Was out of pocket last few days attending the All Red Star Formation Clinic in Porterville, CA (KPTV). Total of 7 jets (1 L-29, 1 AlphaJet, 2 L-39's, and 3 Siai Marchetti S-211's), a Shorts Tucano, an RV-7, a Glasair II-FT, a Thorp T-18, 2 T-6's, about a half-dozen T-34's, and about a dozen each Nanchang CJ-6's and Yak-52's. 70 pilots/instructors, we were launching 70-100 training sorties per day, with 2-5 ships each. There are national air forces that can't meet that operational tempo.
My home field of Gillespie (KSEE) put up 3 T-34's and 5 Yak-52's, almost 1/4 of the attendee's.
Got lots of good training in including flying as #3/Deputy Fight Lead for all my flights, including with both of the T-6's, was a real treat. I was unfortunately so occupied I don't have a lot of pictures from my flights but there are lots getting posted from professional and amateur photogs alike.
Highlight for me was winning the Carrier Landing Competition - basically a spot landing contest judged by an actual Navy LSO. Flew against 14 other pilots including former Navy/Marine aviators with actual carrier experience.
Finally got to stretch the Yak's legs a little and they are little (short). 3 hops on the way up, made it in 2 on the way down but was BINGO fuel on touchdown both times - perfectly legal but just so. Average cruise at 8500' was in the 140-ish kt ground speed range, @ ~13-14 GPH. Flying up near Edwards with the guys was a treat.
My Carrier Landing Competition award and Top Hook patch
Our arrival into KPTV as a four-ship
Taxiing in
T-6 on the wing (so fucking cool)
Probably going to be a poster on my 'Me' wall in the hangar and in my offices
And wouldn't be a 'Gimp post without a vid, here you go - quick highlights
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sEtE32Or68
And here is me leading an element landing (2 planes landing in formation)
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9EcByEQnUc
'Gimp
My home field of Gillespie (KSEE) put up 3 T-34's and 5 Yak-52's, almost 1/4 of the attendee's.
Got lots of good training in including flying as #3/Deputy Fight Lead for all my flights, including with both of the T-6's, was a real treat. I was unfortunately so occupied I don't have a lot of pictures from my flights but there are lots getting posted from professional and amateur photogs alike.
Highlight for me was winning the Carrier Landing Competition - basically a spot landing contest judged by an actual Navy LSO. Flew against 14 other pilots including former Navy/Marine aviators with actual carrier experience.
Finally got to stretch the Yak's legs a little and they are little (short). 3 hops on the way up, made it in 2 on the way down but was BINGO fuel on touchdown both times - perfectly legal but just so. Average cruise at 8500' was in the 140-ish kt ground speed range, @ ~13-14 GPH. Flying up near Edwards with the guys was a treat.
My Carrier Landing Competition award and Top Hook patch
Our arrival into KPTV as a four-ship
Taxiing in
T-6 on the wing (so fucking cool)
Probably going to be a poster on my 'Me' wall in the hangar and in my offices
And wouldn't be a 'Gimp post without a vid, here you go - quick highlights
And here is me leading an element landing (2 planes landing in formation)
'Gimp
