Why do fighter pilots throw a nickel on the grass?

Within the U.S. Air Force fighter pilot community, the term “throw a nickel on the grass” embodies an expression of mutual respect and good luck from one warrior to another.

What is the lyrics to throw a nickel on the grass?

Throw a nickel on the grass–Save a fighter pilot's ass. Throw a nickel on the grass and you'll be saved. When a call came from the Major, Oh won 't you save me sir? Got three flak holes in my wing tips, and my tanks ain't got no gas.

What does Nickel mean in the military?

A nickel: This signifies that the visitor served with the deceased service member at boot camp. A dime: A dime means the visitor and deceased service member served together at some point.

Why do fighter pilots grow mustaches?

Pilots have continued a decades-long tradition of growing mustaches for good luck. Although it is a tradition to grow a mustache during Mustache March across the different branches of the military, Casci said that many participate in the tradition year round, especially during Red Flag.

Why do fighter pilots breathe like that?

You may recall the pressure that pushed you into the seat and made it hard to move or breathe. In comparison, during any maneuvering, modern fighter pilots deal with 9G, or approximately 2,000 pounds of crushing gravity that makes it almost impossible to draw breath. This is why oxygen masks become essential.

"Throw a Nickel on the Grass" Helicopter Version

What is the hardest thing to pilot?

Learning to safely land is the most challenging aspect of basic flight training. Takeoffs are always optional. Landings are mandatory. Most pilots who want further training find that getting their IFR (instrument rating) is the hardest part of becoming a professional pilot.

What are fighter pilots called?

A flying ace, fighter ace or air ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The exact number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an ace is varied, but is usually considered to be five or more.

Why can't pilots have no beards?

So why the restriction? Well, it all has to do with safety. Beards can interfere with the proper seal of a pilot's oxygen mask. In the event of an emergency, a beard could prevent a pilot from getting the oxygen they need to stay conscious and alert.

Can fighter pilots wear a beard?

So far, the Air Force has banned beards for all except those who have five-year medical waivers for pseudofolliculitis barbae, or chronic razor bumps, or religious waivers for those for whom beards are central to their observance, like Sikhs, Jews, Muslims and Norse Heathens.

Can fighter pilots have beards?

Excluding limited exemptions for religious accommodation, the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps have policies that prohibit beards on the basis of hygiene and the necessity of a good seal for chemical weapon protective masks.

Why do marines carry coins?

Military members still carry one challenge coin to prove their loyalty and in case of a "coin check." A coin check occurs when a member challenges the others to reveal their challenge coins. If any member fails to do so, it is their responsibility to buy a round of drinks for everyone.

What is nickel slang for?

Nickel is a slang term for “five” of anything, especially a small bag of drugs costing five dollars or five-year prison sentence.

How much is a war nickel worth today?

$1.2096 is the rounded silver value for the 1942-1945 silver nickel on February 15, 2023.

What does two nickels on the grass mean?

About the Author

Within the U.S. Air Force fighter pilot community, the term “throw a nickel on the grass” embodies an expression of mutual respect and good luck from one warrior to another.

What does don't take any plug nickels mean?

(chiefly US, idiomatic) Having no or almost no value; worthless.

Why would I want to start hoarding nickels?

On Reddit, some Americans have discussed the value of hoarding nickels as a potential investment and a hedge against inflation. Nickel has value outside of coin production, it is used in car batteries, among other products.

Why can't pilots have tattoos?

Airlines want passengers to feel safe on board an aircraft. A large part of how passengers interpret the flight comes down to the appearance and demeanor of the crew. Visible tattoos are viewed as unprofessional by many airlines. The airlines also don't want any offensive or obscene images in the cabin.

Why can't you have facial hair in the military?

Growing a beard in the military

Beards were prohibited across all branches for two reasons: Hygiene and the need for a good seal while wearing a gas mask.

Can you wear glasses as a pilot?

The answer is YES – you can wear glasses and be an airline pilot! Perfect uncorrected vision is not a requirement to be a pilot or an air traffic controller. Glasses, contact lenses and refractive surgery are all (with certain limitations) acceptable ways to correct visual acuity problems.

Can pilots wear tattoos?

Members of the cabin crew aren't the only ones required to conceal their tattoos. According to the ATP (Airline Transport License) Flight School, the largest private flight academy in the country, virtually none of the major commercial airlines allow their pilots to have any tattoos visible while in uniform.

Can pilots have hidden tattoos?

Commercial pilots cannot have tattoos that are visible when wearing their uniform, although they can have hidden tattoos. There are also strict rules for other parts of a pilot's appearance, including hair, facial hair, and piercings.

Why do pilots wear hats?

Pilots needed a hat to keep their heads and ears warm, as well as goggles to protect their eyes in flight. With the advent of closed-cockpit airplanes, hats became less necessary (Charles Lindbergh still wore one when he crossed the Atlantic in 1927, though his Spirit of St. Louis monoplane had a closed cockpit).

What is a female pilot called?

Women have been involved in aviation from the beginnings of both lighter-than air travel and as airplanes, helicopters and space travel were developed. Women pilots are called "aviatrices".

Why do pilots say Fox 3?

Indicates launch of an active radar-guided missile (such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM). Before the introduction of Active radar homing missiles in the 1980's, Fox three was the callsign for guns in an air to air role, which has been re-designated as Fox four.

Why do fighter pilots say pickle?

Pickle. Slang reference by pilots to the release of ordnance (bombs and canisters) over a target, one at a time in close sequence, on one pass. Such a release allowed the ordnance to cover a larger linear area.