gatsby

I haven’t seen the latest Star Wars movie trailer, but I didn’t enjoy Episode 7 and enjoyed 8 even less. I however did enjoy the stand alone Solo movie, so maybe I’m just a bit strange. The force is female and the unoriginal story were a bit of a buzz kill. The force simply is, anyone can tap into it (well, “anyone” who is gifted with “it”). Make a great original story with a female lead and I’ll be into it. No need to push any harder than you would if the main character was a dude. A great story is a great story. Hoping the new one is a great course reversal.

I have the latest Trivium and Barron's AFOQT study guides and they both say that Math Knowledge, Table Reading, Instrument Comprehension, and Aviation Information are the only subtests to be taken into account when composing the Pilot Score. Goodluck!

I’m using the Vocabulary Builder by Magoosh app on my iPhone during my downtime to brush up on some vocabulary. I’m a big reader; therefore, I didn’t expect that vocabulary would be that challenging but I always forget that they love to put the most obscure words in the history of words on tests. Words like “eponym” and such, haha. Or perhaps I’m just dumb, never discount that, anyways, practice-practice, like the poster above suggested, seems like the best plan.

I haven’t yet taken the TBAS but from what I gather (by also googling and seeing those images) the gray parking lots aren’t labeled A-D because you would use your mouse to click and select your answer, so no need for the letters. The video above is a good introduction of the concept, but it’s faster if you just do it all in your head instead of physically rotating a paper. With that said, I haven’t taken the test yet so take what I say with a huge grain of salt.

Here's an article that I found interesting: https://amgreatness.com/2019/02/17/autopsy-of-a-dead-coup/

I don't know how accurate this video is, but I found it online and wanted to share it on the forum for anyone who may be worried about passing the color portion of the flight physical (CCT) test. (I haven't taken the CCT, therefore, I cannot vouch for the accuracy of this video, I stumbled on it via the "Konan Medical" website which seems to be the company that developed the CCT along with the Air Force: https://konanmedical.com/colordx-features-benefits/ I might be completely wrong about this, so if I am, I'll delete this post. I just figured it could help someone like myself, who struggles with color vision tests, get a sense of what the test looks like as I'm sure none of us have the correct monitors to accurately access our likelihood of passing. Also, there's a "C", which changes directions in this video, which differs from the letters as in the image above. I don't know what's up with that. You basically click on the region where the opening of the C points to, on a little 4 directional pad, and wallah it lets them know you can see that shade. Probably different from what the Air Force does, but it gives another perspective to the image above. Anyways, hope this helps someone. CCT-HD-test-sample.mp4

I haven't taken the TBAS yet but it seems like a great simulator, thanks! In my case it was just plug and play. I had an old Logitech Extreme 3D Pro joystick laying around which worked great, and I recently got the Thrustmaster Warthog because it was at a good price, and the program also works great on it. I even got a set of Thrustmaster Rudder Pedals, they are like $70 right now on Amazon, and the rudder aspect of the sim works great on them as well. The only thing that I haven't been able to do is run the joystick and the rudder inputs concurently, I have to switch inputs and practice one at a time, but hey, that's neither here nor there, great app. Thanks! Also, @A779R, when you plug in your Thrustmaster Hotas One, does it show on your devices tab in the windows settings? I mainly use mine to run X-Plane, therefore my computer was somehow already used to the device, and it synced perfectly with the program without me having to do anything out of the ordinary.

Thanks for the reply and the advice @TeafChief, much appreciated! I'm glad everything worked out for you, hopefully, more "color deficient" people are also able to make it across with the new rules.

I’m also worried about the CCT. How does it compare to the civilian counterparts like the Ishihara Plates or the Farnsworth Lantern? I struggle with those, therefore I can only assume I’ll struggle with the CCT. Like many of you, I have no problem differentiating colors in day to day life, but those damn color plates of hell are different story. Lol ...and I hear the CCT is even more challenging, so there’s that.

I was hoping to apply with a few guard fighter units this coming year, I see a few on Bogidope coming due on February and March. I turned 30 on August, figured this was probably my one and only shot, I do hear that age waivers are pretty much non existent when it comes to fighters but I figured what the heck, it doesn’t hurt to take the AFOQT/TBAS, submit and see what if, after all, if we don’t try we’ll never know. Worst thing that can happen is we older guys get a no, which is fine and understandable.

I'm also beginning to grow tired of the Apple BS, $1450 for a phone is quite steep, plus being tied to their ecosystem is like having a slow leak that you know is there, but can't do much about. Lol... It's been a while since I've used Android phones, but last I remember their apps always seemed not to work as well as on the iPhone, it was almost as if all the development time was spent on the iPhone version of an app and then they quickly put something together for the Android folks, perhaps that's changed. Then there is the case of some, like ForeFlight, not doing anything on the Android side. I was thinking of maybe skipping on the iPad and using the XS "Max" in lieu of an iPad Mini for ForeFlight but who knows if that'll even work out for my private pilot stuff, plus I think that new iPhone is just too expensive, I might as well get a new iPad for that kind of money, or a laptop, or so many other things. Luckily, or unluckily I have a grandfathered unlimited data plan with Verizon so I'm stuck with them. They are very reliable in my area (So Cal); therefore, I can't complain there. Although last year they sent us a letter saying that all of us grandfathered people that were paying $30 for unlimited data would now pay $50 for our data plans, which is fine, it is what it is. I expect another letter when we switch to 5G. I have the 6S Plus right now, but I'll keep an eye on that new Google Pixel phone being announced this October. I had one of the Samsung Note phones ages ago, and although not bad, I want to try HTC or Google, if I do go that route. Oh, and to the person above me, I've never done it myself but you can definitely transfer all your photos, movies, and music to a non Apple device, that shouldn't be a problem.

Thanks everyone for the information. I just turned 30 a few days ago, and will be putting together a package and sending it out. It’s reassuring to know that waivers are a possibility. I would love fighters, but who wouldn’t, they are awesome. As soon as I get done with the AFOQT, TBAS, and PCSM I’ll know where I stand. Studying hard so that I can get the highest scores possible on the first try. I have a non STEM degree (Finance) with a less than stellar gpa, so I want to shoot for above 80 on all the AFOQT sections to account for that. I’m also going to start flight training soon, ideally I want to submit my package with the private and instrument certificates done to give myself the best chance possible. I also don’t know a single person in the Air Force, I’m in So Cal, so hopefully that doesn’t hurt me too much. I’ll of course be willing to relocate. Anyways, love the forum, great information and it’s awesome to hear the success stories.

Thanks! Will definitely request the Cyclopentolate and while I’m at it I’ll see if I can request a stereopsis measurement as well since I’ve read on the forums that’s another thing that sneaks up on many applicants. I’ll report back with the results, hopefully they are positive. Thanks again, you have been extremely helpful.

Thanks Dayton, I'll take it one step at a time and will go ahead and find my refractive error to better gauge where I stand when it comes to that aspect of my vision. Once again, I really appreciate your quick feedback. Thanks!

Thanks Dayton, I appreciate your detailed response. I figured that was the case since I had read on here about people who normally do pass the Ishihara having trouble with the CCT so why would it be the opposite for me. I guess it's just that snippet of hope that creeps up sometimes, regardless, I understand. I'm also due for an eye check up soon and will ask my eye doc about my refractive error just to be better informed. It's always hard to come to terms with my vision being such a limiting factor, but such is life. Thanks again for your reply.