My IFS experience.

[Squid]

First off, let me say I am done with IFS. 19 days from start to finish, and 24.4 flight hours later. Your mileage will vary.

I chose Mr. Dave Miles from Eglin AFB. I'm sure some people have heard stories about an instructor that makes you fly 6 days a week, starting at 0430. Well that's him. He's a retired C-130 Talon bubba. No offense to helo bubbas but after day 3 I was praying to survive and get helos. But once on the front side of the learning curve (after a full week) I was much happier. My flight buddy and I had to come out of pocket about $200 each to stay on Eglin in the Q. (You won't get orders of any kind, so you will have to take space-A. Sometimes we had family quarters at a cheaper rate, sometimes we both had singles) You will want to stay on base due to the early flights and LONG hours. You will repeatedly have 14-16 hour days. Again, YMMV. I have a friend that started 2 weeks before me and the day I finished (today) he solo-ed for the first time.

I am glad it's over, and on my 23rd birthday no less. *whew*

 

[lotsoquestions]

so after OCS (if that's how you got your commission) you do IFS before starting API? How much time is given to complete it, and how long are you stashed in A-pool after you complete it? I'm reading that some people are waiting 4 months or more to class up, is this true or just BS? thanks.

 

[nittany03]

Good choice, ENSsquid. The Colonel got me off to a great start but you're right, the first few flights come fast and furious. I wish I'd stayed in the Q for the whole thing. I did for XCs, and boy did it make a difference. My flight buddy and I carpooled at 0300 every morning for the first part and I was totally burned out by my solo.:knockout_ I had flaring issues while learning and smacked more than a few nosewheels. Took me many many landings to work through that, and boy was it frustrating on the drive home. I managed to solo before my partner, though, so when we split up, I said "screw it, I'm staying in the Q." But, yeah, I was ready to head out to Seville and drink myself silly by the time I got done.

Congrats on finishing. BTW, I heard a rumor that he actually turned down a General's star to retire. Heck of a first teacher, huh?

 

[Squid]

He sure as hell knew his sh1t! I didn't know he was a full bird though. Where'd you hear the rumor about the star? He's definetly going to hear from me when selection time comes up. Great guy! Firm, but fair, and always made me want to try harder.

 

[Squid]

so after OCS (if that's how you got your commission) you do IFS before starting API? How much time is given to complete it, and how long are you stashed in A-pool after you complete it? I'm reading that some people are waiting 4 months or more to class up, is this true or just BS? thanks.

1) after you get commissioned you end up in 'the pool'. From there, if you are an SNA and have not already done so, you will complete IFS. From there, you go to API. I was in the pool for 6 weeks before I started IFS. You have 60 days to complete IFS. So yes, you will be here a while.

 

[nittany03]

I forget where I heard the rumor, but I think it was from someone working at the Aero Club if I recall correctly.

 

[Squid]

i hear ya. it probably took the high side of 40 landings before the whole downwind/base/final/touchdown thing clicked for me. aim-point/airspeed, aim-point/airspeed. I think I ended up with better than 82 landings when all was said and done.

 

[bart27]

Must one complete BOLTCY (sp?) before starting IFS? Any info would be appreciated.

 

[Squid]

you can do IFS before or after BOLTC. i think they tend to make you do BOLTC first. BOLTC is basically a f-off week.

http://users.theshell.com/~p3gator/forum/showthread.php?t=5887

 

[D_mac05]

ENS Squid,

Yeah, I just started up at Eglin. A guy in my class picked Mr. Miles. He told us his story on the way to lunch after ground school on his first flight. Funny as sh**. He was thinking to himself "what in the world was I thinking?". I heard that he expects a lot. That can be good, especially if you are looking for some guidance and authority. Luckily him and his partner are staying at the Q.

I guess I'll be flying the T-41. (Anyone know anything about this plane? It's supposed to be based off the Cessna 172). I guess he wants us to fly everyday, and with the Cessna 172, we'd be flying only about twice a week. So, we get the "oldie".

19 days? Is that a record? I heard his plan was a 3-week plan, but I certainly didn't think it could get any lower than that. That's pushing it. Well, good luck with the A-pool again.

D

 

[nittany03]

Actually, I heard his record was 2 weeks. I guess he got a really $#!+-hot student and got 'em through that quickly. I think that's how everyone feels after their 1st flight, is "oh, my, God, what did I get myself into?" No gouge on the T-41; I flew C172N and P models there. N75931 is a POS, stay far far away. Anyone have any word on the engine fire they supposedly had out there a couple months ago?

 

[D_mac05]

Anyone else fly T-41's out of Eglin? I was really looking forward to flying Cessna 172P's for some reason.

 

[Squid]

the t-41's are Cessna 172H models circa 1960's. They're 6cyl 145hp whereas the N and P models are 4 cyl 160hp. the -41 is in miles per hour and degrees F vice knots and degrees C. The -41's DO NOT have dial gauges for ADF/VOR (no precision approaches, but it won't matter to you). They don't have GPS (will only matter for solo x/c). They have manual flaps in the sense that you have to hold the switch until you want them to stop. the -41's also have 36 gal fuel tanks vice the 40 or 50 gal tanks the N/P models have (depending on a/c). the -41's can throw down 40 degrees of flaps (you'll only use 30) and so can stop on a dime. in doing so, they can swap ends a bit easier.

we flew N and P models, but our last flight was wedged in saturday to finish us up and we ended up in a -41 (n4983r). they fly pretty much the same.

i believe the record was 17 days start to finish.

Me and my flight buddy gave as much gouge as possible to your buddies that got Mr. Miles.

 

[D_mac05]

Thanks Ens Squid for the gouge,

The reason why I was looking forward to the C172's is because I was thinking about continuing with the training after IFS to get the PPL (especially with the wait for Whiting guys). I figured I could knock it out well before API, and start flying just to get a little more comfortable. I don't know what the switch/over would be if I got my PPL in a T-41 then wanted to rent a C172. I do my walk-around tomorrow. We all should be praying for the guys that just chose Mr. Miles (j/k). Good luck.

D

 

[Squid]

it won't matter which a/c you get if you want to finish up your ppl (-41's are C172's remember). you could do it in a low wing a/c, cessna, whatever. the only things you will need to do are some night flights and night x/c's (from what I hear). And at ~85-100/hour it's all about the $$.