UPT Week 8 (October 26-30, 2009)

Monday October 26, 2009 ( Day 34)
This is the first full week of flying! The flying schedule is different every day, but I should expect to fly about once a day (either in an actual aircraft or in a simulator). Also, for the next 4.5 months I will be at work, in my flight room, for 12 hours every day(not a minute more, not a minute less), unless flying. This is called "Formal release" and is incorporated to make sure we are studying, preparing for our next flight, and being resourceful.

Today I flew a 1.3 hour sortie (C4002) but it was unique because the entire morning was "weathered out" - meaning the weather was unfavorable and most of the morning flights were canceled. By the time my flight time came around, the weather cleared enough to be cleared to fly and off we went.

After takeoff we were doing a climb to a mere 5,000 ft MSL (above sea level) for 5 miles. However, at 3,500 ft we were quickly approaching a massive cloud formation directly above us. Be careful not to fly into the cloud, I minimized my climb angle from 8 degrees nose-high to about 3 degrees nose-high. "Raise your nose" said the Instructor Pilot (IP). I said ok and raised the nose of my aircraft a simple 1 degree higher. "Raise your nose." Ok again, merely raising it up another 1/2 degree. "Raise your nose! Climb!" I was like "ahhhh" because I could have sworn we weren't allowed anywhere near the clouds! (Especially while at IFS in Pueblo, Colorado)! So I queried the IP and said "Sir, I'm staying out of the clouds above us." He responded "What altitude do we need to be at?" (5,000 was answered by me). "Climb through those clouds!"

So with out an instrument rating, but being a military aircraft on an authorized IFR departure, with departure control clearance, I guess you're allowed to fly through some clouds! =0

I raised my nose and flew right up through the hundreds of feet of cloud and started my 30 degree bank turn to the left. Once I got to upper surface of the cloud, I was literally "cloud surfing" and the view was just (again) - heavenly! Seeing the pretty marshmellow white soft cotton ball looking cloud surface from above with blue skies unseen from the ground - is just heavenly!

(2.5 hours total T-6 flying time)
(2 landings total to date)

Tuesday October 27, 2009 (Day 35)
Didn't fly today, no big deal because I had plenty of things to study for in my 12 hour day! =0


Wednesday October 28, 2009 (Day 36)
Had an emergency procedure quiz (EPQ #1) and PASSED! Yay!

Today I had a 1.3 hour sortie in the after noon. It went well, still working out the kinks of flying at 200 knots (around 222 MPH) and navigating/maintaining altitude (which should be simple but sadly isn't), communications/speed/checks/etc.

I had 7 landings today - they went well and that is GOOD! Landings will kill you, both in reality and in the program (9 landings total to date).

My buddy made a good point today regarding progress:
Today I had below 3 hours of flying this aircraft, and I'm already landing this $5 million piece of machinery! SWEEEET!!! Gotta keep working because I have a LONG way to go!

3.8 hours total T-6 flying time
(9 landings total to date)


Thursday October 29, 2009 (Day 37)
Super windy day today - like winds 26 knots and gusting up to 32! =0
Flew today, got some good "air work" in, but didn't get close to landing it! haha! Its ok tho, not ready for those gusts yet! (C4004 ride)

5.2 hours total flying time
(9 landings total to date)


Friday October 30, 2009 (Day 38)
No flying today, but did a practice simulator early in the day to practice ground operations (starting the aircraft, taxiing, and getting everything set up). Then later I had a full simulator that I practiced emergencies in, and I must say that I did pretty damn well. Even though its flying a simulator, having your engine quit on you, and then catch on fire, and then all your hydraulics quit on you, THEN still be able to make it back (via gliding) to the airfield and land - makes one feel pretty darn good! (C3201 simulator mission).

SIMULATORS!!!

Ground Egress Trainer we used during Phase I.

IFT - enclosed in a box, in a fully functional
cockpit with a screen in front of you

The outside OFT simulator (look below)

OFT - enclosed in a bubble, in a fully functional
cockpit with a 270 degree view