All morning I’ve been internally humming that catchy little jingle that Dora and Boots use to celebrate another successful adventure – “We did it!”
As of this morning, C has officially completed the T-6 program. He finished up the last of his formation flights and passed his checkride.
So, what happens next? On Monday evening we all get to attend “Track Select”, the event/ceremony that determines a student’s track, or what aircraft they will train in for Phase 3. Since C is a guardsman, we actually already know what he will fly: the T-1A Jayhawk.
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| T-1A Jayhawk |
The active duty members of C’s class do not know their track fate, but were asked to submit their top three aircraft choices. Their flight and academic performance, aircraft availability, and several other variables are weighed to determine which training option they’re granted – some of which may take them to a different base.
Why is the Phase 3 trainer so important? The aircraft they fly for the final phase, leads, ultimately, to the aircraft they will fly for their career. For example, those who train in the T-1 typically go on to fly tankers or cargo planes; the T-36 often leads to a fighter slot; T-44s go into the C-130, and so on. It’s the next step in a career that, at this point, remains very much a mystery.
While C’s track is not in question, the night will not be entirely anticlimactic. Also at the ceremony, awards are presented and a lot of fun is poked at the students, making for an entertaining celebration to conclude the program.
As we arrive at the halfway point in UPT, C’s view of the flightline will look a lot different from here on out and he can proceed with the confidence of having conquered the T-6 Texan.
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| So long T-6! |
