Combat Commander asks F-15 pilots to stay sharp

[unhappycamper]

Training lost while planes are grounded
Corley: ‘Don’t lose your focus.’


Combat Commander asks F-15 pilots to stay sharp
By Bruce Rolfsen - Staff writer
Posted : Saturday Dec 15, 2007 7:41:09 EST

Six weeks after an F-15C Eagle broke apart while on a training flight, the Air Combat Command boss is asking pilots to be patient and do what they can to stay sharp.

The Air Force’s F-15 Eagles remain grounded as investigators focus on metal fatigue issues in the front of the jet.

“While I know that a number of you will lose currencies and the ability to maintain the proficiency that the world has come to expect,” wrote Gen. John Corley, himself an F-15 pilot, “I ask that you don't lose your focus.

“Trust that your leadership is keeping a watchful eye and will be poised to execute a plan that will put all of you back in the air as fast as safely possible.”

The prolonged grounding is impacting the training of F-15 pilots who are expected to fly between nine and a dozen times each month. The grounding does not include F-15E Strike Eagles, a two-seat bomber version of the fighter.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2007/12/airforce_f15_grounded_071215/

[Ezlivin]

1. If you see parts falling off your aircraft it could be trouble

How old are the airframes? I would imagine that metal fatigue would eventually appear.

When I was flying (general aviation) the aircraft I flew were over 30 years old. One Piper that I flew was absolutely scary; I really didn't like having to fly it. (I was limited to Pipers because I flew with hand-controls as a disabled pilot.)

[Wilber_Stool]

2. Yes, pilots should stay sharp.

Who knows, someday we might fight someone with a real Air Force.