Slot selection at UPT

Eagle 1 said:
I'm just curious, does anyone have any insight about going helos out of UPT?

My plan is to fly Pavehawks for CSAR but there's not much information I can find about the process other than helo pilots go to Fort Rucker.
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Raimius is in helo training and can give you some insights when he is around.
 
Son made it through Phase II of UPT. He had his formation check ride two weeks ago. He selected the T-38 track for Phase III so he will hopefully be heading to fighters next February. Now for another 6 month wait until drop night to see what airframe he gets! :rolleyes:

For what it's worth, the rules seem to have changed a bit in the few months since the earlier posts on this thread. The drops have gotten much better, with some classes getting 4 or 5 fighters out of T-38. Also, the chance to go heavies out of T-38 has been removed, so if you don't get a fighter or bomber you will get an AFSOC aircraft or FAIP.

Stealth_81
 
Congratulations to your son! And thanks for keeping us updated on the latest happenings in UPT.
 
Son had his dollar ride in the T-38 yesterday. I don't often see him get very excited, but he obviously had a good time with it. He was able to make a couple of landings and perform an Immelmann turn which he said was an amazing amount of fun for a first flight. Out in the MOA flying at 500 knots isn't much different than flying at 200 knots in the T-6 in his opinion, but he said the landings seem to happen a lot faster.

Our 22 year-old daughter is down in Texas for a week visiting him so she was able to be there for it. She's having a good time meeting all of his pilot trainee friends, too!:shake:

Stealth_81
 
Stealth_81 said:
Son had his dollar ride in the T-38 yesterday. I don't often see him get very excited, but he obviously had a good time with it. He was able to make a couple of landings and perform an Immelmann turn which he said was an amazing amount of fun for a first flight. Out in the MOA flying at 500 knots isn't much different than flying at 200 knots in the T-6 in his opinion, but he said the landings seem to happen a lot faster.

Our 22 year-old daughter is down in Texas for a week visiting him so she was able to be there for it. She's having a good time meeting all of his pilot trainee friends, too!:shake:

Stealth_81
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Congrats to him. Never heard the term "dollar ride" before (we had a nickel ride, but we lack the AF's inflated budget :wink:).
 
Stealth,

Congrats to your DS. I did laugh at one part of your post.
Stealth_81 said:
Our 22 year-old daughter is down in Texas for a week visiting him so she was able to be there for it. She's having a good time meeting all of his pilot trainee friends, too!
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I need to use all of my fingers and toes for counting purposes regarding how many sisters visit a sibling (ADAF) and end up marrying someone in their squadron. At Elmendorf in the 3 yrs we were there there were 5 sisters that met, and married someone in the 90th. That was just 1 assignment.

Our DS is aware of this, and because of that he has already said his sister is banned from visiting him until she is married. Than again, it could also be that his GF of 2 yrs was introduced to him by his sister. Her BFF.

When is assignment night? He has to be happy, because he is getting closer to that day everyday.
 
Pima,

I don't think she'll be looking for romance while she's down there. Her long-time boyfriend (6'4" 4-year-college-starter offensive lineman) probably wouldn't take too kindly to that, either.:shake:

Son's drop night (assignment night) is in late January and his graduation is in early February. Since the events are two weeks apart I am torn on what to do. I can be fiscally conservative (ie. cheap), and only go for one event (it would be graduation). Otherwise I would have to either fly down there twice in 14 days or stay down there for two weeks. Neither is an inexpensive option.

Stealth_81
 
And when does your NEXT son have a drop night and a UPT graduation?? :biggrin:
(he said, twisting the guilt dagger...)

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Why don't you just leave it to him? We are still a ways away from that being on our radar, but I have a sneaking feeling we will only go to one of them unless DS says he wants us at both.

OBTW Flieger, you just made me feel really guilty because I realized when Bullet went through WSO assignment night, same type of function (formal), he was there by himself. I flew out only for his graduation, and his folks didn't come. NJ to Cali in 88 wasn't cheap, I think it is cheaper to fly to CA in today dollars, and not including inflation now than it was 24 yrs ago :confused:

I guess we can thank SWA for that! :shake:
 
flieger83 said:
And when does your NEXT son have a drop night and a UPT graduation??
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He will be applying for the class of 2019 so I am guessing sometime in 2021.:biggrin:

Of course, THAT son is also interested in USNA, so it may be a bit different!

Stealth_81
 
I am sure it will be...you can get a direct flight to their UPT base compared to OMG Del Rio!
 
I was fortunate that during the entire 4 year academy experience, it didn't really cost us anything to see our son. 2 hours away, we either drove there or he drove home. Things are now different. He's got grad school and then pilot training. We are already planning on visiting him around veteran's day. (Air Force plays San Diego State so it also gives me a reason to see my falcons). But I hope to go again when he graduates grad school. I'll probably do the same for pilot school graduation and possibly Drop night.

I am considered by many to be: "The Eternal Optimist". I always rationalize and find the good in things. When I think of how much money I have save just in the 4 years of his college (Academy) experience; I can rationalize a few trips over an 8 year period. Wow; just realized that he'll be a captain by the time he gets to drop night.

Oh well; I know you are really proud of your son stealth. The 2 week separation does kind of suck. 1 week would have been better. If I could only choose 1, it would be graduation obviously. We didn't go down to the academy when our son got his job/assignment/grad selection. We probably won't go to anything other than graduation.
 
Personal opinion from a guy who has been around (and personally epxerienced) "drop nights" and grad ceremonies.

Drop nights are usually the time / place you celebrate with (or cry on the should of) your bro's. Lots of "celebrating, fraternity style" going on in a very informal atmosphere. Nice to have the family there to celebrate / commisurate with you? Sure. But you'd rather do it with your classmates you worked so hard with over the past months. Significant others ae welcome (and tolerated). Moms and Dads? Weeeeeellllllll, they are tolerated.


Graduation ceremonies? Entirely different story. You want to have everyone there to celebrate your accomplishment in an "official" way. Perfect time for family and friends to get those photo ops of you getting your wings in service dress. Celebration party tends to be a little less "push it up".

Stealth, I know you want to be there for your son on such momentous occasions such as these. But if I had to chose between the two, I'm betting he'd prefer you were at the more formal one. But I guess the best answer is to ask HIM (which you probably already know).
 
Christcorp said:
I was fortunate that during the entire 4 year academy experience, it didn't really cost us anything to see our son. 2 hours away, we either drove there or he drove home. Things are now different. He's got grad school and then pilot training. We are already planning on visiting him around veteran's day. (Air Force plays San Diego State so it also gives me a reason to see my falcons). But I hope to go again when he graduates grad school. I'll probably do the same for pilot school graduation and possibly Drop night.

I am considered by many to be: "The Eternal Optimist". I always rationalize and find the good in things. When I think of how much money I have save just in the 4 years of his college (Academy) experience; I can rationalize a few trips over an 8 year period. Wow; just realized that he'll be a captain by the time he gets to drop night.

Oh well; I know you are really proud of your son stealth. The 2 week separation does kind of suck. 1 week would have been better. If I could only choose 1, it would be graduation obviously. We didn't go down to the academy when our son got his job/assignment/grad selection. We probably won't go to anything other than graduation.
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Oh so rough to come out to Santa Monica for visits. ;)
 
Update: Son had his drop night tonight and got assigned to F-16s at Luke AFB.

Stealth_81
 
Stealth_81 said:
Update: Son had his drop night tonight and got assigned to F-16s at Luke AFB.

Stealth_81
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AWESOME!!! :thumb:

Give him my best!!!
:groupwave:

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
(on the East side of the Valley of the Sun)
 
Stealth_81 said:
Update: Son had his drop night tonight and got assigned to F-16s at Luke AFB.

Stealth_81
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Haven't posted in a while. THIS is something worth breaking my silence for!

FANTASTIC for him! I am so happy for him and for you! Awesome bird, (despite the fact it only has one engine and one seat).

Gongrats to him on a job well done!:thumb:
 
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