowski
As I said, the team votes on you, and the guys I knew said that the flying was not a big deal unless you were a complete ham hand. They had to travel with the team for a few shows and "behave" themselves or whatever.
Lemme name a few: Blaisdale, McCartor, Running, Carter, Bolt, Brimmer, Mish, Riggs, Masters, Lance "Yum Yum", Stelman and the beat goes on.
I am waiting for some "leaks", as USAF usually keeps stuff quiet unless there's an out and out mechanical problem. The inadvertant engine shutdown at the Springs a few years ago had a quick resolution, as the plane was intact and the faulty lever on the throttle was easy to find.
Gums sends...
Flown with a few of those folks myself and a couple of ex-blues. Ramjet gave me my A-7 transition check at DM and Beaver ended up in the Guard. All were exceptional aviators.
But regardless, 1400 hours for a major is a 'low-timer'....even for a captain.
At least no one is blaming Obama this time.
But regardless, 1400 hours for a major is a 'low-timer'....even for a captain.
At least no one is blaming Obama this time.
Salute!
BTW, Okie, I also think a few more hours should be required, but high time active duty folks like I was are hard to find. Hell, I had 3,000 hours in less than ten years ( still a captain and had more fighter time than anybody on the base except the DO), all but few hundred hours in attack/fighter planes. Nevertheless, the Birds I know say the schedule is a bear and getting along on the ground is as imnportant as getting along in the demo drill.
Beaver was in my 356th TFS at the Beach and we were joint owners of an electric trimmer, heh heh. He only lasted a week or two at Korat when we deployed there. My classmate Jerry Bolt died and the Beaver was next in line for a slot. I think they got him at least one combat mission before he had to zoom back to Nellis. So he flew the Double Ugly and then the T-38. I think he was a Hun jock, so had zero time in the F-4 when he joined the Birds. Riggs was one of the first brown bars to check out, and I flew with him in the Sluf and later in the Viper at Hill. He led the bomb comp team and then the Birds.
I was fortunate my whole career to associtate with some really great pilots and also to fly three new planes in a row during their first year of operations.
Oh well, another nickel on the grass.
Gums sends...
BTW, Okie, I also think a few more hours should be required, but high time active duty folks like I was are hard to find. Hell, I had 3,000 hours in less than ten years ( still a captain and had more fighter time than anybody on the base except the DO), all but few hundred hours in attack/fighter planes. Nevertheless, the Birds I know say the schedule is a bear and getting along on the ground is as imnportant as getting along in the demo drill.
Beaver was in my 356th TFS at the Beach and we were joint owners of an electric trimmer, heh heh. He only lasted a week or two at Korat when we deployed there. My classmate Jerry Bolt died and the Beaver was next in line for a slot. I think they got him at least one combat mission before he had to zoom back to Nellis. So he flew the Double Ugly and then the T-38. I think he was a Hun jock, so had zero time in the F-4 when he joined the Birds. Riggs was one of the first brown bars to check out, and I flew with him in the Sluf and later in the Viper at Hill. He led the bomb comp team and then the Birds.
I was fortunate my whole career to associtate with some really great pilots and also to fly three new planes in a row during their first year of operations.
Oh well, another nickel on the grass.
Gums sends...
Thanks, Bubba.
The net is awfully quiet about this one, and I am concerned.
To be honest, I feel the slot position is easiest to fly compared to the wing positions. Some of the solo drills are harder for one than the other, but still not easy.
Guess we wait.
Gums sends...
The net is awfully quiet about this one, and I am concerned.
To be honest, I feel the slot position is easiest to fly compared to the wing positions. Some of the solo drills are harder for one than the other, but still not easy.
Guess we wait.
Gums sends...
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Salute!
Sad report.
We lost a Blue a few years back for almost same reason - gee-loc trying to get "in" before the formation passes the crowd.
The data recordings show some parameters of previous flights that disturb me, but I have not talked with any Bird pilots for years.
Gums sends...
Sad report.
We lost a Blue a few years back for almost same reason - gee-loc trying to get "in" before the formation passes the crowd.
The data recordings show some parameters of previous flights that disturb me, but I have not talked with any Bird pilots for years.
Gums sends...
