Pilotisms

[DREDger]

My old man was a C-130 (Hercs) pilot in Vietnam.  He has some pretty good stories, if you can ply them out of him that is, a couple of martini's helps. 

My favorite were his stories of resupplying Khe Sahn, where they had to fly low and slow over the runway and throw the supplies out the back.  If they landed they were sure to get hit with zeroed artillery or mortars.  He tells me the NVA tried anyway, and once he got a burn on his bellybutton from shrapnel that went through the cockpit, through is chair and flight suit, but stopped there and just burned his rear.

Other times they would just circle and call in artillery or airstrikes on anything they saw, or at night drop flares and guide airstrikes based on flare locations. 

Anyway a couple of things non related he's said over the years that I consider 'pilotisms' I thought I would share.  They are not necessarily related or in context:

1.  The only time you can have too much fuel is when you're on fire.

2.  I would rather be down here wishing I were up there, than up there wishing I were down here.

3.  You don't want to run out of airspeed, altitude and ideas at the same time.

If you have some to share post them here.

[Spikes]

That is awesome man. My grandfather was a C-141 pilot in 'Nam. He always told stories about how the Navy never sent in the same plane as an attack group, it would always be mixed and matched, and the Misty birds doing GA missions in the North.

Also about a top secret mission to find a Sub or something that...I really ought to record some of the stories. He also flew KC-97s as well.

[RTR]

My old man was a C-130 (Hercs) pilot in Vietnam.  He has some pretty good stories, if you can ply them out of him that is, a couple of martini's helps. 

My favorite were his stories of resupplying Khe Sahn, where they had to fly low and slow over the runway and throw the supplies out the back.  If they landed they were sure to get hit with zeroed artillery or mortars.  He tells me the NVA tried anyway, and once he got a burn on his bellybutton from shrapnel that went through the cockpit, through is chair and flight suit, but stopped there and just burned his rear.

Other times they would just circle and call in artillery or airstrikes on anything they saw, or at night drop flares and guide airstrikes based on flare locations. 

Anyway a couple of things non related he's said over the years that I consider 'pilotisms' I thought I would share.  They are not necessarily related or in context:

1.  The only time you can have too much fuel is when you're on fire.

2.  I would rather be down here wishing I were up there, than up there wishing I were down here.

3.  You don't want to run out of airspeed, altitude and ideas at the same time.

If you have some to share post them here.

heh...<S> to your Father.

"Flying is Man's second greatest thrill......Landing is the first"

Cheers,
RTR

[Tupac]

There are lots of old pilots, and there are lots of bold pilots, but there are very few old bold pilots.

I'd rather have a 4 hour bladder and 6 hours of fuel than vice versa

 

Tupac

[Serenity]

I'd rather have a 4 hour bladder and 6 hours of fuel than vice versa

 

Tupac

"12 Inch noodle" by Dos Gringos comes to mind...

[RTR]

heh, flying is always an adventurous and unknown endeavor.

I'm a helicopter pilot by trade, although I hold a maintenance license as well.

Had a tail rotor driveshaft failure once, fortunately happened in the hover. Rolled throttle off and when I cushioned the landing the spinning was slow enough that I only twisted the skid tubes and crosstubes a bit, and the mounting supports.

Had a cylinder swallow an exhaust valve once. Flew that one home on 3 jugs. Ran like toejam, but nowhere else to go and only 15 miles or so.

Had a high side governor failure in a B206. My engine was steadily increasing in rpm and would not stabilize. But it was a gradual increase and I was able to control it enough to land. Turbine engine.

Had an uncommanded acceleration due to a faulty fuel control, again in a B206. A bit more pucker factor than the previous as it really was uncontrollable with throttle full on. Rolled throttle off and autorotated. No damage, landed like a bird with sore feet. New Fuel control, hot end inspection and all good.

I have more, but I'm still here, so they are now just good learning experiences.

I have no use for a landing spot behind me and no altitude in front of me, yet when I fly I always have that.

There is a reason why us Helicopter people are a little twisted.

Anyway, again Dredger...<<<S>>> to your Oldman. From one aviator to another....we don't fly 'cause you need it, we fly because we need it.

cheers and <S>

RTR

[Serenity]

heh, flying is always an adventurous and unknown endeavor.

I'm a helicopter pilot by trade, although I hold a maintenance license as well.

Had a tail rotor driveshaft failure once, fortunately happened in the hover. Rolled throttle off and when I cushioned the landing the spinning was slow enough that I only twisted the skid tubes and crosstubes a bit, and the mounting supports.

Had a cylinder swallow an exhaust valve once. Flew that one home on 3 jugs. Ran like toejam, but nowhere else to go and only 15 miles or so.

Had a high side governor failure in a B206. My engine was steadily increasing in rpm and would not stabilize. But it was a gradual increase and I was able to control it enough to land. Turbine engine.

Had an uncommanded acceleration due to a faulty fuel control, again in a B206. A bit more pucker factor than the previous as it really was uncontrollable with throttle full on. Rolled throttle off and autorotated. No damage, landed like a bird with sore feet. New Fuel control, hot end inspection and all good.

I have more, but I'm still here, so they are now just good learning experiences.

I have no use for a landing spot behind me and no altitude in front of me, yet when I fly I always have that.

There is a reason why us Helicopter people are a little twisted.

Anyway, again Dredger...<<<S>>> to your Oldman. From one aviator to another....we don't fly 'cause you need it, we fly because we need it.

cheers and <S>

RTR

When I was going through flight school (Fixed Wing) they took a day to educate us on Helicopters. The instructors only had two sentences.

"If something hasn't broken on your helicopter, it's about to." and "The principle of flight behind the helicopter is simple: They're so ugly, the ground repels them." True story.

[RTR]

Yes well, your instructors were obviously uneducated in the dynamics of flight.

Not surprising actually.

RTR

[Serenity]

Yes well, your instructors were obviously uneducated in the dynamics of flight.

Not surprising actually.

RTR

They were Embrey Riddle instructors, so take that for whatever it's worth. (They weren't serious of course). Funny thing is, my big decision right now is whether I want to go fixed wing (Hornet ) or helicopter (SH-60S).

[RTR]

Go fixed wing.

Please.

RTR

[Serenity]

Go fixed wing.

Please.

RTR

lol. Why? I'd figure you'd support Helos.

[EskimoJoe]

lol. Why? I'd figure you'd support Helos.

I'd assume any man (or woman) who gets stuck with a helo constantly dreams of flying a real plane 

[RTR]

Then go fixed wing.

If the USAF or USN has anything like like the wash out rate of the Canadian Airforce, it is unlikely that you will ever fly a fighter. In Canada less than 1% of people joining wanting to fly fighters actually make it. And, our Fighter Pilots are counted as some of the best in the world.

It is a hard row to hoe and very few actually measure up. It may be interesting to note that it is not a lack of ability that fails people, it is a lack of integrity and the ability to recognize a genuine target (something that the USAF still has a problem with, but that is another post)...okay cheap shot..I know.

As far as Helo's go...pretty much the same except the % is much higher for those who wish to fly them. Helicopters are down and dirty in the military. You are in the soup with the troops 24/7. You will land in Hot LZ'z to extract wounded or move troops. Or you will fly a gunship and always be in your own ball of snot, behind a tree etc etc.

At any rate...good luck with whatever you decide to pursue.

Fixed wing..transport...great possibilities there.

Anyway..I'm old...50+...your young and dumb...PM me if you want to carry on here. I can't smack you here

cheers,
RTR



 

[RTR]

I'd assume any man (or woman) who gets stuck with a helo constantly dreams of flying a real plane 

LOL!!!

Come to Alberta my friend. We'll go for a rip

RTR

[EskimoJoe]

LOL!!!

Come to Alberta my friend. We'll go for a rip

RTR

I'm in Alaska, my step-dad is a UH-60 Crewchief/Mechanic atm.

I've had my rips, I think I'll save myself the trip