UPT advice

[malterf15]

Excellent points by all. Even uppercrust is half right.

Here's an important tidbit:
You're not there just to get wings...you're there to learn to be an outstanding pilot.
So don't go the easy way and study all the gouge. Go directly to the manuals. Gouge will teach you what answers to give. The manuals explain why. Get in the habit now so your understanding of flying concepts is your own, not a regurgitation of someone else's work.
This will pay off in UPT, and more importantly when you're executing a mission your country is depending on you for.

 

[NTS ALL 4]

true for civ to mil

How about 10 bits?

1. If you were a civil pilot before, don't try to tell the military instructors that the military way of flying is screwed up. Just do it "their" way.

2. Make a real effort to get to know everyone in your class and help each other get through. You're probably going to see a 30% wash-out rate, so not everyone's going to make it, but try to help them anyway if you're able.

3. You're not there only as a pilot. You're a military officer too, so act and think like a leader . . . not some kid learning to fly cool airplanes. Have fun but don't act like an idiot at the bar. Take care of your classmates and friends that ARE acting like idiots at the bar.

4. Treat enlisted personnel with respect and courtesy, but not undue familiarity. Expect and demand respect and military courtesy from enlisted personnel.

5. If you feel airsick early on, tell you're instructor. 99% of the time you're going to get over it, but jet aerobatics wearing a mask and helmet can really get to some people. If you puke, do it in a bag and not in your mask or on yourself. If you puke all over the cockpit, it's not the crew chief's job to clean it up . . . . it's your job.

6. Academics are pretty easy. Sims can be deceptively tough. Flying is fun, but serious biz too. Be prepared EVERYDAY. I don't know if they still do it, but if, at the end of the course, they offer to let you take the FAA military competency test and get your FAA commercial license, (MEL Limited to CL thrust), do it. Don't be stupid or lazy. It's a freebie that you'll appreciate later on.

7. Sooner or later you're going to bust a ride. It's not the end as long as you don't make a habit of it. Get over it and drive on.

8. Don't get uptight about final assignments at the end. I got my dead-last choice out of UPT and it was the best flying assignment I had in 20 years of military flying.

9. You're getting a chance at the best training in the world. There are literally thousands of guys that would gladly trade places with you in a heartbeat. Make the most of it.

10. You may think that being a military pilot is very cool. That said, you should never act like it is, nor should you EVER brag about it. You don't have to. The wings that will be on your chest speak for themselves.

And don SIE!!! We had a couple guys who thought after the first few flights that this military flying just wasn't for them. This was after OTS/AMS and all the UPT ground training.

See #9 above.

 

[HarryShadow]

Pay attention to the ground sutff...academics, boldface/ops limits, stand-up, etc. Most everyone in your class will do well in the flying phase (though natural selection will take place), but your attitude, academics, and all the other non-flying BS will be the tie-breakers for class ranking.

NTS ALL 4 is dead on...the dudes in my class who SIE'd after a few flights cause they puked a few times are regretting their decision to this day...I guess they're not happy as MX or finance officers fixing planes and paying bills. A bad day at 200 feet beats a great day at a desk!!!

 

[Deuce130]

Pay attention to the ground sutff...academics, boldface/ops limits, stand-up, etc. Most everyone in your class will do well in the flying phase (though natural selection will take place), but your attitude, academics, and all the other non-flying BS will be the tie-breakers for class ranking.

quote]

Great advice! They'll tell you that daily grades don't count that much, but they can be extremely important come crunch time. When I was at UPT, track selection went by class ranking, though I hear that now instructors have some input into what you end up doing. Let them see your great attitude on a daily basis, let them see you help others, let them see you get better every day. With that said, IPs can spot a fake a mile away. Make sure you mean it. And never BS your IP - they can spot that, too.

 

[Ih8AFYesmen]

All good advises. Here are mine:
Don't be an a$$ kisser! Study hard and most importantly, play hard. Don't let "FAIP" hazing get to you. They are just pissed because they have to stick around the garden spot for another 3+ years ;-) And my personal pet peeve (sp?)... don't make excuses for piss poor flying and always know your stuff. Everyone has those days and after "trip" turning in a tweet, IPs don't need to hear any quibling from Stan.
Seriously..... let the IPs know what you want to fly; don't pester them with "sir, I want to be a Thunderbird pilot" but let them know where you stand. If your scores are good enough, most flight commanders will help you to "track" to your choice. Lastly, don't let some ex-heavy driver IP convince you that the fighter world is full a$$e$. Before all you heavy types start bashing me, I am a fellow heavy driver by choice so relax! Shoot for what YOU want to fly.
Congrats and God speed!

 

[Deuce130]

Lastly, don't let some ex-heavy driver IP convince you that the fighter world is full a$$e$. Before all you heavy types start bashing me, I am a fellow heavy driver by choice so relax! Shoot for what YOU want to fly.
Congrats and God speed!

More good advice. Most of the -37 and T-6 guys will be heavy drivers with only one perspective. Don't let them convince you one way or the other. Hear them out, listen to their stories (no doubt there will be some good ones - especially from Herc drivers), make up your own mind. I'll bet by the end of the formation phase you'll have a good idea of what it is that you want to fly. Have a backup you'll be happy with also.

 

[C-141/C-5]

Work hard and play hard

 

[GoUglyEarly]

More good advice. Most of the -37 and T-6 guys will be heavy drivers with only one perspective. Don't let them convince you one way or the other. Hear them out, listen to their stories (no doubt there will be some good ones - especially from Herc drivers), make up your own mind. I'll bet by the end of the formation phase you'll have a good idea of what it is that you want to fly. Have a backup you'll be happy with also.

Outstanding advice. I saw firsthand that 99.9% of primary (T-37) IP's were of the heavy persuasion. Don't be turned off from the fighter/bomber track by those who have not been there / done that (i.e. flown fighters). You will know what you want to do by track select. Don't be afraid to "take a chance" and put T-38 as your #1 track (if you have the least bit of interest in flying fighter/bomber). The worst that could happen is you are not given your #1 choice, but hey at least you gave it your best shot.

 

[HarryShadow]

Look man, bottom line...don't suck. It's a long, hard, but fun year. Don't let up until you get out, retire, or ride it in!!!

 

[FlyingHigh262]

thanks for all the advice everyone..i really apprieciate the extra insight! one other question...how do they treat guard guys down there...instructors and other students? just curious