I was a passenger on a Flying Tiger DC-8-63 from Travis AFB, CA to Clark AB, PI with a fuel stop at Wake Island in 1970. There were four of us USAF pilots and 250 Army soldiers on board. Wake has a 9800 ft runway, is 23 ft. above sea level and it was in excess of 100 F. I noticed that we taxied into the overrun, turned to runway heading and all four engines went to full power for about 30 seconds with brakes locked The air craft was shakinng from the thrust. This was my first clue: no rolling takeoff here! I watched the distance to go markers along the runway. Rotation started about 2500 feet remaining. We lifted off just as the main gear passed the 1000 f eet to go marker. I counted less than 3 seconds from lifteoo until we were "feet wet" (over the Pacific). Scariest takeoff I ever experienced, and I had

(Written on 03/26/2017)(Permalink)

I was an USAF IP in a chase aircraft checking out a very inexperienced upgrading pilot in a single engine/single seat fighter. Weather was "Clear and a million". Local area flight briefed for basic handling qualities, two low approaches and a full stop for a first flight/first solo. Student was unsuccessful getting the a/c into a stabilized approach on his first 12 tries! After each go around we discussed/debriefed on a discrete FM frequency. On try 6 or 7 I started coaching him on FM radio with power settings, HUD picture, sight picture etc. all the way around the pattern. He was getting closer, but would not have landed with all wheels on the concrete. Finally talked him to touchdown and rollout on lucky #13. I was minimum fuel by then and fortunately he did not close the only runway. A tight closed pattern got me down safely with enough fuel not to worry the boss, who was by this time in the Mobile Control trailer. Thirteen tries for a successful VFR landing held the record

(Written on 10/28/2016)(Permalink)

With tops reported at FL440, A320 is not going to outclimb the storm. I recall trying to outclimb a Southeat Asia thunderstorm in a fighter using full afterburner. The storm was building up about 1500 feet per minuite which was more than I could get at about the same altitude as 8501. His weather radar may have shown a lighter area left and above which prompted the request to ATC. IMO (never humble), there is no reason to attempt to penetrate a line of severe thunderstorms unless it is a general war or rescue operation for downed aircrews. Certainly not with pax just to meet a schedule. Severe thuderstorms are tougher than airplanes. A 180 back to departure point or alternate would be my call. Getting fired beats getting dead. Yes, we certainly need to wait for the flight recorder data to determine what actually happened.

(Written on 01/02/2015)(Permalink)

Very good points Peter. Like most activities involving coordination of mind and body, practice and more practice gets both working together. Whenever I transitioned into a new aircraft there was a learning curve for how small a "box" I could keep the aircraft in when flying on the wing. The TF41 fan in the A-7D took some getting used to in close formation or refuelling. It forced you to think farther ahead...not a bad thing. Tried "cheating" by using some speed brake to keep the fan spooled up where it reponded more readily. We often speak of a pilot having "good hands" when he/she is an excellent flyer. My take is that is really a "good brain" which the hands obey. An artist can paint the same picture with the off-hand or even toes or a mouse holding the brush. Sure the line quality is initially shaky, but it improves with practice. It is in you head, not your hands. Fully agree on the "Reckless" comment. Never a TP, but I lost friends who did rcekless things in fighters. Tha

(Written on 12/29/2014)(Permalink)

Keep the light on the star! Formation flying was often challenging (night weather penetrations in SEA with 5-10 foot visibility), but usually satisfying (probe a d drogue refuelling across the Pacific and a diamond flyover to celebrate a good ORI). I recently watched the Thunderbirds do their "flat show". We get to see more of the close formation than when they do the high show with the vertical maneuvers. Never thought about that before. Enjoyed it. T-birds performed at Moody AFB in one of their last F-100 shows just as I got my F-100 assignment out of Class 69-07. Solo's dirty roll on takeoff in the Hun still makes me pucker! Preacher, our designated bail-out area was the Okefenokee swamp! You needed survival school training if you landed there.

(Written on 12/28/2014)(Permalink)

Absolutely correct Chris! It has been 39 years since I flew a fighter in a diamond flyby. This video got to me. Slot was my favorite position. Second slot would be even more fun. Those ABs looked as stable as rocks... with about the same inertia! I'm guessing both cockpit seats got stick/throttle time depending on which side they were on. Any fighter driver would recognize the good briefing. eg. sight picture for holding formation,the "hand flying" in the briefing and keeping everyone on the same page. Inflight it sounds like "lead" was calling the breaks, etc. A smooth leader makes it look easy. The break from the Arrow was my favorite, especially with lead's pullup. Yes, it's a shame those who can't "do" make the dumb, no make that stupid comments in the media.

(Written on 12/26/2014)(Permalink)

I first saw a B-58 in person in l967. It helped confirm my desire to fly in the USAF. While I spent my 7-1/2 year career in TAC flying single seat fighters, I still consider the B-58 along with the SR-71 as two of the most beautiful warplanes, especially in flight. It's too bad the B-58 had so many problems and never got to drop a bomb in anger (as far as I know). It was a great recruiting tool however!

(Written on 11/21/2014)(Permalink)

Needing to use afterburner to refuel due to heavyweight, slow tanker airspeed and an underpowered a/c is much the same thing. Modern fighters (e.g. FA-18) probably don't have this problem. In fact, it looks like the cat shots were at Mil power (no a/b) and the max. burner was selected as the a/c left the deck. Watch pilot's left hand.

(Written on 06/02/2014)(Permalink)

I took both James' and Art's comments on the tanker identity as tongue-in-cheek. Perhaps a few others did also. Buddy air refueling is a lot less economical than tapping a KC fuel wagon.

(Written on 06/01/2014)(Permalink)

Don't feel bad about that. I would say that every pilot has had the knee shake or similar experience at least once. I did and it was after logging about 1000 hrs. in fighters. Depends on the stress level.

(Written on 05/31/2014)(Permalink)