Category Archives: The Book

“RSUs”

Posted on 30/12/2019 by Bobo

This is an “RSU,” a Runway Supervisory Unit: They typically sit at the approach ends of runways at Air Force pilot training bases. During student training operations they are usually manned by a crew of 4: a Senior Controller, an … Continue reading →

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“Two, stop hitting Lead…”

Posted on 30/12/2019 by Bobo

One day “PF” was the IP on a student two-ship (T-38s) training flight. The pilot on his wing was a solo student pilot. At some point during the mission, PF checked in on the SOF (Supervisor of Flying) frequency, callsign … Continue reading →

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“PF”

Posted on 30/12/2019 by Bobo

“PF” was an IP who worked for me when I was the Chief of Check Section in the 560th FTS (Flying Training Squadron, T-38s). He was a good IP, and I liked him well enough. But PF was a talker! … Continue reading →

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Beauty!

Posted on 30/11/2019 by Bobo

In 1978 I was the Chief of Safety at Vance AFB, OK. One morning we received a call from the Command Post telling us that one of our T-37s (Tweets) had crashed. My first concern was for the condition of … Continue reading →

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You Can Have Too Much Grapefruit…or Lemons

Posted on 21/11/2019 by Bobo

Craig and I were on a T-38A cross-country to Norton AFB, CA (San Bernardino, CA) one weekend. We flew out there and spent the weekend visiting my Aunt Jan. She and her husband lived in Indio at the time. On … Continue reading →

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Meaningful Notes

Posted on 21/11/2019 by Bobo

I came into thee squadron one afternoon after flying and found this note: Throughout my Air Force career I received a few ‘awards and decorations’ for various things but they all pale in nature to the simple personal notes of … Continue reading →

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“Oh, I Dropped the Little Bastard!”

Posted on 30/10/2019 by Bobo

We were ‘night flying’ one night when I was in UPT. Everything was going fine that night until a classmate reported that he only had ‘2 Green’ vs. “3 Green,” with his Gear Check. We needed ‘3 Green’ to be … Continue reading →

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Two Review Rides, and Turn in a New Map

Posted on 29/10/2019 by Bobo

One afternoon this student, from another flight, returned to the flight room after taking his Nav Check. He had failed it. I didn’t learn of it until later when his flight commander was discussing the issue with our section commander. … Continue reading →

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Teaching A Lesson in Humility

Posted on 27/10/2019 by Bobo

After a check ride one day, this young lieutenant we had in “O” Flight, came back to the flight room, bitching about a couple grades he had received on specific maneuvers. I listened to him “hold court” in the corner … Continue reading →

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“…Take the Bus!”

Posted on 29/01/2019 by Bobo

Just after I upgraded to IP (instructor pilot) in the HC-130 I would be assigned to fly 4-hour ‘locals’ with various pilots requiring currency and the like. Often we would take off and fly to one of several other bases … Continue reading →

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