Holloman Numbers

Author: Bert Booth
Laughlin AFB 85-02, November 1984

November 1984. Third to last ride in UPT. Nav check flown 13 days prior—a month before graduation.

2LT IP just back from Randolph about a month prior: Lt. Jim Wolcott. We'd done 1 instrument sim 3.5 weeks prior. First time together in the jet.

"Want to split the gas when we get to the area?"

"We'll see."

In the area: "I've got some Holloman numbers (Gs, speeds, power) for the aerobatics. Do you mind if I use them?"

Okay...

500 knots, 5 Gs, MIL becomes 450 knots, 6 Gs, MAX power. Fun. Little plane jumps. 10,000-foot loops now 6,000 feet.

"Where'd you get those numbers from?"

That's what they use at Holloman. Want to fly?

"Yes. Give me those numbers again."

He starts beating up the practice area.

After we land: "Could you give me those numbers?"

Sure.

I hope he didn't start using them with students as ATC would have frowned at that, but he knew what LIFT was going to be like versus ATC's performance flying.

Didn't realize I'd basically finished up with a month to go. Sat for 13 days after Nav check, flew once with 2Lt. Wolcott, sat for 13 more days, flew back-to-back 4-ships and was done.

*Third to last ride in UPT, Nav check flown 13 days prior (a month before graduation).