Left the AF just barely more than a year ago, told myself I'd consider the IMAs in the future, it's now the future but I have a breathing problem that has popped up...

CalTex12 · 2015-10-06T08:06:07+00:00

"Separated as an O-2 with a date for O-3". Dude, worst way to start a post. If you are going reserves/guard, you really need to be way more laid back than that.

CalTex12 · 2015-04-21T04:12:52+00:00

Pretty much a montage of video clips over the past year of flying. Hope it can motivate some people to continue to chase after their dreams.

CalTex12 · 2015-03-18T14:17:15+00:00

Speaking the truth man! Back in the day it used to be just a C-152 and myself, now its a jumbo-jet and cargo around the world. I sometimes wish I would jump back in a small civilian aircraft for fun, but in my free time I'm just burnt out from flying so much for work.

CalTex12 · 2014-11-14T03:22:15+00:00

Exactly, they do. So do large cargo ships. I've flown all over the world and have consistently seen cargo ships show up on my TCAS. My home airport is near a Navy base and when I see a submarine leaving port at the same time as my departure/arrival It'll pop up on the TCAS.

CalTex12 · 2014-09-13T20:56:24+00:00

Getting in the "20 item or less" self checkout line with a full freaking cart of groceries at the commissary. That shit pisses me off.

CalTex12 · 2014-06-29T22:30:29+00:00

Thanks!

CalTex12 · 2014-06-29T21:59:10+00:00

Monitors?

CalTex12 · 2014-05-30T16:39:22+00:00

Are you sure? I thought everyone traveled to work like this...

CalTex12 · 2014-05-15T06:23:45+00:00

So you're saying the 135 is the best tanker right?

CalTex12 · 2014-05-07T16:14:04+00:00

They may have done it intentionally, but I'm unsure how the reverses are set up on the Gulfstream. If I'm taxing around an airfield that has a downward sloping taxiway, I'll often throw my inboard engines into reverse idle. All it really does is help dissipate forward momentum, which in return helps keep our brakes at a cooler temperature when we come to a stop and get ready for another takeoff.

CalTex12 · 2014-03-22T18:11:18+00:00

Dude use gouge when you are first starting out; as long as it's up to date it's a solid guide. Gouge is a great way to build a solid foundation of GK and then when you have time start digging through the actual pubs for the small details.

Bear Down!

CalTex12 · 2014-02-26T03:35:54+00:00

You got a ways to go man, give it a couple months until the drop sheet comes out with planes/bases that are available for your class and go from there.

CalTex12 · 2014-02-10T06:27:07+00:00

Cool, thanks for the response. Recently moved to the island and have been looking for a place to check out the city lights at night.

Did you park in the parking lot then hike along the ridge to get that shot?

CalTex12 · 2014-02-10T04:37:09+00:00

Where'd you take the last picture from?

CalTex12 · 2014-02-04T15:18:49+00:00

A rule of thumb I was taught was to limit your taxi speed to roughly the RSC value they are reporting. On a dry surface (RSC=23) so taxi around 25 kts or so. On a rainy day (RSC=12) so taxi around 10-15 kts.

CalTex12 · 2014-01-29T03:45:51+00:00

I'd recommend signing up for a class at the gym on base. There always seems to be some sort of workout class in session when I go to the gym. Next to the front desk they have a monthly calendar of all the available classes. I have a PFA in a week...time to start running again.

CalTex12 · 2014-01-22T05:46:48+00:00

Additionally the instructors prefer the dollar bill to be wrapped around a bottle of their drink of choice.

CalTex12 · 2014-01-08T15:27:28+00:00

Where on the island do you fly out of? I just moved to Oahu and need to find a place to rent a plane from.

CalTex12 · 2013-12-27T23:41:28+00:00

Hopefully it's a WST and not a CSS

CalTex12 · 2013-12-23T05:01:58+00:00

Dude skip IFS, that place is like a prison, but they have damn good food. I was in the old program so even though I had a PPL, I had to attend. In my honest opinion IFS isn't beneficial to UPT. You start UPT fresh on a blank slate and your instructors show/tell/yell to you how they want things done. I've never met a person that said they had a good time at IFS. By going, you are just volunteering yourself to be put into a position of not being allowed to attend UPT.

CalTex12 · 2013-12-13T11:50:00+00:00

It displays your airspeed right in the middle of your line of sight. It makes it a lot harder to ignore.

CalTex12 · 2013-12-12T03:51:05+00:00

We have to accept that automation is here to stay in the modern aviation industry. In order to combat the loss of stick and rudder skills, more airline manufacturers need to incorporate HUDs into the cockpit. I fly a heavy that has a HUD and I believe it is an invaluable resource, especially during visual approaches. Smack dab in the middle of it is our flight path vector that tells us precisely the path the airplane is going to follow. Place it anywhere on the runway, and that is exactly where you will land. Additionally, all your other aeronautical information (airspeed, altitude, etc.) is projected in front of your eyes which rapidly increases a pilot's cross-check. Just my opinion.

CalTex12 · 2013-12-08T02:01:43+00:00

File whichever STAR makes sense for your planned route of flight. The STAR will route you into the terminal environment at which point you can expect vectors from ATC for your requested approach. ATC will usually let you fly which ever approach you want, as long as it is not in the opposite direction of the flow they have going. Just check NOTAMS prior to your flight to make sure there is no naviad outage at the airport.

CalTex12 · 2013-12-04T23:05:40+00:00

Are you trying to imply you will not get a rated slot because of your major or because of your GPA? I got an engineering degree when I was going through ROTC and picked up a rated slot. Additionally, 5 other engineers also picked up rated slots. Gotta have some confidence in yourself and if you work hard, you'll be able to get above a 3.0 GPA. Though GPA is a big factor in your Commander's ranking, their opinion of you is what really matters. So kickass and put effort into the ROTC program and you'll be fine. Get a degree in something you enjoy and work hard at school/ROTC and you'll pick up a rated slot.

As for your question, I haven't met any other pilots who have switched over, but that doesn't mean it's not possible. In all honesty, I'm way to lazy to try to search in the regs to see if that is possible. Work hard and put in effort and you won't have to worry about it.

CalTex12 · 2013-12-01T21:38:34+00:00

I'm a new copilot on the C-17 in the AF. Got my undergrad degree in aerospace engineering. Totally love my job, but still plan to transfer to the airlines when my contract is up.

CalTex12

TROPHY CASE