Geez his ejection seat worked well. Wonder where this happened? I'm guessing it's not in Ukraine as the pilot would be running for cover as soon as he hit the ground.
The initial story I saw said that this was a fighter than was shot down by Ukranian forces, however I take that with a grain of salt of course. If you go to the actual video on YT, in the comments there is a lot of speculation (in the few English comments anyway - I can't read most of them) that the second fighter is the one who shot this one down, or that the second fighter is the wingman to this one, and that the crashed fighter hit a power line shearing off one of the vertical stabilizers, etc. I've not seen a suggestion that this didn't happen in the Ukraine though...
Another update on my training progress... It was inevitable that I'd have to move on from my first flight instructor to the next. My first instructor, Armando, just ticked past 1,000 flight hours which qualifies him to apply for one of the many scenic tour positions available right now. It looks like he's headed to Las Vegas to fly EC-135s over the Grand Canyon, Lake Mead, and Vegas proper. Once he gets another 1,000 hrs in turbine-powered aircraft he wants to move into EMS, which is a typical modern-day career path. Because Armando was my first instructor, I felt kind of a Mother Goose attachment to him, and it was with great anxiety that I faced the prospect of moving on to a new instructor. In the bigger picture, this was probably a good time for a change: Armando got me from zero, to actually being able to fly the R-22. For me, it was a painfully slow process, and I lost count how many times "Armando-matic" saved us from student-induced potential catastrophe. I have done three training flights with Grant (pictured above). Personality-wise and instructor-wise, he's quite different from Armando, but different in a way that compliments my experience to date and objectives going forward. He's definitely more inclined to nudge me firmly into the deep end of the pool sooner rather than later...uncomfortably at first, but so far the results have been positive.
Change is uncomfortable, but I take solace in knowing that the only thing in life that is unchanging, is that things change. It is inevitable.
I think that was in Omaha, Nebraska about 6 or 7 years ago during a layover. You know…Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom… “…and over here we see Jim getting mauled by 3 alligators…”
@Jones in LA I agree with you that moving on from one instructor to the next could be a bit daunting, especially when you've gotten to know your current one so well. The closest I've come to that experience was when another instructor did a few flights with me when my usual one wasn't available. I've been fortunate in having the same instructor right through from student pilot to PPL. He left the flying school shortly after to pursue a career in the airlines.
I thought some of you might enjoy this thread (visit to the RAF Museum at London, Hendon this week). https://omegaforums.net/threads/ome...october-2022-photo-heavy.144087/#post-2071860 .
The fuel probe touches the corner of the hanger. They really have given it a lot of thought (many volunteers are ex services) nice to see a lot of young cadets (boys and girls) taking it all in as well.
Thanks for sharing. Some great pics in that thread. Especially like the Lanc with Grand Slam, the Vulcan, and the Me109E. All beautifully restored. Another place to add to my "to do" list.
We are spoilt for choice in the UK but, this was an impressive place for sure. We had a nice explanation about the friend or foe colour schemes designed for high closing speeds (like the yellow on the 109) also an explanation why markings changed on RAF aircraft serving in Pacific (no red spot - again to reduce friendly fire risk). The Lanc was top of my list as well…. So I ended the week owning a 1/72 scale 3kg model of it. My better half - home ATC has still not given it landing permission yet ;0) .
Absolutely magnificent Lego model of an Airbus A380. Minifigure scale. Even has lighting and motorised flaps!
Unbelievable- 40k bricks, each first class booth has a lamp, engines rotate, landing gear retracts. No use of cad / hand developed from printed schematics - awesome job from that guy / thanks for posting. .