Harrier gouge? (Bonus: Best/worst USMC base discussion)

[Malice 1]

So....

I just finished advanced, and I'm busy logging hours on HBO/cinemax while waiting for orders to VMAT-203. I have a downloaded copy of NATOPS, and I've been browsing through it, not understanding much of it.

Anyone got any advice/gouge/etc before I get to the Harrier FRS?
-study natops?
-prepare for CFT?
-SERE prep?
-good neighborhoods to move to?
-bad ones to watch for?
-speed traps on HWY 70?
-watch more TV?

 

[vick]

Congrats on getting winged, now take a breather and enjoy the time off until you class up at 203. NATOPS won't make much sense until you start learning the procedures, you'll get everything you need once you get there. Once you do learn the correct procedures grab all the practice time in the sim you can, it will benefit you in the long run. And once you hit the Air to Ground phase, practice some more.

Cherry Pt blows, no two ways about it. Live at the beach if you like that kind of thing, live in New Bern if you want better access to civilization. Live in Havelock if you like fast food and trailer life. If you have east coast orders buy a boat of some variety and enjoy the water. If you have west coast orders hit up the Yuma guys for that gouge and brush up on your spanish.

Either way enjoy it, the Harrier is a hell of a lot of fun to fly!

 

[Harrier Dude]

So....

I just finished advanced, and I'm busy logging hours on HBO/cinemax while waiting for orders to VMAT-203. I have a downloaded copy of NATOPS, and I've been browsing through it, not understanding much of it.

Congrats on your wings, and welcome to the club. Everything Vick said is spot on, especially about Cherry Point sucking, but here's some more specifics.

-study natops?

If you can get a copy and you're bored/really interested....go for it. It can't hurt. Then again, this ain't the P-3 RAG. There are no filters and circiut breaker panels to memorize.

-prepare for CFT?

It would be better if you could just take it and get it over with. Or put it in the beam like the rest of us.

-SERE prep?

If by that you mean beat yourself up, then go for it if you feel the need. Not much else to prep for.

-good neighborhoods to move to?

Mesa Del Sol........in Yuma.

-bad ones to watch for?

Everything in the Peoples Republic of Cherry Point

-speed traps on HWY 70?

Yes. If you get busted, tell your class officer to avoid the double whammy of not diming yourself out. See PRCP gouge above.

-watch more TV?

I recommend Entourage.

 

[Bolter]

Cherry Point is far better than Meridian, but you still have to drive 2+ hours to find those of the opposite sex (if you are single). Ditto on all of the above concerning studying before ground school. Forget most of what you know about conventional flight--that will make learning to fly the harrier that much easier. The community here is tight, so congrats and we'll see you soon.

 

[Malice 1]

I'm staying east. My wife is looking at a pad in carolina pines on 70. It's 8 miles from the base and 10 miles from new bern, so it seemed like a good compromise. I won't need to go tail chasing in Raliegh on weekends. I'm bringing my own tail.

I've been really curious about this: How are FAM's in a Harrier? Someone coming out of a T-45 could probably safely takeoff land a Hornet with a minimal class in switches and limitations. Do I really have to learn to fly all over again? Is hovering and VSTOL stuff like ball flying, where it takes seconds to learn, and months to master?

 

[Harrier Dude]

I'm staying east. My wife is looking at a pad in carolina pines on 70. It's 8 miles from the base and 10 miles from new bern, so it seemed like a good compromise. I won't need to go tail chasing in Raliegh on weekends. I'm bringing my own tail.

I've been really curious about this: How are FAM's in a Harrier? Someone coming out of a T-45 could probably safely takeoff land a Hornet with a minimal class in switches and limitations. Do I really have to learn to fly all over again? Is hovering and VSTOL stuff like ball flying, where it takes seconds to learn, and months to master?

You don't have to learn to fly all over again. The biggest learning curve (FAM-wise) is learning to hover, and that just takes time and practice. It's much more like flying form than flying the ball. The next biggest hurdle is doing variable nozzle landings, but that will come wth pratice. Just remember: you can piss airspeed away very easy in this jet, but it's hard to get back. When in doubt.....be fast.

As a former FAM instructor I beseech you.......please.......for the love of God.....try to get safely out of the chocks in less than 20 minutes. Ten is SOP. Master that first, then worry about the crazy stunt flying.

Once you can safely solo the real learning occurs. You know....blowing shit up.

Have fun. Be shit hot, ...and don't fuck it up.

 

[Bolter]

Malice, I live up in Taberna which is a pretty nice area as well. About 5 min from NB and 22 min to the parking lot of 203. Forrest Run up in NB is also a nice place to live (with a lot of lots and homes for sale at this time). If you have the money, Carolina Colours is a really nice area. There are a ton of homes up near NB because they overbuilt like a mothafucka, so I think you'll do just fine.

 

[Malice 1]

Malice, I live up in Taberna which is a pretty nice area as well. About 5 min from NB and 22 min to the parking lot of 203. Forrest Run up in NB is also a nice place to live (with a lot of lots and homes for sale at this time). If you have the money, Carolina Colours is a really nice area. There are a ton of homes up near NB because they overbuilt like a mothafucka, so I think you'll do just fine.

I'm just renting right now. When my lease is up, and I've hopefully saved up some munnies, I'll buy a house in the area. I wanna live somewhat close to the base for now, since my car is about to die and I don't want to buy another one.

As for getting outta chocks quick... I'll do my best.

 

[Gatordev]

Do I really have to learn to fly all over again? Is hovering and VSTOL stuff like ball flying, where it takes seconds to learn, and months to master?

You know, if I had known you wanted to hover, I could have just sent you down to NDZ.

since my car is about to die and I don't want to buy another one.

So no replacement for the Camero yet (that's what it was, right?)?

 

[Malice 1]

You know, if I had known you wanted to hover, I could have just sent you down to NDZ.



So no replacement for the Camero yet (that's what it was, right?)?

Very funny. I like my new job just fine though.

I sold my red turbo CAMARO and bought an old busted 94 CAMARO for $4k. It's falling apart but the engine and susp work great. Everyone keeps saying Cherry point sucks, but I'm gonna be like a pig in shit there. There is a drag strip in Jacksonville, and 2 SCCA autocross races close by. I'm gonna be racing every other weekend.

 

[Cron]

...so on a threadjacking note, are there any Marine Air Stations that don't suck?

 

[jarhead]

...so on a threadjacking note, are there any Marine Air Stations that don't suck?

doesn't suck? ... Miramar comes to mind ... K-bay in Hawaii is a great location, base itself sucks though. Beaufort's not bad, not much to do if you're single though.

 

[Harrier Dude]

I like Yuma. YMMV.

Futenma is pretty good. Same with Iwakuni and Camp Pen.

 

[Gatordev]

K-bay in Hawaii is a great location, base itself sucks though.

It's actually pretty nice since the P-3 homos moved in. Well, the Navy stuff is nice. The Marine side still kinda sucks.

...CAMARO ....CAMARO for $4k.

I speel very well, I'll have you know.

 

[HeyJoe]

It's actually pretty nice since the P-3 homos moved in. Well, the Navy stuff is nice. The Marine side still kinda sucks.

Should have seen it early 70s....from my "inspection" trip last month, it doesn't suck at all.

New kids on the block...so-to-speak

HJ Photos from Inspection Trip