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  • Please see the most recent updates in the "Where did the .com name go?" thread. Posts number 16 and 17.

    Post 16 Update

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I found out some interesting info.

Navy Chief

Navy Chief

Senior Member
I have posted about my time at Patuxent River before, but I learned some information about one of the pilots who was there at the same time that I never knew.
During 1973-76, when I was at NATC and managed to get a few back seat rides, I didn't know anything about the pilots who flew those jets. I was a AME3, and was just thrilled for the chance to ride in those warbirds. Today, I was reading a Facebook post about the original TopGun Instructors, one of which was LT. Jim Rullifson, who then went on the Navy Test Pilot School, where I was working in the Maintenance Division.

LCDR Rulliffson flew me up in July 25, 1974. 153071 F-4J, and then a flight in 153839, former Blues jet, on Feb 25, 1975.

In the picture below, (now retired Capt. James H. Rullifson, USN) is in the front row, seventh from the left.
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MrZippy said:
Great story, Pete! How were you able to wrangle the rides? Didn't have to make up any stories about checking out any of the seat ejection equipment??
Click to expand...
Easy to do, back then. Probably near impossible current day. Just had to get Flight Physical, Pressure Chamber Test qual, Swim Test Qual, and attend a ejection seat info class, which I could have easily taught myself. Many, if not most of the sorties were flown single seat, there were a LOT of opportunities.
 
At one time in the 90s with VFA-106 still in Jax, one could sign up for empty backseat Hornet rides. Had to have current water survival and seat quals. During my helo aircrew water requal, I added the ejection seat qual to hopefully get on that ride list, shortly after all Hornet squadrons moved up to Oceana! Reenlistment time comes around, I want a backseat Tomcat ride. Despite having the quals, F-14 skipper didn't like the idea while on cruise, another missed ride. I'm so jealous NC!
 
Victory103 said:
At one time in the 90s with VFA-106 still in Jax, one could sign up for empty backseat Hornet rides. Had to have current water survival and seat quals. During my helo aircrew water requal, I added the ejection seat qual to hopefully get on that ride list, shortly after all Hornet squadrons moved up to Oceana! Reenlistment time comes around, I want a backseat Tomcat ride. Despite having the quals, F-14 skipper didn't like the idea while on cruise, another missed ride. I'm so jealous NC!
Click to expand...
Indeed getting rides at 106 was relatively easy. My last ride was with that squadron, just before I made CPO, and transferred to VFA-83.
 
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