UPT update:
One of the main reasons (besides the fact that we loathe wasting free time off by taking leave during that time [note: military members typically get a full week “off” during either Christmas or New Year’s week, provided they remain in the local area…if they go out of town, even for a day, they are charged the full 2 weeks (1 week, with family days on either side of the weekends)]) we are staying in town over Christmas is to remain near the Barany chair. Matt took about 3 days off during Thanksgiving, and then did extremely half-hearted spins (short, and basically spun himself) for the remainder of the week. He then proceeded to hook (pilot talk for “not pass”) 6 out of 8 flights (due largely to spatial disorientation) and needed to fly both an 88 and 89 (commander’s review) flights. Had he not passed his 89er, he would have been grounded from further training until he reported to the wing commander for a decision regarding his future (and the wait for this is killer-long; he has friends who have been in limbo for over a month!). The flight he hooked prior to his 89 was actually comically bad—to the point where we were both cracking up discussing it. Thank goodness he had an IP with him to retain control (on 4 or 5 separate occasions)—and it was not a solo flight. He nailed his 89, though, and that has been a major boost to his confidence.
However, it is also giving us a more realistic outlook for the future. We are setting our sights more toward C-5s than C-17s and FAIP (First Assignment Instructor Pilot), since--as a new student pilot in a flight of almost exclusively licensed pilots, his flying skills are strong, but very middle-of-the-pack--and he could probably use a little more skill development before he starts teaching. This new route is exciting, too. We are very blessed to have a just-go-with-it outlook in terms of where we live, etc. and are always up for the next adventure.
