The B-1 was designed for low-altitude penetration, which was a follow-on to the failure of the XB-70 mission, which was a 6-engine trisonic high altitude penetration bomber. After Francis Gary Powers was shot down in his high altitude U-2, the USAF scrapped plans for the XB-70 and designed the B-1. It has a low radar cross section for an aircraft it's size (1/100th of a B-52), but it's definitely not stealth.

I agree that the B-1 has adapted to missions not envisioned by its creators. When low altitude surface to air missiles got more effective at lower altitudes, that mitigated the low altitude threat.

That's easy - they don't get much flying time, plus it's a very young crew force. Another reason might be they got bad instruction from me. ;)

I'm learning that the MD-88 is a classic "real man's" airplane. I've enjoyed flying it...I better enjoy it, because I'll be on it a LONG time!

One's preference for location aside, I have to say this only works as hyperbole. As someone who has the frozen veggies on the jewels as I type, and has nearly passed out twice within the last 12 hours, I'd have to say 'sans the pain killers' .... ugh, just hard to think about right now. And I know you are TIC, but still!

And while we're on the subject, I remember this coming up some weeks ago as a topic on the 'Latest and Greatest.' Personally, it took me quite a while to come to this decision, as I was trying to weigh the needs of our family, against what you might call religious reservations. The most difficult aspect of it is that too often the guys you might want to ask are precisely the same guys who are too close to ask such a personal, private question.

The funny part was that the doctor was asking me yesterday how I wrestled with the decision because he saw me bring my bible into the consultation (I always bring my own reading material to places I expect to wait around - to make good use of my time). Anyway, I won't get into all the issues I myself had to weigh, but I just wanted to lament the reality of how taboo the subject is - to the detriment of ever finding good council.

"Peas out"

That runway at nellis has a pretty severe down-slope, and you'll often have to land with a tailwind because of noise and proximity to the city. Gets short in a hurry if you land a little long or try to finesse the touchdown too much.

There are many billions of planets in our galaxy and there are billions of galaxies in the universe, do you really believe the creator of all this cares what you do with your junk?

Guess with this next bid I'll have to re-read "Fate is the Hunter."

The only crosswind landing technique that seemed to work as to bug the speeds up until the Captain started complaining... then back that off by 1 knot to silence his warning.

Can we bring back the inflatable rat and march around Crew Planning's cubicle? Sure, it's an impotent move, but cathartic none the less. Four years of displacement bids simply, suck.

Bravo, bravo!

Damn, dude, who whizzed in your cornflakes this morning? :D

I know its Super bowl weekend, but 3 shortcalls in a row? Really? Oh well, at least they only have me for 3 more the rest of the month. Bright side is all the money I'll save by not being at the sports bar with my buddies drinking:(

What an amazing thought! Do you write devotions, capn?