T-34 Disappeared and Reappeared

[invertedflyer]

I've seen the T-34 at Miramar in the pattern recently. Who operates that bird? Do pilots/NFOs use it for currency?

 

[FLYTPAY]

I've seen the T-34 at Miramar in the pattern recently. Who operates that bird? Do pilots/NFOs use it for currency?

Bombspotting.....cheaper to fly than a Hornet

 

[xnvyflyer]

XNVYFLYER...how rough was the flight turbulence???

Tough to talk, couldn't see instruments and scratches out of the helmet. Wild ride but hell, if it doesn't kill us... The helicopter can take much more than that. There was an eariler airmet for severe turbulence below 8000. We can usually avoid that stuff and still make it east no problem by taking a few select canyons low-level. In our case, Coyote Canyon was an option. We elected to go over Santa Ysabel and then just north of the Julian VOR near Vulcan Mountain. Saved a few minutes but it got wild.

As far as being overdue, I don't imagine we would have gotten a call unless he was. The whole reason for the post was to see if I could get the pilot's perspective and not the FAA version.

I guess if anybody had the scoop I would have seen it by now. No biggie.

 

[jamnww]

The whole reason for the post was to see if I could get the pilot's perspective and not the FAA version.

I guess if anybody had the scoop I would have seen it by now. No biggie.

I would say that the responses you have gotten on here will be a far representation of a military pilots view. For someone who does VFR work all the time, there really is no reason for them to call you unless we are overdue, made a mayday call, or in some other manner exhibited severely unsafe actions.

 

[xnvyflyer]

Update. Yes I assumed correctly. Per Socal Appoach, the T-34 was overdue.

Rest assured, however, if you are due back at Miramar at 1700 and you disappear off radar and comms at 1630, we will still head toward where you were last seen or heard from based on the slight chance you need help. I will not sit at my desk until 1700 to hear if one of my brothers shows up at Miramar when there is the slight chance he might need me. If he show's up, great. We were hoping for that. If he doesn't, I am that much closer to finding him (hopefully) and getting him the help he needs.

For clarification, the way it was explained to me...T-34 was VFR, flight following, overdue, dropped off radar and no comms. We launched, began search, and got the call that plane had arrived at Miramar, just as we hoped.

If nobody has the inside scoop from the pilot, I guess we can be done here. Fly safe.