[heading180]

So far so good. I guess. We, so far, have taken 4 written tests and one flight test. The final flight tests are being conducted this weekend. The tests are: FOI; Regs; Runway Incursions; 172 Performance & Limitations; 152 Performance & Limitations; Final. It is challenging to say the least. One of the most difficult things about this course is the fact that once you have taken a test, in which you must score an 80% on each with the exception of the two P&L, which must be to a 90%; we are not given much feedback. We are not told what the scores were, and it has been said that if we do not pass one of the tests we will know at lunch, as that is when the "undertaker" comes to get us. So when we finish the test at 0830 it is a bit agonizing for the next 4 hours of sitting there not knowing if I am about to be "plucked" from the program. The only test I really worried about it on so far was regs. I don't know about the rest of you guys but I don't think I want to go to lunch today..haha..

The regs test is 61,91, and 141. It seemd to be an easy test for the first 3/4, and then the last 10-15 questions are a bit more difficult. I remember thinking, yeah.. this is easy.. I then came the last 2 pages.. OUCH.. I decided from here on out I would start the tests at the back and work my way to the front. This way I would not be quite as brain dead by the time I get to the hard questions. The Runway Incursions test is very easy as long as you read the material given to you in class (only about 4 pages of reading). The 72 P&L was yesterday and was pretty simple as long as you studied the right material. Study the General and Limitations sections of the STANDZ manual (ie.. DCA POH), know each memory item on the emergency checklist and be able to write it out verbatim, IE.. Ignition switch BOTH .. NOT Ignition BOTH; and callouts for an ILS and Non-precision approach. "Course alive" 1000 above MDA" 500 above MDA.. etc.. I assume the 52 test, which is Monday will be similar, only it will cover 52 stuff instead of 72. Example, Max/Min oil Pressure, V Speeds, Max oil temp, Weights.. max t/o and landing etc..

Well, im almost through it. Monday is the 52 test and Tuesday is the Final. Graduation is Thursday. It’s the final that everyone is a bit worried about. We were told it covers a lot of information. I hope we are given a pretty good review before the test so we can kind of know what to put emphasis on, as it can cover anything from REGS/ FOI/ Company policy and procedures/ TCO (syllabus) hourly requirements; etc.. we could even be asked "chief flight instructor and check pilot limitations/responsibilities".. Vague aey.. yeah.. a bit.. But Im sure I will do just fine..

We were also told that there maybe one other person from our class going to Houston. Of course, like everything else, we don't know even if or if there is an "if" then who. I am really nervous about this one as I know I am pretty low on seniority [which is based, we were told, on interview date]. I personally chose to bring my entire family here to FL. wife (recently separated) two kids, two dogs, and a 27 foot U-Haul, one car in tow, full of our belongings. A move to HOU would definitely be very difficult for me as I would then have to leave my 2 kids here under the sole care of my ex-wife and her new heavy-metal hard core both ears pierced several times new boyfriend. Yeah, exactly who I want influencing my children.. NOT. I think I would just rather be kicked in the nuts over and over and over again than to have to leave my kids here. My babies are my whole life. It is especially frustrating knowing that there are other candidates in the class who are significantly younger than I, a few of whom are living with friends here in town, who don't even own a couch; one for sure I know doesn't even own a bed. Hopefully HR will take these kinds of things into consideration before asking someone to uproot their life and move. I realize, with an airline job, I may be required to re-locate, in that position I would commute, get some kind of crash pad somewhere else and still be able to be home with my kids a couple days a week.

So, to say the least, yes, it has been a very stressful week. I would have to say that, even having a 4-year degree, this STANDZ course is one of the most challenging things I have ever done academically. I know for a fact, however, that once I am finished, I will have a great feeling of accomplishment. That feeling, along with knowing that my goals and dreams are being made real is the reason I came to this academy.

I would like to ask each one of you here to pray for my family and me. This is a very challenging time for us and I can assure you that without faith in God and lots of patience I would not be here.