Engine Loss at Altitude

Yesterday's sim went from 5pm to 8pm and we made further progress on our checklists and procedures. The instructor introduced engine loss at altitude and we practiced the emergency procedures for such a situation. We practiced in a dirty configuration too (flaps and landing gear down), since removing excess drag streamlines the aircraft and makes it easier to control in an engine-out situation. Massive rudder input is required to keep the plane flying straight when one engine is out, due to the asymmetrical thrust. It's further complicated when you have no visual inputs in the sim, just as you would have no visual inputs in severe IFR conditions. You have to look at your engine gauges and pay attention to which rudder your using to identify the dead engine. It's good training, and someday soon we should be confident flying on only one engine.

First Sim

After spending Tuesday studying and doing prof sits with my wingman, we had our first sim today. We weren't sure what to expect, but it turns out we did just the right amount of prep and we're planning on trying to stay ahead of the game. The sim was a run through of all the ground procedures: Before Start Checklist, starting procedures from memory, After Start Checklist, Engine Runup Checklist, Takeoff Checklist, and the After Landing Checklists. We had some trouble with the avionics setup, but spent some time practicing after dinner. Tomorrow we do it again.

Procedures and Basketball

This morning we finished up our lectures before sims start. One of the AF IPs came in and briefed us on the local procedures for transitioning from Corpus (NGP) to the area, to Cabaniss (NGW), the aux field, and back to Corpus. The local procedures consist of when to switch frequencies, cancel with ATC, what altitudes and headings to fly at which locations, and local landmarks. I finished up the last CAI on normal flying procedures, and we got a brief on CRM. CRM is emphasized even more in this aircraft because we're getting trained to work with a crew from now on, not just an IP. So the CRM consists of utilizing the copilot in the most efficient way possible and learning to see the IP as copilot instead of threat and the observer as a contributing member of the crew.

Intramural basketball picked up again today. We played much better, even with only 7 guys, but still lost even though we had it tied up with 5 minutes to go. I'm just glad to be getting back in shape and hittin' some 3's.

Aero Test

I passed the aerodynamics test this morning. After this week, no more academics. We're moving on to the cockpit trainers and learning all the flight procedures. It's moving fast, but for now it's welcome. My wingman and I got in the sim again for another prof sit and we brought our time down to 1 hour from seatbelts to T/O. They say it should be around 30 minutes by the time we start flying, so we're getting there.

Exterior Preflight Check and Ops Procedures CAIs

This morning our usual bluesuiter gave us the Systems 1 review. I stayed awake, victory. Nah... honestly, it was good review. That GPS and Nav stuff is complicated. Need to get my fingers on the buttons to really know it. After that we braved the frigid wind chill to get the rundown on preflight exterior inspection, which doesn't seem too tough. Seems like crew chiefs take care of a lot of the stuff we had to worry about at IFS - fuel check, chalks, tie downs, etc. After a buffalo chicken samwich, we did 3 CAIs on the preflight, inflight, and postflight checklists.

Study time for the test tomorrow.

Blues, Preflights, Running, and a Videochat

Our first day of academics in blues.

We started off with an intro to T-6 Systems. One of the blue suit instructors (contractor) gave us a Powerpoint listing all the various systems of the T-6, hydraulics, oil, the engine, environmental control, etc. Then they took us outside to get an up-close look at the aircraft. It felt like I was actually getting ready to do something. A thought I had: They're not just taking me on a walkaround as a complimentary tour. They're showing me, because I'm going to fly it. More CAIs followed.

Ate lunch at the Hibiscus.
More CAIs.
Went for a 5k run in my Fivefingers.
Skyped w/ Dave and Jarrod. Just like the old times. They're ready to graduate yesterday.

Our class patch was approved (as seen on right).