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What do you need to
do in order to prepare for JSUPT? That's the million dollar question I was
asking myself six years ago when I was in your shoes. All the advice that
I received was pretty consistent. Know the boldface and ops limits.
Knowing what I know now, I would even take it several steps further. Check
out the table below.
| 1 |
Memorize the boldface and ops limits. Click
here
for the link. You don't want to get highlighted by failing the first
boldface test. |
| 2 |
Read
AFMAN 11-248. This is primary guide on flying the T-6A. The
more you're familiar with this, the more it'll help you when you hit the
flightline. Some things may not make sense but at least the takeoff,
landing, and pattern procedures should be simple enough to understand. |
| 3 |
We will try to put inflight guides in the gouge
section. Look over all the arrival, departure, and pattern procedures.
Again, this may not make sense to you but if you know the altitudes, headings, and
speeds you're expected to fly in the local area, then you'll be able to apply
yourself more to flying a stable aircraft. If you're going to Vance
AFB, check out their Inflight Guide. |
| 4 |
If you have the time and money, try to fly on the
side. The AF will pay for 40 hrs in the IFT program but if you can
establish the landing picture and basic aircraft handling skills, then
you'll be way ahead of the game. Flying is just like a sport, the more
you practice, the better you'll get. Statistics show that people with the
most hours often do better at SUPT based on their experience and "air
sense." |
 By
now, you've probably heard the term "Dash 1" from your friends or from the
message boards. In case you don't know what it means, it stands for the
technical order of the plane. For the T-6, it's the T.O. 1T-6A-1.
This manual addresses aircraft systems, checklist procedures, emergency
procedures, aircraft system limitations, flight characteristics, and aircraft
operations in different types of weather. A lot of guys stress over
getting a copy of the Dash 1 and studying up on systems before going to JSUPT.
In my opinion, I wouldn't waste time trying to get a copy. First of all,
you're not going to find a copy of the Dash 1 unless you're at an JSUPT base.
Second, most of the manual won't make sense to you since the T-6 Dash 1 is
terribly written. Third, you're going to get 6 weeks of academics and
that's more than enough time to learn everything about the plane (the T-6 is not
very complicated). Rather than worry about getting a copy of the Dash 1,
read up on AFMAN 11-248 and the inflight guide for your base. Also, I
highly recommend using Microsoft Flight Sim so that you can practice chair
flying some of the departures/arrivals that you find in your inflight guide.
As a minimum, memorize the boldface and ops limits.
Keep in mind, just because you accomplished some or all of what we listed above
does not guarantee you success at SUPT. Just like anything in life, luck,
timing, hard work, and what instructor pilot you fly with will play a major role in
your performance.
Remember this, you're going to be pretty busy when you start the program so
whatever you do, don't burn yourself out by over preparing. Next, take a look at the physical preparation section to see what else to expect at JSUPT.
If you have any suggestions or questions, please sent them to the
webmaster or check out the
message board..
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