CalmLikeABomb
New Member
Just want to know what you old farts would have told yourselves before you went to flight school. I am welcoming both serious and sarcastic responses!
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If you knew what you do now, what would you tell your pre-flight school school self?
- Thread starter CalmLikeABomb
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More beer with friends.
Don't buy a lot of shit (furniture, boats, cars, etc) - as Swanee pointed out, stay "light and nimble."
Also, try really hard to believe in yourself - it'll help you have a little more fun. I spent the first year or so of flight school waking up each day wondering what it would be that finally caught up and got me the boot. As it turns out, if you make it through the various filters and put in the work, you'll probably be alright. I had three neighbors, each with significant amounts of previous flight time (I had none) and fancy technical degrees from A-list colleges. I was the only one to get winged (as a pilot). Two attrited altogether; one got winged as an NFO.
Also, try really hard to believe in yourself - it'll help you have a little more fun. I spent the first year or so of flight school waking up each day wondering what it would be that finally caught up and got me the boot. As it turns out, if you make it through the various filters and put in the work, you'll probably be alright. I had three neighbors, each with significant amounts of previous flight time (I had none) and fancy technical degrees from A-list colleges. I was the only one to get winged (as a pilot). Two attrited altogether; one got winged as an NFO.
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1. Start saving in Roth TSP and a Roth IRA after you max Roth TSP. That's worked out great for me.
2. When you think you can't save anymore, you can save in traditional TSP.
3. Enjoy where you are when you are there, with what you're doing, with whom you're with.
4. Every day strive to be a good dude, a good officer, and a good pilot. You should be great at 2 out of 3 if you want to succeed in this business.
5. Timing matters. Get over it. It will help you out sometimes and hurt you other times.
2. When you think you can't save anymore, you can save in traditional TSP.
3. Enjoy where you are when you are there, with what you're doing, with whom you're with.
4. Every day strive to be a good dude, a good officer, and a good pilot. You should be great at 2 out of 3 if you want to succeed in this business.
5. Timing matters. Get over it. It will help you out sometimes and hurt you other times.
Keep a civilian log book. You may think you want to fly fighters forever, but you never know when things could change.
If you end up in the pools for multiple months do something more constructive than party all the time*. Lower your handicap, get a surfboard, a mudding truck, a fishing rod, a gun, learn an instrument, scuba dive, etc.
Dont sacrifice your PT or your health due to the perceived pressures of the sked or too much beer and pizza and not enough running. You don't want to be the guy who can't fit into his chokers on winging day (there's one in every class). Plus it helps with stress and studying.
Figure out how you study to learn this crap and do that. If you're not a flashcard guy don't waste you're time on them. Know how you learn. But still study with your class...collaboratebto graduate.
*still party a lot of course. But you need something to do when hungover.
Dont sacrifice your PT or your health due to the perceived pressures of the sked or too much beer and pizza and not enough running. You don't want to be the guy who can't fit into his chokers on winging day (there's one in every class). Plus it helps with stress and studying.
Figure out how you study to learn this crap and do that. If you're not a flashcard guy don't waste you're time on them. Know how you learn. But still study with your class...collaboratebto graduate.
*still party a lot of course. But you need something to do when hungover.
Never ask for anything, unless you really really need it. It's almost impossible to stand out in a good way as a cone; best case is if Stucon and the OPSO have no idea who you are. Head down, mouth shut, eyes/ears open, nose in the books. And when an instructor asks what you want to select, the right answer is you'll be happy with anything and then ask them about whatever platform they fly.
No talking. Shhhhhhhhh...