Warbird Information Exchange

I recently had the pleasure of a tour of the 144th Fighter Squadron based here in Fresno. Being a student of Army Air Corp flight crews during WWII in England going out the their aircraft on bicycles, I was totally awestruck when these guys from the 144th left the ready room, decked out in full flight gear, got on bicycles painted O.D. and rode them to their F-16's! It might have been a 200 yd. ride and was a tradition at the Fresno Guard. It was indescribable to witness this.
How prevalent is this at other A.F. Bases?

How do we travel? Bus, van, bread truck, golf cart, walk ... you name it. You don't see too many bikes used because we have to carry too much junk - plus they have to be left someplace where they won't be tossed by jet blast on taxi out.

When I was a crew chief (flight line mechanic) on F-16s, I wasn't the only one who got around via bike. Typically the oldest, crappiest, most decrepit bike you could find, because then there'd be no need to lock it up, and no big loss if it "walked away."

I don't remember any of our pilots riding around on bikes, but why not? Heck of an idea.

I loved my old flight-line bike. I wonder where it is now?

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IndyJen

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It's not too common anymore. The Air Force safety rules have pushed things so far you can't hardly walk around base without a helmet on, let alone ride a bike.

Another on the long list of reasons I probably won't extend for 6 to make 20...

Robbie