Map Making 101

It's been a lot longer than I planned on between this post and my last...because I planned to post right after my next check ride...that was only 7 flights away. However we had an entire week of no flying due to weather, and a few other days cancelled here and there for high winds. So, it took me over 3 weeks to get through my low-level phase.

The low-level phase was awesome! There is a lot of tedious work involved with map making in the low level phase. Basically, you have to take a map and do about 2-3 hours of prep work...identifying turn point, towers, the target, etc. (As you can see in the picture above, I was tired of doing all the work myself...so I enlisted some help) Then you study the route as best you can using Google Earth or some equivalent and hope you can identify your points from the air. The first ride was at 1,000 feet above the ground...high enough to get a better view, but low enough to get an intro to the low-level. The rest of the flights were at only 500 feet above the ground...at about 200 mph. This training is the very basic intro to flying to a target and getting there at a precise time...a sim bomb run, if you will. The entire time you are flying at 500 feet you have to continuously monitor the map, look for radio towers and birds, and keep track of time, while trying to find turn points. It really is a lot of work, but is great when you hit the target right on time. Anyhow, after the long delay between flights I finally got to check yesterday. After the flight I felt like I had done pretty well...especially compared to my 2 prior flights. Once I started to debrief I found out the check pilot didn't think I did as well as I'd thought. I still passed, but with a few more downgrades than I would have liked. Of course, a pass is a pass in the end so I'll take it.

There are only 28 flights left for me in the T-37. Hard to believe that it is already Christmas time! We are now officially the "senior" T-37" class...wow! Upon returning from break we will only have 7 weeks left to finish T-37s. I have about 8 advanced aerobatic flights left and then all formation...yee haw!

Hope you all have a good Holiday Season! Andrea, Gav, Scout and I are on our way to Colorado tomorrow. It will be nice to get away from here for a bit.