The Ups and Downs Continue

I didn't post last week because it was a very frustrating week and I really didn't have much to share. I flew twice each day and then followed them up by studying the rest of the time. Flying twice a day, when learning new things, really makes it tough to stay on top of everything. I wasn't doing so well at it, so this last week they backed it off and I only flew one graded flight a day, except for Friday when I flew two graded flights. The other days, I still flew twice a day, but the second flight was just to observe and not grade. I am still not sure if they help more than just studying on my own, but they schedule these "sandbag" rides for me and my roommate whether we want them or not.

I will do ok one flight and then horrible the next. I don't know the reason, but it is really frustrating. I will mess up the simple things and then I have to go back and redo them the next time...which does allow me to move on to the next items. On Friday, for example, the first flight went bad and I made a lot of mistakes and the instructor would have to take the jet because he didn't want to die right then, and then literally three hours later, I could do those same items just fine and I wouldn't even hear the instructor whimper like he was scared.

However, there were a few highlights of the past week. For starters, our old roommate from Corpus Christi and Little Rock stopped by for a visit. Jamie was passing through on some mission that had him staying in the nicest hotels in the land...even ones with their own water park and lazy rivers (Google JW Marriot in San Antonio).

It made me feel great that I get to study every night and fly stressed out while this guy gets to fly in luxury everyday and stay at nice resort/spa retreats. All kidding aside, it was great to see Jamie again. He is one of those few real good guys...and ladies, he is still single.

Moving on to another highlight, Candi and I spent Saturday of our Memorial Day weekend checking out the Guadalupe River and the City of Gruene (actually pronounced like the color green). And we made a small discovery in the process...we found out where all of San Antonio and possibly Central Texas goes when it's hot. They float the Guadalupe River, Comal River, go to the Schitterbaun Water Park, and Canyon Lake. All within a mile or two of each other, the whole area was swarming with thousands of people all carrying tubes. I really haven't seen that many people in my life. The area was really cool and the rivers looked like a lot of fun to float and I think we will have to go back to participate.

Gruene was an old historic city that we had heard a lot about. It has the oldest dance hall in Texas and a lot of big names come to this small little building. It really looked like it was built in 1887 on the inside, but it was still neat.

And one of the last highlights was flying in a few four ship formation flights, something I had never done in my short (but brilliant) career. I can say I led a four ship formation. I didn't lead for a long time, but I did for a bit. You might think that is scary flying a few feet from four other planes while going 400 mph, but I would like you to think of the others. Can you imagine what was going through their minds? "Seriously, we are being led around by a guy who has less than twenty hours in this jet and we have to fly solely by looking and following him?" Think about it people, I led guys that have more hours in the T-38c than I have hair follicles. It is no kidding like putting a three year old behind the wheel of a car, hitting the cruise control, then jumping in the back seat and telling your friends just to follow you down the road at top speed. Who wouldn't raise their hand for that opportunity? Here is one of the four ship rides.

Anyway, I am now only thirteen flights away from finishing up this course, which in theory means I will be ready for the hard class to start. Again, if I may, this is like going to prison, singling out the toughest gang, making fun of them, and then proceeding to get torn to pieces, just for the warden to come up and tell you that you were just beat up by preschoolers and that the real gang members were waiting for you in the cafeteria. Maybe you haven't spent as much time in the "big house" as I have, but it means that even though I may think this first part is hard, it really is nothing compared to the next phase.

Thanks to those of you who have commented, emailed, or sent me/Candi a message on Facebook or Twitter (ok, the Twitter thing is only to me, Candi would never want to be lumped into "that group"). Candi and I get home sick often and it is nice to get notes every so often that others are thinking and praying for us. Until the next time, we will continue to sweat like a fat man running to get in line at Golden Corral on the face of the sun...yeah, humidity and mid 90s will make even me wear deodorant. See ya!

Body going fast...brain going slower

Well this past week was a wake up call. I am "that guy" that is getting the special treatment because I am struggling. They know me before they even fly with me...that isn't good. However, the instructors have been very patient and are going to help me get through this thing. Everything is just so fast and I am catching on, but I hadn't flown in 14 months and when I last flew, it was a lot slower, not to mention I don't have a bunch of experience anyway. I am definitely the least experienced pilot in the whole squadron here. It doesn't appear that way because there are several other captains (the majority are majors and lieutenant colonels), but all the other captains are almost majors and have several deployments under their belts. They all have many more hours than myself, but we are all supposed to perform to the same standards. I am at a disadvantage, which luckily the instructors know, but they can't rewrite the rule book just for me. The fact that they know I am a "rookie" and they are trying to work with me, is why I say they have been very patient.

I say all that to say that it is a struggle to perform up to their standards, not to mention my own. I, by far, am my worst critic and I tend not to lift my own spirits very often. They are constantly telling me that I am not putting on a very good "fighter pilot" attitude when I don't strut around, but I find this to be one of the most humbling times. It is still fun, but I had forgotten what it was like to live with my stomach in knots all the time. I can't figure out why I need to put so much pressure on myself, but I guess that is what drives me. Well enough of me lying on your couch and telling you my problems while you scribble something on your notepad and nod your head...on to the other stuff.

I am now into formation flying and it should be interesting. Anyone know a good paint and auto body...er...aircraft body shop? I hope the Air Force has Maaco on speed dial. Here are some pictures I "found." Believe me, I would never violate Air Force policy and take pictures while flying. And if you think my flying problems are because I am operating a camera instead of the jet...that is an interesting thought!

Candi has been working everyday and has video conferences with her office mates via Skype. They get quite amused when a dog starts barking and disrupts their meeting. We really haven't done too much around here yet. We have seemed to have found the shopping places and of course it is all Candi and not me! If you know me, you know the two shirts, jacket, two pairs of shoes, and shorts were out of necessity...I hate having new clothes! But, I did let Candi super-size her Arby's order, so we should be close to even.

As much fun as shopping is, we are missing home. I think I am more homesick than Candi, but I think it is probably because my world is a little more upside down than hers or she just might not like you as much as I do... just kidding. I say all that to say, you can write, email, or call us. We feel as if we ratted out all of our friends and they don't want to talk to us anymore. I promise, it was Candi and not me...you can still call me!

SEE YA!

Flying High...Again

Well, I finally got back at the controls of an aircraft after a 14 month layoff...and it sure didn't show. I looked like I was an old pro at it! And by it, I mean THROWING UP!!!!!!!!!! As I mentioned last week, I got to take a ride in the back seat on Monday. I did fine for the first third of the ride, but then the scenery changed. I quit looking outside and started staring at the inside of my Hefty bag. I thought I would start seeing the seat cushion because I was pulling up everything inside me and then some. I then had my first flight (of me flying) on Wednesday and I was prepared. Below are my supplies (minus prayers) that helped me NOT PUKE! I actually forgot to put my stupid little wrist things on, but it worked out.

The flight, followed by one on Thursday and one on Friday went the same...NO PUKING! The flights themselves are very fast. I am so behind on everything, that when the jet lands, it is about thirty minutes before I finally do. Things come so quick when you are going that fast. Imagine, one of the the slowest times we have is when we are coming in to land...and we are covering a football field every second. No wonder I feel like I am hanging on to the tail of the jet as it flies. It is a lot of fun to fly, with the hardest part being the landings. I am use to landing a big C-130 and this thing you have to fly right down to where you think you are going to literally go through the ground. If you don't know much about flying, it is hard to explain. Just know, I am doing a horrible job at landing it, as proof by the whimpering and sobbing coming from the back seat. The landings are getting better, but the instructors in the back still have a high pucker factor. Here are some pictures of the jet:

You taxi and do everything (except fly) with the canopies open. The air conditioner works as well as me taking my hand and fanning myself at low speeds/altitudes.

See how small the tires and landing gear are? Yep, I am stressing them right to the engineering limit!

This picture is identical to the ride I had Monday. I looked over and thought, I have seen this exact picture before...it has been on my phone and computer for months. I called it motivation.

Everything else is going well here. It is already starting to get Africa hot and we are still not even into summer. I am a bit scared that someone as sweet as me might melt in this heat. Ok, that was a bit much, but just know it is flippin hot here!

Candi is doing well baby sitting our small petting zoo, although she hasn't figured out how to keep Jaxson from eating the wooden fence. We are seriously three pieces less than when we moved in. These pieces are eight foot long 1"x4" that have all been digested by our puppy. Not to get gross on you, but I am pretty sure you could use his poop as kindling for a fire. Now that I have stooped as low as to describe my dog's bowel movements, I should go. SEE YA!

Academics Complete

The title would make you think that I was in class, learned some presented information, and was smart enough to move on. Not so much the case! They said here is the information, good luck, now go fly and don't kill yourself. The academics were fast and hit the high points...we were supposed to fill in the low points in our spare time. According to what we are responsible for knowing at this point, there is a ton of low points and I haven't found enough spare time to get them to stick in my brain.

I flew two simulator rides this past week and I made it look like I had never flown an aircraft that fast or like I hadn't flown any aircraft in over a year. If you could have seen me in the cockpit, it would have appeared that I was running. Both arms going back and forth, as well as my legs. And yes, I had the flight controls in one hand and the throttle in the other, with rudders under each foot. I don't think I need to tell you that if you would have been riding with me and it would have been a real aircraft, you would have thought you were in a dingy in the middle of a hurricane! I think I know why I get airsick now...I can't fly straight and level! One degree of nose high attitude at .9 Mach and you get thousands of feet off in short order. The maximum allowable deviation is 175 feet, so I had a horrible second simulator flight.

This upcoming week, I will take my circus act to the actual aircraft and scare some poor instructor pilot into sobbing uncontrollably while having a death grip on his ejection seat handles. I am supposed to get a free ride tomorrow, (two seat aircraft + an instructor with no student = open seat) with a few more simulator rides and then the real thing. It is a very "big boy" course, by which I mean they don't tell you every little thing to do. However, they do expect you to know and do every little thing. It kind of scares me that I am way under prepared, but all I can do is to continue studying and pray it all works out.

As for the non-flying life, we bought an awesome wakeboarding boat and have been ripping it up during the week and weekends.

Not really, but I did take a break from studying this week to go downtown and see the sites.

We got caught up in an immigration reform parade, so we can now say we marched in a parade that was chanting how bad Arizona was! I kept my mouth shut, because when you live in a town where the first name starts with "San," you are already out numbered. This place is definitely not Boise...a little like Caldwell and a little like Compton, but not Boise. You might think that I am saying that my skin color sets me a part from the locals, which it does, but it is more the fact that my truck doesn't have thumping beats, heard from up to three miles away coming from the speakers and that I don't have rims on my vehicles. We had forgotten how much different the South was! I have seen more lifted cars...yes cars...and mini-vans with rims than you can imagine. The sweet ride below actually has a 'Sugar Daddy' sticker on the back & sides... what class??!!

Candi is continuing to work and stay couped up in the house, just to watch me come home and study each night and during the weekend. I think once I can get a handle on this information, we will have more free time to explore the area. Well, I now must do something new and...STUDY!