Smokey

Huggy, Dotman is. I elected to pursue other interests. Send me a PM. Cheers, Smokey

More information from my last as we are about ready to start 13-XX classes. It was stated that the PPL exception will actually begin for any classes that START after 1 Oct. Again, this is all coming AFPC and 12th FTW folks (now that 19AF is gone). Anyway, that's the latest as of today...... I'm not in the policy making department on such issues so don't shoot the messenger. Yeah, you'll walk into the flight line a little less prepared for the typical experience but will probably catch on fine I'm sure. An IFS grad will now how to handle stand-up and EP's, GTIMS, familiarity with the concept of the syllabus, standard mission briefings and the like. The UPT squadrons will have to suck it up and realize they will be getting a larger percentage of those that didn't get familiar with the typical UPT environment and adapt. Not a reflection on you. Just a bit more of fire hose affect the first few weeks on the line.

I only have background information on what is going on and can't really speak to what CNATRA's final decision will be. They'll have to do something other than what they were doing but to what degree/level they will go is unknown to me. Smokey

The PPL or higher exception came back into the lime light about 6 months ago. The AF is having budget issues just like the rest of us. All the numbers have been crunched and a final decision has been made as of this morning. Despite the fact PPL's and higher have washed out of IFS, the numbers are pretty low. The exception for those with a PPL or higher will be reinstated for FY13 from what I was told this morning. That wil be about a 10-12% reduction in IFS students for the FY based on stats we keep. In one way, the IFS guys/gals will have a leg up on their classmates that didn't attend once hitting UPT phase 2. AF really likes the IFS product but had to give somewhere. Interestingly enough, the AF is asking what we can do to expand the pilot syllabus to offer some additional training beyond the current syllabus. Specifically basic formation and instrument familiarization believe it or not. More to come on that when/if it occurs. I didn't mention CSO's or RPA's because I didn't get an answer to that question. I don't know if the exception will be applied to those categories at this time. We'll all have to wait and read it in print in the near future. Smokey

Sorry, been at Sturgis. Anyway, exceptions to IFS went away except for a few distinct instances which I won't go into. In any event, the AF values the training received at IFS to such a degree that all exceptions for private licenses was rescinded about 3 years ago. I doubt it will change. Smokey

The long post above was spot on! For those beginning the process, read and heed! For the IFS naysayers, want to tell me why CNATRA was here for the last two days....... Guess why the Navy's "screening" program has been canx? It doesn't screen or train anyone to the standards of the next level. Whatever those might be in the Navy. Navy basically has had to sh*t a lot of money to keep the existing program (FBO's) running from other funds until a replacement is in place. Came about recently, so the current system will be probably operational through FY 2013, then, guess what, a real IFS program has been directed to be in place. Smokey

And another recent 1st FTS policy regarding the FAA physical/student certificate, you must have it before you fly. In the past, we would fly you because we could and find a break to get the student to the AME prior to solo. That is now no longer allowed. A student about half way through training and doing fine went to get the student certificate/medical and the Doc found an issue that required a waiver....that doesn't happen over night. Student removed from training. You won't be allowed to fly without a valid FAA medical cert. Period. Pass the word and do yourself a favor. Come to IFS with all the stuff done prior to arriving. Glasses, student medical, etc. Smokey

And the AF wants it that way. Limited resources be they IPs, planes or dollars. Just need a "couple" of more rides? How does that go on down range when the stuff gets more complicated....always need just a couple of more rides. What we do at IFS is really not that complicated. Given much experience in the UPT environment, if they can't get it here.....it will continue to be a problem at the next level, and the next, etc. That's the purpose. Identify those without the potential to succeed at the next level. Training resources are not unlimited. Personally, I believe I could get anyone through anything given unrestricted training. That ain't what we do, nor the person you want on your wing going into battle. And there is much more than the issues of airsick, being able to land, etc., that causes a washout of IFS. SA, task mgmt, risk mgmt, and so on. Although we use a DA-20 to indoctrinate the SP into AF type of flying, my end game is to teach them what they need to know to begin their journey to becoming an AF pilot....not a DA-20 or GA pilot. Far from anything they could even hope for from any FBO. The GA aircraft we fly is merely the resource we use to do so. There always has to be a minimum standard. This ain't charity work after all. Smokey

Congrats!! Well done. Now, one of the many comments I get from UPT students on base visits is how well they were prepared for the task at hand after having been through IFS. Do you agree? Yes, much more complexity in aircraft, systems, academics, etc.....but they felt they understood how to adapt and learn in the UPT environment and without IFS felt it would have been an even a bigger bitch to tame. In my day, we showed up day one on the flight line feeling exactly how you did the day you hit the flight room at IFS.......imagine that. Any comments on the attrition in your class during T-6 and the issues? Thoughts? Smokey

An all call on the glasses question posted not too long ago. From an FAA standpoint, we have always been legal to fly you in the eyes of the FAA if no restriction was placed on the medical despite any contrary statement in your AF medical. As with all things, there is a reason for the change in 1st FTS policy on the matter and kind of goes inline with one of the posts I made. Long story short, a student pilot had issues with landings. He was one who did not need glasses in the eyes of the FAA but did in the eyes of the AF. After washing out, he was reinstated because of that fact. He then, after flying with corrective lenses, still washed out.....but you get the point. Bottom line, if any medical form indicates corrective lenses are required, you WILL have them or not be allowed to enter training. Do whatever you have to do to push the optical folks on base to get them before you show up. Otherwise, you face getting sent home. Spread the word. I think the 1st has done so, but you know how that goes. Smokey See the above reply regarding the solo issue. Smokey

You'll have to be a bit more specific, while still being general, about the waiver in question. In other words, what does it pertain to? I can do some investigative work for you, but without some more information, I don't know where to begin. Smokey The quick and dirty..... BFR expired is no problem. With a PPL, you can still log both PIC and DUAL received for your FAA logbook. As for solo issue, we cover all those bases as well for your issue. We have a LOA with the Denver FSDO for these situations. A special endorsement will be attached to your training jacket, not into your log book, that will cover you to operate the DOSS aircraft in solo operations under the confines of the DOSS IFS operation only. In other words, you'll be legal in the eyes of the FAA for what you do here only under the training syllabus you are enrolled in. It will not carry over in any other way to exercising your FAA certificate. And, NO, no IFS instructor will sign off your BFR under any circumstances. The BFR requirements are not satisfied by the training we provide you here. This training is meant to run you full throttle for 3 weeks and prepare you for UPT.... Cheers, Smokey

Matmacwc, Actually, there are many studies that have been done. You can google for them. They show time and time again that the Air Force see's undesirable attrition at UPT at a cost per flight hour that makes IFS a bargain. They saw it again during the period between the T-3 and the beginning of the current IFS. Certainly, attrition still occurs in UPT even with IFS. It is, however, much lower. At IFS, we have no target attrition level. The goal is to screen those without the potential to succeed at the next level. That attrition comes from flying issues, failure to adapt (airsick), MOA, and DOR (old guy SIE). IFS is limited in its scope. I wish it had some type of exposure to acro or formation (both as pure FAM flying after a successful checkride). And I could go on. The syllabus is a product of the Air Force, and we execute it. We just got informed of intention by the AF to renew the contract for FY2013. What the Air Force has learned is that no other type of program will offer the standardization they need when trying to achieve their target screening effect. IFS is hard. It's meant to be. And, no, you don't get the type of training we provide at an FBO. Period. Just did two UPT base visits last month....they like what we're doing. Smokey

Your questions go into two areas here. As far as IFS is concerned, you'll need whatever the FAA physical/student certificate lists as restrictions such as corrective lenses. If there is no such statement, I can't say you should wear your glasses. You'll also get a medical screening and a quasi AF1042 from the on site IDMT. Now we come down to the real issue. The FAA vision check is a joke relative to an AF physical to qualify for UPT. If the AF physical identified something vision wise that was still within regs but needed lenses, I'd recommend going that route and wear them. My 2 cents, Smokey

Think you had one tip in a following post in addition to your own suggestion..."over and over and over again." One of the things you'll take from IFS is some insight into what you need to do for you to learn efficiently and meet the requirements being placed on you. Writing it out. 3 x 5 flash cards. Over and over repitition. A combination of the options. Gotta figure out what works for you. In addition, while the material is not really that much volume, it is for many in relation to the limited timeline to internalize the information. You'll need to prioritize the information and attack it in a controlled fashion rather than going for everything all at once for most people. Granted, time is limited. However, you can't eat the "giant meatball" all at once. You have to tackle it bite by bite. Smokey Well said.

I wish......... Cheers, Smokey

Chief, I don't believe the requirement exists. I'll ask the 1st and see if I can get an answer back to you. Prior rated time logged in another capacity really doesn't matter at IFS. IFS is a prerequisite to entering UPT. If I don't get back to you in time, I'd say don't worry about it. We do not have a HARMs interface anyway although we fill out 781's like you will at UPT through GTIMS. Any time you want credit for will need to be logged in a personal logbook. Smokey

All true. IFS gives one a glimpse into what UPT is going to be like. We emulate it to the degree possible based on the requirements of the limited syllabus and training foot print. UPT is still going to be more of a true fire hose. We teach topics that may be spread a mile wide in width but only go an inch deep into them. In UPT, the information is both a mile wide and a mile deep. Fly safe and do well. Smokey

As I said, there are two schools of thought on the subject. And, to a point, I agree with you. Part of what IFS "teaches" a student is how they need to approach the courseware in a manner that is efficient and effective for them.......learning how to learn, so to speak. Sounds like you figured out what worked for you quickly. Nothing wrong with free time. When I counsel students not doing well in the program, I tell them they do have to manage their time efficiently and find some time to "switch off" and have some fun. And, for others out there, when I say "we'll teach what we want you to do", it doesn't mean that anyone will spoon feed you. You're expected to show for any sortie prepared in accordance with the playbook guidance. There are no surprises at IFS. We tell you what to perform on each sortie, what the checkride will consist of including EPs and GK for the ground eval, etc. Some aren't as quick on the uptake as you are. Contrary to what some think, we do "train" at IFS. The screening comes from the demands of the syllabus and the fact you don't have unlimited access to IP's. You get them for 3 hours at a shot. If a student shows up prepared, the focus can be on the "how" of flying any given maneuver. If you show up unprepared, time is wasted on the "what" (maneuver description, parameter, restrictions, etc.) to the detriment of the student. In the case of the latter, although a given maneuver was demo'd and then performed, IMO the student missed an opportunity to focus on the execution devoting brain bytes to the setup, etc., when they should have learned that on their time at ground speed zero. Oh, and I stated UPT was a "fire hose." Most of us consider IFS to be a garden hose in comparision to the depth and breadth of the academics, etc., at the UPT level. Congrats, and good luck at the next phase! Smokey

Prior to the dollar ride, the chair flying would best be performed in the CPT or in front of a panel display learning where things are through muscle memory and learning the normal checklist flows and including all associated callouts and challenge/response items. Over and over and over....... Then an IFS student will struggle less with the "admin" and be able to focus more on the flying during the dollar ride. In other words for all those coming to IFS, rather than running your first cockpit pre-flight, climb check, etc., on your dollar ride, practice it however many times necessary to know what you're supposed to do inflight enough at ground speed zero to become proficient. That way you won't run out of "brain bytes" and loose out on learning the sight pictures to achieve the desired aircraft performance due to task overload trying to run a checklist and find switch "X". An IFS student will do good for themselves if the first time they've tried to accomplish the normal procedures isn't on the dollar ride. And, wasn't really meant for you. Just thought I'd reply to all through your post. Smokey

Chief, There have always been two schools of thought on how to approach this. My 2 cents General Knowledge wise, coming through the front door with the BF and Ops Limits mastered will put you in the top 50% of your peers day one. The Local Flying Procedures you are reviewing, unless you got them from a recent (1 Jan 12 or later) graduate are way out of date. If you're using what used to be posted on the Base Ops page, while much is still valid, there is a lot of information that isn't. You don't know what is or isn't correct so studying bad gouge does you no good. You're only going to have to unlearn the wrong stuff which is almost like "practice bleeding." Why do it? Most of the items on the website were removed at my request because of that reason. The academics info still available doesn't really change that much so will essentially be okay to go through if you'd like prior to arrival. Those are the realities when you have a combined publication that would mirror both, as an example, the T-6 operating manual (AFM 11-248) and any given UPT base's Local Procedures. Sadly, whatever the reason for a change (standardization, etc.) when you make one change.....it can drive 10 others. Getting some flying time couldn't hurt. Just stick to the basics of aircraft control/performance and the landing sight picture. I don't know if you even need to solo. To do so you'll have to do more than will really help you walking through the door. Just remember, we'll teach you the way we want you to do everything when you get here. And, you'll be expected to do it exactly that way. In your flying training, stick to traffic pattern operations (still won't be "our way" but will help you develop a cross-check) as well as constant airspeed climbs, cruise, and descents. Speeding up or slowing down while holding altitude, etc. Basic pitch, power, coordinated flight, and trim. If you have the basics down walking through the door, you'll be able to concentrate on learning and performing the maneuvers to proficiency rather than first having to struggle with the concepts of basic aircraft control and cross-check. Again, my 2 cent recommendation. I do applaud your effort though. Keep a reasonable sight picture in your preparation and then get ready to go full throttle the day you walk in the front door from day 1 to graduation. While UPT is a fire hose, there is an occasional "valley" in the work load and more like a marathon. IFS is more of a sprint requiring 100% plus every day. Smokey

Agree, dialing in a little suit pressure can help with those "minor" issues I expect everyone had from time to time.....football knee for me. Kevin Henry is a great pilot and had lots of experience in the plane. But as the saying goes, sh*t happens. The fact he survived in the end proves the old adage "it's better to be lucky than good." A DCS hit like that to the CNS is rare but obviously can happen. The modification is the answer. Cheers, Smokey

Huggy, How ya doing? Ain't you retired yet? Cabby still hanging around too? Smokey....or as you'd know me F. Lee And what's wrong with the C model? I helped with the initial design of the cockpit. However, don't blame me for the up front controller as it wasn't what was recommended.

Didn't know Chris did an update to his prior book. Chris Pocock is a great guy. Got to meet him back in the early ninties when I was the ops officer at our squadron turned detachment at Alconbury during Operation Deny Flight (Bosnia). Thanks for the link. Smokey

About the only advantage to arriving a day early would be adjusting your body clock from Alaskan time. Day one starts pretty early and is long. There will be a welcome briefing by your new Flt CC. You'll also be doing the PFT on day one. So if you think it would help and can get the orders adjusted, I'd say go for it. Day 1 through 4 are mostly in an auditorium with briefings and academics.......wouldn't want you to fall asleep! Uniform policy is really the domain of the 1st FTS, not Doss. What I can tell you is that most wear the AETC patch and their unit name tag. As previously stated, the sholders are kept for the class/flight patch and then 1st FTS patch. If you can't find an old AETC patch, the 1st can provide one. "Patch wearers" get a pass obviously on wearing the weapons school patch. Day 0 in-processing really only takes an hour or so. Hope my additional 2 cents helps. What class you in? Cheers, Smokey

Nope. My bet is safe. Wish I did as well in the stock market! Smokey