Flying the Black Rocket: The Northrop T-38 Talon

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Here it is! Airspeed’s biggest and best video episode so far!

I’ve loved the Northrop T-38 for years. Born in the cauldron of the F-5 Freedom Fighter program in the late 1950s, it has since trained more than 50,000 military jet pilots throughout the world. It’s sleek and pointy and fast (Mach 1.3 capable). It’s the advanced jet trainer for the US Air Force. And it’s also the companion trainer for many of the Air Force’s most amazing aircraft.

In July, I got an orientation flight with the 99th Reconnaissance Sqn, 9th Reconnaissance Wing at Beale AFB near Sacramento, California. 1.2 hours in the White Rocket. (Or, if you’re flying a “BB” tailed T-38, black and red.) It was a great experience.

It has taken some time, but I think that it has been worth it. 49 minutes of JP-4-burning acceleration, pull, and float. In true Airspeed style, the episode covers every angle and isn’t afraid to dig for the details that aviators and aviation enthusiasts love.

From a tour of the ramp to see the U-2 Dragon Lady and the RQ-4 Global Hawk up close to egress and survival training to the briefing to highlights from the flight, it’s all here.

And it’s all swaddled in original music. This is the first outing for Acro Groove, a track that’s going to be one of the major themes underlying Acro Camp. It’s by 7600, a loose-knit group of aviator musicians. In this particular incarnation, it’s FAA Designated Examiner Barry Sutton on drums, yours truly on guitar, and acro IP Don Weaver on keyboards.

This episode is game-changing in aviation podcasting. There’s nothing else out there that comes close. I’m fiercely proud of this work. But, even so, it’s a waypoint on a journey that will include even bigger, better, and more exciting projects.

Stay tuned! It only gets better from here.

About Steve Tupper

Stephen Force is the superhero alter ego of mild-mannered tech and aviation lawyer, commercial pilot (glider, with private privileges in ASEL, ASES, AMEL, IA, and DC-3 (SIC) type-rated), and Civil Air Patrol lieutenant colonel Steve Tupper. Steve writes, records, and brings you the inside story about everything that really matters in aviation. He's flown with the USAF Thunderbirds, he's and airshow performer and air boss, and he's one of only five pilots ever to earn a FAST card in the glider category. Follow Steve's ongoing quest to do all that is cool in aviation at www.airspeedonline.com or on Twitter as @StephenForce.

Comments

  1. Great job on this episode, Steve! Changing the game indeed …

  2. Charlie Thompson says:

    Nice work Steve and Jo!

  3. Paul D. Pilipshen II says:

    Excellent Production! One question, what did he keep asking you to keep your hands clear of? It didn't look like you moved your hands at all.

  4. Steve Richardson says:

    Nice work Steve. Great BLOG too. How do you get these guys to give you a ride?

  5. Stephen Force (Steve Tupper) says:

    The hands-clear had mostly to do with the controls. Just making sure that I didn't interfere in the back with what he was doing in the front.

  6. Mike Butorac says:

    I watched your T-38 ride during my commuter rail ride home to the 'burbs last week. That slight side-to-side jostle of the rail car seemed to sync perfectly with the similar bumps you were getting in the back of that amazing airplane. For a few minutes, I was right there with you. Thanks, and keep up the great work!

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  8. SSgt Adam Howe says:

    Getting to fly in T-38 on multiple occasions was probably the most memorable times of my Air Force carreer. It’s an amazing machine. I’m SSgt Howe, I was the one who fit you to your fight gear. I was medically retired shortly after your visit. Great video by the way and thanks again for the coin.

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