I returned to Randolph AFB, TX in Jul 1982, and was assigned to the 560th Flying Training Squadron (FTS) as an IP at PIT. The Commander at the time wasn’t sure what to do with me, so he offered to let me attend the whole T-38 IP course. ‘Oh, throw me in that briar patch!’ I jumped on it right away. Attending the course would allow me not only to become current in the jet again, but it would give me the opportunity to see the ‘operation’ from an observer’s viewpoint (more or less.)
Just as we were completing academics and about to head to the flight line for flying, ‘Hollywood’ visited our classroom. He was the Assistant Flight Commander at the time of “D,” Dawg Flight. (Ironic as it might seem, I went through “D” Flight my first time through PIT, in 1975.). Anyway, Hollywood was a big man, and presented a rather imposing figure. He also made it clear to the young lieutenants that “D” Flight would not be “taking any prisoners,” with respect to “carrying folks” through the program. Fine with me…
When we received our IP assignments, wouldn’t you know it, I drew Hollywood. Okay, let’s see how this goes.
In all reality, I enjoyed flying with him, and came to respect and admire him quite a bit – as a professional, and a friend. But that damn helmet of his. The size of a Home Depot 5-gallon bucket, painted white!
I first discovered it on an instrument ride when he offered to let me perform a touch-and-go from the rear cockpit after an instrument approach. My first since returning to the T-38 in 2 years. Everything was fine, until I began looking for the runway. Couldn’t find it! All I could see was Hollywood’s helmet, and I wasn’t going to ask him to move. I looked, and looked, and looked some more – but nothing. You don’t have a great deal of time on Final, so I just used to technique of landing on what was “not the runway” ahead. If I saw grass on either side, I didn’t land there. And, in the end, it all worked out fine. (Upon reflection here, I think I remember seeing Hollywood’s hands also hanging from the mirrors, as we were inclined to do when riding in the front seat.)