Pilot Training complete! And a Run Through Of navy Training. Date: 2011-08-16 00:14:49
I started this blog to help new aviators prepare for what they are getting into. When I found out that I was going to Corpus Christi, I was ecstatic, but I knew that my blogging wasn't going to be useful anymore. Why? Because the Air force is pulling out of Corpus Christi NAS in the next year and I'm one of the last classes to go through here.
Moving to Corpus and Water Survival Date: 2011-01-29 03:10:59
First off: If you're stationed at Columbus and you track T-44 for phase III, don't think you're a number one priority to the Airmen in personnel. You're not. They proved that to by not giving me my orders until the last day I was in Columbus. I asked them several times over the last month if everything was ok, but it wasn't until a few days before I was leaving for water survival that I found out my orders had been misrouted through the wrong fund site.
Transition… Again Date: 2011-01-09 07:08:37
I am a Transition Student… again. I spent the first six months at Columbus doing absolutely nothing. Now that I'm waiting to move to Corpus for T-44 training, I am again getting paid to do nothing. I can't complain, though. It's a nice break from having to be responsible.
I've got my orders to move to Corpus, but I have yet to get the amendment that sends me to the mandatory water survival training in Pensacola.
T-6 COMPLETE! Date: 2010-12-08 20:48:56
Today, I flew my last flight in the T-6. It was bittersweet, to say the least. I never want to fly that plane again, but it was a fun plane to fly. That might not make any sense, but 88.3 hours of being graded will do that.
Last Friday, I took my final check ride. The last 16 flights are the formation blocks and it's serious stuff.
Wow, It's been a long time. Date: 2010-11-21 06:02:14
The last time I updated my blog was in August…. I’ve really slacked off.
Things that have happened:
I took my mid-phase check-ride and hooked it. The big thing to remember going into your first check-ride at UPT is to make sure more than one person checks over your boldface.
Then they let me take the jet to the area solo. Twice.
SOLO Date: 2010-08-25 23:24:34
They let me fly a 4.5 million dollar plane by myself….
I was Wings 51. After doing the mandatory pattern checkout, we came back to the shelters and my IP jumped out. He said a few nervous “and don't forget” things. Then he gave me his name tag (which has his wings). I did three landings, one to a full stop. Three patterns, one of which I pulled closed on.
Long day Date: 2010-08-02 23:17:20
0555 showtime 0600 formal brief 0655 end formal brief 0705 walk to sim 0710 start sim brief 0810 sim 0910 start sim debrief 1000 walk back to flight room 1010 brief for flight 1045 step for flight 1115 takeoff 1230 land 1240 start debrief 1330 end debrief, walk to instrument test 1345 test (pass, pheww) 1445 back in flight room for boldface and study time 1730 flight lessons learned 1800 leave
Week One Phase Two Date: 2010-08-01 15:49:33
Wow…
Imagine standing in front of a fire hose and it's spraying you in the face full blast (and that you were strong enough to not fall over). SUPT is the fire hose and the water is all the information you can be tested on.
12 hour days are rough! The worst part is, it's not enough time. I get home and I have 2.
Week 7 Date: 2010-07-21 21:43:24
Last week of phase one!!! On friday I get my dollar ride in the T-6 and we transition into phase two. 12 hour days in the flight room, only being allowed to leave for the restroom, the simulator, and to fly. Sounds daunting, right?
Last friday we had a class picnic with 11-05. They are the class we are replacing. They brought the beer and we brought the burgers.
Week 5 Date: 2010-07-09 23:41:57
This was a short week! After the 4 day weekend, we had to hit the books hard. Things are starting to pick up academically. An instructor told me: “In the beginning, you don't know what you don't know. Unfortunately, once you figure out what you need to know, you're already behind.” How's that for motivation?
I had a test on aerodynamics on Thursday. It went well.
Week 4 Date: 2010-06-27 23:30:33
Tomorrow marks the start of week four. In three weeks we hit the flight line!
Last week we took the Systems I test. Every academic test consists of 47 multiple choice questions with one hour to complete it (mandatory 85% to pass. Fail three test and you're out of the program no questions asked). It's computer based, so you know your score as soon as you leave.
Airspace Physiology Date: 2010-06-15 22:18:36
The first day of training consisted of welcome briefs from various high ups and the whole day can be summed up as “Pilot training is really demanding. Don't suck. Don't get behind. Don't quit.".
Since then we've been at Physiology. They've been teaching us about the different effects and factors to consider during flying. For example, we had to learn about hypoxia and it's effects. After some classroom instruction, they took us into the “chamber” and decreased the pressure to make it feel like we were 25,000 feet high.
Pub Issue Date: 2010-06-07 14:37:44
Although we don't officially start until the 9th, they've been making us go around base and do things like medical, dental, etc. Today we had our helmet fitting. It took no time at all, but it was cool to finally be doing something!
Then we got issued 3/4 of our publications. These are the documents that we can be tested on. It's a lot of stuff!
IFS Week Three Complete Date: 2010-05-09 23:43:57
I've been at Doss for three weeks now! Everything is pretty much routine now. The information flow has stopped and I've got the procedures down.
Unfortunately, the weather here has been dismal. Every other day you can 35 MPH winds. I guess being grounded due to weather is good because it gives me more time to study, but it sucks because I have to spend more time here.
IFS Week One - Check Date: 2010-04-26 02:23:20
It has been a long week! The whole first week is comprised of academic courses on the fundamentals of flight, weather, radio communications, aviation ethics, airport operations, airspace, navigation, departures/arrivals, Maneuvers, landings, etc… It's a lot to take in! Every day starts at 0600, but that's the time you have to be in your chair ready to take notes (I got up around 0500 to eat breakfast and shower).
IFS Awaits Date: 2010-04-19 00:31:58
In the last 3 days, I drove 1300 miles from Columbus to Pueblo CO. Why? Well, I have to start Initial Flight Screening tomorrow is the reason I'm here, but the reason I drove was because I'm going to make $1600 off the trip (as opposed to the paltry $300 if I flew). On top of the money, it was a pleasant drive.
Phew… IFS starts tomorrow!
Vigilant Warrior and RAP Date: 2010-03-05 15:32:14
I’d like to say the reason I haven’t posted since week five of ASBC is that I’ve been super busy, but that would be a lie. I’ve only been moderately busy at best.
The last week of ASBC consisted of three days in the field. On the first day, we dropped our gear in the 24 man tents and were issued paint ball guns.
Start of Week 5 ASBC Date: 2010-02-09 03:24:05
Last week went by very slowly. It was just more of the same: Air Force Doctrine, Theory, and History. I swear if I see one more slide about Strategy-Operational-Tactical objectives I'll explode. If you're ever at a loss for words on an AF base, say one of those three words and someone will think you know what you're talking about.
I took the test.
Week 2 Academics Date: 2010-02-01 13:11:42
The second week of academics was just like the first! Literally, I think they copied and pasted the schedules and only changed the topics of discussion. I consumed lots of Red Bull.
Coming up this week: The TEST!
Done with week 2 of ASBC Date: 2010-01-25 05:52:44
This week consisted of classroom instruction. I'm actually having a great time! The classroom stuff is kind of boring, but at the same time we're learning about stuff that matters in the Air Force. We did combatives on Wednesday, which I took a whole semester of in college, so it's just a fun refresher. We also had an intro to Icarus, the Air Force's take on dodge ball.
Blue Thunder Date: 2010-01-16 16:52:08
Wow. I've completed the first week of ASBC! A whole week spent at the end of Maxwell AFB's runway in 12 man tents. Honestly, it was a pretty good time. I think that was because of my flight: everyone get's along great. It was below freezing every night, we ate way too many MREs for one week, and the showers were tepid at best, but as long as the people are good I could do anything for a week.
ASBC Tomorrow Date: 2010-01-10 06:52:22
Today I packed up all my things for ASBC. It's a six week long course, so I have to take basically everything I own. Clothes, coffee pot, uniforms, everything. I had to drop about $350 on new uniform stuff (I had to buy the freaking parka for $190 because it's 32 degrees in Alabama right now!). Tomorrow I will drive three hours to Maxwell AFB and check in.
Brooks Date: 2010-01-06 00:24:49
I'm sitting in the Memphis airport waiting for my flight to Brooks AFB. Today I managed to plod through DTS (Defense Travel System) to get orders to Brooks. Then I was able to book a flight on the same day through the CTO (Commercial Travel Office) for only $560! Pretty good deal. I also got a chickenpox shot, went to the dentist, got a copy of my medical records from Flight Medicine, visited the MPF about my ASBC orders, and went to a 30 min.
Christmas at Columbus Date: 2009-12-25 15:59:51
While you're waiting around to start UPT, def leave before Christmas day. The base is dead and no one is around. It's one of the few weekdays durning the year that you don't hear 40 T-6's flying around. I stayed until Christmas day because my airfare was $300 cheaper! Anyway, I get back and start gearing up for ASBC. Merry Christmas!
ADSC Date: 2009-12-18 19:13:59
Active Duty Service Commitment. I signed this today and committed, at a minimum, ten years to my life. How crazy is that?
Casual Status… Date: 2009-12-16 16:08:12
There's not a lot to report. I've been here for a bit over a month and have yet to do anything important. I've gotten the checklist completed that they gave me on day one and that's about it. Yesterday we had the base newcomer brief and it lasted from 0800 to 1500. It was really, really boring. They went over tricare, sexual assault, education benefits, health and wellness center (HAWK), and other base activities.
Another Week Down Date: 2009-12-07 07:10:03
So, last week flew by. The only major thing that happened is that I was informed that I have to go back to Brooks Medical Facility to take an eye exam. When the Air Force tells you not to wear contacts for 30 days, and you put them in for just under an hour during that time, you should cry and self flagellate . I have to wear glasses for the next 30 days now, again.
A Week in Review Date: 2009-11-29 00:03:00
Monday: I ran around the base all day with my new address trying to get myself in to the payroll system. It was hectic… but things here in Columbus are 10 times more relaxed compared to VMI, so really it was an easy day.
Tuesday and Wednesday: I was tasked by the Transition Office to fill in for the Lt. Col.‘s secretary of the 14th Operation Support Squadron.
I Got My Apartment/Tiny Box! Date: 2009-11-20 04:47:16
Today I woke up and went to the housing office. After a few minutes of filling out paperwork, I had my new key. I spent the rest of the day getting settled in: moving stuff in from my car, going to Walmart, the dollar store, etc… It was pretty tiring. The apartment is only one large room with a bath room and kitchen.
Checkin and Housing Date: 2009-11-19 00:10:14
Today… I did nothing of interest. After checking in at the transition office and moving some boxes for them, I got a hair cut and did some laundry (which, is free to do on base!! I used two laundry machines at the same time!). Then I decided to check in with the housing office, aka UOQ, to see if they had our rooms ready. They did, but we can't move in until tomorrow.
Medical Date: 2009-11-17 19:53:38
I went to medical today. It… was not fun. Tri-Care was the first thing of the list and it took lest than five minutes. They told us that there isn't an emergency room on base, so if anything happens call some number and go into town. Otherwise, wait until the medical building opens.
Then we had to go to Immunizations. They check to see if you have all your shots up to date, draw your blood, and then give you more shots.
In-processing and Housing Date: 2009-11-17 05:28:41
Today was a pretty good day. I had been sitting on my butt deep in my parents basement during the summer and have gained about 15 pounds of unwanted flub. I decided the best thing to do is to start being more active. I woke up today at 06:00 for a short run to get my day started right.
Nick, Durham, and I went to the monday 08:00 brief after I cooked them eggs on my new George Foreman grill.
Day one at Columbus Date: 2009-11-13 10:14:48
Yesterday, I drove 13 hours from northern Virginia to Columbus AFB with my friend and roommate from VMI who is also a pilot candidate. I packed everything I thought I needed into my little Saab 9-3 and took off on my new life. It was weird to leave home after being there for six months, but my family made the most of it by taking me to dinner the night before and getting up at 5:00 am to cook me breakfast.
T-17 Days Until RNLT Date: 2009-10-26 09:00:55
I think there’s some serious problems with making people sit around for 6 months without pay. I’ve been so bored since I graduated. I feel like my brain is slipping away…
I got my dads old Rc airplane running the other day with Snuffin and Gokey. They were great ground crew and did all the tedious stuff without me even asking. I think they were as excited as I was when I got the plane in the air, and then even more so when I landed it without breaking it in two!