RSU

RSU = Runway Supervisory Units

Basically, since Columbus AFB (CAFB) has three parallel runways the actual control tower only "controls" one of the runways. The center runway (the big one) remains under tower control an

d the other two (one for the T-38s and the other for T-6s) are "owned" by their respective RSU's.

I got to work in the RSU today and it was interesting. The crew is made up of two rated officers and two students (three today since I was training). I got the position of "spotter" in which I need to call out tail numbers for landing and departing aircraft, confirm the aircraft configurations when they are landing (gear down, flaps up/down, full stop, etc), and keep a running tally of the number of take offs, landings, and aircraft in the pattern.

The other non-rated job is the recorder, who basically punches all the info I get into a computer as well as has to take notes as directed by the two rated officers.

The two rated officers are basically air traffic controllers, granting aircraft landing and take off clearances.

Anywho, fun day!

Here are some more images from my solo:

That's Mo (nickname) our resident Jordanian exchange pilot. He is a hoot.

SOLO!!!

Yea it's been a while, but I have been crazy-uber-insanely busy!

Anywho...to jump into current events:

I just had my solo, which means I got to fly the ~4 million dollar T-6A Texan II (complete with 1,100 shaft horse power and 2,750 pounds of thrust) around the Columbus Air Force pattern...ALONE!!!

It was awesome. The airplane just seems more eager to fly when there isn't anyone in the back seat.

Stats on the flight:

Date: 6 Nov 09
Call Sign: Wing 91
A/C: 99-556
Runway: 13R

On with the pictures (in reverse order):

Instrument's I down

One down, only a couple more to go. Academic's are slowly winding down. Passed Instrument's I with a 90% (not as much as I wanted but it's a pass). It was VERY challenging. Definitely the hardest test I have had to date.

The weather lately has been pretty poor. So I haven't flown since last week. I am scheduled to fly tomorrow so hopefully the weather clears up (it's supposed to).

Anywho, back to studying!

$1 Ride

To sum it up I would ask you to imagine: 4 miles above the Earth, 230 MPH, roll 180* (inverted), perform a 4G pull, and end up pointed straight down...

I don't have a lot of free time but basically a Dollar ride is a free trip in the airplane. No pressure, no grading, nothing. Just relax and try not to sc

rew up too badly (thats what the IP is for).

I didn't do

anything too crazy, it's frowned upon if the IP's get the students to throw up (and I didn't want to throw up regardless) so I only did some minor aerobatics: Aileron rolls, split S, nose high recover into a vertical dive, the usual.

Anywho...FUN!!!!

The good, the bad, and the ugly

A fairly realistic depiction of a T-6 in flight emergency (borrowed from the Dash-1).

Sorry for the delay in posting (I am aiming for at least blog post a week). Last week I got "sick" from an artificial flu vaccine that I took. Of course I got the worst symptoms the day before a test. I managed to fall asleep studying and thus received a low score of 87% (85% is the minimum).

This week has been a 100% reversal though!!! Just had a test this morning and I knocked it out of the park. Finally got the allusive 100%!!!! This was the last test in Phase 1 (academics), but there will still be more tests and academics in Phase 2 (contact) so don't be fooled!!!

I have one more simulator session left in Phase I and it will either be tomorrow or Monday. I am doing exceedingly well getting the proud score of "E" (excellent) on my last two. These simulators aren't like the UTD (universal training device) I have mentioned in a previous post, but rather are OFT's or IFT's (operation/instrument flight trainers). These have screens so you can see where you are "flying" (the OFT has a PIMP wrap around screen...something like 270*). Sadly these sim's aren't hooked up to hydraulics or anything crazy, therefore are referred to in the business as stationary sim's. It is pretty crazy how your head will play with you when you are "flying" in an OFT though. I find myself thinking I am really doing the maneuver the simulator is faking. People have even gotten airsick in these!!!

So I found out my future assignment here, I am in the 41st FTW and in Spaatz Flight. You can read up on the history of General Spaatz and his contributions to the USAF Here.

Updates

Got a 91% on my Aero test. Not as high as I obviously wanted (always gunning for 100%'s) but I am pleased I passed. It was a lot more challenging than the previous tests, thats for sure.

Things are definitly starting to ramp up. We hit the flight line at the end of the month and are starting to "sim" (simulator) every day. The instructors expect us to have more information memorized every day, etc. Definitly getting sporty!

Also I encourage everyone to watch this (High Definition a must!!!):

The longer and further I get into UPT the more I spend thinking about what I want to fly. I am less and less sure I want to fly fighters and bombers. Not saying I wouldn't want too, but I am definitly considering every option (except UAV's...).

And good news: Yesterday two UAV's crashed! 1 Predator crashed in Iraq and 1 Reaper went "stupid" and was shot down before it entered Iranian airspace. Some lucky fighter pilot got to shoot down a UAV!!! Talk about a dream come true!

System's II Test

Same score as the first one!!!

93%

Which I must say I am VERY pleased with since I didn't feel I had as good of a handle on the information as the System's I test.