TD - 11

Just finished Systems 1.

Week one starts out with Physio. You get the chamber (not a big deal, they try to scare you with all the talk of sickness and ears popping, brains oozing out your eyes, etc.), the barnay chair (*puke*), standard tests where the answers are in the reviews, and a really cool crew. And they have you play parachute outside... in the summer... in gear... which isn't that bad for someone used to the heat but others damn near complained the who time. Sissy pilots.

After physio comes the first part of systems. I'll say this - I didn't get ANY gouge and the test went fine. DO THE REVIEW QUESTIONS!!! The instructor will tell you that those questions are NOT on the test (unlike physio) HOWEVER, if you do the questions and you understand the why, you'll get an automatic 85% on the test. That's all you need to pass. If you actually study a bit, take notes, pay attention to the CAIs and read the info after, you'll do really well and those T-38s can be all yours. I'll keep my T-1. =P

Systems 2 is starting tomorrow.

Academics isn't that hard as long as you stay up with the work. Do the review questions each night. Don't just answer them, write them out and describe WHY the answer is the way it is. Understand the actual system and where it's linked. Also take advantage of the sim time. Look at all the switches and get a feel. When you read the dash 1, it can feel like things are totally scattered about in the T-6 but they're actually very smartly grouped together.

And be cool with the IPs when you meet them. It's just like IFS. If you have a shite attitude, the IPs will have a shite-ier attitude.

Sleep. And don't frakkin' drink so much.

TD - (-)1

I was pushed to 12-09 here at Columbus AFB. Chosen as the ASRO because I'm frakkin' old. We'll do flight pictures tomorrow and officially start on Tuesday. Will keep posted. Might not be as often as my IFS documentation but I'll let it be known where we are.

Off we go...

Solo, Pre-Check and Check

I'm still alive. The Blackhawks and Apaches didn't kill me on my 501/502, the IP didn't slay me after I double turned my Pre-Check after my solo, and my Check actually went stellar.

I made it out of IFS. You can do it with zero hours. You will probably cry at least twice, you will find religion and pray every day and you will eat the Steve Special more than once so that you can feel good for the day.

Don't sweat academics. Take the quizzes a minimum of 7 times each and once the A-111s rolls around, re-take those quizzes 2 more times the night before. You'll do fine there.

On the flights - DRAW THEM OUT (LITERALLY!!!)! Get rid of the clutter in your IFG by making your own map. Then break it into sections and diagram WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO! Always stack checklists if you can (CRUISE followed by DESCENT/APPROACH) and makes those calls early.

Learn to use the trim, especially on landings. Ask the IP to show you how. It's pretty frakkin' awesome and helps so much.

Take time away from DOSS on Friday and Saturday. Maybe make some flashcards on Saturday if you feel guilty but DO NOT STUDY THEM! Rest your brain.

Get sleep.

Use the restroom.

Breathe.

Look, you've just graduated. Congrats! Now it's time to get your ass kicked in UPT.

TD - 12, 13, 14

Going to bunch all these days together because that's how they feel. I'm finished with the 300 block. Did 305 and 306 today. It was pretty rough due to the winds. I got it done and the IP said I was ready to solo so that's the plan for Monday. My basic aircraft control is coming along and that's helping me get the procedures for the maneuvers right. My radio calls are pretty much all good. All I really have to work on are the checklists that you perform WHILE maneuvering. Takes a bit of concentration on my part.

This weekend, I'm just going to plan on chairflying quite a bit - especially on Sunday. I'll show the new class some of the things they should work on and by teaching them, I'll hopefully teach myself more.

TD - 11

C303 today. Things clicked into place. Altitude loss was less than 100' for most of the flight - barring the turbulence. I was in complete control the whole flight. I put together a new Data Card, chairfly my flight quite a bit, and studied the route differently that I did previously.

I also learned how to correctly use the frakkin' trim. Screw you, little green light.

Overall, it was a very good flight. Night and day difference from all my other flights. I actually enjoyed the whole trip. There wasn't much of a time that I was stressed or completely worried (well, except for those stalls, but I got them down now).

Tomorrow, I fly C304. It goes up to C306 and then our Solo. I think I might be able to solo by Friday. Half the class will be ready by then so we'll all be taking to the skies at the same time.

Off to bed, 0510 brief tomorrow.

TD - 10

Did my C302 ride today. Was all pattern work up at Fort Carson. Lots of helicopters to watch out for, lots of crazy wind to adapt to, and lots of squirrelly landings to perform. Did about 11 total landings, hit maybe 3 of them perfectly. Just know that even though the wind is coming across as less than 10 kts, the fact that it's variable plays HELL on your landings. Always be adjusting and looking at that windsock when you are on final.

Oh, and cliffs/hills right on the FRAKKIN end of the runway suck. Stupid updrafts and wind shears...

PS - Here's a big one for myself. Be totally honest with your progress when you talk to people. Don't make it seem worse or better than it is. You are where you are. You'll find out that others are doing EXACTLY like you. It will help you find those people and both work together to get better.

IFS Study Habits

Chairfly. As much as you can, even if you don't know what you are doing, get in that simulator and just fly the route. Go SLOW! So many people try to haul through it. It doesn't help if you get so confused and lost that you don't know where you are on your route.

For study sheets, I've been making notecards of all the procedures. Once you check the Checkride Eval sheet and see what kind of profiles there are, you'll have a better understanding of what you should study.

I printed out the LFP, EPs and Playbook so that I can have a copy to read at anytime. I don't want just the electronic copy and the binders in the flight room are just plain annoying.

If you get ANY gouge, whether it be from someone or here at IFS, DOUBLE CHECK IT FIRST! If you study the wrong thing, it's your own fault. They're always tweaking the program and you may have just one or two things different. It's a good study habit to go through the gouge and re-write it. You'll find out what you're missing and pick up a few tips as well.

Take Friday and most of Saturday off. Work MASSIVELY hard during the week. Come back to work on Sunday for the last part of the day but GO TO BED EARLY. During the week, try to finish everything you want to do and get to laying in bed by 2130. You'll need the sleep and you'll fly like shit if you're tired.

Can't think of much else. You'll find someone other things when you get here but these were the big ones I wanted to get out.

PS - Check the P drive when you get here for more gouge. Don't be afraid to search but just remember to VERIFY all gouge before accepting it as gospel.