Canceled for Maintenance

Didn't get to fly today. I was sitting observer waiting to fly when we got a call from another plane telling us base wanted us back immediately. I tried to go again later that day, but the IP said he wouldn't do it, since it wouldn't be fair to me. He said for this ride, the toughest of all of pilot training in his opinion, I should be at the top of my game, and waking up early and then waiting to fly all day wasn't exactly the best recipe for success. I respect that, and thank him for it. Early brief tomorrow.

Incomplete

Today's flight did not go as planned. I started out with an uneventful taxi and takeoff out to the working areas. We did my highwork, which went reasonably well for Day 2, before switching to my wingman. He did his highwork and transitioned to the aux field. Just as I was about to switch back into the pilot's seat, the props started acting up. In the T-44 you move the props to full forward to slow down while on final at the end of a landing pattern right before you touch down. When he moved the props forward, they weren't changing their blade angle, so the IP decided to return early after replicating the problem three more times. We wrote it up, so it would get fixed. I got an incomplete, so I get to do the ride over again. Free flying time!

T-6 solo hours = 0.5

Despite forecasted instrument conditions, a few more of us got to solo today. My landings were marginal, but I survived and completed the flight without a major incident. I successfully found my way back to the flight room with the help of one of the maintenance truck drivers. He dropped me off on the opposite side of the building where I quietly snuck in the back of the building right through the unlocked back door of the flight room. I was then summarily tossed in the solo tank. Awesome!

The highs and lows of pilot training are no more obvious than when you have a great experience followed by a terrible one. I got stood up for the afternoon standup EP and demonstrated the kind of performance that proper planning prevents. Well, now I know another of my weaknesses.

I ran it off with my neighbor, who I'm fortunate enough to have in my class, and who I hope will be able to put up with me for the next 45 weeks.