LOTS of computer classes

So we're back to our normal training now, and back in blues. About 90% of the instruction we've received so far has been on the computer, which is actually working really good. Each section (Hydraulics, Navigation, Communications, etc...) has it's own ~1 hour "class" on the computer. They have rooms full of computers so everyone can "take the class" at the same time. You just click through the pages, they each have maybe 3-8 sentences and a picture or video, and answer the quiz questions at the end. I actually like it, because for stuff I already know (Navigation) I can zip through the lesson, ace the quiz, and move on to stuff I need to spend more time with (Hydraulics, Emergency Procedures, etc...). You can take a break whenever you want, and they usually allot 2-3 times the amount of time you actually need for each lesson, so there's lot's of down-time and we get to leave early most days (maybe by 1400 or 1500). I see why they call it "slackademics" now!

Don't get me wrong, there's a LOT of information, and I'm studying a bunch, but we're not sitting in classes all day listening to a lecturer drone on about stuff I already know, or zipping through stuff that I don't understand.

So we had a couple of these "classes" yesterday, and three more this morning. We showed up in the computer lab at 0800 (both days), did 3 lessons before 1030, at 1400 had a half an hour class from Life Support (how to take care of your helmet, g-suit, mask, etc...) and were done by 1430. Not bad for a Friday!

We're back in flight suits on Monday (and if we get all our boldface/ops limits right, then from now on too) for all our first simulator missions. No motion, and no T.V. screens in front of us, but we'll get in the cockpit and play with all the buttons, switches, knobs, controls, etc... the sim operator can make the displays do whatever, throw some emergency procedures at us, etc... Should be a good time!

2 weeks down!! Have a good weekend all!