Phase I
08 July 03 through 13 Aug 03
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08 Jul 03 13 Jul 03 20 Jul 03 27 Jul 03
03 Aug 03 10 Aug 03
08 Jul 03
Well, I'm officially done with my first day of Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT). There are 26 of us in class 04-12 (12th class to graduate in 2004). Not sure the exact numbers but there are about 6 Air National Guard guys, 4 Air Force Academy guys, one foriegn student and the rest from ROTC detachments around the country.
The first phase of UPT is 6 weeks long and strictly focuses on academics. Each subject during academics is given one week for instruction, teaching and testing. We learn everything needed to fly the T-37 Tweet. This is done so that when we get to Phase 2 (the flight line), all our time can be spent on flying techniques rather than learning numbers, emergency procedures, restrictions, etc.
We started the morning by introducing ourselves to each other and to our Flight Commander. After my intro, the FltCC asked if I was "making up" the Merchant Marine Academy! Needless to say noone had heard of Kings Point, so I spent alot of the day explaining it...and several responses were "that sounds like an awesome deal, why didnt i know about that?"
The rest of the day was spent sitting through briefings, tours, speakers, and basic introduction things. After lunch we fired right into our first class: Aviation Weather. Half of the course is taught by an instructor and the other half through CAI (computer aided instruction), which is done at the students own speed. Tonight I have 75 pages to read/study/review in order to prepare for tomorrow.
We also had a test on the T-37 Boldface (emergency procedures). The whole class must pass 2 tests in a row with 100% accuracy in order to get out of our BDU's and into Flight Suits! A little background on the test...it is "VERBATIM." Which means that an extra dash, period, s (to make it plural), or mispelling will count against you. Unfortuantely we didnt pass today, so the earliest we could wear our "Bags" would be Friday.
I dont think its hit me yet that I've started Pilot Training. This has been a dream of mine for a long time but it just feels like another day. I think I already got excited, worried, and nervous during the previous year, so now im just...ready?
Well its 9PM so I should start studying, class starts tomorrow morning at 645. My next journal entry will be on Sunday and hopefully every Sunday thereafter.
13 Jul 03
One week down, 5 to go! On wednesday our Flight Commander let us take 2 bold face tests. We passed them both and got to wear flight suits for the first time on Thursday. It's exactly the same uniform a military pilot with 4000 hours would wear except for one thing...they have wings, we dont. If our class starts to do poorly on our Boldface tests (we take one everyday) our FltCC will put us back in BDU's. This is a huge motivation for me to do well.
We had yet another physical exam on Wednesday. This one focused on blood work, and optomology. My eyes are still 20/15, so they havent found a reason to kick me out yet! :)
Also on Wednesday, we started to do "stand-ups." This is where the FltCC calls each person to attention, one at a time, and asks them to recite the boldface to him, word for word. If you stumble (saying um, or uh) or take more than one second to answer his question you remain standing and he quizzes someone else. After a few more students he comes back to you and drills you even harder. I can write down the boldface perfectly 100 times, but doing it at attention is a little different. Needless to say, I had a hard time. That night I incorporated all the procedures with the corresponding cockpit controls. So, the next time i was asked to give the Boldface for a "Single Engine Go Around" I VISUALIZED each of the cockpit controls while giving the following answer: Thorttle-Military, Speed Brake-In, Flaps-50%, Gear-Up, Flaps-Up 100 Knots Minimum! This was much easier for me than just remembering words.
The rest of the week we had more Weather classes and several briefings. Each deparment/unit on base comes to our class and briefs us about the services they provide. The Commisary told us to buy our groceries with them rather than Wal-Mart, the Legal department offered free legal advice on things from divorce, to living wills. This is a good time to let our brains relax in-between classes.
The weather final exam was given on Friday in the computer lab. It was a 30 question test - all multiple choice. We were alotted an hour to complete it, but most people finished in under 20 minutes. I had some weather background at KP so it was a pretty easy test for me. I got 30 out of 30 correct.
Friday night everyone went to the Track Select for class 03-12. This is a huge party night, where the upcoming graduating class finds out what airplane they'll fly and where they'll be stationed. The theme was casino night. Each student went up on-stage and after a few humorous stories pulled the slot machine arm. Eventually a picture of their future airplane is projected on the screen. This is obviously a big night because it essentially determines the rest of your career in the Air Force. There was probably 2 people out of 30 that were dissapointed with their selected track - unfortunately not everyone gets their first choice. This night offers no surprises for guard and reserve guys because they already know what and where!
Thats about it for last week. We have 6 hours of Flying Fundamentals on Monday so I've got tons of reading to do tonight. Now, im off to workout and go to church! Have a great week!
20 Jul 03
Hello again! I dont have much to report this week, but i'll give you the details anyway. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday we had several classes on Flying Fundamentals, then we took the test on Thursday. I missed one question out of 30. It turned out to be a really easy question, i just thought about it/read into it too much. I was pretty upset at myself because I planned on asking the instructor about the question, but after raising my hand for a few minutes my patience wore thin. Thats always been a problem with me, hurrying through tests - by the way it wasnt worth the extra 2 minutes.
On Wednesday we had the "Commanders Luncheon." Where our class eats lunch with all the commanders on base. A presentation was given about the history of Flight School at Columbus Air Force Base then each Commander gave a brief speech. Each one had different stories and advice on how to complete the next year of training. In the end they all had the same basic concept: work very hard during the week and take time to relax and have fun on the weekends. "Noone can study for 18 hours a day, 7 days a week!" And of course, what did I do last night? Studied from 8 until midnight! And i plan on doing the same tonight.
Friday we started Aerodynamics class. After 2 full days, we'll be tested on Tuesday morning! Fast and Furious. The classes are pretty straight forward and as long as you do the reading and pay close attention in class everyone should do fine. However, the work load is slowly starting to increase. For example, we are required to know certain things on the side before starting the flightline (in 3 weeks) like Radio Calls, Emergency Procedures, Checklists and Pattern Procedures. This is the type of stuff I do on the weekends, because i dont have time during the week!
Also on Friday we took an Ergo Fitness Test. The test measures several different factors as you pedal on a stationary bike for 15 minutes. As the resistance increases, your heart rate should increase up to but not above your "Max Heart Rate" (mine was 165). After taking the bike test, you do push-ups and sit-ups. I scored in the 95th percentile, so everyone figured that the machine was hooked up wrong - myself included!
Thanks to everyone who signed my guestbook. I appreciate all the words of encouragement. Im off to the gym before settling in for the night! Until next Sunday, have a good week.
27 Jul 03
I've spent the last four days waiting for a phone call from the shipping company that's transporting my belongings from California (furniture, TV, stereo, bed, etc). Each day I've gotten a call at 4:30 saying that the truck is tied up and won't be there until "SOMETIME" tomorrow. Every person in my class who had their stuff shipped has gone through similar problems. Therefore if your'e performing a military move, i'd suggest renting a U-haul and doing it yourself. However, there's one good thing that's come from waiting around - I've had alot of time to study.
We started off this week by finishing up our Aerodynamics course and taking the test. Once again it was a multiple choice test given on the computer. I passed with a 95% but missed two in the process. My first test I missed zero, then I missed one, and Tuesday I missed two. I hope this trend doesnt continue.
On Tuesday we took pictures for graduation, which won't happen for another 52 weeks? Then we got issued our helmets just like the ones on Top Gun (with the visor, oxygen hose, and everything). We got a tour of the Control Tower but becasue of bad weather we didn't see any airplane activity in the pattern or on the ground. Tuesday night our entire class had a dinner in town with our "Pilot Partners." The pilot partners are two local businesses that sponsor our class with paties, dinners, and graduation gifts.
Wednesday we started our Aerospace Physiology classes. Classes on the first day were taught through 8 hours of power point slides; appropriately referred to as "death by powerpoint." The next day we practiced our Parachute Landing Falls (PLF) in preparation for parasailing. This is done to simulate an aircraft ejection. Because I received my Jump Wings at the Academy, all of these precedures were a simple review.
That night our entire class was supposed to attend a community dinner with leaders from Columbus. Somehow, none of us knew about it and therefore none of us showed up. This wasnt a good thing and resulted in punishment. Friday after class we had to pick up trash along a 2 mile stretch of road outside the base. We're also required to wear Blues ALL next week.
Even though we'll be in blues, next week should be pretty fun. We'll be parasailing, going up in the altitude chamber, learning land survival techniques and taking 2 more tests! Stay Tuned - have a great week!
03 Aug 03
As expected, this week was full of interesting and exciting events. Monday morning we started bright and early on the parasailing field. You're strapped into a parachute, hooked up to a truck, pulled 600 feet into the air, and then let go! Each person was alotted two jumps; with no injuries our day was finished around noon.
Tuesday we were introduced to the dreaded Barany chair. This is a simple barber's chair used to eliminate the effects of spatial disorientation. If someone gets airsick during their time here, you can expect to spend 3 days spinning in this chair. After these three days of spinning and throwing up, you have a 99% chance of never getting airsick again! I volunteered to begin my 3 days right away BEFORE I get sick - because its inevitable. Unfortunately they wont train you until after you start flying.
Wednesday we had a test on Aerospace Pysiology, then two days later we had our Land Survival test. Both exams were pretty easy so, im happy to report that i got a 100% on both of them. All tests taken during Pilot Training are considered a failure if you score below 85%. Most of the exams are 25-30 questions, so you can only miss three before failing! Not much room for error.
The rest of the week we spent on oxygen and helmet/mask training, emergency egress procedures, night vision demos, and 2 flights in the altitude chamber. During our "flights" we trained for different emergencies as well as recognizing oxygen deficiency. The first altitude chamber flight simulates a non-pressurized cockpit flying at 35000' MSL. Once removing our mask at this altitude we're required to recognize and note our Hypoxia (lack of oxygen) symptoms. The oject is to place your mask back on, and breath 100% oxygen before you pass out. Some people experience euporia and dont want to put their mask back on - this is bad because no oxygen = unconciousness. My symptoms were good because they were very uncomfortable, I wanted to get back on Oxygen as soon as possible. Our next flight simulated a rapid decompression. This would happen if you were flying in a pressurized cockpit at altitude and the plane had structural damage (hole in the fueselage) causing a rapid loss in pressure! This was similar to the movies, with fierce wind and objects flying around, fog/mist, cold temps, etc.
A little side note on the weather here in Mississippi. When i sat down to type this journal entry the sun was shining, it was nice and warm outside. About half way through the rain POURED down for about 10 minutes straight. Now the sun is shining very hot with high humidity! This is a typical day, and reason why you never leave the windows open in your vehicle (unfortunately ive been a victim of this more than once).
Next week we start the toughest class during the Academic Phase. It covers all the "systems" in the T-37, from the radio stack, and nav instruments, to the retractable landing gear and the canopy. Either way, im getting paid by the Air Force to do this - It couldn't get ANY better!
10 Aug 03
Its amazing how fast the time goes by - this week seemed like it was over in the blink of an eye! Monday morning we finished Physiology with a signal flare demonstration and the Fighter Aircrew Conditioning Test (FACT). This is a physical fitness assesment of how well your body can handle G-forces. For the strength portion of the test, you're required to perform different weight lifting exercises based on a percentage of your weight (10-15 reps of Arm Curls 35%, Bench Press 80%, Lat Pull 70%, Leg Press 160%, and Leg Curls 80%). The endurance portion requires a minimum of 20 push-ups and 40 sit-ups within 1 minute. The grade is pass/fail, so as long as you do the minimum reps youre okay. I tried for a perfect score but after the leg press I was pretty much spent!
The rest of the week was spent in the classroom learning specifically about the Tweet. Compared to other airframes, the T-37 systems are pretty basic (because its been around so long - over 50 years)! We also had a few random briefings and extra courses during this time. After three FULL days of classes, we took the test on Friday morning! I got lucky once again by scoring 100%. Five minutes after finishing our test, we started our next class - Basic Instruments. This course isnt the toughest, but apparently alot of people fail the test. The Radio Navigation procedures are easy to confuse, especially if you're in a hurry! Note to self "TAKE YOUR TIME ON THE TEST."
This is my last journal entry for the Academics portion of UPT. We start the Flight line on Thursday morning right after our Instruments test! Proof of how fast the time flys (no pun intended)!
Once our class hits the flight line, we'll be in the same Squadron but split into different flights. I'll be in Sabre flight with 12 classmates. I get along really well with everyone in Sabre, so im looking forward to flying with these guys. I've also heard that the Sabre flight is one of the best flights to be in becasue of the Flight Commander, and Instructor Pilots. Someone must be looking after me!
My schedule for the next 6 months, will include 12 hour days and six days a week. For the first couple months, we won't be able to leave the squadron for any reason during the "work day" (which forces people to sit down and study). Once we prove our worthiness, they might give us an hour to eat lunch or go to the gym!
Alot of people dread the flight line because of the demands and hard work required. I'm looking forward to this more than anything! I cant wait to actually START flying - that's why we're here, to learn how to fly! The faster I start the flight line, the sooner I finish the first week, the sooner I get to SOLO, the sooner I get to aerobatics, the sooner I finish Tweets, the sooner I get to T-1's AND the sooner I get my WINGS! Im ready - lets go!
Thank you all for tuning in! Have a great week - study hard!