Dolla dolla bill ride

The "dollar ride", a time honored tradition of nerves, excitement, and often angry upheavals of the stomach, is celebrated by every military aviator in every aircraft. Many refer to it as being "just like Christmas morning." Although I'd suffice to say that nobody I know was ever made to throw up after the arrival and departure of Santa Claus. Still, similarities exist.

First, there is a jolly man wearing a suit of all one color. This man flies in the sky and is often recognized by a round middle section. And while he flies, he is giving a gift to a younger person that is so excited they can barely sleep the night before. That gift is a "freebie flight". Their very first ride in a T-6 Texan II reaching speeds of over 220 knots, pulling over 5 G's, and looking at the ground when it's above their head, is completely free. They are expected to do nothing but show up, strap in, and enjoy the ride. If they're lucky enough, they may even get to take the controls a few times and learn to do things such as an aileron roll (that means roll around 360 degrees). And although every flight from here-on-out will be very strictly watched, critiqued, and graded, this first flight is given no grade at all. You may be thinking of course, that even Santa Claus isn't that nice because even he will not leave presents without taxing young children of their cookies and milk. Well that my friends, is where the dollar comes in. We are all expected to pay these generous flying men $1 between now and the time we solo for their sheer expertise and awe inspiring demonstration of what the Texan can do.

And that my friends, is the history of what I got to experience this last Thursday. For those of you who may have some aerobatic knowledge, we did some "cloud chasing" that looked suspiciously like an Immalman, split-s, aileron and barrel rolls. And if that all sounded Greek to you... I got to go upside down a lot! :)

Notice to Airmen

Notice: Lots of studying. Little to report. Stef is buried in the books, as depicted above.

Standby as the flight line is only 3 weeks away!

2 down, 52 to go

UPT is turning out to be a time of discovery for me. Not only do I get to learn how to fly, but I've been able to learn some very important things about myself. More specifically about what I am good and not good at. Here are some examples:

Things that I am NOT good at:

-being dragged across the ground and simultaneously unhooking from a parachute

-buckling airplane seatbelts

-bench press

-jumping off a tower (okay...so it wasn't really what you'd normally think of as a "tower". just a 10 foot platform...but still...)

Things that I am good at:

-earning scores that end in 08...Richter!

-spinning in a chair without getting disoriented

-drawing pictures while hypoxic

Since the last item was actually my proudest moment of the week...i'm including a picture of my drawing that is now hanging up on my fridge. (in case you can't tell it's a picture of me flying the T-6, and also standing outside in a flight suit at the exact same time...apparently UPT also enables me to be in 2 places at once)

For anyone who doesn't know, hypoxia is what happens if you don't get enough oxygen. We go in a pressurized chamber and take our masks off and learn about our symptoms in case it ever happens in flight. My first and greatest symptom happens to be euphoria...haha...along with a decreased ability to draw well....

In the beginning...

Well I'm sorry to report that by day three, I haven't yet buzzed the tower while inverted and solo. However, I do have some great accomplishments that should be celebrated by all.

-I was singled out 08 times on the first day for being the one and only girl among a class of 33.
(and 3 more on the second day)

-I made the discovery that when in endless briefings and falling asleep...just drink LOTS of water because if you always have to go to the bathroom, you won't be thinking about being sleepy.

-Also made the discovery that it is considered "rude" to rush out of briefings because you have to go to the bathroom so badly....

-I was issued my phase I and II books (a humble reading list to flip through at my leisure over the next 6 months)

(books measure in at approximately 2 to 2.5 feet high)

-Got to listen to a T-38 IP ask and answer his own questions on "just how cool is his life and flying fighter aircraft?"

That's about it for now. Coming soon: find out if Stef is allergic to anthrax meds!

10 OH! 5

Friends and Fam,

I start pilot training soon which means two things:
1. my lifelong dream of becoming a pilot is actually turning into reality
2. it is so real in fact, that for all due purposes I will be dead to the world for the next year

That being said, this is probably the easiest way for you to hear about what I'm doing since I won't have much free time and when I do, I'll likely be found sleeping or hanging out on the lake.

I make no promises on the frequency or entertainment factor of posts, but I will certinaly do my best to keep both at a reasonably high level.

UPT class 10-05 begins 27 January so you can expect the next update sometime around then. As for me, the next couple of weeks include learning the T-6 boldface and soaking up every last drop of freedom I've got left...