Headed to Laughlin

[jstock]

Looks like I'll be headed to Laughlin next Jan for SUPT. Any words of advice from the experienced pilots out there.


Thanks,
js

 

[pkober]

Enjoy your time. It's tough but rewarding. Just shut up and do what the instructors tell you to do.

The most important thing : DON'T PING !!!!!!

Good Luck,

Clambake

 

[Goatpilot]

Congratulations on pilot training. Don't ever forget what a great opportunity this is. I've known many a good bro not get in due to bad timing, a minor health hic-cup etc. I was an IP there several years ago when they opened the flood gates and struggled with the lackadaisical attitude I found among some students. Be prepared, have a good attitude and appreciate the best training in the world. Laughlin is a tough place to live but hopefully, you will look back on your year there with great memories. Fly safe!

 

[Huggyu2]

Don't washout. Enjoy. Live to fly.

 

[AD SUPT Hopeful]

Agreed with all--you will definitely enjoy the experience (though, not at first).

 

[Laxman]

Dont suck, Del Rio isnt exactely paradise but the lake is all right, Austin will be your Mecca, there is an awesome BBQ joint past the first bridge on the south side of the railroad tracks headed towards town, the best breakfast on base is at the bowling alley, you'll have long days...very long days, work smart, hooking a ride is not the end of the world, pay attention, ask question when appropriate. good luck and dont suck.

 

[Gorilla]

UPT was the greatest year of my life. I loved every minute of it. Where else do you get the keys to a T-38 for a solo area contact ride? Once you get past UPT, all your hops will be mission oriented, and you'll never chase clouds again. Focus like a laser, don't screw around too much, and you'll do fine.

About the best entertainment out there when you need a break is Lake Amistad. There are portions of the shore where you can cliff-dive... check the water depth first, and be careful... it's a rush.

 

[stagger]

Laughlin

If you go into mexico enjoy the banna show.It's a beautifullll thing. You wont forget it... I guarentee it.

 

[Vandal]

best.year.ever.

 

[jstock]

Thanks for the input everyone. I still have casual to go, then I'll be down south.
I'm starting to wish I would've payed attention to Spanish class in High School.

I've been waiting all my life for this so I will have to make sure that the banana shows don't get in the way of that:laugh:

 

[Huggyu2]

Ignore the bad stuff said about Laughlin. I spent 4 years there (no, I wasn't a UPT student the entire time), and loved it. Meet the locals: typical of South Texas folk, you'll not find a kinder bunch of people. Avoid "Boy's Town", but get to Mexico for dinner and drinks every now and then. Spend a few days in Big Bend and the Pecos. San Antonio isn't far: I made it from Laughlin's front gate to Randolph's front gate in 2h 12 min. Beat that! And, yes, there are some beautiful gals there. You just got to know where to look (remember: meet the locals).

 

[bobs98tlr]

Huggy- Did you ever fly with Buck at Laughlin?

 

[Huggyu2]

No, but we flew together as PIT IP's until he left the USAF. He helped me get involved with Warbirds. Great guy. We stay in touch, and I saw him at Oshkosh in August.

 

[USMCAirWinger]

Looks like I'll be headed to Laughlin next Jan for SUPT.

Dude, they are giving you the date and location a year out? That sucks.

Are you active or Guard?

Congrats anyway!

 

[USMCAirWinger]

Agreed with all--you will definitely enjoy the experience (though, not at first).

What's up with the 16 year old surfer-chick avatar?

J/K

 

[Huggyu2]

If you can drop everything and go early, tell AFPC that you want to be put on the "moments notice" list. Then, when someone breaks a leg 1 week prior to UPT, they'll call those folks, and see who can fill the slot at the last minute.

 

[jstock]

Dude, they are giving you the date and location a year out? That sucks.

I'm ROTC commisioning here in early May. Going down early would be pretty sweet, but my calssmate and I got the exact same orders(casual and UPT) so well probably try to keep those together. Plus I haven't flown at all recently so I'll try to spend some time in the T-34 out here before I head down.

 

[prozac]

Alright man, here's the skinny: Del Rio sucks. Anyone who tells you different is either lying, or just hasn't lived. BUT....the friends you make at pilot training will be the best ones you ever make. Just remember one thing....STICK TOGETHER!!!! Help your bros out. Don't worry about the competition thing--the cream usually rises to the top anyways. You'll be glad you helped your buddy out of a tough time when he lends you a hand to pull you out of a rut. More good advice: If you aren't an Academy guy, learn how to study from one. They're used to the Air Force's jacked up method of educating and can teach you a lot! I failed my first EPQ (emergency procedures quiz) miserably, studied with the zoomies the next time around, and never failed another one. Final piece of advice and then I promise I'll get off my soapbox: Enjoy it!!! It's the only time in your career you'll be expected to concentrate on flying and nothing else. I promise you'll think it sucks most of the time, but then you'll look back and realized that it was TRULY the best 13 months of your life.

Take care and good luck!

 

[Huggyu2]

Alright man, here's the skinny: Del Rio sucks. Anyone who tells you different is either lying, or just hasn't lived.

Prozac is wrong on both accounts (I don't lie, and I've lived pretty well). Chances are he's from "the big city", and didn't figure out how to have fun in a small town area. Or he was too busy. Understandable, seeing as a UPT student can be a full time job. Also, he didn't have the advantage I had of getting 4 years to learn the area.
Want to meet gals? Can be done. How about rich ones, or hammers from Sweden? Been there. Lots of tour groups with young Europeans used to come through Del Rio and do Lake Amistad.
Want to water ski? Easy. Bird or small game hunting? Yep. Major sports? San Antonio is 2 hours away. Austin is 4. We'd go hit the UT games. A&M is a bit further, but a great road trip, none the less. Mexico? Great time. A bud and I decided to go there for the day and have all three meals (including Margaritas). We got there in the morning, and got back home late, after dinner, meeting friends, and dancing with a bunch of gals from Uvalde (daughters of some large land owners/ranchers). And, yes, they spoke English.
Rafting down the Rio, GA flying, motorcycles and lots more.

It's all dependant on your attitude.

 

[KCPilot]

I can agree with the posts from prozac and huggyu2. I loved and hated Del Rio! I had my good and bad times like everyone else. Sometimes I wish for the simple UPT times but then I'm real glad it's over!

But one thing that got me through was to party on Fri and Sat night, recoup on Sun. Also when they say chair fly, use Mirosoft Flight Sim and you will have no suprises on your flights especially in instrument procedures!

Enjoy, becasue it will be the worst of times and the best of times!


In A Van By The Rio! 02-05!!