A few days ago, I completed the Standardization and Evaluation Flight Examiner (SEFE) upgrade and am now qualified to give simulator and flight evaluation checkrides. God continues to bless in my work as I move along in my Air Force career! As an F-16 pilot, we're required to pass a simulator emergency procedures evaluation (EPE) and flight evaluation to ensure we're meeting Air Force standards. There are two areas I can now evaluate pilots on in the simulator and in the air; instrument flying and how they fly while executing an F-16 mission such as close air support (CAS), offensive counterair (OCA), defensive counterair, (DCA - keeping hostile countries from conduction OCA on friendlies), suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD), etc. These flights are graded separately and occur every 18 months. So, assuming the instrument and mission checkrides are offset, they take place approximately every 9 months.
The EPEs involve a number of emergencies which the pilot has to analyze, maintain aircraft control and take the proper checklist actions to safely recover the aircraft or eject if needed. Some of these include an engine fire (of which the F-16 only has one, so this is pretty critical), hydraulic leaks, engine oil leaks, and a myriad of electronic failures / anomalies. Depending on where the aircraft is at the time, friendly or enemy territory, the course of action may change. An F-16 pilot must ask himself some questions, "If I move a certain switch now, how will this affect my ability to shoot missiles or drop bombs...now that I've lost a certain system, how does that affect my combat capability...should I proceed into enemy territory or return to base?"
The flight evaluations grade the pilots ability to execute either instrument procedures or mission specifics tasks and focuses on the pilot's highest level of qualification (i.e. wingman, flight lead or instructor)...the more qualified, the more is expected. With all of this comes more responsibility on my part to know the procedures and tactics so I can effectively evaluate another F-16 pilot. It's a position I gladly accept! Check six!
We made our first major purchase after getting to the USA...a new car! Well, a used car but new to us. We picked up a 2001 BMW 325i wagon with 61,000 miles from a dealership in Atlanta, which is where we spent our first few days back since there was more of a car selection. It's a great drive and a 5 speed manual, which I was hoping to get since they're difficult to find in America. Lana and her family appreciated the purchase since the car is made in the Baravian part of Germany...BMW actually stands for Bavarian Motor Works (english translation). It will come in handy when the baby arrives in a few months with the extra space in the back as well. We still need to pick up a car for Lana once she gets her US drivers license and we're settled in at Shaw.
Lana and I drove here to Montgomery, AL yesterday and are ready for my SOS class to start this coming Tuesday. The month will go quickly and we'll soon be on our way to see family and look for a home in South Carolina. We're excited to be here and look forward to many changes over the next few months!
