My... how things have changed!
About this time last year, I was gearing up to make the move my parents were dreading ever since I was born. I had been learning to slowly ease off their care and take care of myself so the transition wouldn't be too bad...
1 year later...
I'm in my 3rd phase of training here as a student NFO, I've truly met my share of people here in the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Air Force... its just like the military. You see em come, you see em go.
I miss Virginia Tech though. The atmosphere is what I miss the most, not the studying there. The camaraderie, the closeness... its definitely changed since I've been there with all the news streaming out from just the one town of Blacksburg. A lot of good memories and friends made.
I need to find my own.
....An Idiot's Guide
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Friday, August 10, 2007
The Out and In that turned into a Mini CCX
Ok.
For you non-aviation types, an "out and in" is not the first thing that pops into your head, it is better described as a drop in to another airport (non-base) for food or whatever, then back to your home base.
My out and in to Lake Charles/Chennault airport located in what I call south central LA (Louisiana, yup, home of the Cajun style food.. "boo yah")...
So I had already briefed this flight before with the same instructor 2 days before and had been cancelled twice due to bad weather in the area. Or so they say. The sigmet pictures online tell me I can't legally fly. Oh pish posh. But anyways, it was the first time I had actually stepped onto the flight line only 30 minutes after brief time. I performed the flight pretty well, getting all the point to points down, finally making it into Chennault airport. We did one 2 approaches, one circling and one ILS. Upon touchdown which was less tha 80 mind you, my instructor noted our left main tire felt flat. Checking in with the airport's rinky dinky tower (well, compared to our really tall one), a blown tire was confirmed... and we taxied at minimum power to get tied up and head inside to the FBO for food. With no maintenance available nearby to help our forsaken T-6A, we were destined to stay the night in Lake Charles.
First of all, the people there were very kind and helpful to us upon our arrival! They hooked us up with a hotel room at the local Sleep Inn (right next to the Chuck.E.Cheese no doubt) and we got the crew car (the black minivan) to do our errands. We kicked it off by checking into the Inn, where we both were able to get 2 doubles for the same price as a single. We then did our grand entrance into the nearby Old Navy for some hanging out clothes (this is where I did most of my impulse shopping. (I bought a shirt that said "head in the clouds". I know, isnt that awesome?)
Afterwards we went back, changed, headed to Wal-mart to get some essentials for my eyes, and the IP got some liquor in their liquor department. Welcome to Louisiana. Decided to ditch the rental car idea, returned the car to the FBO, where the owner's 19-year-old son took us around and dropped us off at Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner. I quickly learned I had to build my beer tolerance.
I rock at the trivia game, by the way.
A couple of boneless wings and beers later, the driver picked us up in the Jaguar, and brought us back to the hotel for some more TV watching. Werd.
Next morning, saw Rob Sanders from VT-10 doing the same route I did at the airport (like I saw Chad Quandt the day before) and we just all chilled while the Capt Clark and I waited for the maintenance guys to arrive in our T-39. 2 new sets of tires and a brand new tank later, we were up in the air to finally complete the second leg of my flight plan. Scored above MIF on my P2Ps, did a couple of approaches at Mobile Regional, then back home for a GCA.
You know you did pretty good when the IP gives you a beer during the debrief. So that's why the bar's there... for days like this. We actually touched down the same time we lifted off the day before... kinda like a 24 hour ride. It was my only chance for a cross country (CCX) while down in primary here in Pensacola, because who knows after graduation this Friday... I might not be here anymore. MIght get my platform and move!
Well, I just thought I'd post all this, I had fun so it was pretty notable for me. And it was the first time I felt a lot more comfortable in the plane with all the procedures. There is still a lot of studying to be done, and there's always room for improvement. Flying.. it ain't half bad, if it can get you anywhere out of Pensacola!
For you non-aviation types, an "out and in" is not the first thing that pops into your head, it is better described as a drop in to another airport (non-base) for food or whatever, then back to your home base.
My out and in to Lake Charles/Chennault airport located in what I call south central LA (Louisiana, yup, home of the Cajun style food.. "boo yah")...
So I had already briefed this flight before with the same instructor 2 days before and had been cancelled twice due to bad weather in the area. Or so they say. The sigmet pictures online tell me I can't legally fly. Oh pish posh. But anyways, it was the first time I had actually stepped onto the flight line only 30 minutes after brief time. I performed the flight pretty well, getting all the point to points down, finally making it into Chennault airport. We did one 2 approaches, one circling and one ILS. Upon touchdown which was less tha 80 mind you, my instructor noted our left main tire felt flat. Checking in with the airport's rinky dinky tower (well, compared to our really tall one), a blown tire was confirmed... and we taxied at minimum power to get tied up and head inside to the FBO for food. With no maintenance available nearby to help our forsaken T-6A, we were destined to stay the night in Lake Charles.
First of all, the people there were very kind and helpful to us upon our arrival! They hooked us up with a hotel room at the local Sleep Inn (right next to the Chuck.E.Cheese no doubt) and we got the crew car (the black minivan) to do our errands. We kicked it off by checking into the Inn, where we both were able to get 2 doubles for the same price as a single. We then did our grand entrance into the nearby Old Navy for some hanging out clothes (this is where I did most of my impulse shopping. (I bought a shirt that said "head in the clouds". I know, isnt that awesome?)
Afterwards we went back, changed, headed to Wal-mart to get some essentials for my eyes, and the IP got some liquor in their liquor department. Welcome to Louisiana. Decided to ditch the rental car idea, returned the car to the FBO, where the owner's 19-year-old son took us around and dropped us off at Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner. I quickly learned I had to build my beer tolerance.
I rock at the trivia game, by the way.
A couple of boneless wings and beers later, the driver picked us up in the Jaguar, and brought us back to the hotel for some more TV watching. Werd.
Next morning, saw Rob Sanders from VT-10 doing the same route I did at the airport (like I saw Chad Quandt the day before) and we just all chilled while the Capt Clark and I waited for the maintenance guys to arrive in our T-39. 2 new sets of tires and a brand new tank later, we were up in the air to finally complete the second leg of my flight plan. Scored above MIF on my P2Ps, did a couple of approaches at Mobile Regional, then back home for a GCA.
You know you did pretty good when the IP gives you a beer during the debrief. So that's why the bar's there... for days like this. We actually touched down the same time we lifted off the day before... kinda like a 24 hour ride. It was my only chance for a cross country (CCX) while down in primary here in Pensacola, because who knows after graduation this Friday... I might not be here anymore. MIght get my platform and move!
Well, I just thought I'd post all this, I had fun so it was pretty notable for me. And it was the first time I felt a lot more comfortable in the plane with all the procedures. There is still a lot of studying to be done, and there's always room for improvement. Flying.. it ain't half bad, if it can get you anywhere out of Pensacola!
Monday, August 06, 2007
Instrument Flight One
After much waiting around after the simulator events...
Waiting to be put on the schedule for a flight...
I finally get scheduled for a Monday 2 weeks before graduation!
And let me tell you, I was having mini-anxiety attacks yesterday, I was praying at church hoping that my brain could recall all the little things I learned from the way back when... I didn't have anything in my stomach this morning but a lowly bowl of oatmeal so I wasn't concentrating well... I even double briefed with Mount who was doing his Contacts checkride, so it gave me some time to gather myself together, but also become even more freaked out because I did that checkride about 5 weeks ago and half the figures and altitudes for patterns I wasn't remembering. Granted, it was VFR nav, but I was just beating myself up I guess...
The flight went well though, I just need more refinement in a few areas. I did backup my weaknesses with some strong strengths... apparently I have good SA techniques that some students don't display within the first flight.
1LT Gogel does a good job in creating passion for something you may or may not be interested in, but convincingly switch your interests towards something else. I was all set on going P-3s, and to be honest, all I've heard from people were the benefits. You get per diem, you are land based and off a carrier, you have the chance to be a mission commander and actually make decisions that matter, you "hunt" subs, and on a crew of 10-11 people.
Then there's the jet side. He was talking Prowlers in particular. I have to admit, when I first think aviation, I don't think of the monstrosity that the Orion exhibits. I think TOP GUN. Although I have no real motivation to do Hornets, I was attracted to the thought of Prowlers.
So with less than 2 weeks remaining until PGrad, I already have a preference sheet turned in for P-3s... they say the likelihood to get it is in my favor, and with that decision also comes with a PCS move in holding. So what will it be? I really need to talk to more salespeople, more like Justin.
I just hope I can come up with a decision... FAST.
Waiting to be put on the schedule for a flight...
I finally get scheduled for a Monday 2 weeks before graduation!
And let me tell you, I was having mini-anxiety attacks yesterday, I was praying at church hoping that my brain could recall all the little things I learned from the way back when... I didn't have anything in my stomach this morning but a lowly bowl of oatmeal so I wasn't concentrating well... I even double briefed with Mount who was doing his Contacts checkride, so it gave me some time to gather myself together, but also become even more freaked out because I did that checkride about 5 weeks ago and half the figures and altitudes for patterns I wasn't remembering. Granted, it was VFR nav, but I was just beating myself up I guess...
The flight went well though, I just need more refinement in a few areas. I did backup my weaknesses with some strong strengths... apparently I have good SA techniques that some students don't display within the first flight.
1LT Gogel does a good job in creating passion for something you may or may not be interested in, but convincingly switch your interests towards something else. I was all set on going P-3s, and to be honest, all I've heard from people were the benefits. You get per diem, you are land based and off a carrier, you have the chance to be a mission commander and actually make decisions that matter, you "hunt" subs, and on a crew of 10-11 people.
Then there's the jet side. He was talking Prowlers in particular. I have to admit, when I first think aviation, I don't think of the monstrosity that the Orion exhibits. I think TOP GUN. Although I have no real motivation to do Hornets, I was attracted to the thought of Prowlers.
So with less than 2 weeks remaining until PGrad, I already have a preference sheet turned in for P-3s... they say the likelihood to get it is in my favor, and with that decision also comes with a PCS move in holding. So what will it be? I really need to talk to more salespeople, more like Justin.
I just hope I can come up with a decision... FAST.
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