UPT questions for veterans

[ifleyelearz]

On my T-1 cross country we made the journey from Del Rio to Nellis the first day. Then Nellis to Tinker on day 2. Then Tinker to Keesler, day 3. Then back home to Laughlin. Not only did we get a lot of training in, but we managed to spend 20 hrs on the ground in Vegas. Not a bad way to spend a cross country.
From what I hear though, I'm not too sure they let you go out to Vegas anymore from Laughlin.

 

[Big Duke Six]

I had about 450 hrs civ before I went in, no multi time. I went through Vance about 14 years ago, so here goes:

One of the best things for me at UPT was making friends with a guy who was about 4 months ahead of me in the pipeline. He gave me an excellent heads up as to what to expect. Mind you, the present will always be what counts, so don't try to study ahead, but he was a great help when it came to helping me learn flows in the Tweet and things like that. These concepts were foreign to me as a civilian, where you learn to "read and do" on the checklist. Also, we'd get together and "fly" formation in the parking lot with each other. Sounds stupid, but it sure gave me an idea what to expect when I got in the air. The formation phases were the most fun, I thought, probably because of him.

In 38's, nothing will prepare you other than finding an airplane beforehand in which you can fly instrument approaches at 300 kts, and practice landings at 150-190 kts. The only guy we lost in 38's was early on, because he just couldn't get the landings down. Every one of the other 10 (out of 22) we lost was in Tweets.

In both phases, know your Ops Limits/bold face early. Make flashcards. Be humble and honest with yourself and your IP's about your shortcomings but always make sure they know you're motivated to improve. Be disciplined with your time off, but do remember to give yourself time to relax and get your mind off things occasionally. There is time to have fun, just know when it is. Remember, some guys will have to study more than others, so don't necessarily do what your buddy is doing.

Realize it can be a little political. The guys who get out and get some face time at the club and interacted well with the IP's seemed to do well in the program. The wallflowers, not so well. There may be a lesson there. On the other hand, the wallflowers may have been wallflowers because they were not great students and couldn't afford to spend time socializing, I don't know. The point is, give 120% while you're there, and get to the club when you can.

Oh, and don't date the Wing Commanders' daughter.

Over and out.

 

[mgg20]

thanks for all of your insight guys. I don't think I have enough time to be real cocky, but I've got enough to feel comfortable in a plane. I really can't wait to get in something faster than a Seminole. For you guys who have gone through it more recently, does the T-6 makes thing much easier? Some have said since it is glass and everything usually works, that the washout rate is lower. Just wondering, Thanks

 

[Chiller]

Your flying experince will most definitely be helpful in the initial programs at UPT. You might be new to the military and equipment you'll be flying, but you've already gotten over the apprehensions about being in and around airplanes. I had taught the AF & Army ROTC flight Indoc programs in college and had about 2800 hours when I went to UPT. I never said a word about it. About the time you start using a Mach meter or get to the formation phase of the program, the playing field levels out with the rest of your classmates.

 

[white E]

Well I guess you got the anwer you were looking for. Get us much time as possible without wasting money. You are going to be 10 times better trained than any civilian counterpart and even better than that if you fly fighters. The more time you have the better. You will be comforable right away with the tweet/T-6 and instruments will not bother you.

There is nothing wrong with confidence...just know when to shut up and color. You will have many ups and downs. How you handle that and how you show leadership in the flight room will payn dividends. You HAVE to drink the blue cool-aid for 1 year and your golden..well till IFF, but that is a different thread.

I had a ton of time starting UPT and I breezed through UPT with respect to my class. We all had the same progression curve. What does that mean? It means you have a lot to learn. There will be times when you are taught something incorrect...shut up and color. play the game and learn..be a sponge. As for the call sign Q and the T-1 Q.....go T-38's and you will get the keys to a great kingdom.

Oh a dude who had 3000 hrs, regionsl jet time, and flew Xtra 300's washed out of IFF in my class. Remember to shut up and color.
-W-

 

[ifleyelearz]

thanks for all of your insight guys. I don't think I have enough time to be real cocky, but I've got enough to feel comfortable in a plane. I really can't wait to get in something faster than a Seminole. For you guys who have gone through it more recently, does the T-6 makes thing much easier? Some have said since it is glass and everything usually works, that the washout rate is lower. Just wondering, Thanks

I can only speak for myself, but I thought that flying the T-6 was pretty easy...all things considered. I've never flown the Tweet, but from the looks of the archaeic instruments, it probably takes a little more brainpower to fly.
...no ego here.

 

[Chiller]

Upt

"shut up and color. play the game and learn..be a sponge".

Good advice



Regards & good luck

Chiller

 

[AdlerDriver]

Don't forget to have fun. UPT was a challenge and a blast. IFF was better and it got really good after that. One day you'll look back and wish for days when all you had to do was fly, get better at flying, booze on Friday/Saturday, study, fly, repeat as required. No responsibility - just fly. What a life

If you don't have fun most of the time at UPT you're not doing it right. JMHO

 

[Grizz]

Don't forget to have fun. UPT was a challenge and a blast. ...
If you don't have fun most of the time at UPT you're not doing it right. JMHO

I agree. I had more fun in Del Rio than a person should be allowed to have. I enjoyed it so much that I even managed to make a couple of trips down memory lane into Acuna throughout the years when I got close to Laughlin in my travels. I can tell ya one thing for sure, those trips get harder on the body after you hit your 40s. The margaritas at Ma Crosby's still taste as good though...