So the last time I posted, I was getting ready to start Radio Instrument (RI) ground school. That was a solid two weeks of trying to figure out how all this stuff works (how to read approach plates, different approaches we fly, and how to get around on the airways, etc.). While I would have been incredibly lost without it, I was dying to get back into the plane. I would come out of the school building and the sun would be shining bright with almost no clouds in the sky, and I was just achin' to be heading out for an aerobatic solo or something.

After what seemed like a very long two weeks, I essentially set up camp in the simulator building. I have yet to find anyone who truly enjoys the simulators. They frustrate me because I feel like so much of doing well in the simulators is knowing how to fly the simulator...not necessarily the airplane. The have a number of subtle, yet very important, characteristics. However, everyone has to deal with it, so it is something to just accept and move on. There is some very valuable lessons to be learned in the sims. Also, I understand it does not make any sense to send up an airplane with a student in it just so he can learn the very basics of RI's. The training dollar is much better spent waiting until I get to the full RI flight procedures (shooting approaches, holding, point-to-point, and the like).

Anyways, I blasted through the first 9 sims and it is off to the airplane. I was psyched to finally be back in the air. I was scheduled to two flights back to back...money! They were setting me up to fast track through the flights, which is a very good thing. Since RI's is the last block of primary for me, I can see the finish line at this point. So I am all for getting pushed through. I am at this point where selection is close enough to think about, and I am ready to stop thinking about it so much. I digress...Well, the first flight went fine, but we cancelled the second flight because of radio problems my instructor was having. Alright, no biggie, I can make it up the next day. Alas, a combination of weather, scheds, and the weekend have put me in a bind. I have been waiting and waiting to get back up and get going again, but it is just not happening. Somewhat frustrating...kinda like having the finish line in sight and sprinting for it, and then realizing your on a treadmill.

Alright, I am done whining...bottom line is, it is pretty awesome to be frustrated because I CAN'T go to work. Things will get going again.

Hope things are going alright out there. Take care.

-Chris

Oh yeah, I am in aircraft 830 (number near the nose) in the pics

Hola Amigos,

Wow, I have been packed since my last post. I finally started forms on the 16th of January. The first form flight was the first time I felt seriously behind the airplane in a long time. Basic intro flights and aerobatics built a lot off the first few flights, and we do many of the same maneuvers in the late aerobatic flights that we have been doing for a while (like emergency landing pattern practice, landing pattern, etc.). However, formation flying was so completely foreign to me and my form partner. It gave me a whole new appreciation for what the Blues do.

Needless to say, I was not very smooth or controlled on the first flight. The instructor took the controls a lot. However, he assured me that was normal and I would catch on fairly quickly. With that in mind, I made sure to enjoy the weekend, but I was looking forward to my next shot. The next week (last week), I flew five flights in two days...it was awesome! I really got the hang of the whole formation flight sequence we run through down here (Parade turns into and away, crossunder, fuel check, break-up and rendezvous, running rendezvous, lead change). The best part was the last flight of those five flights which was our form solo. My buddy was solo as in his aircraft, I was solo in mine, and an instructor was flying chase behind us. Also, we found another SNA to ride with the instructor to take pics. Here is a link to my mom's picture page which has the best ones.

http://www.dropshots.com/juliemrn

It was without a doubt, one of the best times I have had to date. Lastly, we wrapped up forms with three cruise formation flights. These are more relaxed and focus on more dynamic maneuvers in the "cruise" formation position (who would have thought?). We did wingovers and sharp turns in formation, and then we went to an airport near Houston for lunch. An awesome time in total. Now, I have to wait until next Monday to start radio instrument ground school. This puts me about 6-7 weeks out from selecting for advanced. I am ready to get that going.

Anyways, that is what is going on down South. Hope things are going well out there.

Chris

Yo folks,

I hope the holiday season was enjoyable for everyone. Afterwards, it was weird leaving to go back to "work." The school mentality is slowly escaping me as I realize that it is not just a sprint to spring break and then summer vacation. On the flip side, I do not have to start a new semester with a whole new set of classes. Plus, it is pretty hard to be frustrated with my "work" schedule since I drove back from Southlake on 28 DEC. I got back on a Sunday to find the squadron and airfield operating on holiday hours. Because of that, I was scheduled for one flight the entire week. It was a mandatory warm-up (because I had been out of the cockpit for over two weeks) with the XO. He was awesome to fly with...very relaxed and let me knock the rust off. That being said, I played golf twice that week, celebrated New Years with buds down here, and tried to find the motivation to study for formations once I finished aerobatics.

As you can see, I had very little to complain about with regards to "going back to work." Plus, it helps when work is getting paid to learn how to fly. This past week has been slightly busier but to a welcome degree. Monday started off with a Safety-stand-down for the entire training wing. The staff is getting better about running those things. While it was not what I would call captivating, it helped get everyone back in the flying mindset after the holiday leave period.

I was weather cancelled again on Tuesday for my last aerobatic re-check (since I did not fly my solo within five days of the first checkride, I had to get a new one). No sooner had I gotten back to my apartment when the clouds parted the sun shone brightly. It was a beautiful day...bummer. However, I finally got the last check in the block done Wednesday before my solo (which I had been trying to fly since before Xmas).

Yesterday, I finally got that solo in...my last aerobatic solo. Bittersweet to say the least. The ODO (officer solos brief with before mounting up) told me to enjoy my last solo unless I go TACAIR. I certainly did enjoy it. I knocked out some touch and go's and tooled around for a solid 35 mins in a working area by myself. A loop? why not...maybe I should do a barrel roll. Needless to say, life is pretty good when I am getting paid to do that. My father reminds me that the pay back will come later on with deployments, alerts, and combat. However, right now...what a life.

Alright, I am back...head is out of the clouds. After my flight, the other guy in my form pair and I studied for a couple of hours for a prospective first form flight this morning. Well, scheds hooked my entire class up for some reason. We all have a three day weekend...and on the night of the BCS championship! So, I assume we will start on Monday, which gives us a little more time to prepare. I am thankful for the extra time no doubt, but I am pumped to start. I have heard from multiple people that formations are their favorite part of primary.

Anyways, that is the first update of 2009. I hope the new year is starting off well for every one else out there. Now, let's all take a moment and morn the passing of another college football season...haha, alright...I am out.