Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR)

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This past week has been so much fun! We've been working the Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR) simulators to death. ASR is used as a non-precision (provides a 2-D horizontal position only, not vertical) final approach aid. Basically, the aircraft is handed off to the person working the ASR at about 10-15 miles from the runway. It is the ASR controller's job to guide the pilot into the runway on a specific course while providing any pertinent information. You are the last voice the pilot hears before touchdown.

Our ASR "P-Run" (term used to identify a test on a simulator) was today. Our class did very well. Many of us scored 100's, including me. Simulators are definately my favorite part of school. We receive hand's-on experience without the fear creating real "fireballs." Tomorrow we start PAR (Precision Approach Radar) which is very similar, just a little more complicated :) I can't wait for more!

On a side note, we finally had our Physical Readiness Test (PRT).  Afterwards, I found the Navy's standards and requirements for my age group.  It looks like I made an "Outstanding" which should give me 3 points on my overall average.  As things stand now, I believe that would push me to the top of the class and first to pick orders!  Things are looking up.

3.1 / 3.2 Test

After a week in block three, I'm wondering why everyone says it's so much easier than the others.  The first week was all book-work (just like block one, ugh).  We covered a ton of info in just a couple of days.  The test was the most difficult written test up to this point (but also the last written test - woo hoo!).  Our class average for the test was a measly 80%!  However, the standings didn't change much - as far as rank in class.  We've had so many tests now, that even a low score such as my pathetic 78%, doesn't really affect my overall average much.  Despite the numerous low scores, surpisingly we had no failures and everyone will move forward as a class.  From what our instructors say, this was the last big hurdle.  Everything should be down hill from here, but I've been thinking that for a while :)  I'm not holding my breath...

Block Two Summary

Today marks the end of block two. Everyone in the class is breathing a little easier. It's amazing! We made it through without losing anyone else! Seems that we're coming together a little more and acting as a real team. Through the past few weeks, we've been forced to look out for and help each other while working in the simulator. The three positions all rely on each other to control traffic safely. If one person screws up... well, I belive the saying goes: "sh*t rolls downhill." Not only does a mistake get you in trouble, if the other controllers don't catch it, they also feel the effects. I think this has helped build bonds between classmates and ensured that we didn't leave anyone behind.

Anyway, overall I really enjoyed block two. It was great to get some real hands-on experience. I have a lot more confidence in where my career is headed as well as a sense of pride in what I'm doing here. The instructors are less forgiving throughout the 3 weeks, but I think it helped all of us pick it up a little faster. Things turned out well for everyone. On our final run (the one that counts toward our GPA), I scored 99 on flight data, 95 on ground control, and a whopping 73 on local control. I was really dissappointed in my local score, but all I can do is move on to the next block.

If I haven't mentioned it before, we are now down to 11 students. We started with 18, and lost 9. However, we've had two from upper classes dropped back into ours (hence 11 total). Surprisingly, out of the 9 we lost, only 2 of our original class have actually been dropped from the school. The other 7 were just set back (they still haven't made their way to block two, though). I expect to graduate with all those currently in my class. From what I hear, block three is a chance to loosen the belt and relax a little. It sounds like from here on out, the instructors make sure you graduate.

If things go well, we should be picking orders in the next 3 to 4 weeks. I can't wait to find out where I'll be headed! I'm hoping for Italy or Spain. next to that, I would take orders to Japan, Norfolk (Virginia), or Washington State. I also wouldn't mind ship duty - I'd really like to travel and see as many places as possible. My choice in orders is all based upon rank in the class. Figuring GPA alone, I'm 3rd or 4th after today. However, after figuring in my "outstanding" on uniform inspection and hopefully an "outstanding" in the upcoming PRT (physical readiness test), I may move up to 1st or 2nd. Since we have 9 Navy students (the other 2 are Marines, and their orders are separate from ours), we'll be given 9 sets of orders. Top person in the class has first choice, and the 9th person would be stuck with whatever is left. Good thing I'm not too picky :) - I'll be sure to keep you updated on where I'm headed.