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