Category Archives: UPT

Flying With Iranians…

Posted on 23/10/2018 by Bobo

In the late ’70’s, we received 29 Iranians at Vance AFB, OK for pilot training.  In preparation for these guys we had a 3-4 hour briefing on their (Muslim) customs from the State Department. (In retrospect, one of the best … Continue reading →

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Echelon, You Hockey Puck!

Posted on 05/01/2015 by Bobo

This is an “Echelon” formation:   It is used primarily at low level, to maneuver around the traffic pattern and so forth.  It is characterized with all the aircraft in the formation being on the same side as opposed to … Continue reading →

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“Kansas City Center, Guess Who?”

Posted on 21/12/2014 by Bobo

It was about this time of the year when we took a 4-ship out to the area to ‘play’ a bit.  The students had all gone home for the holidays so there were just IPs (instructor pilots) in the jets.  … Continue reading →

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A Tribute to the King

Posted on 06/03/2014 by Bobo

(The following was provided by Rat.) A TRIBUTE TO THE KING 16 August 79:  It was a hot, humid, summer morning at an un-named USAF base in northeast Mississippi.  I was a T-38 IP in Eagle Flight.  This particular day … Continue reading →

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A View from the Back Seat

Posted on 24/01/2013 by Bobo

I had a great T-38 IP (instructor pilot) in pilot training – Capt. Rick Vaile.  One day I asked him if he would take my picture on final, from the back seat.  It was towards the end of the program; … Continue reading →

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Grading Practices

Posted on 16/01/2013 by Bobo

At various points in UPT we had to take Check Rides for progress checks.  Quality control, if you will.  Check pilots were selected based on their skill sets, maturity and experience.  On occasion a ‘moron’ would slip through the system … Continue reading →

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If Ya Haven’t Been There Before, Probably Not a Good Idea to Go There….

Posted on 15/01/2013 by Bobo

“If ya haven’t been there before, probably not a good idea to go there,” is something I heard my whole flying career with respect to taking Nav (navigation) check rides.  It really makes sense.  There are just so many things … Continue reading →

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Be Alert…

Posted on 25/11/2012 by Bobo

I walked into “M” Flight (T-38s at Vance) one morning and saw this on one of the blackboards: Be Alert We need more ‘Lerts’ I stood there for a moment, completely taken aback by it.  The students came and went, … Continue reading →

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Dan F.

Posted on 18/08/2012 by Bobo

(Dan F. was one of the funniest guys I met whilst in the Air Force.  Although I did not witness the following story, I do have it on ‘good authority…’) Dan was a T-38 Flight Commander at Vance AFB, OK … Continue reading →

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Mr. B’s

Posted on 24/08/2011 by Bobo

I don’t know if this was the “official” name of the Randolph AFB, TX Flightline Cafeteria or not; and at this juncture, I really don’t much care – it’s gone anyway.  It was our name for it – “our” being … Continue reading →

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