19 June 2011

A Day in the Life

Recently I’ve reported on the return of the 12-hour day (perhaps complained is more accurate – sorry about that), but often I am asked: What does he do all day? Straight from the horse’s mouth, here’s a run-down of the average day of a T-1 student: 

·         0520 – Report to the flight room for mission planning
·         Sometime between 0545-0615 – Begin flight briefs with the IP (go over everything pertinent to the flight – weather, NOTAMS, flight plan, etc.)
·         1 hour after flight brief, pilots and IP “step” to the jet – Visit the operations desk to receive aircraft assignment and tail number, a weather briefing, and any pertinent information for operations
·         Proceed to the aircraft for pre-flight – take-off is 1 hour after step
·         The flight lasts approximately 3.3 hours and typically involves traveling to the MOA (Military Operations Area) to practice basic maneuvers like steep turns, traffic pattern stalls, vertical s maneuvers, and slow flight. They proceed to an out-base (out of the local area, often out of state), fly the traffic pattern, and return home. About half-way through the flight, the students switch seats, with the non-flying student sitting in the jumpseat to observe.
·         Upon return, the students and IP debrief the flight for approximately 1 hour
·         Formal Brief (1 hour to 1 hour, 45 minutes) – Led by the USEM (Unit Standardization and Evaluation Monitor) the students engage in “Stand-up”, an emergency procedures evaluation of sorts, and may be given an EPQ (Emergency Procedures Quiz) or boldface test.
·         When still in the academic rotation, students then proceed to an academic class, lasting approximately 1-2 hours
·         1720 – Released to go home, eat dinner, study for the next day’s activities, and go to bed early
·         Repeat, 5 days per week (more or less)

The T-1: C's home away from home

11 June 2011

The Ultimate in Gated Communities

Among the many choices an incoming UPT family has to make is the decision about where to live: on base or off. I’ve heard this dilemma so many times, I thought I’d devote a blog to it. Honestly, I had no intention of living anywhere but on base, seeing as we are only here for a year, but after being here for about 9 months, I can see why some struggle with the decision.

Pros of Base Living:
  • C  Convenience – Even on a small base, we have pretty much everything we need here, without having to ever leave the gates. Actually, there have been weeks where I haven’t left base at all (though those weeks made me a bit stir-crazy). Plus, I get a lot of exercise because everything is within walking distance. Not to mention, we save a ton of money on gas!
  • C  Security – Some neighborhoods boast a “gated community”. Mine boasts a gate and guards who carry M-16s. Somehow, I feel pretty safe here.
  • C  Instant friends – At first I was a bit bothered by my new home’s proximity to its neighbors, but I soon learned that being so close space-wise, builds relationships much more quickly. The faces become very familiar, the children like another of your own. Whether poolside, at the park, or grilling in the backyard, it’s pretty difficult to feel secluded for long.
  • C  Maintenance – On most bases, housing is now contracted out to companies who build, rent, and maintain the homes. This means that if my drain clogs or a tree falls in my yard, maintenance is just a phone call away. With a husband who is preoccupied with all things UPT, it’s pretty nice not to have to worry about those sorts of problems. Even my yard is mowed for me once a week. (Note: Are things necessarily done the way I want them all the time? No. But at least it’s one less thing to worry about.)
  • C  Utilities are Included – At least for now, all utilities are included with our BAH. It’s especially nice during the winter and summer, not having to worry about elevated heated and cooling costs, though we do try not to abuse the resources.
  • C  Feeling of Community – Even having only been here less than a year, I am amazed at the camaraderie I’ve witnessed here. From fun base events and opportunities for kids, to coming together during times of tragedy, there are few places that can claim the true spirit of community that exists on a base.


Cons of Base Living:
  • D  Security – Yes, this is both a pro and a con. Fortunately I value safety more than I value the ease and timeliness of getting home, but I admit, the occasional delay and random searches are a bit irksome at times. Probably, this is why I avoid leaving base some days.
  • D  HOA on Steroids – If you live in a covenanced community, you know what I mean. Everything is regulated – holiday decorations, wall-hangings, pet restrictions – you name it.
  • D  What happens to one, happens to all – Much like in an apartment building, if power is lost to one apartment, typically it affects them all. If water is shut down for maintenance, it’s off in the whole community – for as long as it takes to fix it. (This happens surprisingly often!)
  • D  Quality of Accommodations – Could we get a nicer home for the same money? Probably. But again, the temporary nature of this assignment really devalues this in my mind. The houses are renovated and fine, at least for the short term.

All in all, minor annoyances included, I would not change our decision to live on base. I feel like the pros definitely outweigh the cons, and regardless, we can do anything for a year!

01 June 2011

Delusions of Grandeur

Remember waaayyy back in November when I told you about the 15-day program? (If not, refresh your memory here) It’s back! I’m not sure if I was just deluding myself, but I somehow had it in my mind that Phase 3 might be a little easier on the family life. I thought that maybe a big-boy aircraft meant big-boy treatment. I was mistaken.

C in the T-1 sim - Part of a very full schedule
Don’t get me wrong, hitting the flightline is exciting! C is back in the cockpit where he belongs and flying an aircraft that he really enjoys. But learning a new aircraft, no matter how many you’ve flown, is never an easy task. The T-1 is bigger, has more systems to learn, new checklists, new procedures – it’s basically starting from square one again. Plus, the T-1 is a crew aircraft, meaning a pilot and co-pilot are required for flight, adding an additional teamwork component that they didn’t experience in T-6s. With all of the “newness” comes the need for hours upon hours of studying, which means we are back to that familiar schedule of seeing C only for dinner and the much-cherished Friday nights and Saturdays.

Rumor has it that the schedule starts to even out once the students are more comfortable with the plane and the proper amount of “hazing” has been accomplished. Only time will tell…