From what I understand, the Americans also had a system of rotating experienced pilots out once in a while to train new pilots. The US had a much bigger pipeline of new pilots compared to the Germans or Japanese, so the more experienced Axis pilots were forced to stay in the war zone and fight.
Flew a bit in college (100 hours or so) but never got my license due to being R/G colorblind (although apparently I can get a waiver for that now). Just wanted to share this great bit of ATC comms about a student pilot who lost her nose wheel and had to land with the assistance of a FI in a plane in the air next to her. Pretty awesome.
Gents, I've achieved a step toward a pipedream today. I bought a 5 acre parcel on a private grass airstrip. In the coming months I'll finalize an iconic home design with my architect brother. No idea yet when I could break ground, but at least the beginnings are in order!
Good work! A friend of mine had his own strip that he used to graze sheep when he wasn't flying. To sweep the sheep into their pen at one end someone needed to walk down the strip with a packet of biscuits (cookies), or even just the packet, and rustle the wrapper. The sheep would follow right into the pen because they liked biscuits
They were an ancient breed of sheep (Soay) and very good eating. Small and rather cute too. Not big enough for commercial sheep farming. He flew his Flight Design CTSW out of there, nice to fly and pretty fast for 100hp. Being accustomed to glider approaches the power lines on the way in on a propellor approach always worried me.
Thanks for this thread. All of my B52 hours were logged with the times shown on my Bulova Accutron Astronaut. If I remember correctly, I wore it also in the FB-111. The B52 still flies; the F111/FB111 do not. My Accutron, however, still keeps excellent time. I also have a 50th anniversary Seamaster GMT, with sword hands that are wonderfully visible as I age, and superb lume. Travel for me includes a GMT watch.
Thanks for sharing. Was impressed by how calm the student pilot was throughout the whole thing. Go get that waiver for your condition if you can. Then let us know when you've got your licence. We're a community of enablers here on OF you know
G'day from an Aussie. The RAAF flew the F-111 as well. They were affectionately called "Pigs". Do you mind showing us a pic of your watches too? Thanks
I was fortunate to be invited by a medical colleague who owns a Cessna 310 to join him and a couple of others on a flight to the town of Temora, in central New South Wales. The town is best known for its aviation museum and for an airshow, Warbirds Downunder, held there biennially. Today was one of several during the year where the museum's airworthy aircraft put on a flying display for the public. Temora was a 3 hour round trip for us, cruising at a TAS of 180 knots. During WW2, Temora was host to a large RAAF training aerodrome with Tiger Moth aircraft. Today, it is a mecca for aviation enthusiasts. The airport is unique in that there are numerous houses bordering it that have hangars at the rear, which open out on to an active taxiway:
Landing: Air Force vs Navy Air Force: "I paid for the whole runway, I'm gonna use the whole runway." Navy: “I paid for upgraded suspension package, I’m going to use upgraded suspension package.”
Good to see old 83 again. I was on the ejection system/weapons component of the "E" Service team at 75SQN Butterworth when it was bought back to life after obtaining it from the RMAF.