20 JUN 06 Florala Burrito Run

[Gatordev]

So you mean I can't forget all the stuff I briefed about the HMU/ECU the other night? jk

So was it the DECUs or IDECUs? Just curious as to which one is in the actual helos.

For regular, fleet (Non-RAG) birds, AFC-169 (I think that was the number) brought everyone up to IDECUs. I guess it's not surprising the RAG was the last ones to get them for the East Coast. I'm sure it was the same for the West coast. I never really paid much attention to all the details of the IDECU until I got to my fleet squadron and we started getting them. Then it all clicked and made sense. It's actually easier to deal w/ for EPs, should something go high side, provided all the wiring harnesses are working properly, which is never a guarantee.

 

[ChuckMK23]

God I miss Florala!

I was there when it opened - The CEW/Eastern Inst area was never the same after that

Of course then the Army guys started finding out about it - then AF,

Then the VT guys started blowing in there to that POS runway...

But 2X BI's were never the same after Florala - way better than CEW ever was.

 

[gregsivers]

But 2X BI's were never the same after Florala - way better than CEW ever was.

I don't think anyone ever stops at CEW anymore. Do lots of approaches and touch and go's, but nothing else far as I know.

 

[ChuckMK23]

I don't think anyone ever stops at CEW anymore. Do lots of approaches and touch and go's, but nothing else far as I know.

Before Florala, the local contract fuel king was CEW - the vendor/FBO had his little monopoly going for years - it was popcorn, peanuts, cokes, and nasty hot dogs. The only belssing was the babe in the golf cart.

Then the enterprising folks at Florala came along in like early 1992 - and boy did that sure piss off the folks at CEW - so much so that they called NIS and alleged some foul play. Turns out the FBO at CEW was milking DOD for fuel never pumped and they shut down his contract once everything came to light.

Anyways, I always rememeber the folks at Florala to be nice/decent people who genuinly wanted to do a service faster/cheaper for the military and keep pilots happy with good service. They were always number 1 in my book.

 

[gregsivers]

Florala was great every time I went there. They were always friendly and the pulled pork was awesome. Not to mention the peach cobbler. The girls usually weren't ugly either. I remember reading on airnav that something like 90% of their business is military.

 

[KBayDog]

I've been to Florala upteen times, and it never gets old. The folks there are great and the food is plentiful. The key is to be the observer for the first leg - if you hot fuel, you generally get a few extra minutes to scarf down the chow. Also, the departure sequence there is a lot less "rushed" than at NDZ - the stud SIDs out of there are easier than South Field, and you don't have to talk to 50 different controlling agencies to get to the working area. In any event, I'll make sure to enjoy 0J4 while I can.

I like working the Eastern area. KCEW and CEW (kiddie plates) are great, since you can quickly knock every type of approach and holding you need in Advanced (sans radar approaches, of course). It comes in really handy when you are expected to do four approaches and holding in 1.7 hours - in fact, planning to work the vortac and KCEW has "bought" me time to squeeze in extra approaches or holding, depending on what I felt I needed to work on that day.

 

[squeeze]

Also, the departure sequence there is a lot less "rushed" than at NDZ

Pray tell, how is a departure sequence in a helo "rushed" at all? I mean, you guys are as fast as a car.

 

[KBayDog]

I mean, you guys are as fast as a car.

Sometimes with a healthy headwind, even at max blast, we are slower than a car.

 

[squeeze]

Says the worlds fastest subsonic hair dryer... :icon_tong

Says the world's slowest supersonic FO-wagon.

 

[gregsivers]

I remember one of the chicks at Florala being drop dead gorgeous when I was there...

One still was when I was there. After eating and fueling up, the IP jumped in and one of us commented on how good she smelled. We agreed, then it was brought up that it was too bad we didn't see her in the summer cause the shorts she wears.

 

[ChunksJR]

Pray tell, how is a departure sequence in a helo "rushed" at all? I mean, you guys are as fast as a car.

Do you drive your car at 160MPH? (MH-60S max doable) I don't...especially not at 200'...

Also the FAR/AIM goes into the "unique handling characteristics" of a helo, allowing us additional maneuverability in instrument conditions...

It's a good book, that crazy FAR/AIM. Check it out.

 

[Fly Navy]

Still have good cake at Monroe County?

 

[Pags]

Still have good cake at Monroe County?

Haven't been to Monroeville since Forms in T-34...but the cake was delicious then.

 

[Gatordev]

Still have good cake at Monroe County?

Yup, but overall, that place is slacking a bit. I think they're getting some competition from Andalusia, which I haven't made it to yet.

 

[Pags]

Yup, but overall, that place is slacking a bit. I think they're getting some competition from Andalusia, which I haven't made it to yet.

i've heard if you get up there, you're starting to stray into army turf...but rumor has it that they have some deliciousness up there.