McDonnell Douglas TA-4 Skyhawk

Aircraft Information
> Aircraft Make: McDonnell Douglas. Model: TA-4. Nickname: Skyhawk
> Aircraft Mil Civ Description: Tactical Jet
> FAA Category and Class: Airplane SE Land
> Engine Description: single

Aircraft Experience
> As of: 10/31/2024
> Number of Hours Flown: 1.2
> Number of Times Flown: 1
> Other Aircraft Models Associated: A-4

First Flown Information
> Sequence First Flown: 18
> Date First Flown: 2/6/1986
> Location First Flown: NAS Patuxent River, MD (KNHK)
> Who and/or What Organization First Flown With: USNTPS Senior Fixed Wing instructor Tom Russell

Recollections: The TA-4J was, for many years, a mainstay of the Fixed Wing curriculum at USNTPS.  When I went thru with Class 90 (Jan-Dec of 1986) the fixed wing students (which included pilots from the Navy and Marines who flew A-7, F-14, A-4, and the mighty P-3) flew the T-2 all year and flew the T-38 and TA-4 for half a year each, swapping mid-year.  These were the planes you would solo in, be Pilot in Command of, and go on multiple flights gathering data with your engineer/NFO classmates to complete various exercises.  For me, I was assigned the TA-4 as my first half airplane.  Well, I simply DID NOT FIT in the TA-4.  Period.  The TA-4 isn’t roomy for anyone (pretty much any adult pilot has to turn their shoulders sideways to get past the canopy rails and then try to settle in), see the cockpit photo which gives some impression of the tight space.  For me, because of the angle of the seat to the rudder pedals, my long legs simply didn’t fit and–despite making every seat and rudder pedal adjustment–I couldn’t hold the brakes on engine runup for takeoff.  Oh, that, AND it was clear if I ever ejected my knees would hit the lower instrument panel or canopy bow on the way out.   

I flew “FAM 1” with Tom Russell and, at the end of the hop, he said “you just don’t fit in this thing, do you?”  I sure didn’t.  We had been in the course less than a month and I was certain that my inability to fly the TA-4 was going to mean I’d be terminated from the course.  Several sleepless nights ensued as I waited for the staff to determine my fate. 

As often happens in life, when one door closes, another (or two) open.  I’ve forgotten how I was told of my fate or who told me (I wish I’d written it down, what a dramatic story it would make) but the staff decided to (a) switch me to the T-38 for the first half and (b) add the OV-1 to the list of airplanes I’d get qualified in.  Not only that, but I’d fly all three aircraft (The T-2, OV-1 and T-38) the ENTIRE YEAR (no mid-year swap).  I think they did this because they weren’t sure how I’d use the OV-1 in the syllabus, as it was not an airplane any fixed wing students got qualified in (the rotary wing students flew the OV-1 as their “fixed wing currency” airplane).  What a deal.  I flew all three, all year and that’s one of the reasons I ended up being the high-time student for the year, amassing 275 hours in 168 flights as a student.

So, what are my recollections of the TA-4?  Did I mention it’s got a small cockpit.  Beyond that, it was clearly a fun plane to fly, super light and quick on the controls (its informal nickname is “scooter”) but, flying it only once that’s about all I remember.