If you were in the 8th or 15th AAF and shot up over Germany…..

– one of your options was to keep flying east – this was a chit if you made it to the Russian lines in East Europe

In Pictures: Sukhoi SU-30SM

The Sukhoi SU-30SM is the latest variant of the SU-30 itself a multi-role version if the iconic SU-27 Flanker fighter.

These pics were taken around the MAKS 2014 air show and complied over at English Russia.

CubDriver

From a fellow Lexican comes this from his blog RUMBEAR CHRONICLES. Thank you, Charles Mellor for this.

That is an awesome picture BTW!

Is this enough Guinness for all of us?

I had to do this………………………………………………………………….

Among The Joshua Trees

View original post

Recap Of The Bombardier CSeries First Flight

Among The Joshua Trees

From the most excellent blog, AirPigz comes this.

The rest is at the link below.

Recap Of The Bombardier CSeries First Flight

View original post

Blogging Centurion

No, not this one:

Or even this one:

In my mind it’s somewhat more analogous to this:

Centurion patch.

At least I’d like to think so.

100 traps aboard the boat is a career milestone in NAVAIR. Patches are handed out to commemorate every 100 landings. Given that traps (landings for you non-aviator-ish people) are the most demanding task in all of aviation this is by no means a small feat. It’s not unusual for pilots and crews to log hundreds and even 1,000 (I do recall seeing a 2,000 somewheres) traps over a career. Case in point. Maybe 1,00 isn’t so common anymore is post-cold war NAVAIR but still.

Here’s the trap from the jet.

Here’s the trap from the “not so” cheap seats…who wants to play PLAT LSO? 🙂

I’m getting to the point…

I noticed a few days ago that I reached the 100 post here. Since I missed my “blogo-versary” I’d figured I take this time to first thank xbradtc for handing me a set of keys (and now I’m posting there too!). I didn’t think I do THIS much blogging but still. My goal was to write about things I’ve always wanted to see posts on so…here I am.

My co-bloggers here are freaking awesome people with a wealth of knowledge, experience, and blogging talent. I’m blessed to be a part of this group.

Finally, I’d like to thank all the readers and commenter. Hell, I’m just a pilot dude with attitude (pun kinda,kinda not intended), a brain and a computer hoping to contribute something to the conversation. All of you readers and commenter keep me motivated to keep putting out content.

Another thing I’d like to mention. The commenters here have SO much expertise on things I just usually read about. That’s been the biggest reward for me is to talk to you all that have the proverbial “t-shirt to prove it.” I’m honored and humbled that you take the time to read and/or comment.

So here’s to all of you and the Blogfather of course:

…for strength.

and hopefully 100 more:

Thank you all again so much.t

The Hump

We are losing our WWII vets at an ever increasing rate. My father-in-law and my father, both veterans of the war in the Pacific, have passed away in the last 5 years or so. I am reading about the history of the Battle of Okinawa, which my father-in-law participated in, and today I received an e-mail about the incredible losses suffered in the air wars over Europe and the Pacific, and the heartbreaking losses in…the United States. The U.S. lost 14 or 15,000 aircraft alone in training in the United States, and at least 22,000 operationally in the war overseas.

There were literally kids with barely 100 hours or so flying combat missions. Transitions to new fighters were quick and not like we know training today. No ground school, no transitional training, no practice solos. You start it, you fly it.

My Dad had a story about his training after leaving the U. S. that amazed me and I’d like to share it with you.

Dad’s story was about when he showed up in India to fly the Hump.

The Hump. India to China, with the highest mountains in the world in between. No radar, no nav systems, no accurate weather predictions, and unpressurized aircraft.  Direct reckoning navigation, and a mistake was a one time thing. Cumulogranite clouds are unforgiving.

Dad had never flown the C-46 and the first thing he does upon arrival at his base in India is to go flying as the left seater (aircraft commander) in a C-46 with an instructor. No ground school, no exams, just get in the airplane and let’s go.

That’s what his first flight was all about.

After numerous touch and goes, engine out drills, flap malfunction practice and all that, Dad made the final landing. The instructor tells him he passed his training.

A few minutes later, Dad is standing outside the airplane with the instructor and says, “That was something. How much time do you have in this airplane?”

The guy replies, “How long was the flight?”

“About two hours,” says Dad.

The instructor says, “That makes it about…seven hours total.”

Dad gets excited. “SEVEN HOURS! And you’re an instructor?!!”

The guy looks at Dad and says, “So are you.”

And walks away.

Back To The Secondary Index 

Cutaway Thursday: Aero L-39 Albatros

In honor of our favorite Tomcat RIO.

‘Murica!!!

Blackhawk Pilot Gets A Parking Ticket

I thought pogue might get a chuckle out of this….

H/T to the Lexican who found this on the F/B page

http://www.businessinsider.com/cop-tickets-blackhawk-pilot-2013-9