Official Aviation Thread...

[BlackbirdM3]

Correct on the ASARS nose. Was hard to find a good quality action shot of one. Would love to see them back in action but to political to make it happen

I got you covered ;)



Will

[gkurey]

Can't remember if I posted about it or not, but I randomly met one of the chief A-12 test pilots in the NAS Meridian base exchange in line to checkout. This old man standing behind me asked if I was a pilot (I was wearing my flight suit). I told him I was a Naval Aviator in training and he asked if I flew the clown jet, lol.

I noticed he had a Lockheed hat on and a jacket with an A-12 patch. I asked him if he was a pilot; he casually responded he flew lots of different things I'd probably never heard of. I then asked for specifics (he was very humble about it....didn't seem overly eager to share) and he said, 'oh I flew the YB-58, but my baby was the A-12," and my jaw all but hit the floor! A lot of dudes our age don't know a whole lot about older jets (which is mind blowing to me....I'm very much into all things aviation!) and he seemed pretty tickled I knew something about the program. We ended up talking outside the NEX for almost an hour...he was a great guy! His name was Jim Eastham.

Jim Eastham began his aviation career in 1942 when he entered the CPT program under the sponsorship of the Army Air Corps. Eastham went on to become the project test pilot for Hughes Aircraft in 1956 on the Falcon Missile program. During that time he flew approximately 800 test missions in the F-102, F-106 and the YB-58 "Hustler."

From dreamlandresort.com:

He became the third to fly the A-12 and the first pilot to fly the YF-12A in 1963. Eastham was the Lockheed test pilot on all phases of that program. "The YF-12 did everything it was set out to do," he said. "It was the best interceptor the Air Force never bought," he quipped.

http://www.dreamlandresort.com/black_projects/a12_40years.html

[BlackbirdM3]

That is really cool you got to meet Jim Eastham. I've only met Brian Shul. The early A12/YF12/SR pilots were hard core. Flying those birds prior to the electronic spike control system was not an easy task, and many times downright scary. I bet he has some fantastic stories.

Will

[mulletman]

I took my PPL practical test with a former SR-71 pilot. That was easily one of the most intimidating experiences of my life...

Me and my 45 hours of total time walked into his office and noticed three things. First was the plaque on the wall from Lockheed labeled "300 hour club -- SR-71/A-12 type." Second, the SR-71 manuals sitting on the bookshelf, and the coolest thing he had was a framed picture on the wall that was signed "Hey Bob, thanks for all of your help on this project. - Kelly Johnson."

I passed, though. Good times.

[Quadrajet]

I met a Gent up here at NAS Whidbey, when I worked on base, who was a former pilot. Very nice retired Captain.

We were chit chatting as I was fixing a bad plug wire on his car. I asked him when he started flying. He was Annapolis class of '44 and was an F6f pilot just before the war ended. Then he told me about all the planes he flew. He related to me how he was flying up here at Whidbey when Boeing was testing the XB-52 and the 707 jetliner.

He was amazed I knew of the planes he flew, besides the F6f, he flew the F9f, F11f, F8u, A3 and the A6. I miss talking with him.

[gkurey]

^^^^ Pretty awesome! What do you do up in Whidbey?

[FLYNAVY]

Yeah it is funny how some of these older gents are so surprised that anyone has ever heard of their former steeds. They are legends but too humble to realize it. Greatest generation and all that.

[Quadrajet]

I used to work at an auto service place. Now I'm doing my own thing.

Talking with the Old vets was definitely one of the best perks. He was amazed I knew what a Hellcat was. I had also met another guy who was a TBM plane captain. He was on the USS Princeton when she was sunk.

An old friend of my Dad's was on the USS Arizona on Dec.7th, he was a gunner radioman on SBD's at Coral Sea and Midway. I think he's the last survivor to be interned on her. RIP, MC Glenn Lane. I always admire the humble honesty of these guys when you consider the great things they did.

[M-technik-3]

RIP to the guys of National Air. Scary to hear the bits and pieces unfold of how they might have had a load shift in a 747-400F at Baghram today.

I was having a beer with them about ten days ago at the local bar in Germany.

[FLYNAVY]

RIP to the guys of National Air. Scary to hear the bits and pieces unfold of how they might have had a load shift in a 747-400F at Baghram today.

I was having a beer with them about ten days ago at the local bar in Germany.

Agreed. That is a horrifying story if true. RIP.

[Eric]

Story?

[gkurey]

http://theaviationist.com/2013/04/29/bagram-jumpo-crash/

[gkurey]

Got a couple shots to share of recent training...

First, a few hercs on the ramp here in Corpus:





My new sled...T44A, first time I've ever flown all analog/needles/etc. OLD SCHOOL...you can tell I am a product of a newer generation when this is the 3rd aircraft I've flown, and only the first time I've looked at a real gyro, real needles; not something on a screen or sorts. I think this thing is making me a better pilot, though.

Sim:




Flew the CONA bird the other day:




And the main reason we have to go to Corpus after the jet; single engine training...didn't think they would actually shut one down, but doing an airstart for real is cool training!



That's all for now!

[BlackbirdM3]

This is what I grew up looking at, from the right seat. I was flying on basic instruments before I could see over the dash. Dials and gauges for me thanks. I don't think I'd like an all glass panel. :D

Will

[FLYNAVY]

I remember taking a C-12 from Corpus to Pcola and back for Djet prior to heading to Meridian. Some buds got on their T-44 at the same time. I think we made it to Pensacola fully 2-3 hours before they did, as they had to stop for gas on the way. I remember thinking the C-12 looked super nice, but when we got inside, it became clear that a nice paint job can cover up a lot of things. Ever since then, I have always been wary of CAG birds, and other aircraft with unique paint. First Hornet I ever flew was the VMFAT-101 desert camo bird. I remember it was rigged all funny, and you had to hold like 1/4 lateral stick to stay wings level in landing configuration. It had one wing that wouldn't fold as well. One day, an inspection revealed center barrel cracks that were so bad that they couldn't even fly it 10 minutes to the depot at North Island. Nevermind that dudes had been hitting 7G's in it just a day or two before. Ended up taking the wings off and flat bedding it down there. Last I heard, it was headed to be a stick somewhere. I think the same things could generally be said about every CAG jet we've had at my current squadron.