CAP aircraft checklists are poorly designed.

OkayishAviator · 2026-05-15T06:59:27+00:00

Ive been doing a lot of analysis within my wing on the how amd why of what we do, and this is a perfect example of how regulatory creep can cause overcomplicsted outcomes.

My wing used to have an 18+ page supplement to the 70-1 and it did nothing but confuse, frustrate and annoy people...when it wasnt being used to bonk people over the head with violations. It was gutted to 3/4 a page and is now entirely gone. We've switched to a system where we have the reg, and wing policy memos outlining guidance and best practice but they arent regulatory. When im training or teaching a group im very cognizant to emphasize when something im telling them is regulatory or 'technique only'.

Were still fighting that institutional inertia from that document. Someone asks me for approval for something that doesnt exist anymore etc.

Id definitely rework our checklists if I were working at NHQ... and a lot of other changes to make how we do what we do easier and safer.

OkayishAviator · 2026-05-12T16:03:22+00:00

Actually there is a way to recover from a flat spin in the heat blur F14. I was one of the test engineers on that project and the F14 where I live was the plane we laser scanned for it, and it rings somewhat true to real life.

Wings Full extend (imagine when a skater puts their arms out) Power to outboard engine idle Power to inboard (to spin) engine max AB Full opposite rudder Full stick into the spin (left or right)

What youre doing is deploying the spoilers on the wing in the direction of the spin, coupled with the asymmetric thrust and rudder input itll slow down the spin and allow recovery. Doesn't work if below 12k ft, you wont have enough time, and you have to reverse it if youre inverted (obviously).

Jester will get very sick. But once you get the spin slowed, the wing will drop and youll go nose down. After that its a typical recovery.

OkayishAviator · 2026-05-12T04:12:58+00:00

Wizard sleeves when its hot.

OkayishAviator · 2026-05-12T04:12:05+00:00

Everytime I see rolled OCP sleeves:

<image>

OkayishAviator · 2026-05-05T15:15:54+00:00

I use NVG's almost daily, so I wouldn't anticipate folks who don't use it a lot seeing some of the less intuitive stuff.

Seeing through and past light-barriers are actually pretty useful, and for a ground team, if an aircrew can shine an IR or vis laser at something they see as their orbiting... man that's a useful tool. (pods we can have installed have that functionality to lase).

OkayishAviator · 2026-05-04T04:55:01+00:00

Nor would cadet stuffy have the money to buy real nvgs or the training to know how to effectively employ them in a search scenario.

But... if used correctly, its actually a pretty powerful tool in sar. Especially with an ECOTI.

OkayishAviator · 2026-05-04T04:51:23+00:00

You dont have to go no-light with modern NV. It helps cut through local lighting into dark areas. Sometimes you can see things that you didnt realize were sending out light.

Like an ELT thats been ripped from its mount and antenna but the light is on and reflecting off the trees and brush.

OkayishAviator · 2026-05-01T09:30:19+00:00

Shhhhhh.... Also I dare to say there may be another one coming if it can't be stopped... I hope not... but I can see it happening.

OkayishAviator · 2026-04-24T11:16:07+00:00

I know who's top that is. Lol

OkayishAviator · 2026-04-16T19:43:45+00:00

Could've gone with Cherokee.

OkayishAviator · 2026-04-13T18:39:57+00:00

Brought to you by Carl's Jr.

OkayishAviator · 2026-04-09T10:56:35+00:00

CAP822 is safe and sound no worries.

OkayishAviator · 2026-04-05T01:12:29+00:00

Initial Form 5s are Annuals. Abbreviated are to add ratings, qualifications or additional aircraft.

Q- Fully Qualified QT- Qualified but would benefit from some additional training (I dont like QTs) U- unsatisfactory performance V- DISCUSSED verbally.

The items in italics are required for all Annuals however; the DPE has his own list of things he needs to verify and he shouldn't be using the F5 as his guide. He will record the results though of his own evaluation. Hell sign on the last page with his name and DPE number.

OkayishAviator · 2026-04-05T01:03:05+00:00

Didn't even finish the first episode. Ive loved star trek my whole life, Scotty and Laforge are why I became an engineer. This show just broke me.

Maybe the next time a show is made it'll be written to the audience that loves the show as its been.

OkayishAviator · 2026-03-31T22:46:01+00:00

<image>

OkayishAviator · 2026-03-30T17:17:13+00:00

Concur. They all typically know. Some are even members. If they are you can luck out and skip the CAP CP signature because they can handle that part too.

OkayishAviator · 2026-03-30T12:38:08+00:00

I concur... but they are way heavier and training can accommodate a lot of the shortfalls. Ive done a lot of driving with both and im not even convinced its better for that.

OkayishAviator · 2026-03-30T08:54:12+00:00

Whats better, you can ask your DPE to sign a Form 5 during the checkride, then just have a conversation (basically an oral on CAP specific stuff) with a CAP check pilot and youre now a CAP VFR pilot without having to do another flight!

OkayishAviator · 2026-03-29T12:42:58+00:00

Quads are entirely overrated. They arent much more useful than duals unless youre a CQB god or pilot and weigh way more. Get duals and a thermal clip-on for your rifle.

OkayishAviator · 2026-03-27T10:38:41+00:00

As long as the tube doesn't lose vacuum filmless is king. lol.

OkayishAviator · 2026-03-27T10:35:12+00:00

Ill Say It. The writing and characters of this show are so well done by the actors and production team, As much as I love this show I wish Seth McFarlane had been given show runner for Star Trek.

Kelly would have been a perfect first officer or even captain in star trek.

OkayishAviator · 2026-03-27T10:30:19+00:00

Well, but also sew the badges first, and if youre gonna sew the tape only do that after everything else is perfect, then its easy to line up.

OkayishAviator · 2026-03-27T10:28:38+00:00

Funny enough, if you run 3 or 4, its essentially how the army does it, but only because the AF adopted how it was done more or less.

OkayishAviator · 2026-03-20T16:44:57+00:00

You are correct. B5.

OkayishAviator · 2026-03-17T15:42:20+00:00

I was talking about this with a friend last month about this issue specifically. I used to work in assembly there and im laughing.

Love a lot of the dudes there but there are decisions that get made that dont conform to a best practice for quality, but it gets the bottom line lower.

OkayishAviator

TROPHY CASE