Last of a dying breed

[Pepe]

Just finished meeting the 164's Ops O yesterday. Looks like my buddy and I are the last 2 Phrog RACs for FY10. There's going to be 20-something in FY11, and then low teens FY12 if I remember correctly. Not really sure what the squadron's permanent staff is going to do after we complete in July. Might be a good billet for some of you Capt/Maj out there looking for a nice laid back job for the next few years.

 

[BACONATOR]

Just finished meeting the 164's Ops O yesterday. Looks like my buddy and I are the last 2 Phrog RACs for FY10. There's going to be 20-something in FY11, and then low teens FY12 if I remember correctly. Not really sure what the squadron's permanent staff is going to do after we complete in July. Might be a good billet for some of you Capt/Maj out there looking for a nice laid back job for the next few years.

The chariot of the gods will be missed. BTW, what is "RAC"? I remember we were "RP"s. "FRAC"s were what the AWs were in the RAG.

 

[JD81]

The chariot of the gods will be missed. BTW, what is "RAC"? I remember we were "RP"s. "FRAC"s were what the AWs were in the RAG.

More than likely Replacement Air Crew. That's how we are referred to in pointy nose land, RP or RWSO can get specific, but generally RAC.

 

[Pepe]

More than likely Replacement Air Crew.

Yup.

 

[Birdog8585]

Just finished meeting the 164's Ops O yesterday. Looks like my buddy and I are the last 2 Phrog RACs for FY10. There's going to be 20-something in FY11, and then low teens FY12 if I remember correctly. Not really sure what the squadron's permanent staff is going to do after we complete in July. Might be a good billet for some of you Capt/Maj out there looking for a nice laid back job for the next few years.

So then were you two the the ones that just selected this last winging class - one West and one Oki?

 

[Pepe]

So then were you two the the ones that just selected this last winging class - one West and one Oki?

Yup. Before I left I made sure I had a digital copy of the Osprey's Natops. Figured I'll need to start studying sooner or later.

 

[phrogdriver]

Yup. Before I left I made sure I had a digital copy of the Osprey's Natops. Figured I'll need to start studying sooner or later.

Good luck with that. It changes about once a month. May as well wait until it's time.

 

[Pepe]

Good luck with that. It changes about once a month. May as well wait until it's time.

Once a month? Great, can't wait. How do the systems on the Osprey compare to the systems of the Phrog? Is it going to be more shit or less shit to remember.

 

[phrogdriver]

Once a month? Great, can't wait. How do the systems on the Osprey compare to the systems of the Phrog? Is it going to be more shit or less shit to remember.

Less of the "trace a molecule of fuel from the tank to the exhaust" or "where does this oil line lead to" business, more of the mission management and flying knowledge.

There are a lot more NATOPS changes than a legacy aircraft, but most aren't earth-shattering. Being fly-by-wire, software upgrades always come with NATOPS changes. Some are bigger than others. Some just change how things are displayed on the screens, others actually change the operating parameters. A recent one, for example, significantly improved performance and thus a lot of the limits, flight characteristics, and such.

 

[phrogpilot73]

I'm amazed there are even going to be Phrog RACs in FY12... At least you guys will get the chance to fly the mighty Battle Phrog, AND the future of aviation.

 

[Pepe]

I'm amazed there are even going to be Phrog RACs in FY12... At least you guys will get the chance to fly the mighty Battle Phrog, AND the future of aviation.

I keep hearing the new UH-1Y is suppose to be picking up a lot of the missions the phrog is doing. But I'm pretty sure that's just the yankee guys slobbin their own knob.

Edit: They've already shut off Miramar as a selection choice, and several of the RACs that were slated to go down there had to pick Oki or Camp Pendleton after they started the syllabus.

 

[KBayDog]

Good luck with that. It changes about once a month. May as well wait until it's time.

No joke, Pepe. Have fun learning the Phrog NATOPS first...just in time for the new Phrog NATOPS, due to be released later this year.

 

[Pepe]

No joke, Pepe. Have fun learning the Phrog NATOPS first...just in time for the new Phrog NATOPS, due to be released later this year.

Ya, I was looking over the PCL the other day. That second engine/transmission/rotor really makes things complicated. At least I don't have to memorize any tail rotor malfunction EPs!