VT-2 is good place to be. I loved it. I just selected this past Thursday and am gone. I'll miss hanging out at the line shack BS'ing with everyone waiting on planes or weather.. well, maybe just a little.
Plan on the following:
1. Flying everyday, Monday - Friday. You MIGHT fly BI's and RI's on the weekend, ans possibly night contact stuff. But FAMs, PAs and FORMs will not be flown on the weekends.
2. Schedules will do thier best to put you through in the following order: Fams (1-4/5), BI's, Fams 5/6-12(13=check), PA's, Forms, RI's, VNav's (2 day, 2 night). You'll get 2 night contacts somewhere in the mix of all that - the're cake.)
3. Occasional duty.
Keep the hand out of what course ware to complete by when somewhere handy, like your fridge.
Try to review your ATJ (Aviation Training Jacket) twice a week in Student Control.
Review, tally, etc your Flight Log Book in Log and Stats at the start of a new month for the previous month.
Keep your on-wing informed of any personal or professional problems you are having. If on-wing isn't available, class advisor (you'll get all this briefed to you when you check in).
Get out to the static plane just north of the VT-2 line shack by the hanger when you get the time. Make sure you're out there learning where everything is before FAM 0. Bring your pre-flight handout. There are also pictures of the systems in the VT-6 side of our squadron building. Feel free to go down and look at the pictures.. That's what they are there for - nobody will say anything.. I spent a lot of time looking at those pictures before my FAM Check Ride.
The Instructors are there to help you learn how to fly and get you the training/services you need. The're not there to boot you out. Use them and other students.
One thing *YOU* must do is study. Some days it might will feel like the program is impossible. It's not. You have to do your part. Learn the procedures. Sounds like a simple conecpt, and it is.. sometimes it's harder to put into practice. Chair fly the procedures before Fam 1 - Turn Pattern, Level Speed Change, Power Off Stall, Power On Stall, Slow Flight, etc. YES, they will be demo'ed to you, BUT, you must know the procedures cold. They're not hard.. like 3 to 6 steps each. Just look them over several times, make sure you have it, then close your eyes and say them out loud.
DISCUSS Items at briefs. You should know as much as you can about the subjects listed in the discuss items. Most can be found in the FTI (Flight Training Instruction). Some may be found elsewhere. When in doubt, check
http://www.navygouge.com - it's a pretty good source especially for Fams and PA's. Again, read through it several times, then, try to spout out the stuff without looking at the material - do this several times.
DRINK A LOT OF WATER. Both on the ground and in the plane. It honestly helps the brain to absorb and recite information and helps to keep you relaxed.
I'll tell ya, if you know your stuff on the ground, the IP's will bend over backwards to help you in the plane. But you have to do your part. I have a friend who finally was attrited after 17 un-sats. That's a lot. Reason they held him on so long is, he knew his stuff cold on the deck.. could just go on and on about anything and everything. Problem was, he couldn't get it all together in the plane. Was rather sad to see him go.. smart kid, motivated and dedicated.. and he was in RI's.. Even an O-4 IP who had transferred caught me out in town and asked how he was doing.. I mean, that's how much they care if you are doing your part.
And remember - don't look too far ahead. Hang in there. Early to mid-fams suck - period. They're not hard when you look back.. looking back I'm like, "Why the hell was I so stressed". I imagine 90% of SNA's going through feel like quitting at some point and time. But you will have bumps. You will have bad flights and you'll have great flights. You'll get stuck with a not so nice IP, then you'll fly with some that won't say much at all. Just hang in there. Life seems to get better after your first solo.
You just have to remember your dreams before you started and know there IS a light at the end of the tunnel. That there are wing of gold waiting for you.
Good luck!