Stories from FL280...

[eagl]

I give it maybe 2 years...  There will be a briefing on security clearances, followed by an in-brief into various programs.  One of the admonishments will be a requirement to report every inquiry about certain topics, especially if they are pointed and/or repeated.

Less than 6 months later, some "enthusiast" will ask 2-3 pointed and repeated questions about something specific, and *poof* serenity will quit frequenting various online forums because its too much hassle and not worth risking the clearance.

Until then though, its fun talking about it.  But trust me, there will come a point where it just isn't worth the hassle trying to remain on the correct side of the line while discussing the job.

18ish years ago, a guy with an Israeli online handle and persona got pointed with some questions on an F-15E forum, and I quit even reading fighter enthusiast forums.   One kid built an entire online persona based on asking several members of my squadron a couple questions each, to the point where he claimed to be on a specific deployment and started putting names to faces in squadron deployment photos that had been put on an open server. OSI got to deal with that one.  I learned some time later that I probably got investigated myself over Janes F-15 content, although nobody ever interviewed me about it.

Then 20 yrs later after the last read-out, it'll be ok to talk about the job you used to have because while you'll still have to answer "what what I dunno what you're talking about what what?", at least it won't be reportable.

[PR3D4TOR]

Welcome to the information age.

[SIK1]

As much as I love reading Serenity's non-fiction stories.  I can see that they could become something that he can't talk about and I'm cool with that. As long as he knows where the line is and doesn't get into trouble letting us old fart live vicariously through him.

BJ, I really like your non-fiction work, your fiction, not so much. 

You have grown up to be one hell of man and I  you for that, because it could have easily gone the other way, and become one of those whiny piss ants we all hate.

Keep the stories coming for as long as you can, I love reading them.

 
Sik

[Kanth]

This. 

There's nothing wrong with making the call early after such an event, and aborting the mission before you go fly.  As a newbie in fast movers, you are in a vulnerable position every time you go fly.  You must be on your A game all the time, not your B-.  You never know when out of no where, it's going to hit the fan and you'll be the ONLY one to keep you safe.   

[Mister Fork]

Some of you guys need to take a chill pill. He's not sharing any information that would be identifiably as classified or even procedures that are sensitive.

He's sharing his stories. Plain and simple. And to even recommend that they might be  - to come into this forum topic - you could be perceived as armchair generals.

So Serenity  - do they need to clear you to fly again?

[Old Sport]

In 2012 Vance AFB had an actual online log for the designated UPT cadet to log his/her journey through initial flight training, just like serenity is doing here. Today the link is inop and perhaps not only due to site migration. I don't know. Here's a link I posted back then, and the note that on the kid's first Texan II solo he had three red lights and no flaps when he would have appreciated other indications .

http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,340809.msg4496911.html#msg4496911

The kid had some other "interesting" scenarios to deal with, and he now is doing loops in eff-too-toos, so keep at it serenity.

[Puma44]

I'm impressed that Serenity has the time to share his experiences going through pilot training.  When I went through pilot training at Vance AFB, there wasn't much spare time due to all the fire hoses constantly pointed at me. 

Well done Serenity!     Fly safe, have fun, CAVU.   

[eagl]

Not sure about the navy but in the AF a hypoxia event is reportable, meaning there could be an investigation.  In an investigation, anything said or written publicly outside of the "safety privilege" realm can become part of the official record and could be justification for action by the commander.

In other words, don't talk about mishaps and strongly consider whether or not to publicly discuss details about other reportable incidents 

Unless you're talking to your congressman...  That's protected by law.

[Serenity]

Not sure about the navy but in the AF a hypoxia event is reportable, meaning there could be an investigation.  In an investigation, anything said or written publicly outside of the "safety privilege" realm can become part of the official record and could be justification for action by the commander.

In other words, don't talk about mishaps and strongly consider whether or not to publicly discuss details about other reportable incidents 

Unless you're talking to your congressman...  That's protected by law.

Thanks eagl! Interestingly, they never really talk to us about what to shut up about. I generally try to just use common sense, but it's an odd line to straddle.

[Serenity]

So Serenity  - do they need to clear you to fly again?

Nope, I was back up last night, and again for another solo tonight.

[eagl]

Nope, I was back up last night, and again for another solo tonight.

Another difference between AF and Navy...  In the AF, you likely would have at least been sent to the flight doc, possible blood tox test and O2 levels, etc etc.  Probably would have gotten cleared to fly quickly, but it still would probably have needed at least a quick visit to the flt doc.

[Mister Fork]

Interesting eagl that the AF and Navy's flight policies don't align. Are not most flight rules and policies governed by the NTSB? Or do each operate on their own?

Agree that you do need to be mindful about depositioning military activities on forums. When I was in the military with a top secret clearance, we just used common sense.  I've been posting on forums since the 80's - and the rule was...

"Never post anything that someone could use against you to put you in a compromising position."

That kept me safe and continues today. All military secrets to go to the grave.

[Serenity]

Another difference between AF and Navy...  In the AF, you likely would have at least been sent to the flight doc, possible blood tox test and O2 levels, etc etc.  Probably would have gotten cleared to fly quickly, but it still would probably have needed at least a quick visit to the flt doc.

Oh, don't get me wrong, I saw doc and filled out about 8 different forms all saying the same thing, but they called doc in immediately opening the clinic at midnight the night of, to do my evaluation. Blood draws used to be a thing, but apparently they aren't anymore for whatever reason, which rather surprised me. But they checked my O2 levels and Carbon Monoxide levels via a little finger cuff.

[eagl]

Ah, ok.  Makes sense.  My smoke/fumes incident in UPT (also during a formation flight) landed me in the hospital overnight due to lowered O2 levels on arrival at the hospital.

Sounds like the procedures are pretty much the same as I was used to.

[eagl]

Interesting eagl that the AF and Navy's flight policies don't align. Are not most flight rules and policies governed by the NTSB? Or do each operate on their own?

To my knowledge the AF safety system does not align at all with NTSB or other govt agencies, especially in Europe.  Mishap investigation in Europe has become extremely high threat, to the point where a pilot flying a piece of crap airplane that is falling apart might find himself liable for any injuries or deaths, and criminally guilty of murder even if he does everything right.  I really don't want to fly commercially in Europe specifically because of this remarkably hostile approach to aviation mishap investigation.

USAF general flight rules are fairly well aligned with FAA rules, FAR/AIM, and ICAO rules, however they are written and maintained separately because the military has unique operating environments where FAA/ICAO rules just don't work well.  For example, the USAF rules on when an alternate destination is required are sort of similar but different than FAA requirements.  Both more and less restrictive, in different ways.  Also, not all USAF aircraft have all the latest required equipment (ADS/B for example) so they get waivers and the general operations rules end up being different.

The military safety investigations are designed to protect the crew in order to obtain a full/complete/accurate account of what happened, to prevent future mishaps.  The safety investigation goes before the accident investigation.  Only "factual" info can be shared between investigations, to preserve confidentiality.  Safety investigations are supposed to be non-retribution unless a clearly criminal act or willful violation of regs occurred.  Anything disclosed to an accident board, including public statements (forum posts!) can be used against the pilot however.