IFS at P'cola

[orthaj]

I am not going to every specific about how a squall line develops around a weak upper level low pressure system. But I will say this; every forcast, TAF, METAR and radar report that day indicated no severe weather of any sort in upper midwest (wi and surrounding states). As far as diverting goes, once the clouds were recognizably dark enough to warrant significant weather in the vicintiy to the north I was base-final with still no wind direction change on the sock. I landed the plane, parked it, and went into the FBO to check on this dark set of clouds. That is when I determined it was a squall line. Then I had the plane buttoned up and in a hangar BEFORE the storm hit. It was not until after I landed that the squall line moved over the airport. After that the weather was all clear and completed the checkride. Perhaps that adds clarity to my previous post.

 

[Fly Navy]

Your post is much more clarifying. Your previous made it look like you stayed in the air until the last possible minute.

 

[nittany03]

It makes a lot more sense that way . . . good thing you got it down in time.

 

[goplay234]

So...if you are an snfo you might go to IFS? I don't understand. I thought it was mandatory..What's the deal?

 

[quickandsure]

Nittany you could be right on the 85%. I am too lazy to look it up. 80% or even 85% is rather low, a serious SNA should be pulling 95%.

NIFS is mandatory for the SNFO as directed by instruction. But since it is a new program, there is some leeway with implementing that order. Think it was signed around June 2003 or so, again too lazy to look it up. If you want the instruction let me know and will dig it out and send it to you via email.

 

[goplay234]

No, that's cool. I figure, if I have to do it, I will. I have just been stashed since May and want to get this thing rolling. I bored out of my skull. Although, I hear IFS is a lot of fun and good if you know absolutely nothing about airplanes.

 

[bluesmobile]

I'll go ahead and plug Destin - I had a great time doing IFS there. It may be too laid back for some (ground school is watching movies and reading the book), but if you're the self-motivated type and do the reading on your own, it's a great choice. The scheduling is also very flexible...it's a long drive, but you can schedule two flights per day and only drive out there twice a week if you want. Plus the staff is great...make sure you fly with George at least once!

Also, I do know somebody who has 35 hours and still got to go to IFS, so you never know. If you do come in with some prior flight time, my advice would be to ask them to pump you through the syllabus faster...you'd solo right away, and probably finish in under 20 hours. Then use the extra time to do some night flying or instrument work to better prepare yourself for primary.

 

[Fly Navy]

By the way, if you go for your Private...night flying is GORGEOUS. It's trickier since it's so foreign, but it's BEAUTIFUL.

 

[wildflyin69]

What do you guys fly in IFS? I heard something about Katana's? (I think that's the name of the plane), or do you guys do it in Cessna's and Pipers? Oh, and do you get to choose where you want IFS then? I was under the inpression that they just asigned you.

 

[Fly Navy]

If you're Academy and you fly out of Baltimore, you'll fly Katanas. At Destin you'll fly either Cessna 152s or 172s, depending on your weight. I think Eglin is all 172s, but I'll wait for the Eglin guys to plug that one. When I selected Destin, the class was responsible for selecting the airfields amongst ourselves. Any conflicts were worked out among ourselves.

 

[nittany03]

Yup, Eglin is all 172s. And N75931 is a POS.

 

[Fly Navy]

If you go to Destin and fly 172s, watch out for N172BJ...it's like the last two letters of its callsign...a total Blow Job.

 

[nittany03]

So am I to take it from your post that 172BJ is a real "pleasure" to fly?

 

[cesteele]

For those wondering, and I do not know how long this will last:

I talked to the folks at IFS yesterday, and they told me that there is a freeze on SNFO's going through it right now because there is a shortage of SNFO's in the training pipeline somewhere. They said that could all change in a month or two, who knows. However right now, they're not sending us, which means I get to start API right away.

 

[dnewinchester]

I waited about 2 months to start IFS.

Why did it take so long for you to start? I am getting word that we are going to start IFS as soon as we get down there, after completing a PFA /swim and NOMI. I am getting this info from the IFS coord. Is she feeding me a line?