bradmick

That's not really true right now actually though, during the peacetime, sure they get more hours. I was talking to a couple buddies of mine over there, and the hooks and hawks are complaining right now about how they're not getting anywhere near enough hours, while Apache guys are being run ragged with 100 hours minimum a month. Now, admittedly, we're also wicked understrength, as opposed to the hooks and hawks who are like...200 and 300% overstrength respectively. And, honestly Bushmaster, you'd think that now, but once you get towards the end of IERW you're whole mindset changes to 'Well, this is what I really want, but if I can just keep flying...i'll fly anything!' But, if you want a true challenge, then Apaches is the way to go. It's not bragging, its not just gung ho talk (well, maybe a little ;)) but, no other airframe comes close to putting the really insane stresses on a pilot like the Apache does. Not only do you have to fly the aircraft, you have to maintain your airspace surveillance, keep track of the battlespace, be fully aware of all the random what nots your weapons can do, you're calling for fire, you're id'ing enemie positions and relaying them, and about 9,000 other tasks all at once. It's sick. I love it, and i'm definately glad i'm not just picking my bird up to a hover and hitting the autopilot for four hours and taking back over once its reached its intended destination. Brad

I haven't yet. I've only been in the Apache course about, well...two or three months, but only flying the past month. I've got a whopping 13.6 hours as of right now, by the end of today I should have 14.7, and be way to close to my first check ride for comfort. I'll then start the bag. I know where i'd like to go, but uncle same always has his way of ensuring you go elsewhere (least that's what i've learned in my short time in the Army). Brad

Heheh, until you're crammed into that very, very tight front seat for a flight of 1.1 hours watching the ground rush up to you at roughly 5400 + feet a minute during an auto and you realize that if the guy in the back seat screws up, you're the one to pay for it the worst. I pray I get PIC when I finally get out of Rucker as soon as I can, just so I don't have to sit up front to long and go 'oh god, please god just let the guy in back NOT be one of those out for glory guns a blazin, chargin' guys. Heheh, but thats just me ;) Brad

Give me about...four more months and you'll have your CPG. And welcome Bushmaster! Brad

Well, technically the AH-64D is just the Apache A upgraded with the new avionics, cockpit setup, and what not. The AH-64D Apache Longbow, is the version with the MMA. But, really, we just use it all interchangeably. Eventually we'll no long have Alpha model Apaches. The only ones still flying them now are the Gaurd and Reserves. And, i'm still working on what all I can talk about with the Delta. Brad

There are a few more differences than just the Longbow radar up top. The cockpits are totally different, and the EFABS are significantly larger. Brad

And as much as we all hate death, we still play video games and scream out in triumph as our mighty missiles slam into a tank holding anywhere from three to five occupants and roll around gleefully strafing troop columns. Heh, guess that's another conversation though. ;) Anyway, it really will be interesting to see how the Ka-50 flies, especially to me as everything I know is all digital. I love analog gauges though. It's the main reason why I love IL2 Sturmovik so much, or First Eagles. WWI pilots were true aviators, flying with the absolute bare minimums. Mmm...Nostalgia. Brad

Makes sense actually, I've forgotten my first rule of history, get into the mind set of the period. That sounds entirely reasonable. Giving the airframe an extra bit of teeth to defend itself in the event that air superiority isn't gaurenteed makes sense. Brad

that again goes back to the air superiority bit. I mean, yes, I did say that its just as dangerous for a jet to engage a helo and vice-versa...its a waste of a hardpoint better used against a ground vehicle. Even then, i'd imagine the gun would be more than sufficient against an enemy chopper. I suppose its better to be prepared and have the option, then caught flat footed. Brad

Definately the hind.

I've always been curious why all these helicopters have air to air missiles as a big feature on them. Realistically, its just as dangerous for a jet to engage a helicopter as it is for a helicopter to engage a jet. The odds of an airforce of any significance as well not being able to hold air superiority for their choppers to operate are pretty slim as well. I mean, even the apache can mount stingers, but we all kind of chuckle about it. Brad

Hah, yeah, the second video is definately the one I was refering to. Not ol' bipod dog there. That's funny. Brad

Well, the only real problem we have was from small arms fire, so to prevent the chances of small arms causing us problems, we opted to fly above them. Which, is no big deal. With my aircraft I can be rediculously accurate at altitude. If you've ever seen the luckiest dog in the world video (what we call it) they aren't anywhere near those guys with their mortar, or else they would have been running long before getting ripped apart by sick amounts of 30 mike mike. Brad

Well, I definately can say I like that idea. I've been sitting around thinking up a, what I guess could be callled a 'medium attack helicopter'. Something slightly smaller than the Apache, larger than the ARH, capable of carrying the same armament as the Apache as far as Hellfires go using all the new composite metal technologies we have. Instead of stealth like the Comanche, its a simple to produce slick frame with all of its sensors stored internally. It's a short frame, tandem seat arrangement capable of operating in an urban enviroment. For ease of replacement, it will use the same engines as the Apache and the Black Hawk, 701C's. It will be a dual counter rotating rotor system airframe (ala the Ka-50) to make it more survivable in an urban enviroment for the simple fact that theres no tail rotor to shoot off. All of its processing and memory requirements will be taken care of via a 2.3 quad core processor with 4 gigs of ram and a dedicated internal 200 gig hard drive for any map and whatever else data. The aircraft will be armored against small arms only (as that would be its biggest threat in the urban enviroment). 7.62, and in certain areas .50 cal. I honestly, as goofy as it sounds, right now in my head until I get a chance to work up a more complete concept, have what amounts to an EFAB-less AH64D, with an aerodynamic nose, twin rotors with the same heavy duty rotor heads, and the tail chopped off. Eventually i'll get some time to work up a more complete concept. Anyway, those are the basics of mine. I know i'd love to fly it :) Oh, should add that the airframe should be geared towards the three likely areas we'd fight. Desert, Urban, and Eurasian Battlefields. Brad

If you ever watch the videos on you-tube they kind of back that up. We don't fly low anymore. Brad

Ah, cool. Suppose its better than taking up an external hardpoint with a fuel tank. Cool stuff. Brad

What are those large pods on the fuselage? I've seen more than a few of those with them in pictures recently. Brad

Heheh, that's assuming the equipment actually fires ;) Brad

That's pretty awesome about the forcetrim setup. That'll be really, really nice (especially for an Apache). Now all I have to do is buy a damn force feedback joystick again, heheh. Brad

Awesome, no doubt. I run into folks my dad knows ALL the time (especially now that i'm out on the flight line here, i'm a marked man, heheh) Brad

I can't remember the exact unit, but I know he was with the Big Red Run. He was down there for training prior to going over to Iraq. I remember that he was a Gunfighter, because as a kid there was nothing cooler than hearing and saying 'don't run, you'll only die tired!' I think it was 1-3 he was with. But that's a long time ago now, almost 17 years. (and, all these trips down memory lane keep getting closer to 20 years ago, and thats wierding me out). I know the only scene he was in was the Bar scene with Little, and that was for all of about 3 seconds. Brad

Heheh, by that time i'll have a few more than 5 hours under my belt in the aircraft :) So i'll actually be worth something to you then, hehe. Brad

I gotta say though my favorite sim for the Apache has to be Digital Integrations/Interactive Magics Apache (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apache_(computer_game)). I had to liberate this one from my dad because he was getting ready to get rid of it in a Garage sale. Runs PERFECT in Dosbox. Definately recomend it as well. Brad

I just recently picked up a copy off of e-bay myself, and got it running fine and with the Glide Wrapper, the graphics have been significantly boosted. It's an awesome game, but flies nothing like the real deal, heheh. It also makes me think that a Longbow sim might be do-able now. There's a lot of stuff about the aircraft in there, and by my thinking if its in there, then it could be alright to talk about now. But...we'll have to see :) Brad

Heheh, I do remember hearing a story that the Russians learned the hard way that placement of national markings should be a little better thought out in Afghanistan. Don't know how accurate it is, but I guess originally the Star was placed in the exact spot the aft fuel tank was situated and gave the Afghanis a sweet spot to aim for, generally resulted in an instant bad day for the Hind pilot. Brad