Category Archives: The Book

‘We Have to Start Going to Different Places’…

Posted on 23/12/2018 by Bobo

When we were still in training I overheard a T-38 Check Pilot once lament, ‘We have to start going to different places for our cross-country checks…’ “Well, that’s an interesting comment,” I thought to myself. “Wonder what brought that about?” … Continue reading →

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The “Boner” Board

Posted on 23/12/2018 by Bobo

When we went through UPT, they had “Boner Boards” in each of the Flight Rooms. A “boner” was a “screw-up,” typically called by an IP. Each “Boner” carried a $0.25 value and was collected by the IPs. The collection was … Continue reading →

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Buzzing Capt. C.

Posted on 23/12/2018 by Bobo

When we flew in the training command at the time, we operated off of both sides of the runway. Normally a runway has to be “clear” to land however we had a waiver that allowed us to operate with 3,000 … Continue reading →

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The Month Art “Frocked” Himself…

Posted on 20/12/2018 by Bobo

“In the United States military, frocking is the practice of a commissioned or non-commissioned officer selected for promotion wearing the insignia of the higher grade before the official date of promotion. An officer who has been selected for promotion may … Continue reading →

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“Roger that, and you can pick up the squawk…”

Posted on 17/12/2018 by Bobo

Gary G. was a senior captain when I got to Vance in 1975.  He had been a Forward Air Controller (FAC) in Vietnam before becoming a T-38 IP.  Gary had kind of a ‘cynical demeanor’ but in a humorous way.  … Continue reading →

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“Where Are You Guys?”

Posted on 17/12/2018 by Bobo

One of the ‘additional duties’ we had in the squadron was to provide resources to the Base Exercise and Evaluation Team (BEET) for exercises on occasion.   And one day we sent 2 of our pilots to participate in a staged … Continue reading →

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Just Point Him Toward Sky Harbor…

Posted on 15/11/2018 by Bobo

Mike C. once told me about a young Lt. who took a jet (T-38) out on a weekend cross country with a Flight Surgeon who needed to log some flying time.  This wasn’t unusual, I did it a few times … Continue reading →

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How Do You Spell the Name?

Posted on 13/11/2018 by Bobo

My second trip with Major General LeRoy Svendsen was a 3-day cross-country to Las Vegas.  He had some business out there and I was once again, his “seeing-eye IP.” The trip was more or less straightforward until we stopped at … Continue reading →

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Late Night Lieutenant?

Posted on 10/11/2018 by Bobo

The IP-Student relationship was very formal in the beginning of their training.  It had to be.  I had no desire to be their ‘friend.’  Jay Barnes once explained it very well for me.  He once said, during my Buddy IP … Continue reading →

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The Day Goes by So Much Better…

Posted on 09/11/2018 by Bobo

One morning ‘the Burker’ was the opening SOF (Supervisor of Flying) at Vance.  His report time that morning was around 0430 or so.  Helping him open that morning was a female Ops Specialist, a blonde 2-striper who had not been … Continue reading →

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