Randy Haskin's Eagle

[zeke]

Re: Randy Haskin's Eagle

I can't for the life of me think of anything that happens in a jet fighter that is worth doing that....

So what's the best thing about flying a military Jet fighter, what gives you the biggest buzz and think this is what it's all about? The G's, acceleration, speed or knowing that your flying the best technology to serve your country?

I'm sort of curious, I was talking to a friend today who is an airline pilot (737's) and he was talking about how boring the long flights could get. Obviously an F-15 can do a whole lot more, but I'm sure many missions would be transits or nothing much more than an airline flight profile.

Recently I went flying with in a Nanchang CJ-6, a 2 ship formation and then chasing each other in dogfights at low level, about 1000'. I loved it, just wish they had heaps more power and to me that's what the buzz of flying is about.

I was talking to a pilot I know who flies a civilian Hawker Hunter just after
he performed an airshow display. Would love to have been able to occupy the spare seat, the speed, acceleration, G's and high climb rate all in one flight. Do you get to fly those sort of flight profiles often?

Do you ever get much of a sensation of speed? Obviously the higher the altitude, the slower the feeling of movement, ever get the feeling that you are really tearing up the air, like low level and high mach number?

Whatever you say, I still think It's a great "job" to be able to fly an F-15.

[zeke]

Re: Randy Haskin's Eagle

Thanks for the photos

The 747 behind the wing of the B-52, is that AirForce One? Anyone know

[Randy Haskin]

Re: Randy Haskin's Eagle

The 747 behind the wing of the B-52, is that AirForce One? Anyone know

It's the E-4 NAOC, the National Airborne Operations Center.

[Randy Haskin]

Re: Randy Haskin's Eagle

So what's the best thing about flying a military Jet fighter, what gives you the biggest buzz and think this is what it's all about? The G's, acceleration, speed or knowing that your flying the best technology to serve your country?

I have been sitting here the last hour or so as I get ready for work (yes, work on a Sunday...) thinking about how to put this into words.

It's not easy...there's not one thing that I can hang my hat on that says why I love my job. I'm an airplane freak like the rest of us here, so certainly the stick-and-rudder aspects of being able to fly a very high performance aircraft, as well as do some very high performance flying (formation, low levels, night flying, dogfighting, etc) is a very exciting aspect of the job. I wish that I could share that with fellow pilots and friends so they could get the thrills of experiencing it, too.

There's another level entirely on top of just the flying which most people don't see, too...remember that a jet fighter is a weapons platform -- it is a means of getting bombs and bullets to a point in space where they can be used to have a kinetic effect on something. The employment of that weapon system, including the tactics of how to beat the other guy without him killing you first, is far more intricate that just flying the airplane. That's the "airborne 3D chess match" that a lot of fighter pilots talk about. Maybe it's even a little like playing a football game, as there are so many moving parts and you have to manage you plays against the defense of your opponent. It's extremely mentally challenging and the stick and rudder aspects of flying a fighter are almost secondary -- the formation flying, rooting around low altitude and fast, going supersonic, whatever -- to managing what is going on in that tactical game.

Some of the really amazing things -- like flying at 680 KCAS and 500 feet, or formation flying with a MiG 29 or F-22, or pulling 9Gs in a dogfight -- are eclipsed by the fact that my mind is racing while that is going on to accomplish whatever the job is at that particular time -- achieve a weapon release parameter, or maneuver my jet to a position of advantage, or what have you. There just isn't a lot of time to sit back and enjoy what is going on. It's only after all is said and done, and you're back at 1G and Zero knots on the ground, that you can enjoy what happened during the "chess match".

For me, I think, it's mastering that 3D chess match that gives me the most job satisfaction. What's interesting, though, is that it just wouldn't be the same if it were taking place somewhere other than inside a fighter cockpit! I definitely wouldn't get the same satisfaction if I were sitting in a conference room trying to play the same game.

As for what I love to do in terms of flying...my favorite mission is Close Air Support. Flying close to the ground, dropping bombs and being able to see the results of your work, and best of all helping save the lives of soldiers and Marines on the ground who need you...that is immensely satisfying to me.

Certainly there are boring hours flying the Strike Eagle. We have to get the airplane from Point A to Point B just like every other airplane. A cross country flight can be just as boring as your airline friend described, and my WSO and I can be found listening to our iPod with the autopilot altitude hold set just cruising along at FL390. I have gone out on instrument proficiency flights where I am bored out of my mind shooting approach after approach....the ILS, and then let's fly the TACAN, now lets to a PAR, now let's fly the Localizer, how about the back-course...that is the "it's just a job" part that gets boring. I'm sure rock stars and professional athletes and porn stars all think that it's "just a job" at some point, too.

On the other hand, like many pilots, there are the moments of sheer terror in the cockpit, too. I like to tell people that for the most part I'm vastly overpaid for what I do...but that there have been a few moments in my career that you couldn't pay me enough to ever do again...times when I've earned every cent that I've ever been paid in my career! But, hey...it is the "service" after all, and I know that sacrifice may be required and I'm willing to do that.

So, I guess to put it concisely:

1. I love flying airplanes and feel incredibly lucky that I'm able to fly around in these powerful jets (thanks, American taxpayers!!), although the job I do in the jet often masks the thrill of flying it.

2. I'm honored that I've been able to serve my country in a capacity that allows me to make a real contribution to the mission (no 'shoveling sh*t in Louisiana' for me, General Patton!).

[wolfee]

Re: Randy Haskin's Eagle

Randy,

Thank you for your thoughts, and insperation!

It is what you do that we all dream of at night. And by the sound of it, you still do as well.

I have known several fighter pilots in my life, and heard story after story of flying the fighters of today. But not one of them have EVER put it the way you just did. A chess match in the sky it is in deed. One that protects us and our families every day.

Thank you sir!

/Salute


wolfee

[AAFO_WSagar]

Re: Randy Haskin's Eagle

So, I guess to put it concisely:

1. I love flying airplanes and feel incredibly lucky that I'm able to fly around in these powerful jets (thanks, American taxpayers!!), although the job I do in the jet often masks the thrill of flying it.

2. I'm honored that I've been able to serve my country in a capacity that allows me to make a real contribution to the mission (no 'shoveling sh*t in Louisiana' for me, General Patton!).

Randy, Don't know if I have ever read a more informative few paragraphs on what it's like to be a modern fighter pilot...

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and feelings!

[zeke]

Re: Randy Haskin's Eagle

and my WSO and I can be found listening to our iPod with the autopilot altitude hold set just cruising along at FL390. [/b]

Flying a multi million dollar Mach 2+ 50,000lbs+ thrust fighter listening to an ipod. You guys must have some great music on there. Next time I see a military jet fly past I'm now going to be thinking what are they listening to.

Thanks Randy for letting us know some of what it's like to be in command of an Eagle. And that the "thrill" of the job covers so many aspects, from flying to stratergy to being cover for the soliders on the ground. As I'm not from the military I view flying for the fun of it, but understand that with a mission to do it takes on a whole new meaning.

I'll just have to be content with dreaming about flying at low level doing 600+KCAS, chasing Migs or keeping visual on an F22 next time I go flying.

[Randy Haskin]

Re: Randy Haskin's Eagle

Flying a multi million dollar Mach 2+ 50,000lbs+ thrust fighter listening to an ipod. You guys must have some great music on there. Next time I see a military jet fly past I'm now going to be thinking what are they listening to.

Well, don't get me wrong...this isn't Iron Eagle. I'm not cranking Queen's "One Vision" as I cross the line into badguy territory and the shooting starts! There is far too much going on aurally in the cockpit when there's a real mission to be done that music is a VERY unnecessary distraction. Chances are, if you can see a fast mover flying by with your eyeball there isn't any music going on.

If we're up in the flight levels cruising from place to place over a long period of time (e.g. crossing the Atlantic) that's when the music comes out. Other stuff to keep us entertained -- like playing Trivial Pursuit over the intra-flight radio, or "name that tune" contests -- also happens to combat the boredom of 10 hours strapped in to an ejection seat with no ability to get up and stretch your legs.

[zeke]

Re: Randy Haskin's Eagle

Well, don't get me wrong...this isn't Iron Eagle.

I know that it's a serious mission that pilots take in a very serious attitude. And that the guys who fly without following strict criteria aren't going to be going far in the air force. I know it isn't what like it is portrayed in the movies.

I have serious respect for the pilots who fly and protect the nation. There is a very fine line between controlled flight and uncontrolled at the edge, be that low down in a high powered racer at reno or at high altitude balancing airspeed, stalling speed and g's. It's your life in that situation, and not mine.
Because of that, all those who fly in situations like that will always have my respect.

As you said even rock stars & athletes would have times when there occupation gets rather mundane. It's just the thought of the pilot transitioning could be listening to music on an ipod, well it just puts a smile on my face. In the same sort of way that seeing a women wearing a tiny bikini at the beach and talking on her mobile phone does. Just the situations seem a bit amusing when you put them together, when by themselves they both are normal.

And I will still dream of one day somehow being able to go up in a jet and experience the sort of flying you do. I'll leave the music for the flight on the airlines.

Thanks for letting me understand a bit more of what it is like to be the pilot in command of a Strike Eagle.

[MRussell]

Re: Randy Haskin's Eagle

Flying a multi million dollar Mach 2+ 50,000lbs+ thrust fighter listening to an ipod. You guys must have some great music on there. Next time I see a military jet fly past I'm now going to be thinking what are they listening to.

Randy:
Does the iPod plug into the on-board audio system directly, or do you just put the earbuds in before the helmet goes on?

[Randy Haskin]

Re: Randy Haskin's Eagle

Does the iPod plug into the on-board audio system directly, or do you just put the earbuds in before the helmet goes on?

Naah, the jet has no such system. There are two different methods. Since it's a 2-seat jet, and it's kind to share your music, the most popular way is to use something called a patch cord. A patch cord is a home-brewed item that gets plugged in between your helmet comm cord and the comm lead in the jet. Essentially a 1/4" jack gets spliced in to the wires going into the intercomm, with the 1/4" jack being able to plug in to whatever audio device you choose.

I find it to be a bit of a cumbersome device because of how it is mechanized -- when you transmit over the radio it transmits the music, too. That's pretty embarassing when you're talking to LA Center.

I prefer just putting the ear buds on under my helmet. Reguar ear buds don't cut it, though, because I wear double hearing protection via the little yellow E.A.R. foamies ear plugs. Instead, I modified a pair of Koss ear buds by replacing the stock foam with the yellow ear plugs.

The end result looks a little like this:



The downside to wearing the ear buds is that your back seater doesn't know you're jamming to The Stones, and tries to talk to you normally over the intercomm. The result is that he thinks you're just being a d*ck and ignoring him!

[zaqwrx]

Re: Randy Haskin's Eagle

I can't for the life of me think of anything that happens in a jet fighter that is worth doing that....

I couldn't either ...

[speeddemon]

Re: Randy Haskin's Eagle

Well, don't get me wrong...this isn't Iron Eagle.

Its NOT?????

No elephant guns? No Reynolds Wrap 'chaff'? No turbo boost? No P-51A's painted like BF-109's???????

WHERE THE HELL ARE MY TAX DOLLARS GOING, ANYHOW??????

[MRussell]

Re: Randy Haskin's Eagle

Regular ear buds don't cut it, though, because I wear double hearing protection via the little yellow E.A.R. foamies ear plugs. Instead, I modified a pair of Koss ear buds by replacing the stock foam with the yellow ear plugs.

Thanks. I'm surprised it's that loud (ambient) in the F15 cockpit. Is the noise level comparable to any commercial jet cabins? Is there a big change in wind noise according to your speed?

[race21]

Re: Randy Haskin's Eagle

[QUOTE=Randy Haskin]
As for what I love to do in terms of flying...my favorite mission is Close Air Support. Flying close to the ground, dropping bombs and being able to see the results of your work, and best of all helping save the lives of soldiers and Marines on the ground who need you...that is immensely satisfying to me.


I know of one Marine, he is the son of my best friend, who is very appreciative of your flying skills and Close Air Support. You were called in to the outskirts of Basra from the base at Kuwait at the beginning of the campaign and march north to Baghdad. His squad was pinned down and your group dropped ordanance exactly where it was needed....he said the whine of the F15 up close and personnal will be a treasured memory for him! I remember emailing you about that at the time...