Tipping my hat to the 2 pilots.

[Ironfeliks23]

Well my recruiter said I had to get an O-5/6 to interview me. So I made some calls, talked to some folks, and got in touch with the Ops Officer at Pacific AEW Wing. A Lt. picked me up from the visitor center due to some snafu at the gate (with Regan coming in and out of Mugu he said its been like that all week). We stopped at McD's and got some coffee, chatted for 30-40 min, then headed to the Commander. Walked in, gave him the sheet, got to business and completed the interview in 25-35 min. I am obliged to everyone who helped get that interview set up.

I then walked out, completed review sheet in hand, and informed the Lt. the Cmdr was done with me. Then the day making event of the month happens. We don’t head back to the gate, instead head to the E-2 Sim. In the hour and a half I was there, I learned a lot, took in as much as possible regarding what I could be doing in 3 years, but most of all, had some fun. The first thing the NFO tells me about are the props...or more precisely the fact they both turn the same way. I didn’t have to do much thinking to realize you Hawkeye fellas got a lot of work up there. I wasn’t even close. I took off from Pt. Mugu, went in a circle, and landed. Then we did some carrier stuff, he did the first landing, I did the second...with his help of course. He did a cat launch then I flew 2. Lastly I watched as he brought the beast off for a night cat and 2 night approaches (one bolter). I have flown warriors, cherokee-6s, and tagged along for some Seneca time. This made all that look like a tricycle to a Harley.

I went in there knowing the basis of flight (stick back houses get smaller….). I came out knowing I don’t know squat. Every move of the foot, hand or throttle needed re-adjustment by the other two. All had to be done smooth, slow and even. When my stability and control teacher mentioned "coupled systems" I am sure he had this kind of aircraft in mind. I got to hand it to you E/C-2 guys, I blindly thought the small fast buggers would be harder to fly....I was wrong. The teacher and the NFO who escorted me talked the entire time. I have a better, clearer picture of what I am applying to get into, and thank them both profusely. First hand info is the next best thing to experience, though far from the same. I might not know a lot, but I know more then when I woke up this morning, I am still smiling.

I am infinitely obliged to COMAEWWINGPAC for their forthcoming hospitality and the presentation of an unique opportunity today.

Take care
-Taylor

 

[ben]

Seems like you had a great trip

 

[Slammer2]

Sounds like it worked out great for you!

 

[kmac]

Enjoy simulators while you can. They suck when you really have to do them. I do understand your appreciation for the guys that helped you out. I was able to "fly" an F-14 sim back when I was a civilian working at Pax River. The folks there also hooked me up with an observation of a flight test and several opportunities to see Prowlers, Supers, and Tomcats do traps and cats.

 

[EODDave]

Hey kmac,

You run into a guy in kingsville named Dillon Porter. He got the e2/c2 select about 9 months ago.

 

[bunk22]

I got to hand it to you E/C-2 guys, I blindly thought the small fast buggers would be harder to fly....I was wrong.

Take care
-Taylor

Sounds like you had a very good experience. The sim is always difficult to fly and fly's much different than the aircraft. Both are difficult in their own separate ways. You're right, the E-2/C-2 are difficult aircraft to fly, mostly in the landing and take-off regimes. Much harder than the jets. However, we don't have to deploy our aircraft as a weapon as the fighter types do. Our aircraft may be hard to land on the boat but our flying is relatively uneventful and boring. For a Hornet pilot to take the fight to the enemy, dodge some SAM's or AAA, drop his load, re-fuel (both ways sometimes), then return to the ship for a night landing is a rough flight. Well I too would want an aircraft that is easy (relatively speaking of course) to land on the boat. I have so much respect for the old school types that flew aircraft like the F-8's in Vietnam. Not only did they at times see extreme combat but had to land a very difficult plane, day or night, on a small carrier deck. Regardless, I'm glad you enjoyed the sim flight in the mighty E-2 Hawkeye.

 

[Ironfeliks23]

Aye I did. I was lucky to have over 20 years of Hawkeye experience with me during the day. The civilian teacher was a pilot, and the Lt. with me was a current NFO. The quiet chuckle and smile they got trying to explain the bordom and humor of flat turns (something to do with the backseat chair not locking) and 5 hour missions let me know they enjoyed their jobs, regardless of some of the perticulars. The Lt. was quite happy to recount some of his more humorous moments with nugget pilots. All in all, the sim was great fun, but getting to spend 2 hours with those two guys was an education.

 

[kmac]

EOD- That's a negatory.
Trojan dude- You probably did better in that sim that I could do.