I flew an F-16 today!

[vax6335]

Not a model, the real deal, F-16D. No pics unfortunately. The pilot wouldn't let me bring a camera. Maybe next time.
One perk of my job is that we're authorized to fly along on their missions in the back seat as a 'non-interference' flyer, rather than a "fly around the flagpole" incentive ride. Boy was it a blast. We did some air to air, then had a mid-air refuel, then did some low air to air. And I mean low, 500 feet off the deck. We only pulled a max of 5.8 G's, but this was my first time, and those G's suck! I even got some stick time.
I think someone did get a picture of me strapping in, so I'll try to get that on here later. We're probably going to have this D-model for another year, so I'll more than likely get to fly again.

[TylerJCooper]

That might be the coolest thing I have heard all year. Super jealous!

[Grasshopper]

That would be SO COOL! I envy you. Glad you got to do it.

[airmail wf]

Ok so rub it in.....two rides is just not fair. You should share those extra rides with your fellow modelers. It just so happens I will be in your area for that next ride....whenever that maybe. Soooooooooo I know you really really want to share. ;):D

[birdDog]

Hey Andy, Where do I send my resume to? ;-)

[Alpea42]

Andy, exactly what is this dream job? Bet you couldn't wait to tell us Wattflyers huh? How many 2 seater Falcons are there? They use em for check rides and experiments.

[aviatordave]

cool! did you get sick?

[firemanbill]

Andy that is great! Good for you.:D:cool:

[vax6335]

I work for the Indiana Air National Guard full time. I'm in the Aircrew Flight Equipment shop, we take care of all the pilots' flying gear and survival equipment. Pack the parachutes too, etc. Only us, Intel and flight surgeons are the only non-pilot types that can fly along on sorties. I've been to all the survival schools, altitiude chamber, and we're looking into getting into the centrifuge school.

We recently upgraded to Block 30 aircraft, and for some reason picked up a D model 2 seater. I guess there aren't very many left. Having a 2 seater isn't a requirement as we don't do any initial pilot training. Sometimes they'll put it on the schedule to keep the hours up on it, and if the back seat is available and no pilot wants to go, we get to fly.

There's a chance we'll be getting A-10's in around a year, so we probably will only have the plane for the rest of the year. And obviously they don't make 2 seat A-10's. (I believe they only made 2)

Oh, and since we got the 2 seater, I believe I'm the first rider to not get sick. But by the end of the flight, I was exhausted.

[son of alpea42]

Cool Andy. talking of getting air sick ,this is one of my favorite videos. A girl blows her lunch in an air-sickness bag while the pilot takes the plane on a 0 g over the top manuver and the vomit hits her in the face. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FCz6JY_WzA

[son of alpea42]

That link didn't work for me. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FCz6JY_WzA Here it is again http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBsMQ7j04Zo&feature=related Now that would make you never want to fly again:D

[benovisoff]

Cool Andy. talking of getting air sick ,this is one of my favorite videos. A girl blows her lunch in an air-sickness bag while the pilot takes the plane on a 0 g over the top manuver and the vomit hits her in the face. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FCz6JY_WzA

Been there, done that.:blah: In a cessna 172 I might add:roll:

[gramps2161]

you just got to live my life dream to fly in a jet fighter. YOu are soooo lucky!!!

[Crash Test Dummy]

Wow, I'm speachless.

CTD

[alienx]

Man that sounds like a great time!!

[vax6335]

I finally got a hold of the only picture of my flight. Lousy exposure, it was a cheap camera. Also a picture of the plane, but it no longer has the MI tail on it.

[Sabrehawk]

Awesome Andy! I know just how ya feel too.

I got to fly in a Christen Eagle last year myself. And like you wasnt allowed to take a camera onboard. Just too much a chance of it getting loose, cant have that can we?
But also like you I got some pics strapping in and the preflight brief.:p>

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b370/SabreHawk1/Pictures027.jpg

[RWP]

Cool Andy. talking of getting air sick ,this is one of my favorite videos. A girl blows her lunch in an air-sickness bag while the pilot takes the plane on a 0 g over the top manuver and the vomit hits her in the face. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FCz6JY_WzA

That was FUNNY!!! This is old but maybe someone hasn't seen it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SN77b9DqEbc

[vax6335]

Went again today. Did some dogfighting and aerial refueling. Pulled 7 G's this time. Boy I'm beat.

[gramps2161]

Man you are fortunate to get to it again. do they use a onboard video that you could post, or would that be breaking rules.
It would be cool to have the perspective of a on board video to see what the pilot and you are seeing, and experiencing.

[CLSSY56]

That's cool. The only cool planes I have flown in is a B-25 Mitchel and a TBM Avenger :)

[jkaven]

Man that's awesome. I'm jealous. I had an enlisted buddy that joined the guard so he could go to college. He flies F-16s now :sad:

[vax6335]

As requested....

QOu_ULV8F3c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOu_ULV8F3c

[gramps2161]

VAX thanks that was awsome. I take it that was you in the back looked like you guys where pulling some g's. :D:D

I'll tell ya what, the skill to pull up and refuel in air is quite the flying skill. thanks again if ya get more vid's hope you postum for the rest of us less fortunate.

[zoldar]

Cool that you got an incentive ride!!!

I used to work Comm/NAV/ECM on F-111F models. We always hated the F-16s when we went TDY. They always seemed to land Code 1 (no write-ups, issues). Our jets rarely landed Code 1...sometimes they were so broke we would run out of room on the status board listing broke systems. That said....I would go back to work on them in a heart beat. Its cool to see a jet take off that you helped to fix. I sure do miss the flightline sometimes.