So much has changed since C began Phase 3 in UPT! He works long days, comes home only to study for hours, lugs huge binders and texts around with him everywhere…wait…that sounds…EXACTLY THE SAME! From the family perspective, not much has changed at all. It may be a bit different for him, reading about a new aircraft and all, but the environment remains status quo.
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| The sun may be shining, but the studying persists |
Like in the T-6 program, he will go through academics and sim training before getting into the aircraft for his dollar ride. Since the T-1 is a crew aircraft, he will be paired with another student for both his sims and flights (like an airliner, there is a captain and co-pilot who split the duties) – likely, his partner will remain the same through all or most of the program.
The benefit of moving onto the final phase of training is that the students are now considered “big boys” (and girls) and are given a bit more freedom. C is, once again, able to come home for lunch (schedule permitting) and, though his schedule is somewhat irregular at present, he is no longer working 12-hour days (at least for now). In a way, starting Phase 3 is like going back to the beginning, complete with the itch to be airborne.
