Cubdriver

Right Jungle, I should have thought of that. One of the business jets I worked on had critical runway requirements which this reminds me of. The jet did not have slats when it really needed them and had to land a bit "hot" to compensate. It was so touchy that if the lift dump failed the airplane was a goner. They put on bigger brakes to allow more heat dissipation and redesigned the lift dump system for better reliability. But there was no way they were going to change Vref. Full flaps no matter what.

Billy Pilgrim

No flap landings in the T-38... I had a full stop on an 8,000ft RWY a few years back where a motor failed and the flaps wouldn't come down (one motor is "supposedly" able to power both, but did not).

Good thing the brakes are cutting edge 1950's technology and work well for blowing tires but that's about it.

I honestly think that aircraft is one of the most unforgiving and difficult to land aircraft still in use today, by FAR the most difficult I've ever flown (C-172, Grumman Tiger, Cirrus SR-20/22, Schweizer 2-33 :-), Blanik L-23, T-6, T-38C , F-15). Comes at the expense I suppose of aesthetics and not being able to see the wings behind you when you're in the cockpit.

I want to say that approach speeds are in the 200kts+ range if you're heavy and no flap but I don't remember specifics.

I'm sure most pilots that have flown it have some horror stories / close calls. Luckily it's also got a stellar ejection seat :-p

Cubdriver

Nice story. I understand the T-38 fleet is nearly worn out now and a whopper contract for its replacement is in the works.