tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346363682011-11-28T00:47:57.900ZDiary of a Flight Student.Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.comBlogger2241100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-53763395584301380502009-10-27T02:12:00.003Z2009-10-27T04:13:59.886Z

This post is to thank all of you who have taken an interest in this, my online diary, and to tell you that this post will be the last.While I was going through flight training, recounting my flights made for good blog-fodder, and helped me retain the skills I was practicing.Since graduation, the process of preparing for and applying for officer candidate school is both too personal and too

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-4067120941874251812009-10-11T22:04:00.010+01:002009-10-11T22:27:37.542+01:00

Shortly following the previous email was the Marine reply, predictably less humorous and considerably more moto. Since there were over sixty of these and some of them were a lot more like "facts" than self-depreciation, I've cut out all but a few of the best, ones that were either funny or just SO TRUE.You might be a Marine if:You wear your dogtags to the beach.All your underwear has your

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-14513690249381991022009-10-05T02:46:00.004+01:002009-10-05T02:58:54.526+01:00

This list went around the Navy via email, before trickling down to the Officer Candidates at Embry-Riddle. It was then forwarded to me as a helpful guide on what to expect once I join The Fleet. Most are pretty self explanatory, though number 27 has me kind of at a loss. If you know the meaning behind that one, please explain in a comment.I love them all, but I still think the first one is the

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-35299807087175955432009-09-23T16:12:00.007+01:002009-09-23T17:03:10.618+01:00

#GreenNY and #IranElection are trending on Twitter again, apparently because of Ahmadinejad's mere presence in NY.Interesting stuff on TwitPic:

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-74869268215979927422009-09-15T04:03:00.002+01:002009-09-15T04:17:58.111+01:00

Possibly because I feel like the rest of my OCS application is looking pretty good, I really wanted a perfect PRT score to top it all off. A call from my recruiter convinced me that speed was more important than perfection. In my usual fashion, I give you the transcript of the call, heavily edited for length and entertainment value.Officer Recruiter: "So...what's taking so long? You need to

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-53989396028090931752009-09-11T22:41:00.002+01:002009-09-11T22:53:36.309+01:00

I was looking at a book cataloging species of deep sea fish.It was my freshman year of college. I'd plotted my schedule so that I only went Monday, Wednesday and Friday to classes. It was Tuesday, my day off. So I was sitting at the kitchen table at my parent's house in my pj's looking at a fish book when the phone rang.My dad picked it up. It was my uncle, his older brother, who told him to

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-55623695039713625542009-09-11T03:40:00.003+01:002009-09-11T03:46:50.609+01:00

I give you another lovely template courtesy of btemplates.com. You are now looking at Arras Blog, a Word Press theme bloggerized by Deluxe Template.Feedback welcome as always.

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-61455684393829303102009-09-06T20:25:00.001+01:002009-09-07T03:36:43.069+01:00

Originally posted 9 SEP 2009To celebrate being given the day off for no particular reason, Navy Boy and I head out to the range, him to sight in his fancy new .22, me to chase that dragon that I call a 1-inch group with the .17 HMR.When we got there we made an unpleasant discovery. Two straight days of rain caused what I started mentally referring to as Lake Strickland: a weird olive-drab colored

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-66263869640478833312009-09-05T21:05:00.002+01:002009-09-05T21:12:14.872+01:00

Taking feedback from comments and friends, I've traded up templates. You are now looking at "I Can Watch Movies," a WordPress template adapted for Blogger by Deluxe Templates and found on Btemplates.com, my favorite site for Blogger templates.

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-31828058155439481802009-09-03T16:50:00.007+01:002009-09-03T17:50:53.806+01:00

This article reminded me of my dearly departed canine, and how loyally she guarded not just our home and safety but also my sanity.The teenage years can be pretty tumultuous for most people, and I was no exception. Fortunately for me I had my dog. There was something about her presence that never failed to soothe and comfort. I think part of it may have been the fact that I got her when we

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-38879931168603296032009-09-01T20:29:00.010+01:002009-09-01T20:46:39.607+01:00

Thanks Go_AV8_DevilDog, from whose Airwarriors profile I stole this image.

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-25940040248723662762009-08-21T03:15:00.004+01:002009-09-05T21:12:39.412+01:00

It's New Template Time. Bear with me for the next few days as I try on templates. Currently you are looking at Brilliance, found on btemplates.com.

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-76338850771190262982009-08-14T18:33:00.004+01:002009-08-14T19:40:07.017+01:00

This marks the end of the second week of my Super Serious PRT Training Program. My goal is to score an Outstanding High on the Navy's Physical Readiness Test (PRT). To do that I have to do at least 101 curl-ups in 2 minutes, 46 push-ups in 2 minutes, and run 1.5 miles in under 10 minutes, 17 seconds. I did:Curl-ups: 104Push-ups: 511.5 mile run: 13:20While I'm happy that I squeaked into the

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-15139971713390289202009-08-11T17:04:00.016+01:002009-08-11T18:18:24.988+01:00

Running is taking it's toll. My right knee aches occasionally, especially when lifting, on stairs and after wearing stilettos all day.But what do I do? I can't not run. At home I'd run off road, but there is no off road in this semi-urban area, and gouge tells me that most of the running at OCS will be on pavement anyway and I need to get used to it. The real problem is, I can't tell the

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-39035695813506727332009-08-10T15:24:00.004+01:002009-08-10T21:05:47.993+01:00

Even though I already maxed out the score on all but the run portion of the Navy's PRT, I still included a weight lifting portion in my plan.I did this for two reasons. First, it's kind of a treat. I actually enjoy weight lifting and isometrics and really anything that isn't cardio. It's fun, and the results are immediate. After I lift weights, I actually feel STRONGER. In contrast to how I feel

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-61991040822714352112009-07-31T21:31:00.008+01:002009-07-31T22:55:07.135+01:00

Have I mentioned I love the 17 HMR? I freaking LOVE the 17 HMR. I feel like I can do no wrong with this gun.Navy Boy made me try a bipod that he bought. That's the reason for the three holes touching the 1 line. It's not because of any problem with the bipod, I think, but just because I wasn't used to the standing position and also I'd already put 25 rounds through the target and was having a

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-23049523654922180332009-07-30T17:16:00.004+01:002009-07-30T17:53:25.142+01:00

I took the ASTB two hours ago, with no further setbacks beyond the test administrator having to reset his password several times before he could set me up on the computer.I ended up with an 8/9/8 64.Echo, you ask, wtf does that mean? Well, the first three numbers are (in order) the Academic Qualification Rating (AQR), the Pilot Flight Aptitude Rating (PFAR), and the Flight Officer Flight

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-4492448292980689902009-07-26T22:10:00.006+01:002009-07-28T04:46:00.950+01:00

This week in Mistakes By Echo:Putting my eggs in one basket. Fresh intel indicates the ARCO Military Flight Aptitude Exam guide is not as accurate as previously represented. The math and verbal sections on the ASTB are NOT combined. Despite the many wrong answers, Barron's guide at least has the layout correct.Overdisclosure. My story about adventures as a telemarketer is nominated for Worst

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-13622523514392431562009-07-19T01:56:00.019+01:002009-07-22T14:44:09.522+01:00

We slept through the sunrise, but by o' ten hundred ten the sun was shining in the window and I swear to God, I think birds were singing. In the hour it took to wake up, have coffee and assemble all our gear, the sky turned black with storm clouds and the rain came down in a steady downpour. We killed time at our respective computers until it let up an hour later.In the interest of trunk space,

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-42783593970194403712009-07-12T21:56:00.008+01:002009-07-12T22:44:46.931+01:00

"If Christopher Cassidy didn’t exist, Hollywood would invent him."--Steven Siceloff for NASA's STS-127 Launch BlogJust in case you were feeling good about your accomplishments in life, I give you the SEAL team commander who went to MIT and got selected for astronaut training: Christopher Cassidy.LT. CMDR. Cassidy didn't major in no basketweaving, either. He holds a BS in Mathematics and an MS in

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-3327085168383157182009-07-08T02:09:00.005+01:002009-07-08T03:20:36.593+01:00

The most prolific poster on the AW forum has over 7,400 posts (this may seem like a lot, but look here for a real forum fanatic). He also has this quote on his profile, "THOSE THAT I FOUGHT, I DID NOT HATE ... THOSE THAT I GUARDED, I DID NOT LOVE," which I thought was a very provocative quote. It brought to mind a concept I find particularly interesting, the archetypal Honored Enemy.It's

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-21690742018210484882009-07-06T19:24:00.003+01:002009-07-06T19:35:16.353+01:00

Studying for the ASTB continues.It's a little humbling to realize how rusty I am on this stuff. I have no fear of not knowing how to do the problems (ASTB math is comparable to SAT math test I. BASIC algebra.) but I do fear that I'll waste a lot of time trying to think back to ninth grade math.With 35 minutes to answer 37 questions, I don't have time to stroll down memory effing lane, so I

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-58829807009589626362009-07-05T00:59:00.017+01:002009-07-06T19:43:14.811+01:00

You may be wondering why I think SEALs and special forces guys are so super cool, and why if only I were about a foot taller, a hundred pounds heavier and...um...differently equipped, I would totally try to be one of those down and dirty throat-cutters. Or maybe you aren't. Regardless...Ten years ago...I sat in one of the rickety plastic chairs in the JROTC room, ostensibly supervising the

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-83351174420522518612009-06-30T06:06:00.004+01:002009-06-30T06:14:43.974+01:00

I emailed my recruiter. "I would like to take the ASTB within the next two weeks, but not sooner than ten days from now."I feel remarkably calm and confident at committing to this next step closer to Navy OCS. I'm sure it's much like the quiet of a beach somewhere in Indonesia, as the waters recede, and recede, and recede....

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-33373864047205638972009-06-27T04:56:00.008+01:002009-06-27T22:31:48.694+01:00

I huuuuuuuuurt!I hit the gym hard yesterday, as a masochistic sort of reward for running consistently the last couple weeks. I'm still not totally familiar with the new gym, so I felt a little self-conscious, spending a lot of time pretending to rest between sets while I tried to find the machines I wanted.I set out to work over my core and upper body, and I think I over-succeeded. It's hard to

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-28184976623763091352009-06-25T03:41:00.003+01:002009-06-25T20:50:58.496+01:00

By all accounts, Laurell K. Hamilton's Skin Trade is another massive disappointment from one of my once-favorite authors. The last book I really enjoyed from Hamilton was Obsidian Butterfly. I've found the New Anita and her lifestyle off-putting. The dialogue is often drawn out, with way too much talk about feelings and stuff for my taste. Also, she's a humongous slut. Despite the fact I had

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-65494492908069600132009-06-24T19:46:00.006+01:002009-06-30T17:35:51.812+01:00

I was eagerly awaiting the release of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen when I had a sudden epiphany: MIDNIGHT SHOWING! I bribed the bf into going by letting him pick the restaurant without any argument.Was it any good? I can't say, because the woman next to Jason was so freaking obnoxious it literally ruined my movie-going experience.Greasy curls lay matted on her head. Pasty skin and a

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-27258966693901190772009-06-24T00:49:00.006+01:002009-06-25T05:48:04.401+01:00

My beloved sorority sent me purple violet seeds along with a dignified plea for money. The money I don't have, but I germinated seeds, weeding out the smallest myself. Now it's become a celluloidal version of a cage match on my windowsill, as the mighty final four battle for dominance (and survival!!!).I'll document their progress weekly. Contain your excitement and tune in next Tuesday!

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-88432221613557829482009-06-23T15:55:00.004+01:002009-06-25T05:48:53.822+01:00

I don't have a Youtube account so I can't pull the actual video of Neda's death (it is flagged for content). But I can encourage you to search her name on Youtube. You will almost certainly find her.

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-13303056606848668962009-06-22T22:26:00.017+01:002009-06-24T18:10:07.528+01:00

More embarrassing stories about myself and others. Perhaps you remember this:IP: "And what kind of fluid in the aircraft is red?"Me: "Transmiss-wait! uh..."Here's one picked up from a friend's colleague at WAI:IP: "Okay, let's hear your passenger briefing."Student [Nervously]: "Uh, okay. Um, here are the seat belts...um...the exits are here and here, umm....put your tray tables in the upright

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-82611295033667119812009-06-22T03:41:00.006+01:002009-06-25T05:48:53.823+01:00

To those who may not know, I currently pay the bills with a job in Web marketing. That does not, as one might think, make me immune to good advertising. It just creates a weird cognitive dissonance, where half my brain objectively admires the effectiveness of a message, while the other half goes "COOL LOOK AT THE GUNS AND RUNNING AND THE CAMO I WANNA BE A BRITISH COMMANDO WOW!!!!"I stumbled

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-59173752400148589412009-06-18T19:52:00.007+01:002009-06-18T21:23:22.724+01:00

It's raining cats and dogs. The noon sky is black and the lightning is striking within...well, it looks like right here. The power has flickered two or three times, so I am duly impressed with this storm. As a Florida native, that's saying a lot.I've paid my bills, made another pot of coffee and started my laundry. Going for a run is out of the question. There's nothing left to do but scour

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-65408396642736700552009-06-18T04:00:00.006+01:002009-06-18T05:11:57.967+01:00

Today's RunDistance: 1.8 milesTime: 00:25:00

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-17682124174484741552009-06-17T01:50:00.006+01:002009-06-25T05:48:53.824+01:00

In case I was at all uncertain as to whether I wanted to have kids, the World's Best Blogger, Heather B. Armstrong, has sealed the deal. Do you know what a mucous plug is? Well, I didn't, not until I read about hers falling out.Don't get me wrong, I want to have kids. But I want kids in the abstract sense (at some undetermined and distant point in the future), in the sense that babies are cute

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-55705292060754313932009-06-09T20:32:00.006+01:002009-06-25T05:48:53.825+01:00

I guess Kim Jong Il felt slighted when the world yawned and duly noted his "nuclear tests," so the international pissing contest continues with the "conviction" of two American journalists for "grave crimes."Notice my "sarcastic quotes"? I only put those in when I think a communist dictator is biting off more than he can chew.One could argue that the journalists broke the law by entering the

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-17269749736359798682009-06-09T19:55:00.009+01:002009-06-25T05:48:53.825+01:00

Yesterday, absolutely out of the blue I look up from a book and yell to Navy Boy, who is in the kitchen, "Man...Thank GOD we live in the U.S."He knows I'm going somewhere with this--I'm not usually prone to random outbursts of patriotism--so he obligingly raises his eyebrows. Go on."I mean, I worry about the wars overseas, and whether North Korea is going to do something crazy that we can't

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-66309123211282059942009-06-08T18:18:00.012+01:002009-06-08T22:04:11.134+01:00

As we are carrying out our range gear, I notice that we have accumulated A LOT of crap. Between the eye and hearing protection, the pistol, the Garand, the new .308, the .22, the ammo for all of them, and various other accessories, we have a freaking trunk full. We don't have cases for all the guns, but we don't want to scare the neighbors so we discreetly cover the .22 with a trash bag...which

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-87833576835154920162009-06-03T18:56:00.008+01:002009-06-03T19:31:03.141+01:00

I...can't...stop!!!!!SEAL tears cure cancer...TOO BAD SEALS DON'T CRY.When prowess fails to resolve a situation, the SEALs play dead. When playing dead doesn’t work, they play ZOMBIE.SEALs don't read books. They sit on them until they get the information they want.If at first you don't succeed...you're not a SEAL.SEALs have already been to Mars. That's why there are no signs of life.They tried

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-55547524147105265072009-06-02T18:11:00.004+01:002009-06-02T18:18:19.803+01:00

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-78347671982447922342009-06-02T00:29:00.006+01:002009-06-02T01:21:11.960+01:00

I take off at dusk. The temperature has cooled and the humidity drops enough that the sensation is more "Cardio in a Sauna" rather than "Trying to Breathe Underwater."I strap on the NavMan, and have another internal debate about using a watch instead. This is not the petty decision it sounds like, because I don't own a watch.That's right. I don't own a watch. I use my phone to tell time. I

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-59678765304684680492009-05-30T01:23:00.008+01:002009-05-31T18:57:36.102+01:00

I don't pretend to know why, but I improved my run time slightly. I walked a little, sprinted a little and ended up shaving two minutes off my time. Whatever.The ditches are still flooded from the torrential rains, overflowing and covering the sidewalk in places. It gives off a pungent swampy odor that, sadly, makes me a little homesick. Infer what you will about my home.RunTime: 00:15:

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-69199143867935934312009-05-29T19:27:00.005+01:002009-05-29T20:34:07.264+01:00

I borrowed Navy Boy's NavMan for this run again. I've abandoned my mp3 player. I think it hinders more than it helps, especially on fartlek runs where my pace changes frequently. I also invested in a pair of real running shoes: Brooks GTS 8.They are noticably lighter than my tennis shoes. They did the job, but were designed more for traction and support on the court and--according to someone--

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-74097793470501245202009-05-21T22:27:00.006+01:002009-05-21T22:43:23.361+01:00

I put aside deep misgivings about powder-based foods and chocolate before noon to try some Carnation instant breakfast.  It seemed to work out pretty well.  It didn't weigh me down on my run, and I felt pretty energized.The rain (aka THE RAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIN!!!) paused long enough for me to put on my running gear and find my keys.  It did not pause long enough to let me actually get out of the

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-85078328465978307562009-05-21T15:52:00.002+01:002009-06-17T01:50:33.401+01:00

What?!? Is this really how the script is written? Does anyone see anything wrong with a PO commanding a Lieutenant? This is shaping up to be as accurate as G.I. Jane.Friday Night Lights director Peter Berg writes, directs, and produces this true-life tale of survival set in Afghanistan and involving a Navy Seal whose entire squadron was killed in a Taliban ambush. Marcus Luttrell was a Navy

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-79288179380675026032009-05-20T18:15:00.007+01:002009-05-20T19:19:15.526+01:00

The weather has been interfering slightly with my PRT training. Plans to go to the university's track have been scrapped since it appears that it will NEVER EVER STOP RAINING.It has been raining since Saturday. Today is Wednesday. So it has been raining for FIVE DAYS.CONTINUOUSLY.If you couldn't tell from the caps-happy font, I'm kind of tired of the rain. It's very a Faustian situation for

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-16390247139177734592009-05-15T20:33:00.006+01:002009-05-15T21:05:44.505+01:00

Since I failed to record all of my workouts here on PIC, I've lost track of how many days I've been training.  So from now on the title of these posts will be the same, minus the number.Today--after procrastinating all morning--I drag myself to The Dreadmill again.  Thank God, the apartment "gym" is empty, which allows me to gasp and wheeze unselfconciously, and mutter cadences under my breath

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-78600128029640802422009-05-12T17:56:00.003+01:002009-05-15T21:05:13.146+01:00

I hate running like emo kids hate sunshine.Despite the fact that I laid out every thing needed for my morning run in the path that I would have to take to get out of bed, I still blow it off in favor of an additional hour of sleep. I literally stumble over my tennis shoes, catch myself with a hand on the dresser--where my mp3 player and water bottle were placed--and push the chair with my

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-59474555470900272162009-05-11T19:47:00.007+01:002009-05-11T21:20:49.163+01:00

Like the valiant warrior that he is, Navy Boy returned from his journey to Virginia with spoils. Namely, a reconditioned M1 Garand that he bought off a friend.YES. ENVY ME.We prepare immediately for a range trip. I pack the .22. The thrill of shooting for me comes from accuracy and precision more than from caliber. But before we go I pick up the Garand and admire the workmanship.An aura of

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-66255091509224118072009-05-10T15:11:00.000+01:002009-05-11T21:17:10.428+01:00

Happy Mother's Day! I met up with the fam for brunch at this awesome little B&B in town. It's been around since before forever, and hearkens back to the slightly more stylish days of our tiny town, when big paddleboats steamed up and down the St. Johns River, and the HUGE lake was a hotspot for wealthy vacationers.I gave Grandma a kiss and a hug and told her happy mother's day. Then I turned

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-41223894629344585982009-05-07T22:59:00.005+01:002009-05-07T23:15:44.705+01:00

I guess fatigue took its toll.  My push ups improve steadily, while curl ups took a pretty significant dive.  I actually hit 51 with about ten seconds to spare.Push ups: 51Curl ups: 86For those who haven't been following, I have two minutes for each of these.  My run (which was actually 1.5 miles this time) was about 18 minutes.  I was making good time until I started walking.  I really feel

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-60077318060425934312009-05-04T20:20:00.006+01:002009-05-04T21:28:35.913+01:00

A few weeks ago I sent out a desperate tweet for help on writing thank you notes.Last week found me bemusedly trying to reply to a recruiter's email. Having little experience in military correspondence, I had to fall back on my borrowed copy of the Naval Officer's Guide and Google.Here is the recruiter's signature:V/RSKCM(SW/AW) John SmithNRDEleventy-Third StreetTownsville, USAWork:

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-75684689553685851282009-05-03T01:24:00.007+01:002009-05-07T23:12:59.725+01:00

This was only in the non-cardio tests, and I sort of screwed up.  You see, there I was, surfing YouTube......when I stumbled across Howard Stern - Jesse Ventura on Navy Seals, where Governor The Body discusses the rigors of SEAL training and Stern coos over how young Ventura would do 60 to 70 push ups in two minutes.Wait a minute.  That doesn't sound all that amazing to me.  I can't recall how

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-65330049363488482042009-05-01T18:32:00.002+01:002009-05-01T18:46:40.140+01:00

I decided to switch things up and hit the stationary bike. This was the kind that has you recline slightly, which always makes me feel a little like I'm cheating. How good of a workout can you get when you are lounging in a chair? But I like that it's very low impact, and the fancy readouts with my speed, distance and heart rate are kind of cool.Recumbent BikeDistance: I stopped paying

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-60813484241019268452009-05-01T01:18:00.006+01:002009-05-01T18:31:39.428+01:00

In my last couple posts on training for the PRT, I lamented my lack of aerobic ability, and the fact that I get halfway through the 1.5 mile run and just...fizzle out. Tonight, I determined, I would do better. I would run the whole damn 1.5 miles, at the very least.I previously set my route using mapmyrun.com. It's a straight run out and back through a nice neighborhood, but I'm a little bored

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-48073779917301062742009-04-27T00:26:00.004+01:002009-04-27T00:41:25.328+01:00

Borrowed from a friend in the STA-21 program: the Bluejacket's Manual.In the foreword it states,When wartime requirements severely shortened recruit training to as little as three weeks, Sailors were admonished to study their BJM en route to their fleet assignments and told that everything they really needed to know to succeed could be found there. Incredibly, that is still a fundamentally true

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-44043632246090474112009-04-26T19:07:00.004+01:002009-05-01T18:27:47.180+01:00

After some teasing from Navy Boy ("Do you have an electronic document to go with every aspect of your life?") I created a hard copy Workout Log to document my progress. Since smart money says I will not use them past the next week, I will continue to record it here, for continuity.My run yesterday was terrible. Awful. Abysmal. I don't want to talk about it.I wanted to say "hell with cardio"

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-74901599707614676402009-04-23T19:11:00.003+01:002009-04-23T19:27:39.766+01:00

To those looking for a study guide for military flight aptitude tests, and officer candidate tests, I have one piece of advise.DON'T BUY BARRON'S.Specifically, Barron's Military Flight Aptitude Tests (ISBN-13: 9780764135170). I found two mathematical errors and the axes of flight were mislabeled in a diagram.ARCO books are harder to find but get better reviews on Airwarriors and on Pilot in

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-76635603097897342972009-04-22T15:34:00.003+01:002009-06-23T00:11:36.401+01:00

My avocation may be aviation, but my current profession is marketing. Spending the last two years composing copy, critiquing our communiques, trying to control our logo and policing our company brand has given me a "market-y" perspective on certain things.The Marines are out in front in more ways than one. They have maintained an amazingly consistent brand for over two centuries, yet it remains

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-55604195933853588422009-04-20T00:23:00.004+01:002009-04-20T06:02:26.874+01:00

I finally let myself go to the gym. Compared to the torture that is running, lifting weights is a treat.At first I feel slightly self-conscious. The most I've seen of the university's new weight room is passing glimpses on my way to salsa classes. Now I wander around a little awkwardly, looking for the machines I need. I try to implement my old routine from tennis training, but not all of the

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-15856649541357202202009-04-16T17:07:00.007+01:002009-04-23T18:51:11.141+01:00

Sometimes typos work out really, really well. Third paragraph.Gates: Why I Stopped the Stealth JetUpdate: They caught and corrected the typo. Fun's over.

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-21021258655504640842009-04-15T17:34:00.007+01:002009-04-16T20:22:36.668+01:00

So I mapped a run through an upscale yuppie neighborhood and took off before I could come up with some excuse to put it off. Despite the remarkable amount of roadkill in what I figured would be an immaculately maintained suburb, it was rather pleasant.Except...I got really tired.I know, no s***. But no, really! This is not normal for me. I tried to explain this to a friend. I've always

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-27860747056108200552009-04-14T16:41:00.009+01:002009-05-07T23:12:59.726+01:00

Echo suffers dangerous spike in blood pressure.It may seem like a theme is developing here. Before you start to wonder, no, I haven't diverted my career goals to underwater demolition. Aside from having the wrong equipment for the job (oohdon'tgetmestarted), flying is still my first love.I'm just a big fan.So combine my family history of military service, my desire to join the Navy, my respect

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-58777834394956413202009-04-13T15:15:00.009+01:002009-05-07T23:12:59.727+01:00

You have probably heard that things did not end well for the Somali pirates who hijacked an American vessel and demanded ransom. Like many a bad guy before them, the end they met had a sniper rifle, a scruffy beard and a giant tacky trident on his chest. You have probably not heard that they were probably some of our very roughest and readiest Frog Fatales: DevGru, aka SEAL Team Six.According to

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-89620981906638984922009-04-03T04:10:00.010+01:002009-04-06T20:05:20.448+01:00

I watched an NROTC color parade today, held on the University soccer field. The grassy sward looked immaculate from the stands, even though--in true Florida fashion--it had rained at 15:00 on the dot. No doubt the midshipmen were acutely aware of that fact as they came across the field less than ten minutes later, with their snowy white uniform pants wicking up the muddy water. I know we were

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-89793870451091560242009-03-31T20:03:00.010+01:002009-03-31T20:27:43.258+01:00

Found this from a guy who found this from some other guy who wrote it. Most of it is obviously sensible, like the ironing board and cash. But...canned air?Better yet, nail polish? And hairspray? And bring my makeup?I kind of doubt we are throwing a slumber party, so I'm really wondering what some of this stuff is for.Hey found this on the Navy OCS forum. Looks like a good gouge for stuff to

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-78483009236104995802009-03-24T14:25:00.020Z2009-05-07T23:12:59.728+01:00

So there I was...in the bathroom at NSI polishing our door brass, when in walks a Navy SEAL.He immediately removed his shirt, an act so impressive in of itself I could actually hear my testicles screaming as they called strategic retreat to the level of my bellybutton.As you may have realized, this is not my story. If you've been reading this blog for any amount of time, you know I'm not in the

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-19528979106122469802009-03-12T19:54:00.005Z2009-03-16T19:11:50.601Z

So, does this mean that if I make fun of the Blue Angels, they'll take me up and let me do aileron rolls?Of course, to be convincing I'd have to delete this post, and this post, along with these pictures, and these and these. And probably delete a couple tweets too.Standup comedian Robert Hawkins DARED to question the utility of the Blue Angels in his routine, and the team decided Mr. Hawkins

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-67495550390489447472009-03-09T21:43:00.011Z2009-03-10T02:02:24.593Z

That's right, you get to play Hero on the Hudson! Maneuver the [thing that loosely resembles a] jet with your arrow keys. Save your passengers and yourself from certain death only by an emergency landing in the nearby river.Hero on the Hudson (from AddictingGames.com)Play Games at AddictingGames

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-57684534302951692492009-03-05T17:12:00.004Z2009-03-05T20:46:15.874Z

Girl 1: "So the Riddle guys said they are 'just here to pick up girls.'"Girl 2: "They said that!?"Girl 1: "Yep."Girl 2: "At WAI?"Girl 1: "OUT loud."Girl 2: "Aren't they afraid of getting hog tied and left to die of exposure?""You're asking me if I want to go to a conference with thousands of women? And all they want to talk about is airplanes? I'm there!"--Corky Fornoff, Keynote Speaker, Stunt

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-37985446609410400622009-03-03T16:33:00.007Z2009-06-23T00:11:36.403+01:00

It would be impossible for someone as lazy as me to tell you everything that happened at the WAI conference this year. Without further ado, I give you The Highlights.Marine: "Try the pull up bar. Get a prize!"Member: [Warily] "What do I win?"Marine: "That's the surprise!""I love being a Marine. I love the Marine Corps. The Marine Corps DOES NOT love you back."--Major Alexis McCabe, Call sign

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-27809488710103305682009-02-25T06:00:00.002Z2009-02-25T15:12:13.230Z

I don't like running on concrete and the lake smells like something dead.Not a big dead thing--that would be sinister and scary--but like one of the cute little ducks that are always coasting around the pond, making pretty little wakes in the water decided to wander off into the snarly Florida underbrush, and maybe something happened to it. It was sick or maybe it got bitten by something and it

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-33653345992742165242009-02-24T16:21:00.009Z2009-02-24T17:42:54.052Z

Photo from Airliners.net; by Gerard IsaacsonThe caption says "After the dust settled, irony took center stage." I want to put a big caption in impact font that says "PWNED."Search more at airliners.net. I'm too lazy to find them for you.

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-48302378340330896272009-02-22T20:45:00.003Z2009-02-22T21:02:57.369Z

Thank you Aviatrix.From Cockpit Conversation: This Bike Is A Pipe Bomb

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-60819047503041587182009-02-15T01:37:00.009Z2009-02-15T05:10:25.339Z

I get an early start, rolling out of bed at the crack of 1000, and manage to convince myself to PT.I reward myself with a little non-cardio. Continuing my policy of baby-steps, I only do crunches, push ups and lunges.It is warm and humid outside. In other words, I'm in Florida.I fiddle with the little device strapped to my left arm as I stretch. Navy Boy has lent me a Navman R300, a nifty little

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-25482897787535143742009-02-13T15:40:00.001Z2009-02-13T15:46:25.748Z

Most of you will have heard about Continental Express Flight 3407, the Colgan Air Dash 8 that went down in New York.Aviatrix has the liveatc transcript of the radio calls over at Cockpit Conversation and does a good job of breaking down the relevant calls. I won't try to recreate it here.This soon after the accident the details are few, but painful. According to reports from Aero-News, at least

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-15587768597448054012009-02-11T18:07:00.003Z2009-02-11T18:15:19.883Z

I admit it. Even I question the utility of status updating and micro-blogging sites like Twitter. It often seems deliberately trivial. But then I run across someone twittering on the way to rescue passengers from Flight 1549 (Thank you, Around the Pattern) and posting his photo via Twitpic and I think, Oh. That's what this is for.I'm blown away by the power of this one well-timed message of

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-36823559327257909612009-02-08T23:58:00.006Z2009-02-11T18:15:44.042Z

Courtesy of Aero-News.net a compilation of the relevant radio calls during the A320's masterful--if unscheduled--arrival into Hudson Municipal Airfield.ANN Special Feature: US Airways Flight 1549 Audio - 02.06.09ATC: "Cactus 1549, Runway # is available."1549: "We're gonna be in the Hudson."ATC: "Cactus 1549, say again?"

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-22239925513260974892009-02-07T18:38:00.001Z2009-02-10T13:28:32.917Z

I made this cross-country nearly a year ago, but the post got buried in my other drafts. I'm sure I'd intended to share more details than this, but they are long lost by now. Enjoy, before it gets moved back to its proper chronological position (4/26/08).DAB to LCQ to TLHThunderstorms surrounded Tallahassee. There was not a single radar return anywhere else in the state of Florida, except our

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-31416258987144528532009-02-07T15:38:00.000Z2009-02-07T15:38:00.906Z

I am normally not prone to emotional peaks; but flight has broken my reserve where academic challenges, money matters and rocky relationships could not. I think any honest pilot would admit that flying is at best very difficult, and at worst mentally and physically exhausting. But since there about as many honest pilots as honest fisherman, don't expect to hear that very often.Flying sucks

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-23875351489969213152009-02-05T13:07:00.010Z2009-02-05T17:23:02.568Z

I pull on USMC tshirt that gets jealous glares from Navy Boy, which I ignore because it makes me feel tough. (I'm a devil-dog, GRRR!) I'm armed with a Navy sweatshirt and a new workout mix from podrunner, an hour-long techno mix set at 161 bpm. No, I won't need an hour.I step outside and start trotting down the sidewalk. Immediately my nose starts running and my throat fills with phlegm. My chest

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-71084328190418538272009-02-04T15:22:00.005Z2009-02-05T17:24:41.549Z

Stolen from the ERAU NROTC required reading list:The Naval Officer's GuideEleventh Edition (Hardcover)by William P. Mack, Harry A. Seymour, Lesa A. McComasPublisher: US Naval Institute Press; 11 Rev Sub edition (December 1998)ISBN-10: 1557506450$32.95 on Amazon.comAdmittedly, a lot of it is common sense, or rather of military tradition so old and universal everyone knows it: salute your superiors

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-40606668469473688922009-02-03T16:30:00.006Z2009-02-03T16:51:21.711Z

Aero-News advertised an open position in their writing/editing staff. Who thinks Callsign Echo is a bomb-tastic writer and should be hired on the spot?Comment! Say why it's a great idea, or why you think it may bring on the Armageddon, whichever.

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-369595131637551792009-01-31T23:49:00.006Z2009-06-23T00:11:36.404+01:00

I decided it was in the best interests of the organization that I take my break 30 minutes early, on the logic that I would be more productive with some caffeine in my system than if I went comatose and planted face on keyboard.Upon my return I find a sticky note on my screen telling me to temporarily switch to making calls. This requires a different headset from the aviation-esque ones we use

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-91340863555755401152009-01-27T16:26:00.004Z2009-01-27T16:32:40.248Z

Flagler News -- newsjournalonline.comNow the Chinese students are caught between homelessness and a hard place, and Embry-Riddle may find itself on the hook for it's buyer's bad debt.Posted using ShareThis

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-51577947212048394492009-01-25T15:09:00.004Z2009-02-15T01:48:48.947Z

The air is cool and clear in the morning, which does nothing to calm the carnivorous ogre that is Echo before 10 am. The only thing that soothes the horrible beast is music. NOT talk radio for the love of God. That's worse than feeding it after midnight.Oh, what a difference music makes! I'm not going to be able to PT in OCS without them. The Skullcandies worked great, I hardly even thought about

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-81630676042184865292009-01-25T15:00:00.003Z2009-05-07T23:13:29.586+01:00

After some trial and error, I found out Airwarriors posters recommend Skullcandy earphones for jogging. The soft rubber sleeves fit comfortably in the ear, and will not slip even during vigorous physical activity.$19.99 at Circuit City.Comes with three different sized sleeves.

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-15959518049093644442009-01-24T22:11:00.005Z2009-01-26T15:10:47.343Z

Last time I ran a specific distance without timing, today I ran a time without measuring distance. It felt like five miles, so it was probably about one. I'd love to lie and embellish on these posts, but your justifiable scorn is probably what I need to motivate me. I walked. A lot. It was embarrassing.Run:Distance: Not recordedTime: 20 minutesPlaylist:Muse - Supermassive Black HoleMuse -

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-48312464840064483462009-01-23T19:45:00.004Z2009-01-23T19:56:01.931Z

The "always" and "nevers" do pile up. Stick and rudder makes a good pilot, procedures make a good pilot f***ing irritable....until you read a story from a former fighter, current commercial pilot about how those damn procedures saved his neck.Neptunus Lex: PayoffStolen from Keith's Blog

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-80793505145693979152009-01-21T14:38:00.007Z2009-01-21T14:50:35.132Z

Found on NASA's Twitter page! The astronauts and lunar rover in the 56th inaugural parade.I have yet to be swept up in the Obamania with the rest of my generation. Since my interests are admittedly narrow, and our new president has yet to delineate firm plans for the future of aviation, I am saving up my enthusiasm for that day that he outlines a wonderful tax-light, fee-free system which is

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-18279933351183313462009-01-15T22:02:00.006Z2009-02-11T18:15:44.045Z

Having reportedly suffered multiple bird strikes resulting in the failure of both engines, the pilot of U.S. Airways A-320, Flight 1549, declined return instructions to Laguardia, requested Teterboro, but apparently opted to land in the Hudson river shortly after Laguardia Tower lost radio contact.Everyone on board was evacuated safely.Sources:ABC News: Jet Crashes into Hudson RiverAero News

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-46158948957060610052009-01-15T15:17:00.004Z2009-01-16T14:38:30.967Z

Heard the one about the white collar criminal who jumped out of an airplane and let it crash into the countryside when it ran out of fuel?THE FLYING PENGUIN has a post with all the dirty details.Read A Real Bailout.

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-32711888241734037702009-01-12T16:37:00.004Z2009-01-13T15:07:09.055Z

This year AOPA's "Let's Go Flying" Sweepstakes will give away this ugly Cirrus SR-22. Cue oohs and ahhs:The technologically advanced, composite, glass-cockpit airplane can cover more than 1,000 nautical miles at a stretch, reach true speeds of more than 180 knots, and an altitude of 17,500 feet. Like every Cirrus, it’s got an airframe parachute, and this one also carries a built-in TKS

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-83084143663153163412009-01-11T21:27:00.014Z2009-01-26T15:04:20.160Z

The post formerly known as "If I Have to Ditch in the Everglades, I Want This With Me."Found in this thread on airwarriors.com: Gerber's LMF II, purportedly designed for Army helo pilots. It features a fixed blade, partly serrated for cutting the thin metal skin of an aircraft. The grip is rubber-coated to insulate against electric shock, the butt cap is shaped and hardened to break plexiglass

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-61483148634329656402009-01-10T19:31:00.000Z2009-01-10T19:31:01.054Z

There are plenty of documented cases of military, commercial, aerobatic, and private aircraft landing with half a wing, one wing, no wings, and every possible fraction of two wings. The consensus seems to be that this video is a hoax perpetrated by some German tv station or clothing company to test viral marketing.I'm not really interested in them, but picking apart the video's veracity was fun.

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-11028998588025537732009-01-08T19:30:00.010Z2009-01-08T20:36:43.209Z

Training for the Navy PRT resumes. I plan on recording what kind of workout (to keep from duplicating or skipping different workouts), my stats (to track progress), my playlist (for fun), and whatever notes I think are significant. Also, since a smattering of comments has proven people actually do read this blog, the potential shame of the Intertubes bearing witness to my slack-assery should

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-84641439501160367332009-01-05T20:55:00.009Z2009-01-08T15:53:24.521Z

Continued from (Part I)I pre-write my posts in bullet points because If I don't get a thought on screen, it flits into the ether. I am all RAM, no hard drive [INSERT OBSCENE JOKE HERE]. I just thought it would be fun to leave the bullet points so you can get an idea of what I use in place of a thought process.Ignored at 28J. While Navy Boy is at the controls I switch to Kay Larkin's CTAF and as

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-62129052401698533632009-01-04T15:56:00.009Z2009-01-06T22:39:55.242Z

"What have you got in round-dial.""We have 08L available all day, but we don't open until 11:00.""I have a key card." I admit sheepishly."Oh." He's a nice kid and refrains from saying more, except, "Okay, well just return that when you're done." Like you were supposed to after your last flight."Rog."Two Weeks Ago: Having completely forgotten about our office White Elephant/Yankee Swap/Dirty

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-43125513120596043322008-12-30T20:55:00.002Z2008-12-30T21:18:04.926Z

Well, everyone else was doing it.This year I resolve toRun a half-marathon.Get an Outstanding-High on the PRT.Destroy the ASTB. Not pass. DESTROY!!!!!!Get accepted to the USN's Officer Candidate School.Build as much time as possible, and always stay Current.Blog about it every step of the way.Happy New Year to my reader(s)! Share your resolutions and get free--and somewhat sincere--moral

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-12428017474352540162008-12-24T17:04:00.002Z2009-01-26T15:03:13.159Z

I got a book of famous architecture for a birthday a loooooooong time ago, and thought it was so cool, it almost diverted me from airplanes and stuff. Almost.Here is the perfect architecture book for the terminally obsessed (Get it? Get it? Like airplane terminal!). Found at Boeing's gift shop, of all places.

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34636368.post-35077361993105199762008-12-23T15:11:00.003Z2008-12-23T15:47:40.547Z

I told you I cancel more than I fly, and I don't lie. I did my high perf endorsement in the G1000, thinking it was best to just dive in the deep end of the glass transition. The flight went reasonably smoothly, and I even felt comfortable by the end of it.Unfortunately, this did not magically bestow all the necessary confidence and skill I needed to take myself and a passenger on a flight in

Callsign Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07394192594808060440noreply@blogger.com3