Ralph Grigg, Author at Air Facts Journal

Ralph Grigg

Maj. Ralph Grigg, USAF (Ret), spent 20 years in the Air Force, with over 1200 combat sorties. He received the Air Medal with nine oak leaf clusters. He is an ATP, CFI, MEI, and CFII with over 8600 hours total time in 34 different models, including the Boeing 737, Stratocruiser, Convair line, Sabreliner, DC-4, and King Air. He was previously a Civil Air Patrol Squadron Commander and Chairman of the UZA Airport Commission. He is now a corporate pilot and contract pilot.

I was there December 31, 2019 December 31, 2019

Another day in the life of an air commando

After landing, I noticed a truck on the side of the ramp and an individual waving at me. I taxied over to where the truck was, swung the airplane around 180 degrees, and with reverse thrust started backing towards the truck. I started through the aircraft shutdown procedures and when I pulled the mixtures to shut off, and as the number one engine came to a stop, I could hear a hissing noise similar to escaping air.

I was there February 12, 2018 February 12, 2018

Shooting an ADF approach – with no ADF

After liftoff, and initial climb out, everything was still performing as expected. We entered the clouds about the time of gear retraction. As soon as the gear was up, the number one engine started surging and the number two engine started backfiring. I briefed that we would continue straight ahead to the ADF and return for landing. I looked down at the ADF indicator and it was rotating continuously.