Airlines, airplanes and other kerfuffles

[Devildoc]

Oof, but it's from the FRS so this could be anything if a student's involved.

My initial reaction was someone is getting more sim time if for no other reason than they are down an AC.

 

[AWP]

My initial reaction was someone is getting more sim time if for no other reason than they are down an AC.

As a guy who supports Navy flight sims, I don't think people understand how valuable those are to the fleet. Our two flight trainers are in use 5 days a week from 0700-0200 the next day. The number of trainers in use across the Navy is staggering. They are relying on them enough the T-45 replacement might not be carrier-capable with aviators taking their first looks at the boat while at an FRS or even the fleet. Some NFOs are being certified up to flight-specific tasks on sims. It's wild.

I think you'd be hard pressed to find a commander who doesn't want more sims for the aircrew. The amount of money flight sims are saving the Navy must be astronomical.

 

[Devildoc]

As a guy who supports Navy flight sims, I don't think people understand how valuable those are to the fleet. Our two flight trainers are in use 5 days a week from 0700-0200 the next day. The number of trainers in use across the Navy is staggering. They are relying on them enough the T-45 replacement might not be carrier-capable with aviators taking their first looks at the boat while at an FRS or even the fleet. Some NFOs are being certified up to flight-specific tasks on sims. It's wild.

I think you'd be hard pressed to find a commander who doesn't want more sims for the aircrew. The amount of money flight sims are saving the Navy must be astronomical.

I think we've discussed this on here; with AI, sim, and other tech, apparently the outcomes are supposed to be better. RE: NFOs, I am not surprised. Most if not all of their technical job can be learned on the ground, and the in-flight stuff they are learning as first-tour JOs.

 

[DA SWO]

Another F-35 crash.

https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/30/us/us-navy-f35-crash-california-intl-hnk-ml

People act like this is routine, it's not.
Looks like the pilot punched out just off the departure end of the runway, or was very close to landing. Maybe a mile from the threshold.
I'll go with engine failure, or total loss of electronics as a first guess.

 

[Devildoc]

The Navy is down another F-18. Pilot recovered and is safe.

Navy pilot rescued after ejecting from Super Hornet off Virginia coast

How does the Navy budget for potential losses? Does it?

 

[AWP]

Search and rescue teams safely recovered a Navy pilot Wednesday off the coast of Virginia

“The F/A-18E remains in the water where it crashed,” the release said.

No shit. I forgot about those auto-recovering crash modules on the Rhino.

Fire the PAO.

 

[DA SWO]

The Navy is down another F-18. Pilot recovered and is safe.

Navy pilot rescued after ejecting from Super Hornet off Virginia coast

How does the Navy budget for potential losses? Does it?

Yes and no.
The Service Safety Office's project how many of each type may crash during a FY. Additional aircraft may be bought at the end of a production run if the type hasn't been replaced. F-18's are being phased out, so one less flight to the bone yard.

 

[AWP]

Yes and no.
The Service Safety Office's project how many of each type may crash during a FY. Additional aircraft may be bought at the end of a production run if the type hasn't been replaced. F-18's are being phased out, so one less flight to the bone yard.

I don't know if the AF does this, but the Navy will easily move a plane between squadrons 5-6 times in its lifespan. Some of that I understand because depot stuff becomes a one-for-one exchange. Plus, each F-35 squadron coming online will free up 12-18 a/c for replacements.

The production run is now scheduled to end in 2027 but that was revised to the right within a year or so of stating 2025. Those planes will fly beyond 2035. I don't think the Navy has met the first or even second sunset date for any of its platforms in the last 50 years.

Like all of the services, getting aircrews is the problem.

ETA: 2035 and 3035 aren't the same thing...

 

[AWP]

On my phone and don’t have the link, but search for the Polish F-16 crash. Gnarly.

Blue skies.

 

[DA SWO]

On my phone and don’t have the link, but search for the Polish F-16 crash. Gnarly.

Blue skies.

I think he over powered the maneuver, A/B in a dive.

 

[AWP]

I think he over powered the maneuver, A/B in a dive.

I saw that too. Unless it mechanicaled somehow, he really screwed the pooch. I don't have to be a pilot to know you retard the throttle in a dive like that, much less the 'burner.