Forum: General

My training was very similar to yours Meathook, except that we were only taken up to 35K. We did have to do egress training (accomplished at SERE and Water Survival), but it was for manual bailout. The trainer, fighter, and bomber guys have to learn how to pull handles. OTOH, I had done ejection seat training back when I was in ACLS.

My card is good for 5 years from the date of last check. It expires in 2012. My DOS is in 2011, so unless I re-enlist, or eventually go to OTS for a flying job, I won't have to renew it. It is fun training. If the opportunity presents itself, I recommend going and doing it.

F-16.net Sponsor

Five years now huh...damn glad to hear that, I always thought three years was not long enough but when you consider that most PCS movements were only good (back then) for two or three tops, it made sense then to keep it at three unless you were on a permanent flying slot.

Thanks TC...enjoy flying brother, I am sure you will and thanks for the real time read on current training efforts.

Forum Veteran Joined: Dec 15, 2006 - 12:28 AM Posts: 760

Quote:

Who can ride an F-16?

I would think anyone could if they had quarters. Wink

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6bwicNM3h0

As you can see the military training is suffering financially

OK guys, I'm appropriately humbled. I should have clarified "a$$ kissers". What burned me up more than anything was seeing civilians like local newspaper photographers and reporters and civic leaders get rides. We even took Carrot Top up for a ride. What possible good did that do for our unit? Of all the people in our unit who got rides in the F-16, it seemed that maintainers were at the bottom of the pecking order behind just about anybody else.

I'm not begrudging anyone getting a ride; on the contrary, more power to 'em! I guess I'm railing at the VaANG's Ops Group and its policies, because they definitely showed an "I've got mine, you get yours" attitude towards rides.

I apologize to any maintainer whom I inadvertently accused of kissing a$$.

Ahh no problem, we all need to vent once and awhile, it's a crew chiefs right and it is expected Smile

No harm, no foul...I understand, it's cool and I fully understand what you mean about the politics, we have all seen it far to often and at our expense.

Active Member Joined: Jan 06, 2004 - 03:22 PM Posts: 204

Years ago I got invited to get a chamber ride along with a number of other Journalists that were slated to do some travel etc. One guy even balked a little until I told him the advantages of the card (he was still a little confused, he had little military background and just didn't 'get it').

The card was good for only a year and when it was set to expire, being a knowledgeable photog. I called the local chamber unit (lucky to have one rather nearby) and set up an appointment. Proper documentation in hand, I took the class and was surprised to find the card was good for five years! Figured I somehow lucked out until I was called later and told I had taken the wrong course! I had taken part two of a "long course." They'd gladly send me a one year card or ... I could, they supposed, come back and take the rest of the course. I think they thought I wouldn't take 'em up on it cuz I wanted those five years!

Took the course and I've always maintained that everyone who flies anything ought to experience their own symptoms of hypoxia, understand what a rapid decompression really sounds like (the little oxygen masks do NOT gently fall from the overhead bins, LOL) and learn a little about the physiology of flight.

The card was valuable whenever I set up a story... it showed that I knew the drill and that I understood a little of what was involved in "getting the flight." It also helps to show up with your own helmet etc. I can understand how one could assume that anyone from the outside (civilian world) should step aside for someone who "works for a living" but I'd add that never in all the times I've been in the back seat did I consider it a "ride." I was working and I worked damn hard on many an occasion. I'd like to think it was for a reason... at least the command structure that approved everything seemed to concur. I will say however, that I think it's wrong if available seats don't get filled with deserving crew chiefs whenever possible.

My trusty card finally expired post 9-11 and the rules have changed... even for me, lol. Today even the letter from the magazine I was working for won't do. Apparently the unit that is slated to do the sortie has to pretty much 'sponsor' you (as I understand it) to take the course ... good thing is once they do it's still a five year card. Least that's the story they're telling today.

I'm still ready to go and even though I've been taking good care of the helmet, I understand I'll have to probably make the Life Support guys happy and use a spare... Gladly follow their direction. Till then, I'll be happy shooting that AC-130 story. That was a blast and no card required, even wound up on the cover. Proof it's not always the fancy pointy jets that take the front. But I'm keeping my eyes and ears open ...

whew first post in a while... sorry it was so long.

I'm new on here but my parents were in the AF and my dad was the crew chief for a generals jet and got several rides in an F-16 ,...but yeah sadly it's not a civilian thing. I'm on my path to being a fighter pilot but i still have awhile . Cool

Meathook wrote:

Five years now huh...damn glad to hear that, I always thought three years was not long enough but when you consider that most PCS movements were only good (back then) for two or three tops, it made sense then to keep it at three unless you were on a permanent flying slot.

Thanks TC...enjoy flying brother, I am sure you will and thanks for the real time read on current training efforts.

Thanks Meathook! Thumb

Yeah, I'm definitely enjoying it. I would imagine another reason why we have 5 years between currency re-ups is due to the high ops tempo today. 5 years would equal 4 chamber flights if you go the career route. I think after one chamber flight, you'll never forget your personal hypoxia symptoms. I have 2 that I can peg very quickly. If I ever feel that way on the plane, I'm getting that mask on most riki tik!

you dont actually have to be someone special. while i was in the Air Force, i was stationed at Luke AFB, and upon becoming a DCC ( dedicated crew chief) i was given an incentive ride and it was the sweetest thing ever. i didnt accomplish anything out of the ordinary, i just did my job. there are a few celebrities that have benn given rides, and even a few people in office. if you want a ride join the AF and become a crew chief. its the easiest way.

He is a civilian though, so yes he has to be someone special. And the best way to get a ride is to be a pilot, I hear you get alot more rides that way.

Need to find a Guard unit and do something great for the city or state. I know we have given rides to people who done outstanding things in the community etc... Most Guard units have a waiting list for their members. I am always shocked to hear that someone declined their ride.

Dave

Active Member Joined: Jan 06, 2004 - 03:22 PM Posts: 204

TC wrote:

Meathook wrote:

Five years now huh...damn glad to hear that, I always thought three years was not long enough but when you consider that most PCS movements were only good (back then) for two or three tops, it made sense then to keep it at three unless you were on a permanent flying slot.

Thanks TC...enjoy flying brother, I am sure you will and thanks for the real time read on current training efforts.

Thanks Meathook! Thumb

Yeah, I'm definitely enjoying it. I would imagine another reason why we have 5 years between currency re-ups is due to the high ops tempo today. 5 years would equal 4 chamber flights if you go the career route. I think after one chamber flight, you'll never forget your personal hypoxia symptoms. I have 2 that I can peg very quickly. If I ever feel that way on the plane, I'm getting that mask on most riki tik!

Opstempo rules, it has to be the biggest hurdle to scheduling a photoshoot and story with a unit. I remember trying to work a story with the JStars guys in Georgia just before Kosovo when I got the call that the last jet was taking off for Europe while the PA was on the phone with me. "Guess it'd be hard to come shoot a squadron that isn't there."

You mentioned egress training too. It was a required thing before every shoot to get a refresher. Good way to go through that mental check list of whatever jet you'll be flying. However I never was too comfortable with some of the T-38 ejection stories ...

Ace02 wrote:

I never was too comfortable with some of the T-38 ejection stories ...

Such is the problem with seats that aren't 0-0. I've also know of some bad F-5 ejections.

Active Member Joined: Jan 06, 2004 - 03:22 PM Posts: 204

Did they ever get new seats in the T-38C. I had thought that was part of the "improvement package."

Yeah when your the pilot you tend to get more rides. Their just good like that. Wink

Forum: General

F-16's for civilians - Who can ride an F-16?