FU Alum Inducted Into Aviation Hall of Fame

Posted At : March 9, 2010 6:00 AM | Posted By : Borg
Related Categories: Cool Stuff

On April, 24th, four distinguished aviators will be inducted into the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame. Among those being enshrined is an FU alum and a great friend of Fighter Pilot University, Colonel Stu Mosby. This distinguished event will occur at a banquet held at the Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins. 2010’s Enshrinement Ceremony will be concurrent with the dedication of a $750,000 renovation and relocation of the Hall of Fame’s exhibits to the Century of Flight Hangar.

Inductee Colonel James “Stu” Mosbey will be recognized for 375 combat missions and for flying every service variant of the F-4 Phantom. An Air Force veteran, Mosby led the Marines in their first ever appearance at “Red Flag” exercises which earned him Honorary Marine Pilot Wings. Col. Mosby is also credited for the reissue of the iconic and venerable A2 flight jacket which was discontinued after WWII. (From the picture above, thank goodness he didn't push to bring back scarves too.)

The Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame has enshrined over 83 men and women that have made lasting and significant contributions to Aviation. Located inside the Museum of Aviation at Warner Robbins AFB, the Hall of Fame also serves as the state repository for Georgia’s Aviation Archives. For information on nominees and 2010 Banquet reservations, call 478-328-0704 or visit www.GAHOF.org.

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Air Show Fighter Pilots

Posted At : March 5, 2010 6:00 AM | Posted By : Rowdy
Related Categories: Cool Stuff

Some of the footage in the video shows air show flight displays by individual fighters and military demonstration teams. Militarily, there is a difference between the two types of individuals who are flying as an individual demo pilot and those on a team.

Generally, we don't deal with military demonstration teams here at Fighter Pilot University only because these pilots have hung their fighter pilot status on the hook, usually just temporarily, and become entertainers and recruiting tools. That's OK, that's fine, but in spite of what their public relations statements may say, they're not go-to-war ready fighter pilots.

Solo demo pilots are usually a part of an operational squadron who's main business is preparing for war. These solo guys do the demo gig as an additional duty but must also maintain their mission ready status. Some solo guys you'll see at an air show are actually an employee of some large corporation dealing in massive government contracts who are flying and promoting their particular fighter. Still others, on rare occasions, may be flying a privately owned jet, usually vintage, owned by some deep pocketed multi-millionaire.

Regardless of which you're doing, your flight demo status greatly increases your chick magnet quotient. Except maybe the private jet guy because they're quite often old as dirt. However, I suppose they do well with the elder female air show groupies.

OK, enough of that. Kickass video!!

Next time you go to an air show, make
sure you've got on FU gear from the FU STORE.
It'll do two things for you. First, you'll look cool.
Second, the fighter pilots there will respect you
and know that you kickass.
Get to the FU STORE now.

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World's Greatest Inventor? A Fighter Pilot?

Posted At : February 19, 2010 5:28 AM | Posted By : Rowdy
Related Categories: Cool Stuff

Walter Fredrick Morrison

What's the greatest invention of all time? The clock, the electric light bulb, the personal computer? All that stuff is nice and very practical but when it comes down to something that really impacts humanity you'd certainly have to throw (pun intended) the Frisbee into the discussion as the greatest invention ever. And, what makes the Frisbee story even more kickass to us here at Fighter Pilot University is the fact that the Frisbee was invented by a fighter pilot.

Walter Fredrick Morrison, Fred, was a California kid who, in 1937, at the age of 17, came up with the idea of a flying disc as an entertainment and casual athletic device. Fred started with a popcorn can lid, then cake pans. While throwing a cake pan to his girlfriend on the Santa Monica beach someone offered him 25 cents for the pan. Knowing that cake pans only cost 5 cents Fred saw an opportunity. Well, he married the girlfriend and started his business, "Flyin' Cake Pans," selling them on the beaches of California.

Fred's improved aerodynamics knowledge came about as a result of World War II. He served in the Army Air Corps as a P-47 Thunderbolt fighter pilot in Europe. Maybe not the most illustrious career there, he was shot down over Italy and was held as a POW for 48 days. But, he put his knew found knowledge to good use when, back home, in 1946 he sketched a design for a new flying disc that was much more aerodynamically efficient which he called the "Whirlo-Way." In 1948 after making further improvements to his design he began producing his first plastic discs, now called "Flyin-Saucers." In 1955, what pretty much resembles today's disc, Fred's product was now called the "Pluto Platter." Then in 1957 Fred sold his rights to Wham-O, who changed the name a year later to Frisbee, a name change to avoid trademark infringement with the Frisbie Pie Company.

Fred died recently at the age of 90. He continued to receive royalties from Wham-O throughout his life which climbed into the millions. Today there are over twenty competitive games utilizing the Frisbee including Guts, Disk Golf and Ultimate. Above is a picture of Fred with his invention. You can see the intelligence and determination of the typical fighter pilot. It's guys like Fred that shows fighter pilots bring a lot more to the world than just kickassness. Yes, Fred Morrison is just one more reason the world can give thanks that there are fighter pilots in this world.

FU Gear from the FU STORE.
Perfect for a game of Guts Frisbee.
Or if your gut doesn't allow
that kind of activity,
FU Gear comes in larger sizes too.

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