Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: DREDger on December 30, 2010, 08:59:32 PM
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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. :x
If you have some to share post them here.
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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.
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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. :x
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
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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
:salute
Tupac
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I'd rather have a 4 hour bladder and 6 hours of fuel than vice versa
:salute
Tupac
"12 Inch noodle" by Dos Gringos comes to mind...
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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. :D
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
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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. :D
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.
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Yes well, your instructors were obviously uneducated in the dynamics of flight.
Not surprising actually.
RTR
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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 :D) or helicopter (SH-60S).
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Go fixed wing.
Please.
RTR
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Go fixed wing.
Please.
RTR
lol. Why? I'd figure you'd support Helos.
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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 :devil
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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
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I'd assume any man (or woman) who gets stuck with a helo constantly dreams of flying a real plane :devil
LOL!!!
Come to Alberta my friend. We'll go for a rip
RTR
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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 :D
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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
Just tried. Apparently you've blocked PMs from me... So I'll post it here. I'm genuinely interested in what more you have to say on the two options. I know the washout rate is high for anyone trying for aviation, but in the end, if it was easy, everyone would be doing it.
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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 :D
Tell your step dad thanks!
My most heartfelt appreciation for what he does...and tell him I have my heels together and I am standing straight!
cheers,
RTR
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pms unblocked.
sorry about that....old stuff, an dI'm old an forgetful
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Tell your step dad thanks!
My most heartfelt appreciation for what he does...and tell him I have my heels together and I am standing straight!
cheers,
RTR
I will, and I would also like to thank you for what you do in your country.
It takes a special kind of demented, twisted man to fly those things. I particularly love them :devil
:salute RTR
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I will, and I would also like to thank you for what you do in your country.
It takes a special kind of demented, twisted man to fly those things. I particularly love them :devil
:salute RTR
No one ever said that to me before....Thankyou.
And you are welcome... :salute
RTR
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My dad was a Signalman in the Mobile 1st Communications battalion (The fighting first). He was a chopper jockey, getting plonked in the middle of nowhere with a radio set on a hill.
All my great relatives (as in great uncle, grandad etc) were RAF guys. Most of them flying over Germany in the middle of the night, or preparing to fight the Russians.
My favourite pilotsm.
"CFIT - Controlled flight into Terrain"
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heh...<S> to your Father.
"Flying is Man's second greatest thrill......Landing is the first"
Cheers,
RTR
Hi I'm Trinity, and I'm an alcoholic.....oops wrong room...... Actually I'm not, this one by RTR reminded me of a sign I first seen on the office door where I started flying a long time ago. No doubt a lot of you seen it somewhere.
WE WILL TEACH YOU HOW TO FLY FOR $25.OO
WE WILL TEACH YOU HOW TO LAND FOR $2,500.00
Anyway I am an old pilot but no longer a bold one. As with most of us I suppose, when we get older we tend to trade boldness and cockiness for, fear and common sense, a couple of things we had very little of when we were 20.
I still do some dumb things, the difference is now I know better before I do them.
The question was asked "how sims compare with r/w?
Well, for me it's a lot like sex. Sims and sex are fun whether you're good at it or not. Real world flying not so much.
The sims are getting quite realistic and the game part is fun but I do find real airplanes easier to fly (probably because I'm old).
Anyway I thought I would try this through the Christmas holidays and it has been fun, for me anyway. But I'm sure there's a lot people on my side in the battle that really wish I was on the other side, when it comes to computers, I ain't no Bill Gates.
Thank you all for your patience and BEST WISHES TO ALL IN THE NEW YEAR
Trinity
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So... RTR
If I come up there do I get a free spin in a helicopter? That's the one thing I've always wanted to do but haven't had the opportunity to do.
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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
I heard an anecdote about an incident between our RCAF pilots and a squadron of Americans. Our squad had a female pilot and the Americans did not, since it was before they allowed women to fly combat. Sure enough, one of the Yanks started giving our gal a difficult time and she just smiled and dealt with pretty much like we always do with rude Americans. The next day the two squads went up for some ACM practice and sure enough she dropped him on the first pass. :)
Never met a gal pilot online or in rl that wasn't a hot stick.
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One thing about radio is that you get a few perks the regular public doesn't.
My Program Director at XL-102 in Richmond had a good relationship with the regional Army Air National Guard folks over at one side of Richmond International. We did PSA's and stuff like that and they wanted to say thanks and invite the staff to ride in a Blackhawk on a Saturday they were doing training on. No problem, we show up half asleep and half hung over at 6AM and they immediately take us to their chow hall for the briefing and LOTS of coffee (BIG mistake).
We all pile into our asigned Blackhawk (4 person crew, I think) and put in the earplugs they gave us all. They fire up the engines and then go to almost full. There's a loud BANG and the co-pilot gets out--throws the sliding door back and tells us part of the engine just blew and to get the FUDGE OUT NOW (I'm feeling really good about this right about now :uhoh ). We get out and they assign us to a different Blackhawk :rolleyes:
We up and fly off to different areas around there. Fort Pickett, Port Royal, and some other military places. They never bothered to tell us it was a 3 1/2 hour trip--we all thought it was an hour or less...and all that coffee is really kicking in---there IS no where to get out and GO...so kidneys and bladders are ready to burst. The afternoon guys has been ASLEEP since he was belted in.
We finally set down and let the rotors slow and they let us out. I look around and the pilot is getting out and beginning to follow us and I wanted to turn around and thank the pilot for not only the great and well skilled ride but for their service. As I stand there waiting the pilot, walking towards me pulls that full flight helmet with eye shield off and then swings her head around and back length blonde hair falls out and it turns out our pilot is absolutely GORGEOUS!
My PD walks up and also thanks her for the great flight. When I was leaving it sounded like he was trying to get her number.
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I always liked : a new pilot starts with a empty bag of experience and a full bag of luck. The objective is to fill the bag of experience before you have an empty bag of luck!
:salute
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When I was stationed in Okinawa us crash crew members were treated like demi- to full fledged gods by the pilots. I could not figure out why, we even head this little saying above the entrance to the crash barn.
You crash, we dash.
You burn, we learn.
Bloody red or charcoal black,
We don't care we bring'em back.
Over at the aviation mechanics hanger they had a saying,
It requires a college education to fly and crash an aircraft, but it takes a High School education to put the fire out and put the plane back together.
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attributed to Billy Bishop:
Wake Up, Get Up, Start Up, Throw Up, and Go Up.
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My dad flew as a flight engineer in several different aircraft in the U.S.A.F. C-118 , EC/RC 121 , C-141 . He always had sage advice about flying but my personal favorite was " Taking off is optional , landing is mandatory."