IFT Complete...No Problem
As of yesterday, the 15th, I'm what they call IFT complete. In other words I fulfilled all my FAA requirements, took the final oral exam and checkride and received my private pilot's license. The checkride wasn't bad at all, and as long as you're confident in your own ability the FAA examiner will be a little more relaxed and make the time enjoyable. He even had me do some extra flight maneuvers to see how I'd do, and things went well. Getting my private license is a good thing because I've checked another AF box on my way to get those silver wings. Now I can take up whoever I want without my instructor in the plane. But, now that I can't fly on the AF's ticket I probably won't do much of that between now and my SUPT class start date in January. Some of my friends and I have talked about renting a plane together to take a short trip, so that may give me a chance to go up again...it's all good either way! IFT was a lot of fun, and I had a blast flying around and taking a couple trips down the the Gulf. Having some hours before I started IFT helped out because that meant I could burn hours just having fun taking cross-countries, flying like a bush pilot about 75-100 ft above the Tom Bigbee River (shhhh...) and getting better at flying in general. Not all students get the chance to fly down down to the Gulf, but I guess my instructor felt I was capable to do so without hurting myself. 
Along with the flying stuff, I've also had a couple chances to make it down the Pensacola, FL to see my buddy Matt Chapman from OTS. He's in Navigator training at Pensacola NAS and has an awesome apartment about 10 minutes from the beach, so needless to say it's a little more interesting than here in Columbus, MS! The first time down there we hit the beach and also rented a couple jet skis to add a little extra fun...awesome! The second trip down my friend Rodney (from here at the base) and I drove over to Dentin Beach, FL to hang out for a day since it's a little nicer. The beaches down there are white sand and the water's really clean...just a great place to hang at the beach! We also stopped off at my old college roommate's house while in Dentin for dinner before heading back to Pensacola. Hopefully I'll get down there a couple more times before class starts to hit the beach.
Recently I've been fortunate to find some Christian people in the area to "fellowship" with. You don't really appreciate having friends and family around with similar goals and beliefs until you're in a place for awhile where that isn't the case. After 3 months here at Columbus I was ready to find that again, and thankfully God has allowed me to meet some pilots and individuals from a local church to help build me up and continue living outwardly what I believe to be true...ultimately that the Bible is truth, Jesus Christ is really who He said He is and eternity with Him and all that matters. Flying is going to be awesome and I can't wait to start, but in comparison it's just a drop in the bucket. I know He's in control, and that fact makes facing a very hard year ahead a little less intimidating! Well, I'm going to sign off for now...T-38's, here I come!
Along with the flying stuff, I've also had a couple chances to make it down the Pensacola, FL to see my buddy Matt Chapman from OTS. He's in Navigator training at Pensacola NAS and has an awesome apartment about 10 minutes from the beach, so needless to say it's a little more interesting than here in Columbus, MS! The first time down there we hit the beach and also rented a couple jet skis to add a little extra fun...awesome! The second trip down my friend Rodney (from here at the base) and I drove over to Dentin Beach, FL to hang out for a day since it's a little nicer. The beaches down there are white sand and the water's really clean...just a great place to hang at the beach! We also stopped off at my old college roommate's house while in Dentin for dinner before heading back to Pensacola. Hopefully I'll get down there a couple more times before class starts to hit the beach.
Recently I've been fortunate to find some Christian people in the area to "fellowship" with. You don't really appreciate having friends and family around with similar goals and beliefs until you're in a place for awhile where that isn't the case. After 3 months here at Columbus I was ready to find that again, and thankfully God has allowed me to meet some pilots and individuals from a local church to help build me up and continue living outwardly what I believe to be true...ultimately that the Bible is truth, Jesus Christ is really who He said He is and eternity with Him and all that matters. Flying is going to be awesome and I can't wait to start, but in comparison it's just a drop in the bucket. I know He's in control, and that fact makes facing a very hard year ahead a little less intimidating! Well, I'm going to sign off for now...T-38's, here I come!
No comments:
Post a Comment