T-38 Question

[LJDRVR]

Well, congratulations guys, I parked next to a T-38 last night in Lubbock, and it is still the only airplane that makes the Learjet look like a stubby little P.O.S. (An effect WE usually have on OTHER airplanes.)

I have two questions here. First, for you SUPT IP's in the new C models, have you noticed any appreciable difference in how the tweet students transition into the jet? Given the "anolog cockpit" of the -37, I wonder if there has been any noticable difference in how students do learning the scan. (Compared to a T-37 to T-38A student)

Secondly, for those of you instructing at RTU's, have you folks noticed any quantifyable (SP?) difference or improvement in how C-model trained pilots do transitioning into the fighters. Since this was one of the reasons for the upgrade, I was curious if y'all see any difference.

Thanks for the info fellas, if I ever have 5 or 6 million dollars burning a hole in my pocket, I'm gonna go buy one.

Cheers,

 

[talondriver]

First, for you SUPT IP's in the new C models, have you noticed any appreciable difference in how the tweet students transition into the jet? Given the "anolog cockpit" of the -37, I wonder if there has been any noticable difference in how students do learning the scan. (Compared to a T-37 to T-38A student)

Cheers,

I haven't noticed any difference between a student going into the C model. It was more of an adjustment for the IPs going from the A model to the C. It's probably easier for the T-6 students going to the C because glass is all they know from day one.

I was recently in a conversation (with other IPs) about whether the C model is easier for students than the A model was. The discussion about moving sorties from the contact phase (learning to fly and land the jet) to other phases like formation. We were basing this on having better SA (HSD, EGI/INS) and neat crutches like the HUD with a flight path marker.

 

[CCDiscoB]

I parked next to a T-38 last night in Lubbock, and it is still the only airplane that makes the Learjet look like a stubby little P.O.S.

The ONLY plane.....

That's debatable

 

[talondriver]

I sat in EOR with an eagle...and it's the only airplane that makes the T-38 look like a stubby little P.O.S..

 

[LJDRVR]

Okay, now y'all are just making fun of me! No, seriously, what I find intersting are the "bits and pieces of skill" that fall by the wayside as we continue to automate. In the course of aviation history, there have been several watershed transformations of how we as pilots fly airplanes. The biggest was the transition from "contact" flying to IFR in the 1930's. I suspect that we are in the midst of another "sea-change" now as the automation accelerates at a rapid pace, with no ending in sight, or no answer to the question "What form will the final man/machine interface take?

I was flying our Lear 31 the other day. (Partial glass, FMS, TCAS, more modern and automated than our older Lears) The FO and I got to discussing automation. I asked him "True or False?: automation decreases pilot workload." He reponded true, but I'm not so sure. I think maybe automation only changes pilot workload. (I'm not the one who came up with this idea.) While having all the newer goodies does help us see the big picture instantly, the amount of time we spend configuring the automation to see this eats away at the time we have for other tasks. Pilots have a tendency to confuse positional awareness with situational awareness, and I think the improved ability to see where we are and where we're going lulls us into a false sense of SA. Particularly when both pilots end up "heads-down" or there is any mode confusion. The gentleman I was flying with said "How do you explain the fact that the 31 is "easier" to fly than the the 35's or 55's?" I thought about that a lot. (He's right) In asking myself what makes the 31 easier, I eventually came to the conclusion that a combination of the more comfortable seats, the easier to see cockpit displays, and even something as simple as the excellent cockpit lighting and improved switch labeling are responsible.

Here's a human factors dilema: Would it be possible for a T-6 and T-38C trained FAIP to be assigned to an A-model base? How would that person do at PIT? (I have no idea what they're using as an airframe there.)

CCDiscoB: Dude, I've never parked next to an eagle. Sorry

 

[talondriver]

Here's a human factors dilema: Would it be possible for a T-6 and T-38C trained FAIP to be assigned to an A-model base? How would that person do at PIT? (I have no idea what they're using as an airframe there.)

LJDRVR-

That's a realistic dilemna. We have our first T-38C students about 2/3s through the program and we haven't heard what they're going to do with the T-38 FAIPs that come out of that class. As of now, they will go to Randolph for T-38A PIT and then back to columbus for C model conversion...which is another qual check. There is a C model PIT syllabus but the Randolph dudes aren't C qual'd...go figure.

 

[busdrver]

The FO and I got to discussing automation. I asked him "True or False?: automation decreases pilot workload." He reponded true, but I'm not so sure. I think maybe automation only changes pilot workload.

Automation increases your workload during times of high workload and decreases it during times of low workload. It's really queer but true, IMO. A runway change in the terminal area is a major production, for example, in an automated airplane. During cruise, when you AREN'T busy, what can be easier than watching the airplane follow the magenta line.

BTW, I've got about 1200 hrs in the T-38A and wouldn't trade it for anything. What a fun, fun airplane.

 

[Iceman21]

if I ever have 5 or 6 million dollars burning a hole in my pocket, I'm gonna go buy one.

Let me know when you are done saving, by that time I might be able to go into a partnership with you. It all has to start with a dream you know!!

 

[VMA214]

"I think maybe automation only changes pilot workload."

Overheard near the latest smoking hole: "Well yeah, he was a ham fist...but he could type 80 words a minute!"