186 replies to this topic

[dirkdigler9]

I would like to log some hours before going to IFS. Can anyone recommend an aircraft that is similar to the DA-20 and typically at civilian flight schools?

[pedaler]

wildblue, on Mar 3 2008, 11:41 PM, said:

from what I understand you shouldn't worry about dropping too much money on it.

Not true. This is supposed to be a zero hour program, but its not. You will be behind the power curve if you have 0 hours. Will you pass the program with no prior time, sure, many have done it. Would 10 hours boost your confidence and help you learn more while your there, you bet. Do yourself a favor get at least 10 hours or, at minimum, land a plane. Don't take my word for it. Read the other IFS threads and Riddller's Blog (the gold standard in IFS gouge, thanks man!).

Edited by pedaler, 04 March 2008 - 09:06 AM.

[usaf36031]

I've been flying a DA-20 in my free time. So far 5 hours. I leave in 3 weeks for Pueblo. After 1 flight in the area and 3 pattern flights, I can say that I feel leaps and bounds ahead of where I would have been without it. Even if for no other reason than to go to Pueblo knowing where the throttle, fuel shutoff valve and cabin heat lever are located. Landing the diamond is a little strange too just because the thing floats so damn much (11:1 glide ratio) so it's nice to get 10-15 landings in just so you have that much of a leg up at pueblo. 700 bucks well spent.

[dirkdigler9]

This might be a stupid question but i haven't seen it addressed anywhere else..

Do you get flight pay while at IFS and UPT or not until you make it through UPT?

[FLY6584]

rtell, on Mar 11 2008, 02:52 PM, said:

This might be a stupid question but i haven't seen it addressed anywhere else..

Do you get flight pay while at IFS and UPT or not until you make it through UPT?

Nope you do not get flight pay at IFS, but you do start receiving it as soon as you hit the flight line in phase 2.

[usaf36031]

Risp, on Mar 14 2008, 04:03 PM, said:

Also, are most people showing up with flight gear in hand or do most get their gear in Pueblo? My local IEU told me to go # sand...

Yeah, I think we're supposed to show up with flight suits gloves and boots. Are you on casual? Your squadron should cover those expenses, although you might be in a different situation.

Print off your required items list and take them to your supervisor, see if they can help.

[FLY6584]

Don't worry about bags, gloves, etc. If your casual base will give them to you then great, if not don't worry about it. IFS will provide you with 2 flightsuits, one pair of gloves, one flight jacket, and all of the patches/nametags that you need. Just show up with blues and your boots and you should be good to go.

My casual base was a UPT base and they refused to issue us any gear and told us to get our gear when we got out there.

[usaf36031]

For those of you that drove to Pueblo. Did you get there the day before your inprocess date or did you just drive there ON your inprocess date. I know the website says report no EARLIER than 1000. So I guess as long as you weren't too far away, you could make that drive same day.

[spectre56]

usaf36031, on Apr 9 2008, 08:33 AM, said:

For those of you that drove to Pueblo. Did you get there the day before your inprocess date or did you just drive there ON your inprocess date. I know the website says report no EARLIER than 1000. So I guess as long as you weren't too far away, you could make that drive same day.

Just remember, you have to show up in blues...you can't show up in civvies then ask to change. Me and my buddy are driving there and just staying the night in C Springs the night before we have to be there.

[usaf36031]

So far everybody I've talked too who's come back from IFS has been so cynical about the whole experience. What makes it so bad? Other than not flying..I'm not flying now.

[wings]

usaf36031, on Apr 10 2008, 07:16 PM, said:

So far everybody I've talked too who's come back from IFS has been so cynical about the whole experience. What makes it so bad? Other than not flying..I'm not flying now.

It's not bad. I'm here now and you have the normal people that no matter the situation will find something to bitch about. You will fly basically everyday unless weather is bad. It is set up a lot like UPT. From the morning brief, to the stand-up, EPQs, formal release, ect... Suck it up, and like it. The DA-20 is a fun plane to fly and it is way better then hanging out on casual. They are talking about flying again this Saturday and the whining and gripping has already began. I swear some of these guys could be dying of thirst and you would give them a glass of water and they would bitch that it was warm.

[BADFNZ]

Would it be beneficial to bring our logbooks? Mine is at my mom's house for some reason and I'll need her to send it if I'll need it. I don't mind keeping track of my hours on a piece of paper or something, but I didn't know if the IPs gave any endorsements or anything.

[spectre56]

BADFNZ, on Jun 2 2008, 08:00 PM, said:

Would it be beneficial to bring our logbooks? Mine is at my mom's house for some reason and I'll need her to send it if I'll need it. I don't mind keeping track of my hours on a piece of paper or something, but I didn't know if the IPs gave any endorsements or anything.

They told us it doesn't matter either way, but there are a lot of us that did bring them and log the hours.

[AlphaMikeFoxtrot]

BADFNZ is right...this is supposed to be a zero hour course, and esentially it is, the issue is that they pretty much just present you the material not "teach" it. Before you get here if you can go through ground school and possibly get a few hours (especially in a DA-20) that would help for sure. They give you the standard AETC time management/prioritization puzzle here. If it were just general aviation this course would be a piece of cake. The military has stepped in and imposed just enough rules and lingo to make it difficult for most. If you want it bad enough anyone can get through here, hands down, attitude is everything.

Oh yeah, class 08-12 65 total students 47 total navs/wsos. There had been only 38 total navs/wsos to date.