UPT advice

[stonewall]

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

You might get some sh** at first about being a Guard guy. Just the usual "oh, you already know what you're going to fly so why are you worried" crap. Once you get through the initial academics and start flying the sorties, you'll just be another one of the guys.

You'll also likely have some Guard/Reserve IPs, so don't worry about the IP's being biased against you. Don't think you'll see that. On the flip side, my Guard unit no longer sends anyone to UPT. After going 0/5 on dudes getting through, we no longer hire off the street. You ARE representing your Guard unit and the ANG at large. Be prepared everyday for your next sortie, even if you ain't supposed to fly it that day.

 

[Gorilla]

Advice:

1) When called for standup, and presented with a complex mechanical problem, just make fighter pilot motions with your hands, while making missile or gun noises with your lips; or say, "Turn and Burn, Baby!" or "You're dangerous!" Nothing else. They'll be impressed with your systems knowledge.

2) If you slip the examiner at least $500, you'll get an OUTSTANDING on your check ride(s).

3) At your assignment drop, have a secret bottle of Whiskey, and when called, pour yourself and your tablemates a shot, salute the mess, and drink before proceeding forward. I did this, and it impressed a bird colonel, who became my mentor for a few minutes that night.

4) If you get airsick, secretly take dramamine, and then drop the packet of pills right in the middle of the squadron floor. Walk away fast. This too happened. We all piss-tested in a vain attempt to catch the culprit.

5) Above all, be cocky. IP's respect someone who knows all and acts that way.

 

[JimNtexas]

...after going 0/5 on dudes getting through,..

That must have been a big disappointment. What was wrong with the selection process? If you just picked five new UPT students at random you'd expect at least four of them to graduate. How much prior flying experience did those five guys have? What went wrong?

I'm not trying to be a smart a**, I'm really curious how 0/5 could have happened.

 

[pkober]

As a Guard guy you probably have civilian flying time. Use that to your advantage but don't be cocky. Listen to what they have to say and fly their way, period. I had >2500 hrs when I went to UPT but I put it behind me and flew my fix to fix as I was told.

As far a bias towards Guard guys. If some "MOA King" IP has a chip about the Guard just smile and say "Yes sir". It's only a year long and when you leave and get back to your unit he will still be there sweating his a$$ off in the tweet. He may one day come sniffing around your unit so remember his name.

Try and relax and have a good time and have your unit try and call the Guard Bureau to try and get Columbus AFB.

Good luck.

CLAMBAKE

 

[FlyingHigh262]

As a Guard guy you probably have civilian flying time. Use that to your advantage but don't be cocky. Listen to what they have to say and fly their way, period. I had >2500 hrs when I went to UPT but I put it behind me and flew my fix to fix as I was told.

As far a bias towards Guard guys. If some "MOA King" IP has a chip about the Guard just smile and say "Yes sir". It's only a year long and when you leave and get back to your unit he will still be there sweating his a$$ off in the tweet. He may one day come sniffing around your unit so remember his name.

Try and relax and have a good time and have your unit try and call the Guard Bureau to try and get Columbus AFB.

Good luck.

CLAMBAKE

why columbus?

 

[pkober]

That's where I went. It really doesn't matter just as long as you get your wings.

 

[stonewall]

That must have been a big disappointment. What was wrong with the selection process? If you just picked five new UPT students at random you'd expect at least four of them to graduate. How much prior flying experience did those five guys have? What went wrong?

I'm not trying to be a smart a**, I'm really curious how 0/5 could have happened.

I agree. All that happened before I showed up in the unit, and I was shocked to hear it, too. I think some made it through (2 or 3), but didn't make it to -38s and had to find heavy units. I thought it was strange, too.

 

[cfrey79]

One more piece of advice. Don't wear a small patch below your pen pocket that says "Guard Waiver"....... Your IPs won't think it's funny

 

[USMCAirWinger]

After going 0/5 on dudes getting through, we no longer hire off the street.

What unit is this?

 

[psysicx]

Richmond??

 

[SIG600]

Hahha.. I think it's pretty funny!

One more piece of advice. Don't wear a small patch below your pen pocket that says "Guard Waiver"....... Your IPs won't think it's funny

 

[McGillicutty]

Your IPs won't think it's funny

Wow, nerd alert.

 

[Whidbey]

1. Above all, learn how to TURN OFF THE HEAT in the T-38.

http://media.putfile.com/Turn-off-the-heat

 

[Slice121]

If his screen name is indicative of his squadron's mission, it should be easy to figure out for the rest of y'all.

 

[frog_flyer]

1. Above all, learn how to TURN OFF THE HEAT in the T-38.

LOL!!

 

[Uppercrust]

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.

I'm being half serious though!!

 

[Future SNA]

1.) Don't forget what you've learned as a civilian, whoever says that is full of it. Just incorporate the two together..appropriately..to help you get the BIG picture. IE the bs comm's you learn at UPT that you ONLY use at your UPT base.
2.) Don't be the guy with 1000 hours that sucks and gets helo's, you'll make us all look bad and we'll lose our clout.
3.) Do it their way, not yours, make friends with the scheduler, he'll fly you with the good IP's, Reserve IP's are the shiznit, take the salty old timer with you on a cross-country, I promise he'll hook you up(he's making $$ and they like that).
4.)Enid is a great base, friendly people, AWESOME gym, whoever said otherwise hasn't been anywhere else.

 

[Fletch F Fletch]

Have thick skin. Unfortunately there isn't time to pat you on the back for every good maneuver you accomplish. The emphasis will be on correcting mistakes, especially the dangerous ones. Be a duck and let the negative stuff roll off your back, while being a sponge and absorbing the knowledge, wit and wisdom of your instructors. We love flying and teaching and a good attitude is a million times better than a pair of golden hands. If you go to Columbus, give me a holla.

 

[FlyingHigh262]

We love flying and teaching and a good attitude is a million times better than a pair of golden hands. If you go to Columbus, give me a holla.

roger willco

 

[Future SNA]

Almost forgot, whoever said to "expect" to fail at least one flight was wrong in my opinion. There were about 4 people in my class of 27 that didn't fail flights, why be one of those 23, passing all your flights is not something difficult, you should expect it of yourself.