I'll take better weather with a bad stud
Quigs,
Not trying to pick sides or say anyone is better than anyone else. As a Columbus AFB (CBM) T-1 IP, I'll offer my .02. ExAF gave an excellent response IHMO. Thanks for the support!
The planes you saw on the ramp were USAF T-1s. I'm not trying to disrespect T1Bubba, but I doubt those pilots were T-1 students on team rides. First, the team rides were abolished in the spring of 2001. Second, if the forecast had T-Storms on the radar, the team sorties would never be flown..at least not at Columbus. It could have been a group of T-1s on a weekend cross country, playing follow the leader. It often happens to our squadron, if the weather is bad in all directions except for the one hole that lets us launch. Ie, Six T-1s land at Fort Smith, AR on their way to Texas due to storms in the east, and south.
The folks at many of the FBOs around the South are use to seeing a ramp full of T-1s. It's not uncommon to have six or more CBM T-1s on the same ramp at a FBO. Just ask the folks at Monroe, LA or Mobile AL.
CBM and it's training environment has weather and we fly in it. It's what we do...day in day out! We don't fly through thunderstorms, but they are part of our lives. We fly simulated Air Refueling and Air Drop Missions (500 ft low levels) around cells in formation, without ejection seats, and we can't go into IMC in formation. Couple those thoughts with weather and some of the cranky Memphis Center controllers, and it makes for some challenging flights. (Most Mem controllers are great, but a few are just a bit grouchy.)
quigs said:
You can't possibly tell me that a military pilot who has not flown "single pilot hard core IFR in crappy equipped twins", can out fly a freight dog.
One of the differences between the freight dog and the T-1 IP is bad weather is simple: the T-1 IP often has a 180 lb boat anchor in the left seat, i.e. a low time student making the situation worse. BE-40s weren't certified single pilot operation by the FAA, but they are often "Flown" single pilot by the T-1 IP. Flying with a weak student in bad weather is far more challenging than any malfunction I've ever had with a good student in any weather. Having an emergency with a really bad student in bad weather...no thank you. But, that's why it helps to stay in the books. I prefer to use enough judgment to never be in bad weather with a bad student.
My T-1 missions will be coming to a close soon. It's been a great learning experience and a really good time. I've meet some great folks along the way...at military bases, FBOs, airshows, and around the towns. Thanks for the memories and the help!
Yahtz
P.S. FYI Chattanooga, TN (KCHA) is two states away from Columbus AFB, MS (KCBM). Via GQO V54 RQZ DCU MSL177/33 HAB CBM at 14K it takes me about 45 minutes....dang those T-38s and the Echo MOA hence the MSL radials instead of direct. Wait a minute, 38s don't fly in bad weather, so the Echo MOA isn't active. "Mem Ctr: "Moon xx you cleared direct CBM deviations left and right approved."
