Five flights and a few sims deep into T-1A training. It is...interesting. I feel less stressed about the flying and stuff than in T-6s, but somehow I feel it is more important still (without feeling extra stressed about it). Or that is the case so far. Landing is much less of a problem than it was before. I suppose when it is the 4th plane you figure out how to land, it isn't such a big deal anymore.
I am only a few short weeks, 2 or 3, from by first checkride. That makes me a little nervous, but of course I also want to get there soon.
One of my close friends from high school recently had a baby. Other friends have had babies, yes, but it didn't feel quite the same. This time I feel more - adult like? Yep, that's it. And friends having babies that are actually ready and planning for them makes me realize even more that we have indeed reached that adult stage of life. Pretty weird. I still want to dream like a kid, and have weekends and summers off. And dance around in my bare feet with the mop and singing too loudly along with the music. Mostly, it feels as if things aren't really chores that kids try to make more fun, quicker, or get out of, but necessary things in life that have to get done to move on. Kind of like putting your socks on. It's just a step you have to do before putting on shoes. Not really something to dwell on or think about overly.
Well, it has been a draining week, as usual in pilot training. And I have been rambling more than actually writing anything discernible...

Still in T-1 Academics. Still seems to be crawling by. The days are getting longer now, with more frequent simulators that go until 8:30 or 9pm and full days of classes. The sims are fun so far though. It is pretty cool playing the role of a co-pilot, I think I am going to like my future job very much. Flying as co-pilot is like going on a road trip. I always enjoyed road trips. The planning, the maps, the random stuff that happens along the way, and of course seeing new places and meeting new people...

Yes, I do believe I am going to enjoy my job.

T-1A academic training so far is going really slowly. This week the base network has been down and we can't do any classes as they are all dependent on that. This afternoon we meet our torturer for the next few months (aka USEM, which I am sure stands for something, maybe something like unit standards evaluator or something or other), basically this person gives us all our flight line written and verbal tests. Most of the tests are verbal and meant to be stressful and painful. I have heard that this second half isn't as belittling and frustrating as the first, so maybe the USEM time will also be like that.
Either way, that and one pretend simulator seems to be all that we will be able to accomplish this week. Pretend meaning we use cockpit pictures instead of the actual simulator for this first sim.
Even though all this apparent free time seems great, I feel weird about it. It's as if I am getting way behind because I am not doing anything. And though I do study, I feel that it is not near enough, especially when the day drags on forever and I can't focus to save my life. So, here's to hoping the pace picks up just a little, nothing crazy, and keeps the days from being never ending.

Well, here it goes, on to the next half of pilot training. Time to start learning to fly a new plane, a jet plane for real this time. 7 more months of pilot training before I earn my wings. And rumor has it that the hardest part is behind us. The next few weeks is academics again, then right before Christmas we will start flying the new jet. Time to get back in shape and to learn as much as possible before the crazy time crunch that is the flight line begins again.
In other news, Shadow is all grown up now. He is about a year old. He is still a nice calm puppy most of the time, but he definitely has his rowdy moments. He has also picked up a really annoying habit of barking at the neighbor dogs, which is horrible. Hopefully, we can break that habit soon.

I have sucessfully completed T-6 training. Next will be T-1s. I am thrilled to be done, well right now it is more like relief. There is a week or a week and a half left until T-1 training officially starts. That will be enough time to relax and recharge before the next long stretch of training. Half way done with pilot training!

Something that bothers me immensely is when people decide to argue about stuff online, when neither person has a legitimate argument, and neither party knows what they are talking about. If it didn't make me want to smack them, I might enjoy the irony of people using technology to make themselves look stupid instead of just googling it and perhaps learning something that day. I understand that the internet is sometimes frustrating to use as a resource as it is hard to sift through so many of the blogs and news reports that claim to be facts but lack any truth. But surely it isn't that difficult if I can do it? In any case, that is my rant for today - go look stuff up before you post and let the world know that you know nothing.

I think a wise saying applies to the internet as well - “It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.” ~ Mark Twain

Teachers
In the pilot training arena and most of the time in a military context they are called instructors, but they are still teachers. Teachers I feel are some of the most important people in your life. Mostly, what they say and teach is rarely remembered. And a lot of times you learn what not to do from teachers. However, every now and then you get one that is just outstanding at what he/she does. They seem unflappable and carefree, yet still uphold the standards. Being around them makes you appreciate life and love what you are learning. These kind of teachers are not only remembered for what they said and what they taught, but also for that little something they added to the lives of those around them. I feel I have been blessed with many such teachers along the way so far - maybe even more so than the average person. Today, watching one such teacher fly his last flight for the air force, I remember those teachers and what they have done for me and how they have helped me along the way.