29 Apr

Today was a fun day, compared to the other days so far.  After a couple classroom lessons, we got to go out to the flightline and check out the aircraft.  Some of the folks from the senior class showed us what is involved in a preflight inspection.  Also, today was the first day we got to wear our flightsuits...not normally a big deal, especially since I wear a flightsuit to work normally, but the only other option is wearing blues.  Those get uncomfortable after a few hours of sitting, so wearing the bag is very nice!

We also got a taste of what a formal brief and a standup EP is like.  For those who don't know, the formal brief is simply briefing the flight on winds, runways used, NOTAMS, etc first thing in the morning.  A standup Emergency Procedure (EP) occurs in the classroom and is where a student pilot is given a situation that could occur in the aircraft and is given control of the aircraft and has to take the situation to a logical conclusion.  This could last for about 30 minutes or even more depending on the situation and how screwed up it is.  We have to go through every detail or we will get sat down, which is bad, and we probably won't fly for that day.  No pressure!  Fortunately, i've been practicing these with my boss back at work, so they are familiar to me, but still very difficult.

It felt like we were actually making a little bit of progress in this program today.  Just a small step on the way to UPT and wings!

First Monday

I'll start by mentioning my weekend...nothing special, just went up to Colorado Springs and visited the Air Force Academy and Peterson AFB.  Not too bad.  I only mention it because it will probably be one of our few/only free weekends here because all the classes are backed up a little bit.  Oh well, it's only 6 weeks, right?!

Today was full of classroom stuff.  We had classes over aircraft systems, aerodynamics, performance, airspace and radio communications.  Oh, we also had our boldface/ops limits test this morning.  Only 3 of us failed it...including me.  I skipped over one of the questions...stupid mistake.  We had PT late afternoon and then back to a class over traffic patterns, but that went real quick.  Also did another boldface/ops limits test, and everyone in our flight passed!  The other flight had one failure, but they made it up during PT; so now we are cleared to wear flightsuits!

Day 1

Arrived at Initial Flight Screening (IFS) yesterday.  Not a busy day whatsoever...just checked in to my room, got my uniforms and we were free until dinner: so about 5 hours to kill.  The kicker is that we couldn't leave the facility and we had to stay in our blues...oh well.

Our first real day of training today.  Again, nothing real cosmic; we met our flight commanders: we have one civilian and one military flight commander.  It will be intense and very difficult, but very doable.  We just got done with our PFT a little bit ago.  If you have never ran at any sort of altitude, it's quite the kick in the pants!  Anyway, we're free until monday morning at 0640 (get to sleep in!).  I'll probably just stick around here and study a little and hang out with the dudes in my flight.

EDIT: I failed to mention that our class has about 70 people in it, and we're split into 2 flights.

Work!

I finally got tasked with something today! I am now someone's sponsor...for those who don't know what that is, I am basically the guy that will attempt to make the transition to his new duty station easier and less painful. What's funny about it is that he is a pilot...what am I? Just a casual lieutenant who just got to the squadron a week ago!

Good news is: only 3 weeks left until I go to my first formal training! I am super excited!

As always, feel free to leave questions and/or comments about what i'm up to!