General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Puma44 on July 14, 2020, 12:46:53 PM
Title: Wifes’s Phantom Incentive Ride
Post by: Puma44 on July 14, 2020, 12:46:53 PM
Wife’s Phantom Incentive Ride
During my three year tour at Moody AFB, Ga, a rare incentive ride opportunity occurred. Incentive rides were rare and only awarded to those military members who demonstrated exceptional performance in their job specialty. Civilians getting incentive rides was almost unheard of. Word came down that we were going to do several incentive rides on a crew chief appreciation day. Our very hard working crew chiefs were going to be rewarded with F-4E incentive rides........for their wives! The idea here was a crew chief bring your wife to work day. This would give the Phantom crew chiefs an opportunity to show their wives what happened on the flight when their husbands went in early and come home late. The wives were to shadow their husbands on the flight line and experience sortie generation up close and personal. Unbelievable! Right? Well, there was a catch. The wives incentive ride would be a taxi ride to the runway, line up on the centerline, go to full afterburner, accelerate to 80 knots (which was hardly perceptible time wise), come out of burners to the idle stops with the throttles, deploy the drag chute, decelerate, and taxi back to the chocks, and shut down. The thought of actually flying the wives was way to far coloring outside the lines.
Even though not getting airborne, the crew chief wives were going to be fully suited up as if they were going to fly and sitting on a hot ejection seat for their incentive ride. They were given full up life support and egress training prior to their “ride”. After that, they met up in the squadron with their Phantom pilots. I was one. My rider is just barely over five feet tall and can’t weigh over 90 pounds soaking wet. She’s quite a sight in the absolute smallest flight suit the life support guys can come up with; sleeves and legs rolled up multiple times. She is beyond excited with what we were about to do today. I introduce myself and we step into a briefing room to talk about her ride. After going through the required incentive ride briefing, I talk her through the sequence of events after we step out of the room. The more I explain, the more excited she becomes. Now, it’s time to head to life support and gather up our parachute harnesses, helmets, and gloves. With all our flight gear in tow, we step out to the flight line, find our jet (tail #447), and her husband.
Today happens to be February 13th. Quite the pre-Valentine’s Day event. As we approach the jet, she runs to him for a hug. I get a salute and the 781 aircraft logbook. After reviewing the forms, I tell her what I’ll look at on my preflight inspection and suggest she follow with her hubby as he follows me. The three of us walk around the big multi shade green & brown Phantom, confirm the big parts are attached, and note that it’s dripping some small amounts of hydraulic fluid. This confirms that there is fluid in the jet. None dripping could indicate an insufficient amount and require closer inspection. Walk around complete.
Next, I climb up and check the rear cockpit to ensure the switches and controls are appropriately set, and confirm the ejection seat safety pins are installed. A quick check of my end of the jet and it’s time for her to strap on her end of the Phantom. I guide her through climbing up and getting settled into the seat. I give her pointers on getting the seat belt, shoulder harness, and ejection seat garters on properly. From there, it’s all her husband to help snug everything up. I leave them, hop in the front, and take it slow getting my nest built so they can enjoy the moment. He helps her don the helmet and gloves, and hooks up her oxygen mask and radio cord. As he climbs down and gives me a big grinning thumbs up, I give him the “connect external power” signal. The dash 60 power unit roars to life and I engage electrical power to our ride. After confirming we can communicate and asking if she’s got any questions, I explain what the engine start sequence with be like and what to expect.
Her husband, and my crew chief, appears at the front of the jet next to the dash 60 and checks in on the intercom via is headset. We confirm all is well, and I ask for air on 2. He throws a switch on the dash 60 that sends a loud rush of air to the engine and starts it spinning. At the appropriate rpm, I introduce fuel and ignition. Then, the distinctive sound of a J79 coming to life. As it finishes the start cycle and settles to idle rpm, I call for air on 1. Now, with #1 up and running, I complete pre-taxi checks and call ground control for taxi.
With clearance, I give him the “pull chocks” signal, he repeats it to his assistant crew chief, and signals us to move forward. I inch the throttles forward slowly and the beast starts moving. He and I exchange salutes and he blows a kiss to his wife. Since we have no specific timetable from here on, I’m intentionally taxiing at a snail’s pace to extend her once in a life time event as long possible.
After our relaxed taxi time to the EOR (End of Runway) ramp, we are marshaled into a parking spot for a once over before taking the runway. That complete, a call to tower and we are cleared on the runway. Like most modern fighters, the F-4 has power steering to the nose wheels. This allows for a nice, crisp 90 degree turn while lining up with the runway centerline. My chief’s wife is beyond description excited at this point. She’s so pumped with adrenaline, she can hardly answer when I ask “Are you ready to go?” A high pitched, excited, and somewhat anxious squeal “Y E E EEES!!!” replies from the pit behind me. With as much brake pressure as possible, I slowly push the Phantom’s J79 power levers forward. Wanting to make the brake release and subsequent afterburner light off as dramatic as possible, the brakes are held until I can sense we are about to skid the main gear tires. I simultaneously release brakes, aggressively push the throttles to full Military Power and then, without hesitation, to Maximum Afterburner. The Phantom’s engines respond without hesitation. Even with my several hundred hours in the jet, the lurch forward and acceleration is quite impressive. The fast, heavy breathing, and unintelligible response from the back seat is equally impressive. Our ride is accelerating rapidly toward the 80 knot point. As a I said ”Here comes 80 knots”, she excitedly urges me “No, no, no, I want to fly!!!”. I so wanted to take her flying. She is making this a lot of fun for me. In the midst of her urging, we hit 80 knots, and with slower than normal reactions, I come out of burner, to Mil power, to idle, deploy the drag chute, and delay applying brakes resulting a nice, easy coast to the end of the runway. At this point, her breathing sounds like that of one who just finished a long foot race.
We clear the runway, dump the drag chute, open the canopies for some fresh air, call ground control for taxi back to the ramp, and slow mosey the rest of the way to the ramp. Arriving at the ramp, her husband marshals us into our parking spot. After the chocks are in place, I tell her to stay seated and soak up the experience. I shut down the beast’s engines and put it to bed. Her husband will be up shortly to safe the seat and help her out. Again, I take extra time cleaning up my nest and wait for them to go down the ladder. I climb down and congratulate her on a great incentive ride. She still wishes we had flown. I explain that we could have easily done it, but it would have most likely been my last flight in a military jet, ever.
Mission accomplished: Fun was had by all. A military wife has a new found appreciation for what her husband does and helps produce on those long hours away from home.
.....and, another opportunity to pay it forward.
Title: Re: Wifes’s Phantom Incentive Ride
Post by: whiteman on July 14, 2020, 01:11:13 PM
Well damn, I wanted to fly too!
Title: Re: Wifes’s Phantom Incentive Ride
Post by: Shuffler on July 14, 2020, 01:54:33 PM
What a great story. Need a few corrections before print..... but great read!!
Title: Re: Wifes’s Phantom Incentive Ride
Post by: Puma44 on July 14, 2020, 03:31:41 PM
Smart commander in that outfit. Great story, as usual.
Thanks
Indeed..... can you imagine the pressure he relieved off of his crews when he included the families? How amazingly close he brought the families? This man and his wife had an amazing experience together. Puma44 ensured they had plenty of time to enjoy every second of it.
Title: Re: Wifes’s Phantom Incentive Ride
Post by: Devil 505 on July 14, 2020, 04:58:40 PM
Another gem, Puma.
:salute
Title: Re: Wifes’s Phantom Incentive Ride
Post by: Wiley on July 14, 2020, 05:30:05 PM
I don't think I've seen you post a bad story, Puma. I really hope you put together that book.
Wiley.
Title: Re: Wifes’s Phantom Incentive Ride
Post by: Puma44 on July 14, 2020, 06:11:25 PM
Thanks guys! The book, slowly but surely.
Title: Re: Wifes’s Phantom Incentive Ride
Post by: Bixby on July 14, 2020, 10:38:00 PM
You have quite a story to share Puma. Keep them coming.
Looking forward to your book! <Salute> Sir.
Title: Re: Wifes’s Phantom Incentive Ride
Post by: Volron on July 15, 2020, 12:40:41 AM
I just read both, and it felt like I was there. :x I wish HiTech would have a sticky or a separate section for these, because both you and ET have some amazing stories that have been posted here. :aok
Title: Re: Wifes’s Phantom Incentive Ride
Post by: avionix on July 15, 2020, 07:23:47 AM
:aok
Title: Re: Wifes’s Phantom Incentive Ride
Post by: Puma44 on July 15, 2020, 09:07:11 AM
Thanks gents! I appreciate the kind words of encouragement.
Volron brings up a good memory of ET. I absolutely loved it every time he posted a story. His very wide breadth of experience from bombers to fighters is unheard of today. Then his corporate tales of flying on top of that made for a rich legacy he left for us all. ET was one in a million. We started PMing at first and then phone calls to discuss our shared aviation experiences. I enjoyed many long phone conversations with him. Then, there were his in game bomber missions complete with recordings of “in the day” radio chatter and his own radio inputs that made it come alive. Earl brought so much to the game. He was the inspiration for me to start writing. For a long time, I was hesitant to post mine, not wanting to take attention away from him. We very much wanted to get together and fly. He was even planning on borrowing a friends Beechcraft Baron and flying out west to visit. Then, the cancer started. I do miss him so much. Such a huge void without him in the world. <S> My friend.
Title: Re: Wifes’s Phantom Incentive Ride
Post by: Shuffler on July 15, 2020, 10:32:36 AM
:salute Earl
Title: Re: Wifes’s Phantom Incentive Ride
Post by: streakeagle on July 15, 2020, 04:02:44 PM
I loved reading Earl's posts as much as yours. I am glad he influenced you to start posting. I am sorry you didn't get to fly together. Both of you represent both America's and aviation's best. It has been both educational and entertaining to read everything both of you posted. Thank you!
:salute
Title: Re: Wifes’s Phantom Incentive Ride
Post by: Oldman731 on July 15, 2020, 08:41:38 PM
I loved reading Earl's posts as much as yours. I am glad he influenced you to start posting. I am sorry you didn't get to fly together. Both of you represent both America's and aviation's best. It has been both educational and entertaining to read everything both of you posted. Thank you!
Can't write it up better than streakeagle just did. Agreed x6.
- oldman
Title: Re: Wifes’s Phantom Incentive Ride
Post by: Shuffler on July 16, 2020, 07:41:30 AM
I loved reading Earl's posts as much as yours. I am glad he influenced you to start posting. I am sorry you didn't get to fly together. Both of you represent both America's and aviation's best. It has been both educational and entertaining to read everything both of you posted. Thank you!
Can't write it up better than streakeagle just did. Agreed x6.
- oldman
Thanks gents! ET had such a wealth of knowledge and experience. There was a lot t learn listening to his stories and participating in his missions. :salute
Title: Re: Wifes’s Phantom Incentive Ride
Post by: Busher on July 16, 2020, 05:49:58 PM
Damn Puma, I too truly enjoy hearing about your history in the Air Force.
Ya gotta forgive me but I always end up with tech questions. a: Did the Phantom fly reliably or was it common to leave snags in the Log for your crew Chief (like the DC9 was).
b: Clearly you needed ground air to start the engines. Can't imagine an APU in a military jet (weight). But could you crossbleed if necessary or maybe even bleed from another proximate jet?
Thanks. Sorry to bug.
Title: Re: Wifes’s Phantom Incentive Ride
Post by: Puma44 on July 16, 2020, 06:33:11 PM
Damn Puma, I too truly enjoy hearing about your history in the Air Force.
Ya gotta forgive me but I always end up with tech questions. a: Did the Phantom fly reliably or was it common to leave snags in the Log for your crew Chief (like the DC9 was).
b: Clearly you needed ground air to start the engines. Can't imagine an APU in a military jet (weight). But could you crossbleed if necessary or maybe even bleed from another proximate jet?
Thanks. Sorry to bug.
You’re not bugging. As you know, the only stupid question is the one that isn’t asked. Bring em on!
A. If flown regularly, it was pretty reliable. If a Phantom sat around for any length of time, the gremlins started nesting and reproducing. Then, it would be challenging to get one airborne. We had one at Moody that had a brake failure. Over a month’s time, maintenance rebuilt the entire brake system on the affected side trying to track down the gremlins after several pilot post flight write ups and brake failures.
B. No crossbleed, except for a lever used by crew chiefs to switch ground air from one engine to the other. Airstarts were a matter of airspeed and altitude in a predetermined airstart envelope. The military had Dash 60 ground power units that were plentiful at any base for air and electric.
The newer F-Teen jets have APUs for self starting capability.
Title: Re: Wifes’s Phantom Incentive Ride
Post by: Busher on July 17, 2020, 10:15:37 AM
You’re not bugging. As you know, the only stupid question is the one that isn’t asked. Bring em on!
A. If flown regularly, it was pretty reliable. If a Phantom sat around for any length of time, the gremlins started nesting and reproducing. Then, it would be challenging to get one airborne. We had one at Moody that had a brake failure. Over a month’s time, maintenance rebuilt the entire brake system on the affected side trying to track down the gremlins after several pilot post flight write ups and brake failures.
B. No crossbleed, except for a lever used by crew chiefs to switch ground air from one engine to the other. Airstarts were a matter of airspeed and altitude in a predetermined airstart envelope. The military had Dash 60 ground power units that were plentiful at any base for air and electric.
The newer F-Teen jets have APUs for self starting capability.
Thanks for that Puma.
Like you mentioned I don't know of any airplanes that don't grumble like hell if left idle. The airlines have huge portions of their fleets idle right now... I'm sure you can imagine how they are going to "burp" when they're re-activated.
Title: Re: Wifes’s Phantom Incentive Ride
Post by: Puma44 on July 17, 2020, 02:32:51 PM
Like you mentioned I don't know of any airplanes that don't grumble like hell if left idle. The airlines have huge portions of their fleets idle right now... I'm sure you can imagine how they are going to "burp" when they're re-activated.
Oh man! Isn’t that the truth. The poor maintenance guys are going to have their hands full.
Title: Re: Wifes’s Phantom Incentive Ride
Post by: Shuffler on July 17, 2020, 02:55:41 PM
Imagine those third world carriers. May see a lot of planes planted.
Title: Re: Wifes’s Phantom Incentive Ride
Post by: save on July 30, 2020, 12:24:32 PM
Thanks Puma for another great story !
As for Earl, I remember one day when he flew his B17 in Main Arena close to our base, molested by 2 enemy Ki-84's , I flew in from the side on the closest one and manage to kill its engine, and the other broke off his attack on the B17.
Earl said "I never though I would be happy to see a FW190".
<S> Earl
Title: Re: Wifes’s Phantom Incentive Ride
Post by: Puma44 on July 31, 2020, 02:33:26 PM
Thanks Save! Glad you enjoyed it. :aok
Title: Re: Wifes’s Phantom Incentive Ride
Post by: Bodhi on August 12, 2020, 10:20:07 AM
Great read!
Title: Re: Wifes’s Phantom Incentive Ride
Post by: Puma44 on August 12, 2020, 11:02:17 AM
Thanks Bodi!
Title: Re: Wifes’s Phantom Incentive Ride
Post by: Toad on August 13, 2020, 04:06:44 PM
Bodhi! How the heck are ya! Long time / no see!
Title: Re: Wifes’s Phantom Incentive Ride
Post by: Shuffler on August 13, 2020, 04:09:11 PM