Introduction - P-3670011

AIR FORCE T-38 TRACK INTERMEDIATES

CHAPTER 1

Sequential Closed: Formation breakup to closed pattern with Formation Wingmen taking

appropriate spacing behind Lead prior to closed pull-up.

SOF (Supervisor of Flying): The SOF is an Instructor Pilot who sits in the tower and monitors

flying; he/she is either a senior T-37, T-38 or T-1 pilot who is there mainly for emergencies and

weather recalls. If you have any problem airborne, he/she is the person to call to first notify

them of your problem, tell them what your course of action is, and then enlist their help to do

such things as find out the weather at certain divert airfields, have crash crew waiting for your

arrival, etc.

Tally: Visual contact with unfriendly aircraft (aircraft not in our formation); opposite of term

"no joy."

Turn Circle: The flight path described by an aircraft in a turn.

Turn Radius: The distance between an aircraft's flight path and the center of the turn circle.

Turn Rate: The degrees per second at which an aircraft is turning.

Turning Room: The space available to turn your aircraft in relation to another.

Visual: Visual contact with friendly aircraft (aircraft in our formation); opposite of term

"blind."

102.

INTRODUCTION

The SUPT syllabus T-38 Track is the beginning of a long challenging journey from that first

contact hop to the seat of a multi-million dollar Air Force Fighter. The following quotes serve

both as a motivator and as reminders of the long heritage of fighter pilots that precede you. The

value of their experiences, even today, is valuable. As we've seen in recent conflicts, our

country places a lot of faith in the capabilities and professionalism of our fighter and bomber

pilots and therefore you must enter this training with the utmost commitment and dedication.

The responsibility you will eventually bear is too precious to allow anything less than complete

commitment. Your only focus from this point on should be to immerse yourself in the quest to

transition to Air Force life and Air Force flying so that you can make it through the T-38 syllabus

and follow-on training. The training pipeline for a fighter pilot is very tough and is not for the

faint of heart. There will be successes like those that got you this far and yes, there will be

failures. Fighter pilots are a very "yeah, but what have you done for me lately" kind of crowd

and you are only going to be as good as your last mission, no matter how good you think you are.

Granted, the T-34/T-37/T-38 are not that complex, but very quickly, life will get more

challenging as you strap on your weapon system for the first time at the Flying Training Unit

(FTU). So get your mind right, seize the offensive with the "aggressive spirit," and keep

"twisting your head in all directions" and look for ways to improve. Hang on, you are starting

your journey to become an Air Force Fighter Pilot!

INTRODUCTION TO USAF T-38 TRACK INTERMEDIATES 1-3