Today we had a quick flight-line driving lesson. During Phase 2, we will drive folks to RSU as needed. RSU is like a tower that controls that particular runway's traffic pattern. It is manned by T-6 pilots and usually always working when there are T-6s in the air. Each runway has its own RSU; T-38 guys get theirs and T-1 get their. For now, we worry only about taking people to T-6 RSU. During later in phase 2, we will actually work in RSU and help to direct traffic in the pattern.









Look at the rows and rows of T-6 hiding under a shade. Behind them T-38s are waiting for a lucky few.







In few days, I will finish Phase 1 and start Phase 2. My first ride or "dollar ride" is this upcoming Friday or early next week. Dollar ride is an intro to what to expect during flight and student usually does very little during it. As a reward to getting a free ride, students decorate single dollar bill and present it to an IP. Some get very creative decorating it and I've seen dollar bills made into origami planes.
Also during this stage of Phase 2, we are on "formal release" which pretty much means we get to live in our flight room. Our day is going to turn to 12 hours; if we start at 0400 - end is 1600.

Sim,

Man, brings back the memories...Laughlin is laid out roughly the same way. The 'dollars' have gotten a lot less creative then they used to be...due to modern times (read what you want into it...not saying it's good or bad, just different).

Also, piece of advice...don't hang around in the flight room if you want to study and aren't on the schedule. First, you tend to get 'line of sighted' for stuff. Second, you can't really study because you will get into conversations with your classmates that end up not really helping you (tend to focus on everything except studying). Obviously, don't go anywhere until the last jet for the period has stepped...and make sure they know where you are!

Exceptions of course are weather days (you'll get that a LOT in Columbus during the winter), and if y'all get together for discussions with IPs on an informal basis.

FC

I keep hearing that flight room isn't a study room.




Today I finished last sim for a while. Next sim will not be until 4 flights and with weather - it's difficult to tell when that will happen.

Most interesting things we did was spins and ELP.

Spins in T-6 are a bit 'arcade' since aircraft doesn't want to stay in a spin. If controls are released, AC will exit spin. Instructors keep harping about old tweet where if you get into a spin, it will spin all the way down if proper actions are not taken.

Anyhow, spins are easy and fun. Start in level flight at 160 knots and level flight. Power idle and raise nose to 30-40 degrees. At 80 knots pull stick aft and rudder into direction of a spin.

To get out - power idle, controls set to neutral. Pitch during exit probably will be 60 - 90 nose down.


ELP is practiced over airfield starting at 3000 agl. - It's pretty much constant 360 degree turn to a landing. Maneuver starts over runway and ends on a runway. Final with full flaps is very steep and resemble space shuttle landing. During my first attempt, I flared late and planted poor T-6 with force; 4G and ELT beeping. Thankfully in a sim I can always try again.

Spins are fun
Will the T-6 snap roll? That's also fun

Cross-controlled maneuvers are prohibited. T-6 suppose to last a long time for many years to come. Poor T-37 lasted 50 years(!) of service and with funding - T-6 will have to last twice as much.

Prohibited? Meh, the Air Force is no fun!

Holy crap, I just can't imagine one of today's planes in the air in 2109!

On a sidenote: How do you side-slip in a T-6 if crossed controls are not allowed? Or approach in a crosswind? Do you use the crab technique then?

They mean 'snap' cross-controlled. Slip is still OK.

Sim, this is very interesting with you going throuhg military flight training at the same time I'm going through Private Pilot training. Very different - very much the same. I haven;t done slips yet.

When I learned at ERAU (my PP) we did spins- stuf expressly FORBIDDEN. but my IP did it anyhow.

His logic was that I was going to do this somewhere along the line, and that I had best see it with him and not on a solo.

If there was anything that ERAU preps you for it's high traffic airports and lighting comms.

Made it really easy to come back North and fly here. Part 61 at your local airfield is so backwater...

Having done other training at other schools, they;ve been impressed with my habits and behavior in an airplane.

I do miss it so, but I've got other stuff to worry about now.