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spectre56

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Blog Entries posted by spectre56

  1. spectre56
    So today was our flight commander's last day as a UPT IP. He had his fini flight, which was pretty cool...those of us not doing anything in the flight room went out to say hey. His family and some friends and some of the other IPs went out there...pretty neat! He's going to a much better place than Del Rio: he's going to England! He is a great guy and will be missed. Safe travels to you and your family, sir!

    One of the guys' birthday was today (or yesterday) so we had some pizza before we had our instruments review this evening. Knocked that out and went home for a 3 day weekend; sweet!
  2. spectre56
    So, there I was, sitting around the table, studying when one of our guys calls the flight room and says that he's sick in quarters (or whatever the AF calls it). Well, our scheduler and flight commander are scrambling around trying to fill the slot (see where this is going?) and they come up with me. Fantastic! Fortunately I had about 30 minutes to get my data card ready so that was sweet.

    I get to the brief and I had forgotten to put winds, fuels, and weather on the card. That didn't go over so well; but that was pretty indicative of the whole flight. Not to mention my IP was cussing at me and generally pissed the whole flight. I only got a couple maneuvers accomplished in the area, then came back to do some pattern work. It was a no grade overall (an 86 ride), but I think he wanted to hook me! Oh well...lesson learned: getting in the books more: got it.

    I also had an instruments review today. Since i'm so far behind the rest of the class in academics, i'm doing these reviews on my own. Everyone else is taking the test on friday, I think, but i'll be taking it sometime next week. I'm really going to have to study hard for this one...it's pretty confusing right now. Fortunately, the guys/gal in my flight are smart and more than willing to help out.

    Enough writing, gonna go to bed soon.
  3. spectre56

    Keesler

    By spectre56,

    So, after staying for a few days with family in Dallas and a couple days with a buddy in Pensacola, finally arrived at Keesler AFB. Mississippi is a "different" place! It's nice and hot/humid down here, but so far, not too bad. I'm ready to start class on Monday, so until then, just exploring the area and getting my bearings. I'll keep updating as stuff happens!
  4. spectre56

    Done!

    By spectre56,

    Took our last test yesterday and passed with flying colors! I know I haven't updated this in a while, but everything's been going very well. I'll finally get to do a job...and on the second try! Graduation is later today and i'll head back up to California.
  5. spectre56

    Tower stuff is done!

    By spectre56,

    Had our tower "test" this past thursday...I passed with flying colors! Our whole class, in fact, did very well. Not quite as hard as pilot training stuff, but still had to work at it, nonetheless. Moving on to radar lecture for about a week and then in the radar sim for a couple weeks. It's supposed to be harder, so should be great!

    On another note, does anyone still read this stuff?
  6. spectre56

    Going, going...

    By spectre56,

    So, found out today that I definitely will be heading off to Keesler next week. Just to clarify, it was unclear whether I would be going next week or next month. It's a good thing...will be getting started doing something, finally. Short post, I know...nothing new beyond that.
  7. spectre56

    Going good

    By spectre56,

    Tower sims are going good so far. I'm not doing too bad...just some minor mistakes here and there. I'm actually finding it pretty fun! We have our practical application test at the end of next week or beginning of the week after. I'm pretty positive i'll do ok as of right now. We'll see!
  8. spectre56

    So far so good

    By spectre56,

    Had our first test today and I passed with a stellar grade...almost 100, but not quite! I'm pretty proud: it's a much better start than what I had at pilot training! I'll have to keep it up though...it doesn't get any easier. Getting into tower stuff this week and hittin the sim at the end of the week. Should be a good time.
  9. spectre56

    Another one down!

    By spectre56,

    Took our second test this past friday...passed with a 93! Getting into the tower sim this week...should be tough, but fun! Spent a good portion of the weekend going over phraseology and stuff. Good times!
  10. spectre56

    Moving!

    By spectre56,

    Well, I haven't been updating this lately (for the few who are still reading this) because there hasn't been anything worth mentioning going on. I've just been biding my time waiting to either move or go take that FAA test in OK City. I guess the move came first! I'm not sure what's going to happen with that test, but i'll definitely keep you updated on that.

    The movers came and packed our stuff yesterday and took it away today, off to California. We're going to stay a week or so with some family in Dallas before heading off to our final destination.

    Stay tuned!
  11. spectre56

    Gone!

    By spectre56,

    Headed out Saturday for Dallas, and then Keesler. Everything was going fine when I heard a strange noise...my tire had blown! It wasn't too bad, but it happened just west of Flagstaff, AZ and we weren't going to stop until we hit Albuquerque! Well, put on the donut and pressed on. I was feeling good, so I pushed the speed up, eventually getting to 80mph. Is that safe? Who knows, but we made it. Anyway, got 4 new tires this morning so all is good for the drive to Keesler. I'm actually going to stay with a buddy in Pensacola for a few days so I don't have to absorb the cost of lodging and not get reimbursed for it.

    Spending some time with the family today...good times! I'll put something else on here when I get settled in down in Keesler/Pensacola.
  12. spectre56

    Here we go again

    By spectre56,

    Well, got my RIP this past friday and looks like i'll be heading up to Oregon in June. I'm still super excited about it and can't wait to start.

    Otherwise, things are going well. I got to be a pecker checker the other day which was no bueno, but I got through it. That's about the most work i've done in the past week or so (knock on wood).

    Also, out of all the other folks that were on CR, 3 or 4 have gotten the boot and, surprisingly, one guy just got reinstated! I'm pretty happy for him. The other folks are taking it in stride and should find out what their new jobs are in the next couple of days. There are still 2 or 3 from my class waiting for the word and they should find out in the next couple of days whether they're in or out.
  13. spectre56

    1 down!

    By spectre56,

    First week down...though I wouldn't consider it a week since we had Friday off. All the trainees here get every other Friday off, called a compressed work schedule. So far, the material isn't too bad. Went through the basics this past week: the FARs, rules and regs, etc. Getting into weather this coming week, and then the tower sims the following week! It all seems pretty cool!
  15. spectre56

    Finally

    By spectre56,

    Well, the man has decided that it would be best if I not continue in pilot training. My new assignment, however, will be airfield operations which, from what i've read, doesn't sound too bad.

    It sucks that I won't be able to be a military pilot anymore, but I did try my hardest and gave it my best shot, and it just wasn't in the cards for me. I thank everyone who has been reading this and supporting me along the way. I'll still be around on Baseops about as much as I normally am, but probably won't continue this blog anymore...unless yall are interested in the Airfield Ops field. Actually, now that I mention it, I just might blog about that! That school is supposed to be 2 years long, training with the Guard. Sounds pretty cool since I can't be a pilot. I'm keeping a positive attitude about everything and am certain that everything will work out for the best.

    Oh, big congratulations goes out to Riddller on graduation from UPT! Doesn't seem all that long ago that he started his blog at IFS and now he's done. Congratulations!

    Feel free to leave messages on here or PM me if you want. Take care!
  16. spectre56

    Change of plans

    By spectre56,

    Ya knew it was going to happen! Well, dates are still the same, but we'll be moving up to Travis AFB instead of Oregon. Still pretty excited about the move; even a little moreso now that we'll be at an actual base with all the amenities therein. I will be sent to Oklahoma City for a day or so to take an ATC aptitude test to see if i'm "worthy" to be an ATC dude. I guess a lot of people have been washing out of the program so the AF wants to implement this test to nip these things in the bud. I liken it to IFS for the pilots: if you can pass this, then you should be good to go for the rest of the training.

    I have to go through the rip and orders process again so probably won't get orders for another week or two. Oh well!!
  17. spectre56

    Travelling

    By spectre56,

    Well, looks like I'll be heading up to Oregon soon! I have been told that I should receive my orders in a week or two, so hopefully about a month after that we'll be heading up to the northwest. If anyone knows anything about Klamath Falls, let me know.

    I start part of my training at Keesler around mid November, there for about 3 months, then head back up to Oregon for 2 years to train alongside the F-15s up there.

    I'm pretty excited and can't wait to move on!
  18. spectre56

    Back to work

    By spectre56,

    Well, it's back to work tomorrow. I guess it wouldn't be back to work, since I only popped in for a few minutes last monday...so, just time to go to work. Yeah, that'll work.

    Looked at a bunch of houses and found a few nice ones...and a few duds. My concern is when will DLA and my PCS pay come through so I can put down the exorbitant deposit these places want!! We've got a few on the short list, so hopefully we'll hear about them in the next week or so: the wife and kiddo are getting antsy!

    I'll keep in touch as I get going. Oh yeah, and still haven't heard a peep about that test down in OK City.
  19. spectre56
    Sweet couple of days at work. Almost fully in processed and checklist is almost done...only a couple more mass briefings to attend and i'll be good to go. But I also got word that i might be going to Keesler next month...much, much quicker than originally scheduled! That's awesome!

    Anyway, been hanging around some of the guys just trying to get a feel for what part of their job entails, getting a tour of the field, etc. Good times. I'm trying to learn as much as I can before I potentially leave in a few weeks.
  20. spectre56

    Settling In

    By spectre56,

    Well, got my new house (and when I say new, I mean it was built in the last month or so) on base and we're breaking it in just nicely. It's nice not having to look for a house anymore and worry about that anymore.

    On another note, should be going to Keesler in a couple weeks for training. Mississippi in July: just what I wanted!! Should be great. Other than that, nothing new going on, just seeing what I can see and learning as much as possible in the real world vice what i'll get in AETCland.
  21. spectre56

    Waiting

    By spectre56,

    So, still sitting around waiting on a RIP or some orders to move on to the next stage of my life/career.

    On a different note, it seems like our class is getting knocked out like flies! We have another person on Commander's Review for flying stuff, one guy on the edge for puking 3 times after solo and someone else on med hold for eye problems. I really hope for the best for these guys...they are really good people and are busting their asses to do the best they can in this tough program.

    Oh well. I get to shred papers tomorrow for my "casual" job. Oh joy </sarcasm>

    Take care, i'll keep yall posted!
  22. spectre56

    Finally!

    By spectre56,

    Weather cleared up around noonish today and got to do my dollar ride this afternoon! Pretty cool, but I need to put my nose in the books that much more now. That was my only free ride in T-6s and we just went out to the aux field and then to the area to tool around some. Came back after an hour flight and called it a day.

    End of week 1 in phase II and so far so good! We get paid to do this stuff?!?!?! What a deal!

    Have a great weekend!
  23. spectre56
    Alright, well, I expected to have more lessons learned, but I don't. Feel free to add on to this as necessary. In no particular order...

    - Relax: I was super nervous going there. Don't be. Everyone is very helpful and friendly especially while checking in, but also throughout the whole time I was there. Everyone is really there to help you make it through.

    - If you don't like really hard or fluffy pillows, bring your own.

    - Bring some electronic entertainment: XBox, PS, Wii, etc goes a long way and your classmates will appreciate it.

    - Go somewhere else on the weekends. Me and my buddy went to either Colorado Springs or Denver every single weekend we were there. You are generally not spending much money on food and nothing on lodging, so get out; if for nothing else, to get a room with a window! We stayed at the Hyatt Place: excellent!

    - Drive and stay in Colorado Springs the night before your RNLT date if you are coming from far away. You have to get there in blues and you don't want to be driving for like 10 hours with those damn things on. I say drive because it sucks (for me) to bum rides off of everyone all the time.

    - Learn the boldface and ops limits backward, forward, upside down and in no order in particular before you get there. Also learn the black items on the ops limits: you'll use them just enough to know them by memory. Learn everything you can in the In Flight Guide as far as the departures and arrivals go: it may not make a whole lot of sense, but if you are familiar with them, it helps immensely.
  24. spectre56

    Still Hangin On

    By spectre56,

    Ok, sorry i've been absent for the last few days...my head's been elsewhere. Had my 88 ground eval on thursday: didn't pass. Had 89 ground eval yesterday: passed. I have been having my doubts about this lately, but thanks to some dedicated family and friends and at least one reader on here, i'm back in the game. I get in a funk sometimes (like everyone else in pilot training at some point, I would suspect) and it takes a lot of poking and prodding to get me out of it. But my attitude is much better now, and i've got a renewed energy for this struggle called UPT. Thanks for everyone's support!

    Had an EP sim this afternoon. It was very evident that I hadn't been in the books as much as I should. I got a good on it, but I know which parts I really need to focus on (all of it!). Oh yeah, got to do part of the standup today...sweet Didn't do great, but didn't get sat down, so that was pretty cool.

    Another day!
  25. spectre56

    Free Agent

    By spectre56,

    So the commander's review process begins and I am what they refer to as a "free agent". I'm not actively in pilot training, but i'm not out yet either, so I just hang out everyday like the guys on casual, but I have to stay up at work all day to study and stuff like that. Not too bad, I guess. I'm staying positive and hoping for the best.
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