<p>so i understand that qualified freshmen can take basic soaring in their second semester. what are the qualifications? and, is there any chance that a freshmen could take soaring or any other airmanship program in their first semester (other than the flying team)? what are the qualifications for that? </p>
<p>i guess it is just wishful thinking, but i want to know anyways :)</p>
<p>Flyboy you are going to have so much to deal with during your first year that Airmanship is the last thing you are going to want to worry about. I know potter has Soar this summer, and is very excited about it, but would have been overwhelmed trying to take it and keep up with all the other courses she has had this year. She is the biggest pessimist you will everfind, and never sees a glass as more than half full, but even I would have believed her paniced phone calls if she said I'm slipping academically and she was taking Soar before the summer. Not that it is hard, just that there is so much on a cadets plate. She hasn't practiced Martial Arts since she got there, and that used to be an everyday thing.</p>
<p>well, that's probably true. maybe i should focus on adjusting academically (and militarily, physically, etc.) for at least a semester before i start pursuing extra-curric's. but i understand that a freshmen takes 5 classes their first year, and that the weeks are divided into "m" days and "t" days. does that mean i take 2 classes on one day and then 3 on the next? because if so, that should'nt be impossible to do well academically and pull of soaring my second semester, right?</p>
<p>I'm not sure about the 5 classes.. as when I look at our cadets schedule, it looks like more. Here is a sample 4 degree- Foreign Language, Calculus 3, Physcis, English 211, Beh. Science, Computer Science, PE and First year experience ( non credit course )</p>
<p>Same here - son took 5 courses first semester and 6 courses the second semester plus PE and intramurals. How many classes you on M and T days can vary by your individual schedule. T days so far have been lighter days though I would image the opposite could be true, depending on what courses you are taking.</p>
<p>all the classes i will be taking will most likely be "101's". i am not going to validate math any further than calc 1, so if i take physics it will be basic. same thing with chemistry and foreign language. though i am good at english, i have no AP's, so i will be taking the basic english course as well. what will my course load look like roughly? and when do i actually get to see my "official" schedule?</p>
<p>I don't think you'll see your schedule until after you complete BCT.</p>
<p>2 and 3 classes is not as easy as it sounds. Second semester you will have 6 classes. If that was easy, then the quarter of each class that ends up on ac pro wouldn't happen.</p>
<p>Wise counsel as always hornet. Flyboy worry about first things first (complete High School) then BCT. Last year (2011) lost a lot of cadets to BCT. When you make it past that you can begin to concern yourself with Academics, and these are the words of a friend who is a graduate "Remember the Academy will send you home faster for Academic failure, then any Military failure." Point is you end up on Ac/Pro at the Academy and it is very serious. Potter has done well in the first year, but she always thinks she is about to go on Ac/Pro (Glass half full thing).</p>
<p>There is little time in most Freshmen's schedules for something that would take 3 class periods plus memorization work (checklists and EPs).</p>
<p>As a freshman, you really don't want to be getting up at 0515 to go to soaring, get back, go to class, go to lunch, more classes, training session, dinner, homework, details, knowledge...then find some time to sleep before the next day! Freshmen may not have as many classes, but they have plenty of tasks and duties to fill their day.</p>
<p>are you sure basic soaring is early in the morning? i thought it was after classes in the afternoon</p>
<p>I believe they prefer to fly the gliders earlier in the day because of the thermals....correct me if I am wrong Hornet/Eagle/Raimius. At anyrate it is a lot to try and accomplish alongside the rigors of recognition etc. Just saying everything has a season Flyboy. Study hard during the year, keep you class rank up, and you should get your soar slot over the summer.</p>
<p>I'm surprised by that also. Usually you want to do your powered flying in the morning or around dusk so you can avoid the thermals and turbulence. The gliders want those thermals so they can get the much needed lift.</p>
<p>Soaring is split into two morning classes and one in the afternoon. The busses leave at 0600, 0900, and one around lunch (not sure exactly when).</p>
<p>Joshrk, we get plenty of thermals, starting at dawn. I definitely found a 1200+ fpm downdraft one day, that cut my flight time in half. :(</p>
<p>USAFA is on the leeward side of a mountain so it's very possible that you will find downdrafts. This is particularly important to watch out for when the winds are high to avoid being thrown into the side of the mountain.</p>
<p>in order for me to be proactive, should i try and take as many courses as i can handle the first semester so i can have the time i need for soaring in the second?</p>
<p>They probably won't let you take more than five.</p>
<p>You have no choice, they will put you in 5. If they think you won't be able to handle it, they may even place you in 4.</p>
<p>flyboy47,</p>
<p>I'll just add on to what everyone has said. Focus on academics, athletics, and your military bearing. If you don't have these three in order, then you won't even get the opportunity to step foot in an aircraft. That'd suck to graduate in four years and not receive a pilot slot because you couldn't hack it in the classroom because you spent too much time at the airfield.</p>
<p>Also, these grades will stick with you the rest of your life. What happens if you lose your FC1 or never receive one and now you have to rely on your degree?</p>
<p>I don't know if you are in flight training right now or already went through it, but there is more to flying then just the actual flying. There is a lot of bookwork and studying that goes into it that most people never even see. It'll be hard to do that on top of everything else, especially as a freshman.</p>
<p>believe me, i know the importance of grades first and everything else afterwards. or in this case grades first, then military and physical development second and then everything else. that is why i will be soley focused on adapting to the many facets of the academy and earning a good OPA my first semester. however, i am going to do everything i can possibley do in order to soar in my second semester. and though i have not gone through any formal flight training, i know learning to fly is not all done in the cockpit. in fact, i love the bookwork!! i think its absolutely fascinating to read about and study aviation. remember, flying is my passion in life :) i love to read about it, do it, and teach it to others!! i find that everything that comes with learning to fly is absolutely awesome.</p>