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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

    Post 17 Warning

OT - My T-28C Ride

M

MenendezDiego

Charter Member
Got to fly this puppy around for an hour a few weeks ago...

View attachment 12336

To sum the story up, Dr. Dan Serrato (E-2C Hawkeye Pilot), came to my Universities Fly In last year. Before he left, we exchanged contact info, and I was promised a ride whenever I would like. We were never able to meet up throughout the year (conflicting schedules). He was invited back to our second annual Fly In a few weeks ago, and guess who got his ride? ;)<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:eek:ffice:eek:ffice" /><o:p></o:p>
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I was backseat. After gear up, "Your controls", "I have the controls", "You have the controls". We departed the Class-D airspace, asked him what I couldn't do (no going inverted), DAMN ;)<o:p></o:p>
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After about 20 minutes into the flight I pointed her towards RWY-02, mashed the mic..."should we take her in?" He replied "not if you don't want to"....you best believe I turned that beauty around! We were flying over the town I live in, Eastman Ga, between 1,500-2000ft msl. After around 50 minutes, he told me to bring her home. <o:p></o:p>
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We were south of the field headed west, so I made the right turn to head towards RWY-02. This plane is a thing of beauty. I pointed her at the runway, and she stayed true. I was amazed. I was told to do a low approach, as low as I dare to go lol. About 3 miles out, we pushed the throttle open, hit 220 kts, and hit the deck, around 100 ft. AGL. My father, the director of the flight program (former Nellis AFB Controller, and Afghan Campaign Vet), my ground instructor (Former F-15A/B/C/D/E and F/A-18A/B/C/D pilot), and a few other spectators were parked mid-field in a golf cart, watching.<o:p></o:p>
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Abeam my father and my mentors, I pitched that nose to in an aggressive, yet gentle manner, I want to say it was 45%, then rolled the plane in the same manner to enter the downwind....making sure to not go inverted.... ;)<o:p></o:p>
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I had my fun. I would have loved to land her, but she's not my baby. "Your controls", "I have the controls", "You have the controls".<o:p></o:p>
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We landed, taxied back, I got out, shook Dan's hand, stepped down, shook my mentors hands, and then gave my father a hug. Best day of my life.<o:p></o:p>
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As for video, there is a video of the startup (on facebook). I'll have to upload it to youtube soon. My father missed the takeoff...low approach...and landing....he had one of those moments where you think you aren't recording but you are, and you think you are recording but you aren't :(

After I had gotten out of the plane, and he taxied out, he told the director of the flight program, 'that boy needs to be in flight training...right now!' Feels good to have an E-2C pilot say I'm a good stick :)

I was just happy he was there to see it :)<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Regards, Diego

Edit: Here is another few photos (low quality...stealing them from my facebook)


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Outstanding pictures, and story too!

What fun! And an experience you will never forget.

Go NAVAIR.....GO NAVY!!

Navy Chief
 
Congrats on the ride MD, 28s are cool no matter what seat you're in. It's the ride that matters. :wiggle: And I hope you get into flight training. See, all that computer flying never goes to waste. ;)
 
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Good for you! A bona fide "Thrill of a Lifetime"! I'd wager that in years to come, this one happening will prove to have been a Key Event in your life and career.
 
Great story! :) One of these days before I get too old and infirm or just kick the bucket, I'd like to get one more flight in a P2V Neptune. Haven't flown in one since 1966 and I'd sure like to sit up in the nose again for that "God's eye" view of the landscape.
 
Great story and you are so fortunate to have the opportunity to not only fly in, but to pilot such a classic aircraft.
 
Boy, that brings back memories. I remember when the T-28C's were still flying reserve when I was a boy. Unmistakable sound! In 1994, I got a ride in one as well. I shot cockpit video and had someone on the ground film our low passes. I did some rolls, a 4 point roll, a couple of split-s's.
I had a blast. At that point I had only been flying for a few years but the pilot/owner gave me a really good hour of instruction on the old bird. Sadly, my cockpit footage is gone(lost old/ruined VHS tapes) but I still have the low passes on tape! One of these days I will have to convert them to digital and post em on youtube.

Glad you got to experience the T-28 Diego! I'm sure you'll never forget it!
 
I'm jealous! Looks like a blast!

A friend and co-worker of mine used to be a T-28 flight instructor. He was cleaning out his garage and decided to give me this book a couple years ago! :eek: A gold mine of T-28 data, direct from the source! If anyone's planning to build a T-28 for FS, just about everything you need is in this book!

On a related but OT note, see the signature at the bottom right of this document? H.A. Storms? That's Harrison ("Stormy") Storms, of Apollo 1 fame. He was chief designer of the "capsule" that caught fire...
 
So happy you were able to get this experience. I have flown back-seat in a Trojan myself, and can totally relate. It's great when warbird owners show generosity like this.

Mike :salute:
 
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