I hope you don't mind me butting in here, but I would like to contribute a little to the suject. First with the issue of competition. I understand the drive of a competitive person being one myself. But I can also say from experience that being successful as part of a team is far more rewarding than personal acheivement. I was impressed by the way New England came out to the game today. They chose to introduce themselves as a whole rather than a bunch of individuals. This leads into the next subject.
Don't be afraid to be the one expaining things to everyone. Not only will it make you look like a team player, but it will help you do better at the same time. Teaching is by far the best learning experience. You will understand the material far better if you sit down and try to explain it to someone else. And sometimes you will realize you don't understand it as well as you thought - not to mention how good you'll feel when the guy you spent all day with in the ready room comes and thanks you because he just aced his exam because of you.
I'm glad to hear about the option on the accelerated program. I have 60+ hours and a PPL, but I would hardly consider myself an experienced pilot. I hope I will be able to pick up military flying fast, but I don't want to put myself under the gauntlet if I don't have to.
One thing I might have a hard time adjusting to is the academics. I've spent my college career studying aircraft and everything that goes along with them. And unlike pilot skills, the laws of physics don't change because it says NAVY on the side. It's going to be difficult being taught aerodynamics from pilots. There are a lot of misconceptions that are taught to pilots - mostly because the pilots that are doing the teaching refuse to challenge their ideas. For instance: How many of you have heard the notion that two air molocules that seperate at the front of the wing (one goes over and the other goes under) have to meet back up at the back?? Or the Newton's 2nd Law thing where some lift is caused by an equal and opposite reaction to the air hitting the bottom of the wing??? Things like these sound convincing, but it just doesn't work this way. Yet, I've heard of many heated arguments between engineering and air science professors because the pilots refused to budge on what they've been taught. Maybe it's an ego thing or something. There is an on going issue as to why the FAA still allows incorrect material to be taught to pilots. Oh well, I guess I'm just gonna have to learn to grit my teeth and nod my head in agreement in flight school. Sorry I went off a bit, but I deal with both pilots and engineers on a daily basis, so I've built up some frustrations on stuff like this.
Back to the flying stuff... What are some of the major differences between civilian and military flying??? I keep hearing of all these people with hundereds of civilian hours washing out because they couldn't adjust. Is it really that different??? Maybe it goes back to the whole notion of pilots not being able to change their ways I've been wanting to take some instrument instruction, but I'm nervious it will hurt me more than it will help me because I'll pick up "bad habits". Any takes on this???
James
Don't be afraid to be the one expaining things to everyone. Not only will it make you look like a team player, but it will help you do better at the same time. Teaching is by far the best learning experience. You will understand the material far better if you sit down and try to explain it to someone else. And sometimes you will realize you don't understand it as well as you thought - not to mention how good you'll feel when the guy you spent all day with in the ready room comes and thanks you because he just aced his exam because of you.
I'm glad to hear about the option on the accelerated program. I have 60+ hours and a PPL, but I would hardly consider myself an experienced pilot. I hope I will be able to pick up military flying fast, but I don't want to put myself under the gauntlet if I don't have to.
One thing I might have a hard time adjusting to is the academics. I've spent my college career studying aircraft and everything that goes along with them. And unlike pilot skills, the laws of physics don't change because it says NAVY on the side. It's going to be difficult being taught aerodynamics from pilots. There are a lot of misconceptions that are taught to pilots - mostly because the pilots that are doing the teaching refuse to challenge their ideas. For instance: How many of you have heard the notion that two air molocules that seperate at the front of the wing (one goes over and the other goes under) have to meet back up at the back?? Or the Newton's 2nd Law thing where some lift is caused by an equal and opposite reaction to the air hitting the bottom of the wing??? Things like these sound convincing, but it just doesn't work this way. Yet, I've heard of many heated arguments between engineering and air science professors because the pilots refused to budge on what they've been taught. Maybe it's an ego thing or something. There is an on going issue as to why the FAA still allows incorrect material to be taught to pilots. Oh well, I guess I'm just gonna have to learn to grit my teeth and nod my head in agreement in flight school. Sorry I went off a bit, but I deal with both pilots and engineers on a daily basis, so I've built up some frustrations on stuff like this.
Back to the flying stuff... What are some of the major differences between civilian and military flying??? I keep hearing of all these people with hundereds of civilian hours washing out because they couldn't adjust. Is it really that different??? Maybe it goes back to the whole notion of pilots not being able to change their ways I've been wanting to take some instrument instruction, but I'm nervious it will hurt me more than it will help me because I'll pick up "bad habits". Any takes on this???
James
