IFS gouge

[FlyFastNow]

I just found out that I'll be completing my IFS at Eglin AFB. As you can probably imagine by the base's proximity to NASP, it is not a desirable location at which to do this training. I was wondering, however, if there is anyone out there that has recently completed IFS at Eglin and can tell me how its structured there. Is it flexible like Destin, or is there a set schedule that cannot be deviated from? How many times per week can I expect to go out there? Any instructor gouge? Will I be scheduled on the weekends? Who does the scheduling? Any information would be helpful. I've heard horror stories about a particular Lt. Col. who has an affinity for 4am flights. Is that what I can expect? Thanks a lot.

 

[Crowbar]

Here's a couple of posts about Eglin Aero.

I'm doing NIFS in Destin. Eglin is still ~1hr from Pensacola, depending on what part of town you live in. We meet at a place downtown and it still takes about 90-100 minutes to get to Destin.

Also, there's now a duty IFS van (which you may know about) that shuttles people from University Mall to Eglin and Destin...

 

[lowflier03]

Actually I had said instructor when I did IFS at Eglin. I thought it was awesome. Did the week of classes, then had a week of 5am flights. Great if you wanna actually fly and get through fast. In the summer 5am flights means you beat the crazy weather moving in. My roommate and I both had the same instructor and we both finished in 14 days. Thats including the week of groundschool.

 

[jamnww]

then had a week of 5am flights. Great if you wanna actually fly and get through fast. In the summer 5am flights means you beat the crazy weather moving in.

Now what fun is that? Half the fun is the crazy weather... :icon_mi_1

 

[lowflier03]

Well I did get to shoot my first ILS there. In a thunderstorm, in a 172, down to the mins. Saw the runway lights right as we hit the bottom. The airliner behind us waved off because they never saw the runway.

 

[othromas]

Actually I had said instructor when I did IFS at Eglin. I thought it was awesome. Did the week of classes, then had a week of 5am flights. Great if you wanna actually fly and get through fast. In the summer 5am flights means you beat the crazy weather moving in. My roommate and I both had the same instructor and we both finished in 14 days. Thats including the week of groundschool.

Did you have any flight time before you showed up at IFS? At first glance from the persective of someone with absolutely no flight time, that seems really fast. I'm also assuming you'd recommend the instructor you had--was there anyone else you thought was good, bad, indifferent, etc.?

 

[lowflier03]

I had no flight time before IFS. He said that we both picked it up quick. However we both asked for Mr. Miles and went in wanting to learn as much as possible and enjoy it. As for other instructors, Im not really sure. I know one quit with no notice to his students or anyone. The others Im not sure...I know some people do take awhile to complete it though. You just have to have the motivation. Its not really alot of flying, 1 flight a day, I think 2 the last 2 days with the solos and all...

 

[pocketsizejesus]

Even if you don't get Mr. Miles, you'll still learn a lot out there. Most of the instructors are top notch. As for completion time, I took fully DOUBLE the allotted time for IFS. Of course, that was with 2 long weather delays, 1 of which was Ivan. Not counting the weather delays, I'd say I ended up flying once every 2 days or so. My partner and I always carpooled going out there, and the commute felt like no big deal at all after a week or so.

 

[SemperFitz]

I just got done with IFS at Eglin. Good points: organized, lots of A/C, lots of instructors to choose from. Bad points: Weather sucked, maintenance was sketchy, took 61 days!

We drove out there everyday, and then found that the weather was below minimums, me and my flying buddy broke 3 planes (blew a cylinder, overheated an engine after overhaul, and had a flap failure). I can't complain though, because rather than sitting in the pool for 2 months, I was getting paid to fly. btw, flying over Destin all the time...there are a TON of sharks down there, swimming very close to shore. Never thought sharks were a real threat until IFS.

Here is one of the Eglin Aero planes after a microburst.

 

[nittany03]

Well I did get to shoot my first ILS there. In a thunderstorm, in a 172, down to the mins. Saw the runway lights right as we hit the bottom. The airliner behind us waved off because they never saw the runway.

As another Miles alum, somehow I'm less than surprised. I was in the backseat while my partner shot HIS first ILS under similar circumstances. I also remember doing bounce work as the clouds moved back and forth over the two runways, over to 19, back to 10, over to 19 again . . . ad nausaem for an hour.