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I was in a stealth fighter squadron. It really depends on the mission profile as to determine if the reflectors will be on the plane during CONUS training. If w

I was in a stealth fighter squadron. It really depends on the mission profile as to determine if the reflectors will be on the plane during CONUS training. If we're doing BVR 'tag' drills, they won't have them installed. If we're just putting butts in seats to keep certs current or maybe some air to ground training, then the reflectors will be installed. Caveat, I was in the Air Force and I'm not too familiar with NATOPS which is what I believe the Marines would be operating under to determine SOP. I was not a pilot, but I was in operations and received the same briefings. My training was also from when we first got real stealth fighters and SOP has probably evolved a lot in the last decade. What's most interesting about this story to me is... What sort of mishap would lead to an ejection with autopilot left functioning? That all seems very peculiar. Weird way to join the Caterpillar Club.

robarr 3y ago
“The Caterpillar Club is an informal association of people who have successfully used a parachute to bail out of a disabled aircraft. After authentication by the parachute maker, applicants receive a membership certificate and a distinctive lapel pin. The nationality of the person whose life was saved by parachute and ownership of the aircraft are not factors in determining qualification for membership; anybody whose life was saved by using a parachute after bailing out of a disabled aircraft is eligible. The requirement that the aircraft is disabled naturally excludes parachuting enthusiasts in the normal course of a recreational jump, or those involved in military training jumps.“ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar_Club https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar_Club
- dctoedt 3y ago
  Brought back memories of my dad's "induction" into the Caterpillar Club in 1962. When we cleaned out and sold my folks' house, I took a picture of his framed membership certificate; he often wore the lapel pin on civilian sport-coat lapels. https://www.commondraft.org/Caterpillar-Club-certificate.png https://www.commondraft.org/Caterpillar-Club-certificate.png
  - qingcharles 3y ago
    Amazing. Thank you for that. Do you exist because he had an ejection seat?
    - dctoedt 3y ago
      > Do you exist because he had an ejection seat? No, I was a little tyke at the time. (The story: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33348425 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33348425)
EMCymatics 3y ago
Dunno but if they dont find the aircraft it will be difficult to determine how it happened. My guess would be weird software. There might be something with the F35b's because there are a few crashes in the headlines. Worst case scenario someone slaved it to a netowrk and stole it since the f35bs have VTOL.

robarr 3y ago

“The Caterpillar Club is an informal association of people who have successfully used a parachute to bail out of a disabled aircraft. After authentication by the parachute maker, applicants receive a membership certificate and a distinctive lapel pin. The nationality of the person whose life was saved by parachute and ownership of the aircraft are not factors in determining qualification for membership; anybody whose life was saved by using a parachute after bailing out of a disabled aircraft is eligible. The requirement that the aircraft is disabled naturally excludes parachuting enthusiasts in the normal course of a recreational jump, or those involved in military training jumps.“ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar_Club https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar_Club

dctoedt 3y ago
Brought back memories of my dad's "induction" into the Caterpillar Club in 1962. When we cleaned out and sold my folks' house, I took a picture of his framed membership certificate; he often wore the lapel pin on civilian sport-coat lapels. https://www.commondraft.org/Caterpillar-Club-certificate.png https://www.commondraft.org/Caterpillar-Club-certificate.png
- qingcharles 3y ago
  Amazing. Thank you for that. Do you exist because he had an ejection seat?
  - dctoedt 3y ago
    > Do you exist because he had an ejection seat? No, I was a little tyke at the time. (The story: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33348425 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33348425)

EMCymatics 3y ago

Dunno but if they dont find the aircraft it will be difficult to determine how it happened. My guess would be weird software. There might be something with the F35b's because there are a few crashes in the headlines. Worst case scenario someone slaved it to a netowrk and stole it since the f35bs have VTOL.