Chris Penningroth’s Weltanschauung

     It’s been a busy week.  My classmates and I had a lot of academics all week.  We also had two simulator sessions in Unit Training Devices (UTDs), which are fairly realistic cockpit simulators set in front of a very large television.  These are getting outmoded, but are still useful for practicing flipping switches and flying instrument procedures (flying in weather without any visual lookout).  Finally, we each had one simulated mission in the newer Weapons System Trainer (WST).  The WST was a 360^o set of video screens set around a cockpit and gives us the ability to fly real-time with other people in other simulators.  It’s not much better than the UTD for simulating aircraft emergencies, but it does give us the ability to look out in any direction and see where a "decent piece of concrete" might be in the event our single engine quits.  

     It won’t be much longer before we fly our first flights.  Next week we’re also on the hook to start to  take our instrument checkrides.  After that we’ll get into the air-to-air phase, which is the most fun part of training in my opinion.
 

     As of Thursday the 20th, I began my F-16 transition course (TX2, in our parlance) along with six others.  We’re going to have academics on and off for at least the next month.  We’ll begin "flying" the simulators later this week.  We won’t start flying for another week after that.  Once we begin, it will be fast and furious.  We’ll likely get our instrument flight evaluations the same week we begin flying.  After that, we’ll get about three flights of basic fighter maneuvers (BFM), and we’ll move right into intercepts and air tactics.  All seven of us are looking forward to getting started!

     Yesterday five of us went to the Phoenix International Raceway, where we helped our patron squadron raise funds by selling burgers, fries, and drinks at the track.  The squadron has been doing these fundraisers for more than a few years.  Initial indications are that this was the most successful event ever! Hopefully we’ve helped ensure the squadron can give away some nice moving away/retirement gifts, can throw one or two decent parties for special occassions, and can stock the snack bar with some tasty foods at reduced prices for the next year!