CCX Decisions

[Ave8tor]

Since a CCX is usually a defining moment in Primary, I thought it would be a good a idea to post experiences from various trips, so that SNA's can get the most out of their destinations.

I just returned from Boston, and let me say, it was amazing! I'm originally from Southern California, and the farthest north east I have ever been was DC, during TBS. The whole reason for going to Boston, was that my form partner was from there and I figured what the hell, why not. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to take care of the flights he needed in time, but it was probably one of the best vacations I have ever had.

The city is very rich in history, and if you go with a group of students (we had 4), it is just that much better. The scenery was quite nice also. There was a plethora of beautiful women, and a much nicer girl-to-guy ratio that that of Pensacola. The weather could not have been any better, but I would suggest going in the summer, as I'm sure the winters can be quite brutal.

A good place to stay: Constitution Inn (decent rooms, $50 a night if you split with a friend, plus a gym, quite large swimming pool, and full size bb court in the basement)

Good places to visit: Fenway (although quite a bit smaller IRL than on TV), USS Constitution (didn't actually get to see it since it was closed by the time we showed up), Tequila Rain for dinner (next to Fenway, has 4 floors: 1st is restaurant/bar/dance floor; 2nd is bar, pool tables, bowling alley; 3rd is bar/bowling alley; 4th is a rooftop bar/cafe!)

 

[FLYTPAY]

Instructors to take: VT-6; LT Ryan, Lake or Hanes.

So which instructors would you recommend against taking? Bunk?

 

[Herc_Dude]

Instructors to take: VT-6; LT Ryan, Lake or Hanes.

Some things just don't change.

I would also recommend a certain Marine Herc driver turned Coastie Herc driver.

 

[scoolbubba]

Went from Vance over to amarillo to get some dinner at the big texan. Gassed and flew north to pueblo for approaches, then continued on to cheyenne because one of our buddies was a Nav in the guard unit there before he got picked up for AF Pilot training. Spent then night in Cheyenne, had some good beer and food, and got up in time to plan a day VFR leg through the mountains. We were low and fast through the rockies, which was effing sweet. People at Breck looking out their balconies and eye level is probably exaggerating, but thats what it felt like. We eventually picked up an IFR clearance because we'd have to punch through some weather, gassed at Grand Junction (somewhere every Student Naval Aviator ought to stop, the FBO owner is a badass) and continued on up the Wasatch pass to SLC. Not a party town by any stretch of the imagination, but really clean, really pretty, and full of nice people. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

 

[C420sailor]

How does that work? Does the IP usually pick the destination, or do the SNA and IP figure it out together? And is it usually a day trip, or do you end up doing a weekend?

 

[scoolbubba]

We picked a destination at the last minute based on weather, and what we thought would be cool, plus Vance had a stupid 600 mi limit on how far you could go. T-6s apparently can't cross into phoenix without self-destructing, or so it would seem based on the CC rules. Ours was spread out over three days of flying, friday thru sunday, and they were all N400X rides. NAS Whiting and Corpus do them differently.

 

[Ave8tor]

Some things just don't change.

I would also recommend a certain Marine Herc driver turned Coastie Herc driver.

There seems to be a few of those guys lately. I think I know who you are talking about, but he is out of the squadron now. He was a cool guy. I never had the chance to fly with him, but he had a few of my friends as on-wings and they told me a lot.

 

[Herc_Dude]

There seems to be a few of those guys lately. I think I know who you are talking about, but he is out of the squadron now. He was a cool guy. I never had the chance to fly with him, but he had a few of my friends as on-wings and they told me a lot.

I was one of his "first". He was a great mentor and is a great guy. I'll have to send him and email. I'm pretty sure he is in Hawaii now ... boo hoo ...

 

[BACONATOR]

I got "thrown to the wolves" so to speak and was taken by a random pool CCX guy since both my onwings weren't available. We went to dallas since he was from there. There were only two planes going so I hung out with the one dude the whole weekend. Dallas was decent, but definitely not where I wanted to go.

There was originally supposed to be a bunch of us going to a really cool place like New Orleans all together, but about 10 of us instead ended up going to shitty locations and only like 2-3 people per location instead of all of us together. Kinda got fucked over in that regard. Especially since the week(s) after people were going to Scottsdale, Los Angeles, San Diego etc.

Eh... What are you gonna do?

 

[Gatordev]

How does that work? Does the IP usually pick the destination, or do the SNA and IP figure it out together? And is it usually a day trip, or do you end up doing a weekend?

All of the above. Usually a weekend. You used to be able to go longer (and therefore farther) but the rules were changed in the last year and a half or so. Apparently the NAMP isn't clear enough, but eh, what're you going to do?

 

[tiger84]

I flew from Corpus to NAS North Island for mine. Got in a good mix of INAV and VNAV flights and got to fly both VFR and IFR through Class B in both Phoenix and San Diego, which was a great experience. It took forever to fly that far in a T-34 but it was definitely worth it. There are some pretty decent hotels in San Diego with government rates too, so you can find a nice place to stay.

 

[kmac]

A cross-country is a good deal in primary, regardless of the destination. Yet it is there for training rather than for a good time. There was no CCX in primary when I was going through. Imagine that.

That said, whether or not an IP wants to let a student pick a destination is really up to that IP. Each squadron is going to have different methods for the priority list of IPs. That means, just like so much else in the Navy, that it is a roll of the dice on WHO you go with let alone WHERE you go. I like the current setup in my squadron, where a student and instructor can get together the week before the cross-country (meaning at least 7 days out) and link up to submit a cross-country request. If that student's on-wing can't go, then the priority goes to the pre-arranged plan. Again though, it will depend on the IPs' wishes on destinations.

And here's a dirty little secret: some IPs don't want to travel far with a student that has questionable ability. There's no point in getting away from the local area if that IP feels that the student may struggle on his or her checkride. That does not mean however that you as a student are weak because the instructor wants to go somewhere "local." It may be because the instructor a) doesn't want to fly for very long, b) has family in that town, or c) has family driving to meet him or her at the destination.

What's the moral of the story? Be happy that you can get out of the local area, on the government's dime, and actually get to see something that is not in a sterile, training environment.