Week 36 and 37 - September 12 to 25

What happened over the last two weeks ? We completed the second week of TMP flights, with a couple FTT briefs in the middle. Then, we had three days of class with academics in the morning and flight in the afternoon. Because USN TPS was visiting, they used most of the jets and IPs and we did not fly that much (one or two first flight checkrides, IFAST vs F16+ECM pod, and some weapon deliveries sim). The academics were FTT briefs or ground schools : ASTARS, F15 system eval, F15 CFP (captive flight profile, or weapon vibration validation), KC135 ground school, C12 engine out, structures checkrides, ... We will be busy in the next couple weeks.
(ASTARS is a modified Saab 340 with lots of systems inside that we will evalute during a 4h, partly night time, flight)(the IFAST vs F-16 + ECM ride is a demo to teach us how to test electronic countermeasures in flight).
Then, thursday, friday and saturday we all went to Anaheim for the SETP (society of experimental test pilots) symposium. 3 days of technical lectures mixed with free food, free drinks in the hospitality suites, and disney fun (on firday night).
Next week, we are back to the regular schedule for three intense weeks, with a lot of rides planned / ASTARS, weapon deliveries, EO demo in the F16, Vista HQ demo, the end of the first flight checkrides, the beginning of the structure checkrides, glider HQ, C12 engine out, F15 systems and F15 CFP, and KC-135 multi engine HQ. And to make it easier, there will be reports to write for a lot of these rides (EO, sys eval, weapon del, KC135, engine out, VISTA and ASTARS). Plus of course the big TMP report.

Week 34 and 35 - August 29 to September 11

What happened over the last two week : Week 34 was really the same as the previous couple weeks with C12 checkrides for FTE, AN-2 flights, gliders, EO labs, EO demo flights in the F-16 for a couple people, and a lot of prep for the TMPs.
End then, for the first time this year, we only had one thing to worry about with the first week of TMP flying. Have pain got it, Have splash did not find any splash at first but finally got some data, Hav Hal declared they had the best TMP ever and Speed Pacer flew straight and level, except for the odd turn.
We also took the "count down board" up and running : less than 100 days until graduation !!! To celebrate, we had the most awesome 80's party saturday night. Shamu certainly will remember this night for a long time (never, ever, leave your car unattended next to a bunch of pilots).
Next week will be the second week of TMP flights. Monday, we have to present our preliminary results and review our test mangement, in an oral exercise called a "PAR" (no idea what it really means). The rest of the week should be TMP only. The week after, we'll go back to our regular schedule with some FTT briefs and curriculum flights. The F-15 should be here for a couple flights. Then, on the same week, we'll all go to SETP (near Disneyland) for three days.