Track Select

This past Wednesday was Track Select for David's class, class 10-13! It was a whole day event and very fun. So first, what is Track Select? For the past 6 1/2 months, class 10-13 has been flying the T-6. Based on their scores from their flights, check rides, written tests, and attitudes, the Instructor Pilots (IP's) pick and choose where the pilot trainees go next. They have 4 options: T-38 which will go on to fly fighter, bomber planes, the T-1 which will go on to fly heavies or tankers, the T-44 which will go on to fly C-130's, and Helo's which will obviously go on to fly helicoptors. Lucky for us we are guard and David knows that he is continuing on to T-1's and then to the KC-135. For those in the class who aren't guard, they weren't sure what was going to happen next so it was a big night for them. The guys do make a wish list ahead of time for what track they would prefer to go and then the IP's look at their wish list, scores, and the needs of the Air Force. So it was a very anxious night with a very good outcome for all I think!

To start the day off, there was a breakfast for all the pilots and their friends and family. We got to take a tour of their flight room, see a mock stand-up, and got to meet their IP's. We then went out to the runway to take a few pictures.
This is the T-1.
Some of the wives from class 10-13.

Class 10-13!

Mustangs of class 10-13! The class is split in two to manage the amount of students. David was in Mustangs and his sister class was called Sabre. That is the T-6 behind them.

After pictures, the wives got to try their hand at the T-6 simulator. Here I am in my gear getting ready to go!

I took it all off after the picture. It is not very comfortable. Here I am showing off my mad skills with David's help of course. I was able to take-off, fly for awhile, and do some loops. When I tried to land I crashed. It was a lot harder than I thought.

This is Molly and Brian. We got to do our sims together. They are also in the guard so our husbands will be in the same group!

After all the tours and fun everyone went to the Columbus Club for the big night. This is David's class patch along with the patches for Mustang and Sabre.

They call them up one at a time, make fun of them for the stupid things they did while flying the T-6, they spin the little propellor up front and then they tell you where you are going next. Here is David's slide. His call sign is Gumby, they spelled it wrong.

David has no memory of saying that quote but the guys all swore they heard over the radio.

I believe the majority of the people got their 1st or 2nd choice. Four people got T-44's and they move to Corpus Christi, Texas to finish training so we lose 2 wives there. One person got Helo's and they move to Ft. Rucker, Alabama to finish so we lose another wive there. I am sad to see them go but I know they are excited.

David can't wait to start flying again. They will have academics for about 3-4 weeks before they hit the flightline. His 12-hour days will start again really soon but I know he loves what he is doing! Great job class 10-13 :)