Fighter Pilot University - Cool Stuff

Fighter Pilot Test

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 06:46:00-0500

Could you pass this test?

Flanker Stuff

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 06:17:00-0500

Here's a very cool video featuring lots-o-Flankers. There's even a couple of F-15Eski and F-111skis in the video, whoda thunk it. I have to admit, it is a pretty cool looking jet. We put all things this cool in our virtual classroom at FU. Even when it's produced by some Red from the "Motherland."

There's some good propaganda in the video that I’m sure most of you will enjoy. Comments like “Sukhoi will be the one to bring American Tyranny to an end.” Just to clarify your point Boris—Do you mean the tyranny that freed Europe from Hitler and then sat back and watched Stalin murder 20,000,000 civilians (that's 20 million Red dude)? Or maybe you mean the American tyranny that supplied the soviet armed forces with weapons during WW II so you could survive the onslaught of Germany, move into northern Asia, and then hand those arms over to the communist Chinese so they could murder 50,000,000 of their own people?

Maybe we should have let our Tyrannical General Patton roll through Eastern Europe, exterminate a few million communist from the planet, and netted a savings of 67,000,000 innocent civilians in Russia and China. I’m just saying, while we are keeping it real let’s get the facts right. Bottom line, Communism still sucks and MiGs/Suckhoiya’s were born to die!

Be a Great Wingman!

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 00:01:00-0500

There's a special quality only a good wingman has. This beer adverstisement kind of says it all!

Viper Low Level

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 05:26:00-0500

Don't know how tactical the four ship close is at 500 feet, but other than that it's very awesome video of some great low altitude flying in a Viper.

Lap Around the Boat

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 06:00:00-0500

Here's a great video of a T-45 taking a lap around the boat. I had the opportunity to spend a night on the USS Independence a few years back (OK--more than a few). Pags, a Hornet driver from the World Famous Dragons, invited me out when we were flying out of the Gulf back during WW Southern Watch. He was stuck in Bahrain for a few days with a broken jet and our squadron took care of him while he waited to return to the Indy. It was a great opportunity to see carrier ops up close and personal.

It was definitely AF appreciation day for me. Pags had me with the LSO for the night recovery. During the night recovery, there was a Tomcat that skipped all the wires and went off the edge of the angle deck into the dark abyss of the Persian Gulf. He was late to go to burner on the bolter call and disappeared below the deck as his burners kicked in. I could hear the Air Boss calling for him to “eject” about that same time. He fortunately was able to recover and climbed out at a rather steep angle and informed the Boss he and his RIO would like to spend the night on the beach. Then the LSO turned to me, slaps me on the back and says, “hey that’s pretty cool, you almost got to see an ejection.” It was at that point I realized why those Navy guys were wired a bit different then us AF types.

Enjoy the video and you Navy alumni feel free to comment and give us any of your war stories from the boat!

Protestors? Really?

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 06:11:00-0500

Borg ran into these gentlemen at an airshow that he fly into recently. These two are actually protesting war and US operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Interestingly though, both of their signs more blatantly support the very thing they’re protesting.

“THESE MACHINES KILL TERRORISTS” No shit!! That’s what they do and quite well we might add. Thank you to all those who fly these machines.

“WHO WOULD JESUS BOMB? Isn’t that a bit rhetorical? That’s like asking what would Napoleon do if he had an A-10? He’d bomb the enemy. Geez, some people, no imagination.

Wall Street Bastards

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 06:00:00-0500

Check out this video. Even the slimy, Wall Street bastards are getting in on the advertising game. Using fighter planes to further their underhanded, conniving, money grabbing, manipulative schemes. Oh well, it's capitalism so it's all good.

Fighter Planes and FLIBs

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 06:00:00-0500

A good test of rock & roll is to see if it goes well with the video of fighters (old and new) and even some cool looking FLIB (F**king Little Itinerate Bastard) airplanes. At Oshgosh, there's always a nice mixture of both. Don't know how that A-380 snuck its way in here, but hey, Viva La France. I'd have to say the song "All These Things That I've Done" by The Killers would go well with any cool flying video.

FU Alum Inducted Into Aviation Hall of Fame

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:00:00-0500

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.

Air Show Fighter Pilots

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 06:00:00-0500

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.

World's Greatest Inventor? A Fighter Pilot?

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 05:28:00-0500

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.

Fighter Jet Ads Go High Tech

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 05:30:00-0500

It was only a matter of time. We've been preaching the very smart advertising tactic of using fighter pilots and fighter planes in commercials. We've seen the typical ads -- products who have highly intelligent ad agencies by the way -- for cars, beer, soft drinks and even lawn mowers. Well, finally the high tech guys are getting on board.

These are supposed to be some of the smartest folks around, at least when it comes to technology. So why has it taken them so long? Quite simply, fighter pilot envy. Face it, normally tech smart equals nerd or geek. Nerd or geek usually also equates to not fighter pilot material. So how did the nerds and geeks at Verizon and Google, who's advertising video this happens to be, finally get over the fact that they just didn't have what it takes to be a fighter pilot, which fanned the flames of their jealousy and maybe some childish hatred? Money. It's always money.

The guys at Google came out with this new Droid phone and finally got it in their craniums that if we use fighter pilots and fighter jets in their new ad, they could be talking about some really serious money from this whole new revenue stream. More than likely they've been seeing our articles and finally got smart. Or should we say smarter. Hey Google, how about sharing the riches, especially in this new age of wealth redistribution? Pay the idea man. It's only fair.

FU STORE.
GO!
NOW!!

Resurrect the Raptor

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 05:57:00-0500

Robert Schilpp's a high school junior. He sent us this research paper, Resurrect the Raptor, that he was required to complete for school. We were quite impressed. Well written, researched and we like what he says.

Reminded me of the big research paper I had to do in high school. My topic of choice was the History of Witchcraft. I thought it might be a cool topic that chicks would dig. Let's just say it wasn't and they didn't. The end result was nowhere near the quality of Robert's. I'm not sure any of my college papers where this quality either.

Robert didn't tell us what grade he got other than that he passed. Our professors at Fighter Pilot University say it's a definite A+ and worthy of post-graduate work. Because of that FU has offered Robert a free ride at our prestigious University. Totally free; room, board, tuition, books. The whole shootin' match. We're pretty sure Robert will take us up on our offer because, at Fighter Pilot University, you don't have to attract chicks with cool paper topics, you attract them because you're going to be a fighter pilot.

Resurrect the Raptor

“Not to have an adequate air force in the present state of the world is to compromise the foundations of national freedom and independence.”

Winston Churchill, House of Commons, 14 March 1933

As requested by Secretary Gates, President Obama approved the fiscal year (FY) 2010 Federal Budget Plan of terminating United States Air Force’s, F-22 Raptor, after building only 187 aircraft. Continuing F-22 production is vital to the nation’s requirement for uncontested air superiority over the next 30 years, just as the nation enjoyed for the last 30 years with the F-15A-D Eagle. Without more F-22s, many United States Air Force pilots will be asked to defend this country by flying 35-40 year old Eagles. Imagine pulling 9G’s in a 40 year old jet! Some suggest that the F-35 can substitute for an F-22. The F-35 will be a fantastic replacement for the multi-role F-16, AV-8, A-10, F-111 and F/A-18, and capable of defending itself. However, it was not designed to carry eight air-to-air missiles, fly above 50,000 ft and faster than Mach 1.5 without afterburner--and as such it cannot replace the F-15 Eagle in the United States Air Force’s air superiority/air dominance role. This “penny-wise and pound-foolish” decision to terminate the F-22 purchase at 187, could lead us into a future conflict of attrition where Air Force pilots are forced to fly second-best, obsolete or old air-to-air fighters, while restarting the F-22 line could prove too expensive or take too long. Termination of the F-22 program is an unnecessary risk to the future defense of the United States. [More]

Mr Bones

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 06:34:00-0500

Here's a video from my old squadron, The Boneheads.  A Hollywood filmmaker spent six months in the squadron shooting video for this production and tried unsuccessfully to make it into a reality TV series called "American Fighter Pilot."

The nuggets in the video were actual students from an F-15 B-Course back in 2000.  The background stories were kind of lame, but the airborne video shots were awesome. They mounted several cameras on the fuselage and in the cockpit and filmed over 100 hours of actual BFM and ACM.

I'm sure some of you will recognize many of the dudes in the video, and the solo party scenes in the bar are the real deal. Can't really see Mr Bones very well in the video, but he's the oldest fighter pilot in the bar hanging out in his coffin. So grab some jalapeno popcorn, a beer, and raise your glasses to Mr F--king Bones!

Fighter Jets In Their Genes

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 06:15:00-0500

Continued research by the Fighter Pilot University Business Department proves that Saab is the bestselling car in the world. Yes, it's a nice car, usually with a somewhat unique look. Very good safety record too. However, what makes Saab so successful is the fact that the company was started by fighter jet designers. Saab still builds world class jet fighters for goodness sakes. Even more importantly, they ceaselessly use fighters in their advertising campaigns.

Look and learn masters of capitalism. Fighter pilots and fighters jets in your advertising results in unbelievably fantastic sales and customer loyalty. How many times we gotta say this?