I'm only taking the time right now to write this post because my mind can't process any more new information, otherwise I would be studying...
This week has been just as big of a week as I thought it would be, probably more, actually. Started off the week with the usual "Oh, hey guys...you should probably take a look at these publications that we didn't give you at the beginning of the class and have everything memorized for tomorrow's sim." Which involved a ton of verbal stuff, like radio calls, that we were supposed to know. On top of that, we also have more numbers, equations, and "rules of thumb" that we're supposed to know, as well. Granted, it's all pertinent information that makes sense to have memorized and such, but this is beyond the proverbial firehose of information. Right now my brain just simply can't process any more new information until I let the current stuff sink in a little and make some sense of it.
As far as the simulators and flying go, it's just a weird sensation overall. There's basically three types of simulators we use:
- one is just a mock-up of the cockpit that you can sit in a operate, but no visual stuff outside to look at (i.e. it's like flying in a cloud, where the cloud is a wall in front of the simulator)
- another is the same as the first, except there's a projection screen in front of you that's about the same as a 65-inch TV, so you can have visual stuff straight in front of you
- the third (and the one we haven't used yet) is what most people would think of when they think of an aircraft simulator, where the screen wraps around the mock-cockpit and you can see about 190 degrees around you and above you. Sort of like an IMAX movie where you're whole field of vision is filled up.
However, none of them have full motion capability, so when you do a sharp turn in either direction, climb straight up, or dive straight down, you just sit there and don't feel anything. Weird stuff to try and get used to.
Finally, word got out to my classmates and they finally found out I've been keeping this blog about our progression. Luckily I went through and deleted all the bad stuff I said about them in earlier posts (just kidding). So maybe they'll give me some feedback and I can improve my posts...or they'll just make fun of me about keeping a blog about all this.
Anyways, I'm off to bed. It's going to be some long days for the next couple weeks...and LOTS of studying and memorization. Maybe next post I'll explain our daily formal brief and stand-up EP fun we get to go through every morning. Fun stuff...
