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.

TD - 9

Flew Friday, just a single. Went on the same route I've done a couple of times now. It went ok. Still working on basic aircraft control. When I get that, then I can concentrate on radio calls and other procedures. When I don't have it, those other things get more difficult. I was told the flight was well on course for someone with zero hours. The winds were a bit gnarly but they pretty much always are.

Anyway, not much else to report. Spent Friday night doing NOTHING and it felt great. Had to let my brain unwind.

TD - 8

Don't have an extremely long post for today. I didn't double turn. Flight was moved to Friday. Most of the instructors are heading out for the weekend and so we'll only be doing one ride tomorrow. Can't say that I really am sad as double turning today was going to be rough.

Chair flew, sat in the flight room and FINALLY GOT OUT OF OUR FRAKKIN' BLUES! We still have formal brief in the morning from 0610 to 0700 but at least we can go a) nap, b) be in flight suits and c) nap...er, I mean study.

This Friday is 1st Fridays so we'll be having pizza + water (beer for the others as there's no WAY I'm getting a hangover here). I expect it's going to be VERY loud, noisy, boisterous and a few other things. Hopefully no one gets screened for any stupid things.

Will post over the weekend with some study tips + hints.

TD- 6/ TD - 7

I had to save 2 days for today as it was eventful. My C201 went great! My C202 went like crap! It was horrid. Nothing worked, my brain felt mushy, the winds kicked my arse and even the horses and cows on the ground laughed at me. It was atrocious.

I cried a little, called a few people who had been here, threatened to switch to Nav.. You know, the normal stuff.

Then I went to sleep. And I woke up feeling bleh. I had a talk with my IP and he told me I'm right where I'm supposed to be. It's not supposed to click from zero hours to C202. Just doesn't happen often.

Next came C203. It was a blast. Things were happening. Things were working. Chairflying helps immensely.

It's late and I can't post much but just know that you WILL have a shite day. It's going to happen. There's nothing you can do to stop it. Cry that day (unless you're double turning, then just take 15 mins with the punching bag in the gym) and move on. Pre-plan your next flight and pick points that you want to really shine. You can't get it all at once so choose your battles with the flight wisely. Set good goals and really aim for them. You'll miss things - but don't let yourself miss EVERYTHING just because of few little things.

I mean, maybe some people can do it all from the beginning (looking at CFIs) but they cheated with their 5,000+ hours.

For you incomings, I've built some packets. Leave a note in the comments if you want the items. Remember, live by gouge, die by gouge. When you get here, double check the gouge.

-Klinger

PS - I double turn C301 and C302 tomorrow AND I lead off the formal brief at 0610. My ORM is gonna be HIIIIGH.

TD - 6

Had A110 test, C201 and Boldface/Ops quiz today.

Passed the A110 with flying colors. As long as you do the quizzes about 7-10 times each, you should have no trouble. On the first go, I check the answers and build myself an answer template. Next, I take the quiz verifying the answers. For the last 5-8 sets, I only answer those I know while verifying the answer I do not. I don't let myself see the wrong answers. If I don't understand the concept, I'll research that, but I don't want to let myself be led down the wrong path and get the wrong type of answer in my mind.

My C201 flight went pretty damn well, imo. I felt good up till the last 10 mins or so and I'll attribute the ending to fatigue. We're on the early schedule today and I had the last flight so I had already been up and moving for about 9 hours. Flying takes a lot out of you. I know I find myself sweating a bit even with the A/C turned up =P

Didn't pass Boldface/Ops again. I mean, I did, and so did 30 others, but 3 people did not. So we're still in blues. Found out that the other flights haven't had a 100% pass rate either, they just had a Flight Commander who bent the rules a bit. Again, doesn't much matter to me. It's a training environment and I just do what they tell me to do. However, those who don't pass the quizzes now are getting write-ups. The screening process is starting.

Tomorrow, I have another flight. If I get my C202 done, I'll be 1 flight up on the majority of the class. I know the CFIs will catch me as they've got about 3,000 hours to work with but overall I'm not doing too shabby.

PS - don't worry about trying to grill the Radio Calls and Checklists into your brain before you start flying. They make TOTAL sense once you start your flying rotation. You do them SO OFTEN that if you don't memorize them, then you're probably doing something wrong. Do, however, get with people and chair fly. Also check the drives for Profile walkthroughs. They'll help you get the hang of how to chair fly your profile once you start.

KK - early bed, early rise

TD - 5

Posting a day behind again. It was a fun filled day on Friday. I got to do my dollar ride. It was pretty damn spiffy. The little plane is REALLY sensitive and they want you to toss the controls like you're in a fighter. Don't fly it like you do a big plane, really get that 30 degrees of bank in there quickly.

The flights aren't that hard if you chair fly them. It's all not really that difficult if you do the right prep and stay ahead of the game. Just think about the order of the flight, ask the IP TONS OF QUESTIONS prior to the flight and you'll be good to go.

We've got the A110 test coming up on Monday after which we'll be mostly done with academics. I also fly on Monday at around 1430 - I'll be able to really feel the winds that time. Just for pre-emptive puking sake lunch will consist of bananas, rice (crackers), applesauce ad toast. I don't know how high winds will effect me yet but I want to be prepared.

This weekend, studying academics by taking the quizzes and maybe chair flying my profile 3 times total. I won't be super concerned about the flight as the academics are still more important right now.

TD - 4

Spent last night prepping for the dollar ride before realizing you don't need to really prep for the dollar ride. So, I went to a bible study to take a break and have real conversation. It was pretty good and great way to help ease the stress.

Then I went off to Office Max and printed out the EPs (emergency procedures), the Playbook and the Flow/Verify color prints for the cockpit maneuvers. Pretty dagum sexy lookin', this little book is...

Anyway, we did more Procedure classes today focus on what you have to learn to complete the maneuver. AGAIN - IFS is about the PROCEDURE! If you know those, even if you don't complete the manuever (typically, if you know them, you complete the move) YOU PASS! You just need a Fair grade and you're good to go.

Dollar rides are a go for tomorrow and I'm at 0942. Brief starts at 0842.

TD - 3

Just spent the last hour doing the first couple of checklists from the Normal Procedures.

Big hint - GET THE FLOW/VERIFY process down. It speeds up the Pre-flight inspection tasks! It also makes more sense in your mind rather than just doing the Read/Complete version.

Finished out all the academic classes for today and moved on to the G series class. These involved teaching you how to fly a plane without being in a plane. Highly effective....... no, really, they were more about the Procedures that IFS teaches for the maneuvers. That is what you have to learn here - the Procedures. You will develop/learn/create technique as you advance but here at IFS it's all about Procedures.

We still didn't get our flight suits. Have to keep taking the Boldface/Ops limits test.

PS - no flight has ever gotten them in the first week without some kind of rule bending. Especially with huge flights like ours (35 people).

Dollar Rides are supposed to be on Friday but quite a few Seniors here have had their rides canceled due to wind so I wouldn't be surprised if the push our Dollar Rides back till next week. C'est la vie.

I'm mainly focusing on study Academics this weekend to cover the A110 test and will build my flight binder so that I can start creating study guides for my Profiles. I know they're on the P drive already but I want to make my own Gouge so that I can learn it as I create it.

BTW - PT here is frakkin' awesome. Moon is going to love the instructors as they are HUGE CrossFit fans. They would make Tony Horton sore...

TD - 2

Completed first full academic day. At the last class, we asked the IP what he would do with his time during the night. He responded with a nice list that is actually pretty good:

EAT first - chow is most important
RELAX for 4-5 minutes in your room
QUIZZES from classes you had today
PREP for Dollar Flight if your brain gets tired from academics
- LFP, appx C, D, and F
- Normal Procedures Checklists (memorize any that have to take place while the aircraft is in motion)

It's a lot like OTS right now. The academics are front loaded - you aren't going to be able to catch everything during the lecture due to the over-saturation. However, to pass the test, you HAVE to take the quizzes available. For each lesson, there is one quiz. Those quizzes form the question bank for the exam so if you know the quizzes, you know the test.

Dollar rides are supposed to be this Friday but with the amount of wind we have right now, all of the upper class is having a hard time getting their flights so it may be pushed back. Our Academics test is on Monday and this weekend I'll take the time to head to Office Max and build the study binders I need for flight prep. And I'll get outside. It'd be nice to see some sunshine =P

TD - 1

First day of briefings complete. Like any military environment, it's all powerpoint until you get to your flight rooms.

We ran the PFT just before lunch. The altitude DOES have an impact but it's less than most people make it out to be. If you're in good shape, it shouldn't bother you much. Just don't go out at 5 min pace like this guy.

A big hint that was passed around all day by the IPs was that IFS is about procedures and positive attitude. If you get those down, the rest comes with time - and since we don't get a lot of time, they're more concerned with seeing that you can actually learn the procedures and don't wig out at the first sign of stress.

TD - 2 has most of the core academics for our upcoming A111 test. I'm taking tonight to get some study mats in order.

TD - 0

Arrived in Pueblo. Little town, not much to see. The speed limit coming was 75 so that's a blast. Lots of wind.

Once you arrive at DOSS, you have to visit three stations:
1) Lodging
2) Medical
3) IT

Each station takes about 30 secs and is low threat. After that, you change into your civies and wait for TD - 1 to begin.

I found some people I knew and sat in on a chair flight. Good way to prep even though most of it doesn't make sense.