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Stupid questions about the Rhino (Super Hornet)
- Thread starter Boss_BlueAngels
- Start date
If I were you, I'd just be happy that I got selected SNA for now and not even be concerned with platforms at this point. About midway through primary, start thinking about it. Because you might end up flying an E-2, C-2 or a P-3. or god forbid, a helo.
I tried searching, but the search engine and I were having some trouble getting along... can you point me in the right direction?
If I were you, I'd just be happy that I got selected SNA for now and not even be concerned with platforms at this point. About midway through primary, start thinking about it. Because you might end up flying an E-2, C-2 or a P-3. or god forbid, a helo.
Oh don't get me wrong, I'm excited to do whatever I get assigned to, because any way I end up (barring a massive screw up) I'm going to be flying something. I was just curious if there were strong opinions one way or the other.
No not at all, I'd be through the roof if I got either one. It's purely hypothetical and I was curious what people thought. No one's forcing you to reply if you aren't interested in the discussion.
Guys I'm really just looking for opinions on the two planes.
I know I'm lucky to have been selected SNA, I know I'm going to bust my ass all through the years of training, and I know I'm going to love flying whatever the Navy sees fit to give me. No arguments here. I'm just interested and wanted to pick the brains of those who are more experienced than I am.
The differences are very small. It all boils down to the single seat v two seat philosophy. Currently, they perform the exact same missions with the exception of the two seat squadrons taking the forward air control (a) role. Guys that have flown both say the visibility in the single seat version is better for acm because there is less glass behind your shoulder. Also, the E carries a little more gas since there is no back seat. Like I said, some guys would perfer the extra gas while others would rather have a wso. There are some non flying differences between single and two seat squadrons. In general, in a single seat squadron, you can expect to stand a little more duty and possibly have more ground jobs because you have half the people for the same amount of work. This is one guy's observation but should be good enough for someone who is years away. There is plenty of time to figure out the more subtle differences if you get to jet advanced.
Actually, the E and the F have the same mission.
It is not ATA
It is not ATG.
It is the dreaded 2Q6, SUPT MISC N-CMBT REFUEL.
On cruise, expect to fly about 40% tanker sorties. That was the average for every other tanker platform out there.
Note both E and F can function as tankers, not the G (at least not yet).
It is not ATA
It is not ATG.
It is the dreaded 2Q6, SUPT MISC N-CMBT REFUEL.
On cruise, expect to fly about 40% tanker sorties. That was the average for every other tanker platform out there.
Note both E and F can function as tankers, not the G (at least not yet).
This is good stuff, but I'm also curious about your thoughts on single vs two seats. I can't think of many advantages (besides the visibility and extra gas like you said) to only having one brain/pair of eyes. It seems to me like having two people in there would almost always be a better idea...? Or is the amount of gas you gain in the E really enough to make a significant difference? Thanks for the response!
I had no idea. Thanks for the info!
That's a design philosophy question and neither answer is correct 100% of the time. In practice it depends a lot on which two people are paired up. That is not to say one or the other is good or bad, it's how effective they work together. When the crew concept works it works very well and when it works badly it is worse than a single pilot. Think of it like a very complicated version of taking a road trip somewhere with one of your buddies.
FWIW before the F-18 a lot of night/all-weather platforms used to be two-seat/two engine while day/VFR was single seat/single engine... which goes back to design philosophy...
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SteveG- I laughed out loud at your tanker answer. I looked on google images for a picture of a four-ship refueling daisy chain I've seen somewhere but no joy.
There's one of four 1950's era jets (one of them an A-4 I think) hanging up in the NASWF academic building. I'll try to get a shot tomorrow.