any "primary" moms with kids at Corpus Christi?

[MaryD]

Our son is in Corpus now, has been there since early April.  I'm wondering if there are any moms out there whose kids are in approximately the same stage?  How's it going for them?

[JudyM]

My son is just starting primary. So . . . maybe you can give me a heads up as to what we can expect. Has your son liked Corpus and primary?

[MaryD]

I feel like I don't really know!  It's been more challenging than we expected.  Tons of studying for each flight.  They've had a lot of planes down with mechanical issues, so sometimes they wait all day for flights when they're scheduled, and then don't get to go.  Also it's super hot there right now, and the planes don't cool down until they get some altitude, so they spend a lot of time sweating in their flight suits!

 

Did your son come through OCS?  My son was in OCS 02-11...

[GANavyDad]

My Son just finished Primary in Courpus in June and was selected Tail Hook and begians Advance in Meridian MS tomorrow. I will be glad to answer any questions I can.

[MaryD]

congrats to your son.  that's pretty exciting!

[Denise F.]

Any suggestions on places to live in Corpus?  My son finishes API in a couple weeks. Good luck to your son in advanced.

[JudyM]

My son moved there earlier this month and lives on Padre Island. He and his roommate went through a realtor. They stayed in the BOQ for a few nights and were able to move right in. I believe he said they looked on the Web for a place and that is how they hooked up with the realtor. I can get ask him for more details if you like.

[Denise F.]

Does he live in a complex or a single family?

[MaryD]

My son found an apartment complex online, signed the lease when he got there.  He (and his roomate) are on Padre Island also.

[JudyM]

Jesse lives in a condo - I think 4 units in his building.

[Stitching4JoyNavyMom]

Hi JudyM - once you said Jesse I figured I knew you from 09-11 OCS!!  My two cents on the housing - Alicia and her roommate are renting a house - it's on the long barrier island off the main coast - is that Padre Island, I wonder.  They started primary at the end of August.

[MaryD]

i just found this on the "ask a pilot" thread which is full of helpful information.  This is specifically about primary.  Although it was posted in 2009 it sounds pretty much like what we've been hearing.

Reply by Mark on September 18, 2009 at 10:21pm

Primary is the first phase of a Student Naval Aviator's (SNA) flying training. They will learn to fly using the T-34C Turbo Mentor (soon to transition to the T-6 Texan). Here is the breakdown of T-34 training:
Ground School - SNAs learn about the "systems" of the airplane (fuel, electrical, landing gear, flight controls, etc). This takes about 3 weeks (if I remember correctly:))
FAMs (Familiarization) - This is the first time the SNA flies the aircraft. They are assigned their own personal flight instructor called an "On-Wing". The On-Wing is very demanding and will expect A LOT. FAMs are only 14 flights long with the 13th being the "checkride" and the 14th being a solo. This is completely different from a solo in a private airplane. The T-34 is MUCH more powerful than a Cessna and is a big jump for most new students. This is one of the two most difficult stages of Primary. Your son will be studying like crazy and will be very stressed, but most likely loving it! This stage will culminate with the solo which is a ton of fun!
Basic Instruments (BIs) - This is the SNAs first introduction to "instrument" flying (where they cannot see outside of the airplane). It is a short stage (about 6 flights) and usually done within the FAM stage (usually after FAM 5). This stage is not very fun, but very important.
Aerobatics - Not to be confused with "acrobatics", Aerobatics is a really fun stage where the SNA will learn to fly the plane more precisely by doing maneuvers such as the loop, barrel roll, half-cuban 8, inverted flight, and a few others. This stage has six flights, with two of those being solos. During this stage, the SNA will most likely scare themselves and will earn a greater respect for the airplane and will come away with more confidence in themselves.
Formation Flight (FORMs)-Another super fun stage! In this stage, two SNA's will be paired together as "Form Partners" and will go through this stage together. Here they will learn how to fly two planes in close proximity to each other...safely. During the first four flights, the SNAs will learn the basic maneuvers of formation flight (turning and separating and rejoining). The fourth flight will be a solo with each SNA in their own airplane followed by an instructor in a 3rd plane. The 5th and 6th flight will be "Cruise Form". During these two flights, the SNAs will learn the techniques of more dynamic formation flying during high bank turns and wing-overs.
Night - This short stage only has two flights. The SNA will fly with an instructor at night with the aim of just exposing the SNA to the night environement. These flights are low stress and usually enjoyable.
Radio Instruments (RIs) - This is the longest and most difficult stage in Primary (they saved the best for last!). This stage consists of a combination of instrument ground school, flights and simulators. This stage will teach the SNA how to navigate without having to look outside:). Many of these flights are done in the back seat, under the "bag" (a canvas hood that is pulled up from behind the seat that attaches to the glare shield in front of you, thus preventing the SNA from seeing outside). Don't worry, the instructor is sitting in the front keeping a close eye on what's going on! This stage is difficult because it is much like learning a new language with all the new terms, definitions, and federal regulations that must be followed. Most SNAs either love it or hate it! However, this is one of the most important skills the SNA will learn and something they will use for the rest of their career.
VNAVS (Visual Navigation) This stage is usually clumped together with some RIs during a cross-country. During this stage, the SNA will learn how to navigate using visual navigation. They will plot a route on a chart (map) and attempt to fly this route using only the visual checkpoints they have selected (ie fly from the intersection of two roads, fly until a large factory, turn and fly toward a dam, etc). These flights are usually done at 1000' (which is low and makes navigating more difficult, but it makes the flying more fun).
The completion of the cross-country is usually the completion of Primary (about 6-months of very hard work). The SNA is now ready for the selection of their next platform (jets, props, helos, maritime). After selection of their platform, they will then move on to advanced:)
I hope this helps!

[Mark]

Primary is the first phase of a Student Naval Aviator's (SNA) flying training. They will learn to fly using the T-34C Turbo Mentor (soon to transition to the T-6 Texan). Here is the breakdown of T-34 training:
Ground School - SNAs learn about the "systems" of the airplane (fuel, electrical, landing gear, flight controls, etc). This takes about 3 weeks (if I remember correctly:))
FAMs (Familiarization) - This is the first time the SNA flies the aircraft. They are assigned their own personal flight instructor called an "On-Wing". The On-Wing is very demanding and will expect A LOT. FAMs are only 14 flights long with the 13th being the "checkride" and the 14th being a solo. This is completely different from a solo in a private airplane. The T-34 is MUCH more powerful than a Cessna and is a big jump for most new students. This is one of the two most difficult stages of Primary. Your son will be studying like crazy and will be very stressed, but most likely loving it! This stage will culminate with the solo which is a ton of fun!
Basic Instruments (BIs) - This is the SNAs first introduction to "instrument" flying (where they cannot see outside of the airplane). It is a short stage (about 6 flights) and usually done within the FAM stage (usually after FAM 5). This stage is not very fun, but very important.
Aerobatics - Not to be confused with "acrobatics", Aerobatics is a really fun stage where the SNA will learn to fly the plane more precisely by doing maneuvers such as the loop, barrel roll, half-cuban 8, inverted flight, and a few others. This stage has six flights, with two of those being solos. During this stage, the SNA will most likely scare themselves and will earn a greater respect for the airplane and will come away with more confidence in themselves.
Formation Flight (FORMs)-Another super fun stage! In this stage, two SNA's will be paired together as "Form Partners" and will go through this stage together. Here they will learn how to fly two planes in close proximity to each other...safely. During the first four flights, the SNAs will learn the basic maneuvers of formation flight (turning and separating and rejoining). The fourth flight will be a solo with each SNA in their own airplane followed by an instructor in a 3rd plane. The 5th and 6th flight will be "Cruise Form". During these two flights, the SNAs will learn the techniques of more dynamic formation flying during high bank turns and wing-overs.
Night - This short stage only has two flights. The SNA will fly with an instructor at night with the aim of just exposing the SNA to the night environement. These flights are low stress and usually enjoyable.
Radio Instruments (RIs) - This is the longest and most difficult stage in Primary (they saved the best for last!). This stage consists of a combination of instrument ground school, flights and simulators. This stage will teach the SNA how to navigate without having to look outside:). Many of these flights are done in the back seat, under the "bag" (a canvas hood that is pulled up from behind the seat that attaches to the glare shield in front of you, thus preventing the SNA from seeing outside). Don't worry, the instructor is sitting in the front keeping a close eye on what's going on! This stage is difficult because it is much like learning a new language with all the new terms, definitions, and federal regulations that must be followed. Most SNAs either love it or hate it! However, this is one of the most important skills the SNA will learn and something they will use for the rest of their career.
VNAVS (Visual Navigation) This stage is usually clumped together with some RIs during a cross-country. During this stage, the SNA will learn how to navigate using visual navigation. They will plot a route on a chart (map) and attempt to fly this route using only the visual checkpoints they have selected (ie fly from the intersection of two roads, fly until a large factory, turn and fly toward a dam, etc). These flights are usually done at 1000' (which is low and makes navigating more difficult, but it makes the flying more fun).
The completion of the cross-country is usually the completion of Primary (about 6-months of very hard work). The SNA is now ready for the selection of their next platform (jets, props, helos, maritime). After selection of their platform, they will then move on to advanced:)
I hope this helps!

[Stitching4JoyNavyMom]

This is really helpful!  Alicia has been saying FAM 1, etc. and I ask what so many things mean already, I just let that one go.  Now I know what it means!!  THANKS!