Will you still be happy if you fly a turboprop? As has been said many times.....there are no guarantees which plane you will fly.
Flying?
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Pima
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SP4C3M4N,
Here is the official drop for Laughlin. Remember the class start with 28, and 4 more joined in at various points since they were wash backs, not outs. So for the class at one time are another there were 32 different students.
XL 14-08
T-38
Saudi "Fighter"
T-6 FAIP
F-16 Luke
F-22 Tyndall
F-15E S.J.
T-1
C-17 Dover
C-130J Little Rock
KC-135 PA ANG
C-130H DANG
KC-135 Fairchild
C-5 Dover
C-130H Peterson Res.
C-17 Charleston
E-8 Robbins
C-17 Charleston
C-130J Dyess
AC-130W Cannon
C-130J Dyess
T-1 FAIP
C-130H Pitt Res.
C-130J Dyess
Like I said just winging will make you happy. Remember, I didn't add into the equation all of those students that were suppose to be in 14-08 and busted IFS. IFS usually busts 25%. UPT busts 30%. DSs class was on target for both those stats.
Aglages,
Late to the party regarding your IFS comment. Rule of thumb if you have a PPL DO NOT GO TO IFS, all you risk is busting. Take the waiver and learn the AF way at UPT.
Here is the official drop for Laughlin. Remember the class start with 28, and 4 more joined in at various points since they were wash backs, not outs. So for the class at one time are another there were 32 different students.
XL 14-08
T-38
Saudi "Fighter"
T-6 FAIP
F-16 Luke
F-22 Tyndall
F-15E S.J.
T-1
C-17 Dover
C-130J Little Rock
KC-135 PA ANG
C-130H DANG
KC-135 Fairchild
C-5 Dover
C-130H Peterson Res.
C-17 Charleston
E-8 Robbins
C-17 Charleston
C-130J Dyess
AC-130W Cannon
C-130J Dyess
T-1 FAIP
C-130H Pitt Res.
C-130J Dyess
Like I said just winging will make you happy. Remember, I didn't add into the equation all of those students that were suppose to be in 14-08 and busted IFS. IFS usually busts 25%. UPT busts 30%. DSs class was on target for both those stats.
Aglages,
Late to the party regarding your IFS comment. Rule of thumb if you have a PPL DO NOT GO TO IFS, all you risk is busting. Take the waiver and learn the AF way at UPT.
They assign airframes based on where you finish in your class, your wish list, and what airframes are available for THAT drop. Alphabetical lists have nothing to do with how airframes are assigned.
Would you recommend to a USAFA cadet to invest the money and time for a PPL?
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That's what I thought aglages, but the alphabetical part through me off. It must be that the airframes were alphabetical.
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Would I recommend a cadet invest in a PPL for the sole purpose of avoiding IFS? No. Sign up for USAFA airmanship programs, especially soaring and powered flight. I thought exposure through those programs was perfectly sufficient to get me through IFS. That said, if you've done the USAFA programs and want more flying time, or want the PPL rating, than by all means invest the time and money! Nothing wrong with that.
Also, just from what I have experienced the last eight months, most all of those I know who have have not made it through IFS could not land the airplane. And most of those did not do powered flight at USAFA. That's why I strongly recommend signing up for those opportunities The other bulk that have not made it through dropped on request.
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Agreed. That's what I had heard and was recommending as well. Based on her last post in this thread, I thought Pima may feel differently and I was asking her to share her opinion/thoughts.
hornetguy
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If a person likes flying and can afford it, I highly recommend the PPL. Nice to have as an aviator regardless, but getting a bye from IFS is very, very useful.
The drop night ceremony calls the students up alphabetically and that's the order the learn their assignments. The actual assignments were determined by merit.
Quite the nice T-38 drop. My neighbor is one of the T-38s, I'll have to see what he got. I think he was number 1, so probably the F-22. Lucky dog!
The drop night ceremony calls the students up alphabetically and that's the order the learn their assignments. The actual assignments were determined by merit.
Quite the nice T-38 drop. My neighbor is one of the T-38s, I'll have to see what he got. I think he was number 1, so probably the F-22. Lucky dog!
raimius
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At least for the Class of 2010 the USAFA powered flight program was very similar in sortie profile to IFS sorties, along with quite similar aircraft performance. IFS was a LOT more intense, but if you could land the DA-40, you could figure out how to land the DA-20.
Would you recommend that a cadet invest 8K for a PPL primarily for the purpose of not being required to attend IFS? I understand that there is a risk associated with attending IFS. I'm wondering how great that risk is for cadets that have attended USAFA's Powered Flight Program. Would you agree with the following:
or the following:
Maybe a different view on this would be: is it conceivable that somebody that couldn't successfully complete IFS.....could successfully complete (get winged) UPT?
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hornetguy
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That's why I said IF they can afford it and like the aviation anyway. If it's for the sole purpose of getting out of IFS, then no. While I see programs for $8,000, that seems a bit steep. More like $5-6K if you're smart about it.
I had the hours and had the time/money to complete mine, so I did. I'm thankful I did, too. It's not imperative but if someone does want a PPL and doesn't mind spending, go for it.
Thank you.
Do you think it's conceivable that somebody that couldn't successfully complete IFS.....could successfully complete (get winged) UPT?
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I don't understand the question since IFS is a prerequisite for UPT...
hornetguy
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Oh, that's a loaded question! My opinion, and only that, is YES. The two major factors, so I hear, on DQs from IFS are the hazing factor and landing. Hazing factor in UPT can be limited if they find it's causing issues, but they are less lenient in IFS. However landing is a bigger issue. A DA-20 is like a glider and landing, for first timers in a plane, is tough. A T-6 has very different performance and I don't think landings are as tough in terms of strange factors. I have a friend who did powered flight and was not allowed to solo because she couldn't get landings. She went on to IFS and passed (prior XP helped) and was successful in ENJJPT.
It's a prerequisite for UPT if you don't have a PPL. I was wondering if skipping IFS, with the inherent risk of busting IFS, actually might benefit anyone interested in getting winged. In your opinion....can you imagine someone that was unable to pass IFS being able to pass UPT?
Thank you.....I value your opinion and experience.
BTW - what is the "hazing factor"?
hornetguy
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It should be made clear that the only way to not attend IFS is to have an FAA rating. You would have 40+ hours in a GA aircraft with solo and PIC time.
And not necessarily. We didn't always have IFS and people still passed. It's a different type of aircraft and different style of training. So maybe, maybe not.