Formation SOLO

Laughlin AFB Flight line - T-6's

This week turned out to be a great week.  On Tuesday, I had my last academic exam for the T-6.  It was such a relief to walk out of that exam knowing that I do not have to worry about studying for an exam until I start T-1s.  This lets me focus more on things that are relevant to my current flying. 

As I have mentioned before, they are really pushing the formation flying on me...which I'm not complaining about.  It is a relatively short block of training and I am having a lot of fun doing it.  On Wednesday, I flew formation in the morning and then in the afternoon my IP told me that I was going to be doing a formation sortie...SOLO!  Let me just tell you:  It was the most exhilarating flight I have ever flown!  It is a special feeling when you know that you are the Aircraft Commander.  The responsibility to fly safe and manage the $5mil aircraft all on your own is something student pilots are eager to take on.  When I landed and took off my g-suit, my flight suit was soaked from sweat.  I cant imagine why? LOL.  This marks the last time that I will ever be solo in a USAF aircraft again.  So I suppose you could say that this was a milestone in my USAF career. 

T-6 Cockpit

Now the fun continues, but takes on a serious tone as my formation check-ride is only about a week and a half away.  They are teaching us [students] some more advanced maneuvers in the meantime which are very interesting and fun. 

Next up:  Formation check-ride followed up by cross country trip Mid-Feb.

Catching Up

It has been a while since my last post (sorry).  The pre-holiday madness combined with the stress of the flying made it hard to keep up with many things.  Anyway, this should provide some sufficient redemption and put everyone back in the loop with all that is going on here in Texas.

I finished my Final Contact phase just before the Christmas break.  It was such a relief to be done with that madness.  Now I get to move on to Formation and Instrument flying.  But only after the nice long Christmas break!


Coming home was very special.  Christmas time is my favorite time of year and was so happy to get to spend it with friends and family that I have missed since being away in TX.  We got hit with a blizzard a few days after I got home.  It was so nice to be snowed in for a day with Stephanie.  We were able to relax, watch movies, and I have become somewhat of a master at a card game called "Skip-Bo" that she taught me a few months ago.  I enjoy kicking her butt at it.  Anyway, it was nice to get together with everyone and celebrate the season, and catch up with family and friends that I missed.

New Years was fun.  Chris had a party at his new condo with all the local celebrities.  CJ, Megan, Miller, Jess (Miller's newly minted girlfriend...we like her a  lot), Steph and others were there to ring in what promises to be an exciting 2011.  Days flew by enjoying the simple creature comforts that I have come to love when being home in South Jersey.

But alas,  Laughlin needed me to return so I can get back to flying.  The up-side to this is Stephanie came back to Del Rio with me!  It was so nice having her there.  Being able to spend time with her is awesome.  Even if I was super busy with academics or studying, she was there cheering me on, making me dinner, cleaning my already immaculately clean apartment, and meeting the other guys in my flight and some of the respective wives.  The first weekend she was here we left Del Rio and headed north to a quaint town called Fedricksburg, TX.  It is known for their German food and wine.  There are about 6 winery's up there and we spent most of the day tasting all sorts of wines.  Some were good, some...well not so good.  Had some micro-brew beer and a nice German dinner to top off the night.  Her visit culminated that following weekend with a nice weekend in San Antonio.  Her parents from NJ and Aunt & Uncle from Colorado also visited and made for a really fun weekend!  Needless to say it was very sad to have that weekend come to an end and see Steph fly home to NJ.  I am excited for her as she has a very busy schedule at Stockton  College this semester with some interesting classes. 

They have us doing both Instrument and Formation flying at the same time.  This is not a common thing at pilot training.  This makes for a very intense information/academic uptake.  There is so much to know for both kinds of flying.  Most of us [students] are trying to figure out the method behind the madness...but have yet to figure it out.  Nonetheless, I seem to be picking it up fairly well.  Its always a struggle, but I feel I am able to keep up with the demands of my IPs and fly well.  They seem to be pushing the formation more than the instrument flying right now...well see how it goes. Below is a video of what I'm currently doing when I strap on a T-6...
It's pretty exciting.  This video is not me flying, but someone recording themselves doing exactly what I'm doing now.  Needles to say, I come back from my Form flights totally pumped and excited.  Best flying I have ever done to date!

Not me...but I have the same view on my flights :)

That about covers it for right now.  Standby for more pictures and updates!