My Son is Doing Good at Flight School [Archive] - LX Forums Modern Mopar Muscle

lou1355

05-31-2009, 06:39 PM

Proud Papa Moment Alert.

I just attended Family Day at Fort Rucker where my 2nd oldest son is going through Army Aviation flight training. He was a crew chief on Apache's in Korea as an enlistee out of high school in 2006 and now he is a CW1 at Fort Rucker. He has come far.

His name is Charlie, he's 6'4" tall, weighs 220 lbs. and he's still single, ladies.....

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z269/lou1355/DSCN2119.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z269/lou1355/DSCN2122.jpg

Static dispaly of the TH67 and my ornery son:

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z269/lou1355/th_StaticDisplay.jpg (http://s194.photobucket.com/albums/z269/lou1355/?action=view&current=StaticDisplay.flv)

Some jocularity with one of his buds and then climbing aboard his Bell 206....

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z269/lou1355/th_BuddiesPrep.jpg (http://s194.photobucket.com/albums/z269/lou1355/?action=view&current=BuddiesPrep.flv)

Static display and Charlie's liftoff:

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z269/lou1355/th_Liftoff.jpg (http://s194.photobucket.com/albums/z269/lou1355/?action=view&current=Liftoff.flv)

He's got some excellent Vietnam Era flight instuctors who are crusty as hell but very competent and very keen to keep giving the US Army good aviators. He's in good hands and doing well. That's all a Papa could ask for.

My oldest, a Marine 2Lt, is still at Pensacola waiting for his Naval Aviation class start date.

honu

05-31-2009, 07:09 PM

Congratulations, you have every right to be a proud father.

Sharp Charge

05-31-2009, 07:15 PM

Man I wish I had the $$ to go get current. Helo's are too damn expensive to fly for fun. How much longer till they cut his strings and does he have any choice in airframe? Tell your Devil Dog to stay away from Genes Lounge in Pensacola.

lou1355

05-31-2009, 08:22 PM

Your are correct about the hourly for a whirly bird--runs about $500-$600 as far as I know.

Airframe choice is based on order of merit out of flight school and available slots based on the needs of the Army.

He wants an Apache, but a BlackHawk would do, especially in the 160th (Special Ops).

The Devil Dog is just that, and if he hasn't found Gene's Lounge yet I'm sure not going to tell him about it!

His latest amazing feat was punching out a 6' reef shark that was trying to steal his speared red snapper in the Gulf.

Here's the Devil Dog (Chris):

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z269/lou1355/DSCN1058.jpg

Still single, too, and ought to last a long time if pickeling has anything to do with it.

Sharp Charge

05-31-2009, 09:27 PM

So did he keep the shark too?

lou1355

05-31-2009, 10:51 PM

Nope, the shark just sorta retreated thinking bad thoughts about the US Marine Corps....

MoPOWeR-349

06-02-2009, 12:57 AM

Way to go Lou...teaching your kids right I see--service before self! I would think at 6'-4" and 220 he would be above the max for a pilot.

Capt L

lou1355

06-02-2009, 07:01 AM

I'm not sure, but I think sitting height is a key parameter. He apparently conforms to the standard, or maybe they're going to call him TooTall someday?

lou1355

06-10-2009, 12:39 PM

Charlie got a 90/92 = 91 avg. on his check ride Monday (out of 100).

He's pumped.

Oh, Max sitting height (all airframes) 35". Charlie's sitting height: 34.5"

As long as he doesn't pass gas, he'll be OK.

8yourM5

06-10-2009, 02:17 PM

Lou please tell your son I said thank you for help keeping us all safe. Its brave boys like your and brave familys like yours that make this country great buddy. Thanks!!!!

lou1355

06-10-2009, 03:29 PM

I don't know if we are brave, we just like to go to exciting places, meet new people and blow stuff up.

Now that I am former military, I just blow up my hot rod on a regular basis.

Thanks for the tip o' the hat, though...and I'll pass it along.

typicalmarine

06-16-2009, 09:18 AM

Every time I saw one of these guys blowing stuff up I thought to myself, wow that must be a cool job!

Congrats to you and your sons. Im sure you are beside yourself with pride.

May they be safe while raining death from above!!!

lou1355

06-16-2009, 10:15 AM

Their mom wants them to be safe, I prefer that they be dangerous actually.

Paywithdeath

06-16-2009, 10:55 PM

I've been considering joining the military the past few months. Glad your kids are doing a great job!

fnkychkn

06-16-2009, 11:52 PM

proud papa indeed!
those are fine young men you've raised.
and a big thank you for your and their service.

lou1355

06-16-2009, 11:59 PM

proud papa indeed!
those are fine young men you've raised.
and a big thank you for your and their service.

My heart soars like an eagle, Monsieur Poulet du Funkment!

MoPOWeR-349

06-17-2009, 01:14 AM

I've been considering joining the military the past few months. Glad your kids are doing a great job!

Do it...and don't look back. As long as you have the right mind set, what you put into your career is what you'll get back. Hard work, team work and a great attitude will get you far.

There are three things that have defined my life and have made me a better person for it; 1) a college degree 2) joining the military and 3) marrying my wife. I'm working on number four now--kids.

Capt L...

lou1355

06-17-2009, 06:34 AM

Do it...and don't look back. As long as you have the right mind set, what you put into your career is what you'll get back. Hard work, team work and a great attitude will get you far.

There are three things that have defined my life and have made me a better person for it; 1) a college degree 2) joining the military and 3) marrying my wife. I'm working on number four now--kids.

Capt L...

You've got your head screwed on straight, Cap'n, and I commend you. As I go into my golden years I promise you that I place a lot of value on my family and the great memories of my military career.

I'll also note that in these hard economic times the military is likely to be raising standards on who it accepts into the ranks. There's a lot to be said for three hots, a cot and a steady paycheck nowadays. The fact that you will have the opportunity (if you choose to take it) to learn to be a better, more valuable, trustworthy person of good character, prepared to lay your life down for others, is just a bonus.

stevesrt8

06-17-2009, 07:47 AM

congrats on what seems to me to be good parenting.

I think service should be mandatory for all, just like the Israeli's.

It's a great character builder!

Jina's Embroidery

06-17-2009, 11:54 AM

Those are good looking brave men you have raised there. Congratulations on all of your achievements and may God bless them always. Thank you for sharing this with us.

lou1355

06-26-2009, 12:31 AM

Minor update...

Charlie scored a 92 on his first instrument check ride in the sim; 100 possible.

I guess those years of video gaming are paying off?

hemiwagn

06-26-2009, 12:46 AM

The pride is well deserved. We end if we don't have great kids; and you Sir, are raising two fine sons.

Bryali

06-29-2009, 08:36 AM

Minor update...

Charlie scored a 92 on his first instrument check ride in the sim; 100 possible.

I was in his EXACT same shoes 4 years ago. A tip from one warrant to another, tell him to have fun while he's down there. It may not seem like it now because he's cramming for academics and getting beat up on table talk, but that's some of the funnest flying he'll have. Since flight school, I have been to Egypt, Israel, NY, TX, Cali, Kuwait, and Iraq--I still look back to my time at Rucker in the 67 and say, "Man that was fun."

As far as airframe selection, I chose Hawks, but I was also a Hawk crewchief before flight school. They'll tell him down there, choose the mission not the airframe. One of the reasons I chose the Hawk was because one day I can be doing assaults, the next I can be doing medivac, the next I can do VIP, the next I can do C2, the next I can haul cargo on a sling, the next I can haul cargo inside the aircraft, the next I can......you get the point. The best part about it, in my short career, I have been able to do every one of those missions already. However, whatever aircraft he ends up flying, he'll enjoy. I've only heard 1 person regret their airframe selection, and that was an Apache pilot saying he wished he flew Hawks, but that's another story... :)

tattooed

07-15-2009, 06:03 PM

jesus he is younger than me and outranks me!!!! i really need to pick up first class P.O. so i can get my ldo package started. just found out yesterday that all the training the navy has given me puts me halfway to my associates in profesional aeronautics from embry riddle. stoked and can wait to start classes and finish it up

lou1355

07-16-2009, 12:17 AM

Be all you can be, tat, keep pressin' on.

MikeEast

07-16-2009, 09:37 AM

Impressive Sons indeed Lou, I know you are proud of them and their achievements - I know I'm way proud of my Daughter who is doing the last bits for E7 in the Army.

I did 6 in the Navy and that got me a start on to where I am today - it's definitely worth doing.

Mike

lou1355

08-05-2009, 08:12 AM

Charlie got a 92 of 100 on his instruments flying check ride yesterday in his whirly-bird. The instructors are pleased with him. He's leaning towards Blackhawks out of school.

He and his older brother, Chris, are coming to see me at the Shindig this Friday night.

Smart, good-looking, single, available, intelligent, military-loving, God-fearing, fertile ladies who love country music are welcome in our pits, cuz I'm ready for some grandkids!

MAGFX

08-05-2009, 09:29 AM

Cheers to you and your family. Cool stuff.

lou1355

09-24-2009, 10:57 PM

Charlie got his first choice of airframes today at Fort Rucker....Blackhawks!

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z269/lou1355/Blackhawks.jpg

He could have had an Apache, but he chose flight time, duty stations & mission variability over the gunslinger.

MoPOWeR-349

09-25-2009, 12:34 AM

Way to go...beside...the blackhawk will soon have a combat configuration. (actually I believe it already does, just made for other counties)

Hopefully, he can have the best of both worlds.

http://www.defencetalk.com/wp-content/themes/dtstyle/scripts/timthumb.php?src=/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/armed-black-hawk-helicopter.jpg&w=390&h=260&zc=0
http://www.defencetalk.com/armed-black-hawk-abh-completes-weapons-test-phase-19810/

hemiwagn

09-25-2009, 07:25 AM

Congrats on Charlie getting his first choice -- just goes to show that hard work and preparation sometimes pays off!! Now lets say that about your car!

HEMI~C~

09-25-2009, 07:44 AM

Congrats to you and your son Lou, no doubt he has a hell of a career and a lifetime of memories ahead of him. I can't picture a prouder moment for a papa.

On a side note, a friend and prior NCOIC of mine was the Sergeant Major of the 160th not too too long ago. That man has some stories to tell and hopefully your son will as well.

Chris

lou1355

09-25-2009, 09:39 AM

Thanks, all.

As for my car, well, I think I'll just park it and perhaps enter it into shows now and then.

FlyByU

09-25-2009, 11:48 AM

Congrats Lou, your sons and men like him are what allow us to do what we do.

gremlinsteve

09-27-2009, 01:10 AM

congrats. my last mos was with hawks. before that hueys..
im sure he will like/love the assignements.

steve

lou1355

10-11-2009, 03:52 AM

OK. I just can't help myself. My youngest son, Matt, decided to switch from baseball to football this season (apparently because chicks dig football).

With no prior experience, he made the freshman team at the largest high school in Florida (Park Vista) and was put on special teams.

Last Wednesday, he was put in as a left defensive end and played the whole quarter.

He initiated every tackle on every play that came his way and stopped every run in his direction for the whole quarter. He was second on the scene, many times delivering the coup-de-grace, on every running play that went away from him.

He forced a fumble and recovered it, changing the momentum in a game that his team ended up winning 22-21 after starting out 0-13 in the first quarter (very exciting nail biter, huh?)

I was astounded at his sense of the game and his play.

Guess who is now the 1st String, starting, Left Defensive End on the Park Vista HS Freshman Football Team?

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z269/lou1355/DSCN2414.jpg

That's my boy...number 50 (or as I like to call him: "Fiddy Cent"). Who knew? The kid's got game. He shoots darned well, too!

My heart is full....

:pepper:

fnkychkn

10-11-2009, 08:31 AM

easy with that smile, Lou. you'll blind sombody. :mrgreen:
there's nothing like the accomplishments of offspring to make our hearts sing!

lou1355

12-23-2009, 02:28 PM

For his Eagle Project in the Boy Scouts of America, my son, Matthew, 15, collected used books to ship to a unit deployed to Afghanistan under the command of the son-in-law of one of our youth leaders at church. They intend to build shelves in a spare room and create a lending library to use while they are there and leave behind for those who follow.

To date, we have shipped 27 boxes and a total of 1497 books to A Company, 1st of the 121St Georgia National Guard, deployed to FOB Zormat in Eastern Afghanistan.

They received their first shipment of books today.

I got emotional when I saw the picture:

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z269/lou1355/After1.jpg

God bless 'em for who they are and what they do.

stroguy

12-23-2009, 02:36 PM

That is too freakin cool. Beyond words. I remember being in Central America in the 80's and a lil bit of thought from the US went a long way. Major props to your kid.

lou1355

12-23-2009, 02:41 PM

I realized I have left out my daughter and wife in this "Proud Papa" thread.
That won't do.

Here they are in a recent photo with Chris and Matthew. My daughter is Jenny and my wife is Debby.

They are both ladies and they are both tough.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z269/lou1355/DSCN2174-1.jpg

:thumbs_u:

lou1355

12-23-2009, 03:22 PM

Matt's older brother, Chris, is an Eagle Scout also.

He has the distinction of being only the second Eagle Scout in Palm Beach County who earned that rank before his 13th birthday. The other guy, Charlie Whitman, also became a Marine.

Anybody remember Charlie Whitman?

"Mortui vivos docent"

done

12-23-2009, 04:20 PM

MR-SMITH

12-23-2009, 04:39 PM

lou1355

12-23-2009, 04:43 PM

"Let the dead teach the living"

Charles Joseph Whitman (June 24, 1941 – August 1, 1966), a student at the University of Texas at Austin (http://www.lxforums.com/wiki/University_of_Texas_at_Austin), killed 14 people and wounded 32 others during a shooting rampage on and around the university's campus.

Hmm, I don't quite get it. :sad:

I just think it an unusual coincidence that that the only two 12 year-old Eagle Scout Marines from Palm Beach County are Charlie Whitman and my son.

They say Charlie had a brain tumor that drove him to the murders.

I don't imagine my son is going to have one of those.

So, one of them is notorious and I hope the other leads an admirable life.