After a mere two days of class I'm already studying feverishly. Monday morning first thing we have the Block I test which is a check on what we've covered so far. A score of 80% or more is required on all block tests. I also have to memorize the airfield layout and airspace we'll be working, practice my phraseology, and study for my CTO (Control Tower Operator) exam. Its really a lot. Working nights doesn't help much either.
Saturday I studied in the morning, and then after lunch went to the gym and then over to Kim's. I didn't have a pair of swim trunks that fit so I just hung out. Kim took a whole group of us out to eat later. We went back home and I studied some more till we had a bunch of students come over to watch the UFC fight. After that was over and everyone headed home I studied some more and hit the sack.
Sunday I slept in quite a bit before going to the gym again. Since it was closed until 1300 I used the time to go to Kohls and buy a new pair of swim trunks. After working out we went over to Kim's again and this time I got to get in the pool. After a while I got back out and studied a bit there, then came home and continued studying. Lots of studying, and I'll do more tonight before bed and tomorrow before work.
After the block test Monday we'll be getting the Tower Visibility briefing from the National Weather Service. Tuesday morning we'll start with the Tower Visibility Exam, which should properly certify us as weather observors.
Morale among AT Students is very low. While I think the prevailing weather (over 100 every day) has a lot to do with it, I think the majority of the blame rests in the beauracracy of the academy and our proximity to the "higher ups". The very demanding class work lends quite a bit as well and many students who have been here for basics have stays of up to and over 3 months. While for a single young person like me coming from unemployement this isn't a big deal, I'm in the vast minority out here. Most people I've met are either married or in some sort of relationship, and some of kids. Many have left decent paying jobs and are stuck out here on 20k a year for 3 months, with the contant chance of losing even that little income due to bad test scores or any other number of reasons they have for canning us. I think the stress level out here exceeds what's actually out in the field. I don't know if there is an easy solution for it, but I'm glad there's people out there like Kim who understands what kind of pressure the students are under and tries to compensate for it with activities like golfing and gym memberships.
I for one am very thankful for the gym membership. Just my first week on the job left my desperatly wanting to get out and run to relieve the tension. I'll be going regularly any week I'm on days. For know I'll just survive till the weekend.
That's all for now, maybe pictures next time.
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