The stage is set

Stage where they announced our assignments

The last check ride went well!  Some weather rolled in that week and forced me to change my profile from Air-Drop to Air Refueling.  This was great news considering the Air Refueling makes more sense for me going to the KC-10.  We briefed, we flew, we completed!  Friday was a great day to check since it was also our drop night.  Most of the guys were back in the flight room socializing and wondering what aircraft they might get assigned later that night.  It was such a wonderful feeling being finished!  I felt like I was floating everywhere I went that day.  Our drop was pretty awesome.  For the most part, everyone is very happy with their future assignment.  You could sense once it was all over everyone could breathe a sigh of relief.  Knowing was half the battle.

In the meantime, I am busy out processing as much as I possibly can so that when the family gets here I can spend time with them.  As I write this, there is only six days until they all get here.  I cannot wait!  In the meantime I am spending the time going to the gym (*cough* golfing), packing my apartment, and enjoying quality time with some of my flight-mates here at Laughlin.  My next post will be when I have wings!  ...typing that gives me chills.

3rd Hole @ Leaning Pines (Laughlins Golf Course)

After graduation Steph and I will be driving back to the great Garden State to our new home.  I start my KC-10 Initial Qualification school October 7th.  Life is great!

Next:  Graduation!

It all comes down to this!

Not much to report since my last post.  The flying is going great and the number of flights remaining until I am finished is evaporating quickly!  I found out that I will have my last check ride in pilot training this Friday.  I love Friday check-rides!  Right now, much work is being done to prepare and make sure that this week goes smoothly.

Also, Friday is our drop night.  Everyone is getting excited.  The base essentially parties in our classes' name Friday night all the while the active duty folks in my class find out what air frame they will fly for their carer.  Should be exciting  I'll have more to come by this weekend.

Next:  Last Check-ride, Drop!

Official 'hero-shot' taken in T-1's

Laughlin AFB T-1 Class 11-15

Nav Check Complete!!!

WOW!  What a relief to pass the hardest, most involved check-ride in all of UPT.  It was a very long day that started very very early with pre-flight planning and gathering things needed to brief and fly the check ride.  Luckily I had the help of some dudes in my class that also showed up early to help me get my preparations ready early so I can focus on the brief, the ground (general knowledge) evaluation, and the complicated flight that I had planned.  We were warned that the ground evaluation was more involved than any other check ride to date.  There is a large amount of information that I am responsible for and all of that was fair game for the check pilot to ask me.  Good thing I studied a lot, the ground evaluation went off without a hitch.

The flight went as good as I had hoped it could go.  I made a few bonehead mistakes but nothing that would make me 'hook' the ride.  There is something to be said about the stress involved in a check-ride.  It makes you say and do some of the strangest things you may have never done before.  For some reason, my public math was equivalent to that of a 2nd grader.  For the life of me I struggled to make simple math computations in my head necessary in flight.  Also...I forgot to retract my speed-brakes for about 20 min during the flight when I did not need them.  LOL.  The speed brakes are just as they sound...they help slow you down in a more aggressive manner.  We don't use them often, but I had to during a descent into my planned airport where I was to fly approaches.  Anyway, my IP found it funny...as did I...after I knew I passed.

So I passed and that weight is now lifted off my shoulders.  Yet, there is no rest for the weary who are exhausted and are eager to graduate pilot training.  The very next day I flew my first formation flight in the T-1.  Formation in a larger aircraft is much different than what it was like when I flew the T-6.  We stay much further away from each-other and the maneuvers are less aggressive.  Nonetheless, it is very fun!  I'm almost finished with the formation block of training and then I move on to Air Refueling and Air Drop flying.  Both should be fun, especially air refueling.  These are relativity short blocks of training.  After they are completed...I will be done with all the flying requirements in pilot training!!!  Needless to say, graduation is rapidly approaching.  I am so excited to see my family when they visit for graduation.  As I type this, there are 44 days remaining until I graduate on September 30th, 2011.  I CAN'T WAIT!

NEXT:  Mission Fam (Form, Air Refueling, Air Drop) Check Ride, Drop Night, and Graduation!

X-Country

Not much to report since my last post.  The daily grind has been routine, yet still very busy.  This past week I completed my Cross Country requirement in T-1s.  This flight is very similar to a normal out & back flight with the exception that I stay over night at a airport of my choosing.  My flying partner and I decided on a sweet plan a few days prior to the flight.  We went to Chenault, LA for the first leg/stopover to get some good approach work in as well as some awesome food.  We went to a restaurant near the airport which served mostly Cajun style food.  I went with a shrimp and okra gumbo.  It was spicy and delicious...if only they had food and hospitality like that in Del Rio, TX.  That night was my turn to fly.  It is so much fun flying at night.  The radios are quiet, the air is cool and smooth, and the lights re-shape the landscape into something that represents a Christmas tree.  It's pretty awesome!   After all my approach work and landings at night, I landed at Ellington, TX for our overnight stop over.  The airport was pretty sweet since it had lodging for pilots right next to the ramp.  Not to mention the lodging was also very cheap.  That convenience was pretty awesome since we got in late and all I wanted to do was relax.  My flying partner had a friend that lived in Houston, TX (20 min away from Ellington, TX).  He came to pick us up from the airport and we went downtown to a Flying Saucer to enjoy a few good brews.  Too bad it was so late when we finally arrived at the bar.  We only had enough time for a few drinks.  Needless to say, it was alright with me, I was exhausted.  The next day I woke up mid morning and helped my flying partner plan for our flight back to Laughlin.  The flight went well and it was a nice way to go to the weekend. 

Relaxing after a good X-country flight

Now everything is geared towards the Nav Checkride which should be here next week for me.  The weeks are passing like days.  Graduation will be here before I know it.

Next: Nav Checkride.

T-1 Navigation

T-1s on the flight line at Laughlin

Well the Navigation Phase of flying the T-1 has been in full swing for the past few weeks.  It has been quite fun honestly.  My flights include flying to an airport about an hour away, shoot instrument approaches, then come home after a few hours.  During a couple of the flights I flew a Low Level leg as well as a VFR leg.  Both are very similar as they require me to use a detailed map to determine ground reference points to fly too.  However the Low Level is exactly as it sounds...its low to the ground!  500ft most of the time!  This is pretty nuts considering the aircraft we are flying...but I think its a fun part of flying that I never got to do with my civilian pilots license.

All has been going well through the 4th of July weekend.  It was very nice to come home for four days to rest and relax from the daily grind of pilot training.  Stephanie and I were fortunate to get some quality time together which we needed badly.  Friday night, CJ, Miller, Jess, and many of Steph's co-workers at The Seaview came out to the 19th hole bar in Galloway.  I had so much fun with that whole crowd, it really made me miss home.  The next few days were spent enjoying BBQ's with family and friends, fireworks, and being lazy with my future wife.  What could be any more American?  Oh! Did I mention the beach? As I have always complained about, going back to Laughlin is never easy.  Luckily we only have 3 more months until I graduate pilot training and I can return to somewhat of a 'normal' life back in New Jersey. 

Longport Beach, NJ

Returning to Laughlin, as I said, can be rough.  In this case, it was very difficult.  I flew first thing on Tuesday morning and lets just say...I was not on my game.  Some days you just can't do anything right in the aircraft...and this was one of those days.  Needless to say, I hooked the ride, deservingly so.  I got the next day off and was able to get the chance to get my  things in order and plan for my next flight on Thursday.  Short story: That didn't go well also.  Bummer!  I have now just hooked 2 rides in a row.  This isn't cool in the pilot training world since it triggers certain things that you want to avoid.  I had to meet with my flight commander to discuss whats going on and if anything is keeping me from doing well as well being on a "bad boy" program called CAP which identifies me as having flying deficiencies.  It stinks because it's practically a sign posted on my forehead that says 'retard'...sorry more PC would be "special needs".  It can be annoying at times when I fly with new IPs that do not know me.  What is nice that since I have been declared "special needs" in UPT, the IPs that I have flown with have told me that its crazy that I'm on it.  A few more flights and I will be able to get off the special needs program lol.  Lesson learned this week: everyone has a bad day/week sometimes.  Just gotta dust yourself off and move on sometimes.

Now I'm about 3 weeks away from one of the biggest check-rides in all of pilot training...The Navigation Check ride.  I hear its pretty involved and I have to be on my A-game.  Lucky for me, I have been preparing early and feel like I'm on track to give that Check Ride hell when its my time.  Time here at Laughlin is flying by!!  The weeks go by like days.  This is really awesome because I just cant wait for my Fiance Stephanie and all of my family to be here for graduation...so I can finally leave this place!!!!!

NEXT:  Cross Country (Overnight) flights followed by Check ride that next week.  Go Phillies!         

Transition Checkride Complete!

These last few weeks have been very exciting, and very stressful all at the same time.  First, as my headline says, I passed my first checkride in T-1's!  But I'll get to that in a min...

My fathers wedding was over Memorial Day weekend.  I was excited to come home for the wedding, as well as see other family and friends.  After all, it had been nearly 9 weeks since I was last home back in March.  This stretch of time was particularly difficult on Stephanie and I.  We are not the type that handles being apart from each-other very well.  Even when I am home and she has to go to work, I would plan my meals so that I could eat at Fitzpatricks...just so I could see her.  Anyway, I was nice to be home to see Steph, her family, as well as CJ and Miller.

Best Man Speech

My Dad's wedding was very nice.  The ceremony was very beautiful.  They had such a perfect day for such an occasion.  It was nice to see two people happily in love commit to each-other.  The ceremony was followed by a very nice reception at Cousin Mario's out in Mays Landing, NJ.  It was an intimate gathering of friends and family...which turned out to be a lot of fun.  I was honored to give the toast, and I know it was well received.  CJ and Miller came out to crash the after party which was awesome.  I had not seen them since March.  It's always nice catching up with them.

As always, the weekend was not long enough.  Monday came too quickly and I had to return back to Laughlin to face my dreaded check ride which was looming over my head. 

Check rides are always stressful, especially in Pilot Training.  This is nothing new...I just could do without the stress and anxiety that comes with it.  The week following Memorial Day Weekend I spent studying very hard.  The Transition Check ride was to evaluate me on my basic ability to plan a mission and fly, to include take off and landing as well as other basic maneuvers.  There is a big emphasis on my 'general knowledge' as well which includes nearly everything that is in the books.  I flew well until my "2-Check", which is a dress rehearsal to the check ride.  I felt as if I flew a strong ride, however, my IP caught me on some 'showstopper' items.  He decided to hook me as well as my flying partner.  My flying partner has similar difficulties as well.  Needless to say, we were not all that upset.  We were given another free flight to which we can iron out these things that would have certainly led us to hooking our check ride.  Our 2-Check (Take 2) went off without a hitch.  In-fact, it was probably one of my strongest rides in T-1's to date. 

T-1A on Final Approach

The check ride was on Tuesday, June 7th.  It was a very long and stressful day.  The checkride started out with our normal brief which includes what the weather is like and if there might be anything that would keep us from flying.  That was followed by about 20min of General Knowledge questions.  That went well...good thing I studied like I did.  Our check-IP was very relaxed and made us feel more comfortable in the plane.  After a long flight to Dyess, AFB to shoot patterns and to perform basic maneuvers, we returned to Laughlin.  We were debriefed on a few small things that we could improve on, but overall he was very happy with our performance and passed both me and my flying partner with an "Excellent" overall.  We were pumped...and exhausted.  It was such a relief to be done with the Transition Phase.

Now we are preparing for the Navigation Phase.  This includes planning flights to places that are about an hour away and shooting approaches.  Stopping at that airport, fueling up, getting dinner, and returning back to Laughlin.  There is a lot of planning involved with theses flights.  Much more than any of my Transition flights.  But I am excited to be moving right along in T-1's!  It feels like UPT will be over before I know it!

NEXT:  Navigation Flying, Home for the 4th of July!

T-1 Transition

The last few weeks has been filled with academics and flying.  The first "phase" of my T-1 training is called the "Transition" phase.  The purpose of this phase is to get you familiar with the jet.  This includes getting a feel for how it handles in flight and how the different systems work together.

A typical flight includes me, another student who sits in the jump seat, and an IP.  There are maneuvers that we need to get down that are fundamental to flying the aircraft.  We will go to the MOA (Military Operating Airspace)  and practice steep turns, stalls, and some slow flight.  The student sitting jump will swap seats with me in the left seat and he will do the same maneuvers.  After the area work is finished, we head out to a designated out-base where we practice our pattern work and learn to land the T-1.  We practice landing in different flap configurations which helps us be more proficient no matter what configuration we are in.  Emergencies are also practiced in the pattern.  The IP will bring one engine to idle and we have to land the aircraft with just one engine.  It may not sound like that big of a deal, but with only one engine running, a large yawing or turning motion is created due to differential thrust.    This makes landing quite a challenge lol.  Anyway...it's all coming along very well!  So far I have been getting good grades on my flying.  I just hope I can keep it up.

My first check ride will be coming up soon.  If things keep going as well as they have been in the last few weeks, I'm confident that the check ride should go well.


Next:  Memorial Day!  Coming home for Dad's wedding and to see friends and family.  Transition Check Ride in early June.