CAHRERA

Man Mike, awesome pictures. Makes our Porsches seem really SLOW!

Toga

Thanks for those great pictures Mike! I've been flying F-16 years ago, but I always considered that operating from an aircraft carrier must be the "Top"! Unfortunately my "small" country is far far away from buying one

Good luck in your every day job

CP

Mike,

I must add my gratitude amongst the masses here. Thanks to you folks we are here enjoying our freedom and life-style. Two professions that I really appreciate: military and education (teachers mainly). They are way underpaid and under-appreciated for what they bring to our society.

Enjoy the rush. For you a CGT is kids' play.

Thanks and be home soon, safe and sound.

CP

Chuck W.

If the Butter Fly effect had of allowed it, I would have loved the life of a Naval Aviator. Be safe and thanks.

cab&coupe

Mike,

Awesome pics... and a great gallary. How do you like your MY `02 as compared to your old (a beauty BTW)`97 993? My brother has an `02 seal grey and loves it.

rkass

Mike, thanks for folks like you..As an aside, I would gladly trade you 1 week of being in your shoes (or seat) and you can drive my car in exchange - I'll even through in your airfare (I probably wouldn't survive takeoff).. That must be pretty awesome in and of itself doing what you do.. Good luck and stay safe.

jrgordonsenior

Now that's the one place I like to see my tax dollars spent!

Prayers and gratitude to you and your fellow flyers (yes the jarheads too)....

SCMomentum

Mike,

Are you on the Enterprise? Hornet driver I assume? Do you know "Too Tall" or "Corky"? I flew with them a few years ago during some different circumstances.

Blue Skies,
Bake

Carrera Mike

For the record I don't fly the jets. It was my dream one time but I didn't have the resources to go for it. I keep them flying. I manage a 192 man Avionics Maintenance Division. We ensure that all the electronics equipment onboard all the air wing squadron aircrafts are full mission capable.

Bake,
I'll look for those pilots you mentioned if they're here I'll let you know.

Craig,
I love it. I love the interior too to compare. There's a couple of good comprehensive threads that went around about the comparison. I'm sure they're still archived.

SC Momentum,
Be safe out there in the front line! Our cars are waiting for us

Toga,
I think the F-16 is still the most agile a/c in the US inventory.

To All of the above( Too many names to mention)who expressed support to the troops, thanks you very much!!..

SCMomentum

Mike....absolutely! Thanks for all that you and your "crew of 192" do to keep those things in the fight. I know I speak from experience and for all those guys trappin on the Enterprise.....that you and your folks are what make it happen day-in and day-out.

I've got less than a month to go and dream daily about getting back to my car. Heading up to Germany straight from here where my wife will meet me. We've rented an Audi A3 for a tour of southern Germany & Austria, with a little stop in Stuttgart of course Can't wait...brats and brews! Yessss!

You're Hornet shipments would keelhaul you for saying so! Actually it is a pretty even match in a 1v1 environment. Most of it depends on who is strapped into which jet.

Blue Skies & Following Seas,
Bake

Marv

That honor now belongs to the F-22 with its vectored thrust.

That aircraft is so amazing that its actual fighting potential seems to be science fiction rather than truth. But it is truth.

SCMomentum

Marv,

You are absolutely correct. The F-22 is beyond comprehension in the performance envelope. Chuck Yeager once commented shortly after the F-15 came on the scene that a "****hot combat experienced pilot in an F-4 could take out lessor skilled pilot in an Eagle". From what my buddies are telling me...those days are over. The F-22 is light years ahead of anything in the inventory before it showed up. Think about this....the Wobbly Goblin (aka F-117) is on it's way to an early retirement....something that has really shocked the aerial combat society. There is a reason for that.

Bake

Toga

Vector thrust is amazing. I remember an article in flight international a few years ago. they showed in drawings the different flight paths between a "normal dual seater F-16" and one fitted with vector thrust ...just unbelievable!!

Marv

The reason is the Air Force is trying to salvage the F-22 and F-35. Budget cuts have left the Air Force between a rock and a hard place. The F-22 is scheduled to replace the F-15 and the F-35 replaces everything else. B-52, F-117, and a number of other transport aircraft are getting either severely reduced or retired early.

The F-22, even in the hands of a green pilot, can take on waves of enemy fighters without getting touched. To demonstrate that, 8 seasoned aggressor pilots who are top training pilots went head to head with two green F-22 pilots. The aggressor pilots (all eight) commanded a total of 24 aircraft. Each time they were shot down they "get another life" and reappeared as a new aircraft. These aircrafts were all different types of aircraft. None of the 24 aircraft with the most experienced pilots were able to down either F-22.

rkass

So, if I follow this right, all we need is for for one our ingenious rennlisters to come up with a vector thrust mod for our cars and we would be untouchable-fantastic!