|
Author
|
Topic: Astronaut with most time flying T-38 jets
|
star61
Member Posts: 308
From: Bristol UK
Registered: Jan 2005
|
posted 07-28-2017 03:59 PM
   
I read that John Young in his NASA years accrued over 9000 hours in the T-38. This is by any measure an astonishing total, probably only possible by being a NASA astronaut for 40 years. A usual military career will entail posting to different types for numerous reasons, although I am aware of a USAF reservist Colonel with 6000 hours on the F-16. Is 9000 hours on one fast jet type a world record? If it is I think Guinness should ratify it as such. I'm sure Young himself would not care one way or another, but I think it would be a nice addition to his list of achievements. |
David C
Member Posts: 1357
From: Lausanne
Registered: Apr 2012
|
posted 07-28-2017 05:10 PM
Well my understanding is that Story Musgrave is the high time T-38 pilot, so I'd have to say no.And no, I don't know what his total is. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 48854
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 07-28-2017 06:35 PM
In "The NASA Northrop T-38: Photographic Art from an Astronaut Pilot," it says Story logged "more than 8,000 hours" in the Talon. |
David C
Member Posts: 1357
From: Lausanne
Registered: Apr 2012
|
posted 07-29-2017 05:18 AM
Well I don't know where I originally heard this, but on Story's website it states he set the world record for the most hours in the T-38, doesn't mean he's the current holder I guess.Also, in this pre STS-6 New York Times story, it states he has more than 14,100 hours total flying time. His NASA 1997 bio states 17,700 hours total, of which 7,500 is on jets. His book states over 8,000 on jets, so I don't know. Perhaps NASA knows the answer, John must be in the running for most years flying the same type of fast mover. |
sev8n
Member Posts: 263
From: Dallas TX USA
Registered: Jul 2012
|
posted 07-29-2017 10:46 AM
Which raises an interesting question: did the pilot of a space shuttle mission accrue "flight" time? |
328KF
Member Posts: 1364
From:
Registered: Apr 2008
|
posted 07-29-2017 04:59 PM
Some years ago at the Museum of Flight at Boeing Field in Seattle, I photographed Pete Conrad's pilot logbook. It was opened to the page where he logged the Gemini V mission with the total hours. If I recall correctly, he also made a notation under "landing" to add "at sea" or something to that effect. If I can locate the photo I'll post it here. |
RobertB
Member Posts: 260
From: Israel
Registered: Nov 2012
|
posted 08-01-2017 04:38 AM
Regarding flight time, didn't military astronauts get their "flight time" bonus pay for space flights? |
PeterO
Member Posts: 441
From: North Carolina
Registered: Mar 2002
|
posted 08-01-2017 06:54 AM
I forget the details, but I believe one Mercury astronaut jokingly billed NASA for travel allowance. In return, NASA billed him for the Atlas. |
star61
Member Posts: 308
From: Bristol UK
Registered: Jan 2005
|
posted 11-03-2017 02:20 PM
It seemed the obvious place to check was John Young's NASA bio. There it is, 9200 hours on the T-38. I can't see any circumstance where another pilot can top that single type total. Fast jet only of course. |
David C
Member Posts: 1357
From: Lausanne
Registered: Apr 2012
|
posted 11-03-2017 02:36 PM
Which is the point you made in your first post. Almost certainly he is, but the information on other candidates is sketchy. He does seem to have beaten Story. Who knows if there's some old grizzled MiG-15UTI instructor or Hunter instructor out there. Probably not, but... |
star61
Member Posts: 308
From: Bristol UK
Registered: Jan 2005
|
posted 11-03-2017 03:07 PM
Yes exactly, I was pointing out it should have occurred to me to check the NASA bio first. I'm also pretty sure no Hunter instructor would have got anywhere near 9000 hours. Certainly not in the RAF and most other services that used the Hunter had pretty restricted hours limits ultimately. As for MiG 15UTI... wouldn't it be nice to know! I guess if there is any chance, that's where it would be most likely. |
Philip
Member Posts: 6160
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001
|
posted 11-04-2017 05:35 AM
A 21st century reference: Military pilots have yearly 200 flying hours, so on average, 5000 hours over a complete career. |
Philip
Member Posts: 6160
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001
|
posted 08-10-2022 06:58 AM
October 2021, Hangar 276 at Ellington Field in Houston Texas, was renamed "John Young hangar" — T-38 flight time record holder with 9,200 hours on the jet. |
advertisement