I'm told CSO candidates going through the Pueblo IFT syllabus spend more time in reading maps/charts than the pilot syllabus.

If anyone has more detail, would you post it?

Are they using Sectional Charts?

What altitude (AGL) are the flights done at?

Is there anything else significant that we should take note of?

Thanks!

I'm told CSO candidates going through the Pueblo IFT syllabus spend more time in reading maps/charts than the pilot syllabus.

If anyone has more detail, would you post it?

Are they using Sectional Charts?

What altitude (AGL) are the flights done at?

Is there anything else significant that we should take note of?

Thanks!

I talked to an IP at IFT a few weeks ago and he discussed the IFT syllabi a little. There are three separate "courses", Pilot, RPA, and CSO:

- Pilot is shortest, with a bit of a focus on airwork and patterns/landing, with some solo. About 3-4 weeks

- The CSO syllabus is similar but slightly longer (a couple of flights) than the pilots. No solo but more emphasis on visual nav...IP flies while CSO stud reads the map and directs the IP pilot via visual references to maintain planned course and get to pre-selected points; he was not talking major difference in the course, but a few more flights focused on visual nav. Not sure if its using a Sectional or DoD TPC, but I doubt if the difference in the map is worth worrying about. He didn't comment on altitude, but I'd suspect 4-5,000' AGL plus or minus a little. No 500' low level if that's what you're hoping for. About 4-5 weeks.

- RPA is longest course, with nearly a full PPL syllabus, including a solo out and back. About 7-8 weeks.

The only other recommendation is to go to the DossIFS site (www.dossifs.com) and read it all carefully. Absolutely memorize the bold face and ops limits charts verbatim before you walk in the door...test on the first day! Some admin details need submission several weeks prior to arrival. Have your FAA Class III flight physical in hand, AF flight physical doesn't count (Doss is an FAA certified flight school, not an AF unit). It's all accessable via the web site. Good luck.

When I went through CSO IFS in 2011, we did our visual nav routes in the 500-1000AGL range, but it was a segmented altitude based on the highest point on the leg. We navigated off secionals, did all the planning manually, and had to do timing control (arrive at the end point on time) as well. Only navigational tools in the VNAV were chart, instruments, and stopwatch, no GPS.

The first week was combined academics with the pilots, second week everyone flew the same profiles (basic takeoff, landings, area work doing stalls and maneuvers, etc...). the third week pilots went on to do more advanced pilot stuff, and CSO's did VNAV. If there were no delays (HA!) CSO's were done at the end of week three, and pilots at the end of week 4. The pilots eventually soloed.

Are there any CSO instructors there? Once upon a time, there was a slot for a CSO with a FAA CFI rating.

If I remember correctly, there was a civilian instructor or two who were former military Navs/WSO/NFO/etc... Who had FAA CFI's but don't quote me on that

You don't have to memorize the boldface before you walk in the door...you only have to know it before day 1.

Takes about 2 hours and a few beers in night 1 to learn.

If I remember correctly, there was a civilian instructor or two who were former military Navs/WSO/NFO/etc... Who had FAA CFI's but don't quote me on that

Once upon a time, there was a military position, but I don't know if it still exists.

I went through in 2013 as a CSO. You get a few flights out to an area to work on stalls, forced landings, slow flight, etc. On these flights you fly the entire time unless the pilot is showing you something. After that, every flight allows around 30min in an area and a low level route. The low levels were off of a TPC and flown around 1000 AGL. The charts are pre built and based on a set ground speed. The CSO has to adjust airspeed and heading to achieve the proper course and groundspeed to arrive at the target +/- 1min. As stated, the pilot will fly the route and the CSO directs. If you have any specific questions I'll be happy to help.

I went through in January 2010. The CSO syllabus was a breeze. I had finished my PPL about 6 months prior to starting and they let me take all the flying while I did the navigation piece. It's nothing to worry about. Just check out the doss website, study what you can, and then study your butt off while you're there. It's not hard at all. They just want to make sure you're willing to work hard and can grasp the basics.

The CSO syllabus was a breeze. I had finished my PPL about 6 months prior to starting

That's easy to say if you had a PPL! ;)

I went through in Oct/Nov of 2012. What everyone said is spot on. The VNAV routes were fun, I really liked those. For someone who had only 4 flight hours going into IFS, I found it wasn't easy at all. It was a fire hose of information within a short time span. Needless to say, I didn't screw around and studied my butt off. They don't send people to IFS if they have PPLs (some Guard units still do I believe) though.

I struggled with GK and at first I was realllllly slow with checklists. Near the end, it was nothing but a thing, I passed and was sent on my way. Except for the flying part (cause flying is fun, unless your IP is a sarcastic ass!), IFS was a crappy experience for me 23 hours out of the day. I was glad to be done. I thoroughly enjoyed CSO school though. I could go on and on about how great it was (no, I'm not being sarcastic either. It had its crappy moments like anything else too but the good definitely outweighed the bad).

Tip for the VNAV routes, every night before you fly, chairfly the route on google earth. Someone mapped them out on google earth and because of that, I had no issues finding the points. There's one particular route that sucks though (even the IPs think so)...if you can't find the next turn point then just turn on time. One of the points was a mound of dirt...there's lots of those out there! Somehow I did manage to find it but it was at the last second right before I commanded the turn.

Study hard and good luck!