After almost 32 years of Government Service with the USAF and the FAA, I retired in 2004. 12 years Active Duty with one break and Two years Active Reserves, I served in Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia and Ten CONUS assignments as a Jet Engine mechanic (B52's and KC135's) an Air Traffic Controller ( Tower/ Radar and the MOB) and an Airfield Management Specialist (Reserves) and I can say I enjoyed all of them. I just enjoyed some more than others! I left the Air Force in 1984 when the FAA gave me an offer I couldn't refuse. I spent two more with the Air Force Reserve at Greater Pitt. After 30 years of telling pilots where to go, I hung up my headset and now I watch my 16 year old son grow up. And Yes he wants to be an Air Force Fighter Pilot. He's a Plane nut just like his dad!
Other Comments:
The Aircraft in this profile I either worked on as a mechanic, or controlled as an Air Traffic Controller in the US Air Force or the FAA. Some have interesting stories if you click on the photo.
Worked A-7'a at Myrtle Beach AFB, SC. 354th and 355th TFW. Got a lot of stick time in the A-7 Simulator.
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A-7 Corsair II (Sluf) Details
Aircraft/Missile Information
Model Vought A-7E Corsair II Length 46.13 ft | 14.06 m Width 38.71 ft | 11.80 m Height 16.08 ft | 4.90 m Engine(s) 1 x Allison / Rolls-Royce TF41-A-1 turbofan engine generating 15,000lbs of thrust. Empty Weight 18,942 lbs | 8,592 kg MTOW 42,000 lbs | 19,051 kg Max Speed 659 mph | 1,060 km/h | 572 kts Max Range 564 miles | 908 km Ceiling 42,999 ft | 13,106 m | 8.1 miles Climb Rate Not Available Hardpoints 8 (two reserved strictly for Sidewinder AAM) Armament 2 x 20mm single-barrel cannons (early) 1 x 20mm 6-barrel rotary cannon (later models)
Mission-specific armament on 8 external hardpoints (two side-fuselage positions reserved exclusively for AIM-9 Sidewinder AAM) may include:
AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, iron free fall bombs, Laser-Guided Bombs, AGM-65 Maverick air-to-surface missiles, munition dispensing pods and rocket pods. Accommodations 1