So with startup and taxiing behind us - it is on to Takeoff and EFATO (Engine Failure After Take-Off) - sounds exciting. It is worth mentioning that this campaign is a bit of a mix of tutorial and checkride…although probably more tilted toward checkride. Yes, you’ll definitely learn stuff, but the campaign assumes some knowledge of the A-10 via the stock training missions and reading the manual. So if you are looking for a hand-holding training campaign, this is definitely not it. The stock A-10C training missions, with their voiceovers and pointers, were very good (I assume they are still working).
BFT-02 starts with another very nice briefing, with custom briefing images and instructions that you can refer to during the mission.
Follow the start-up procedure we have already learned, trying to make sure not to forget anything. I found this mission was a bit more lenient in forgetting things, since I was admonished for three separate items over the course of the mission, but still managed to qualify.
For this hop, our IP will be flying off our wing, providing support, guidance, and critical comments…
This is why missions like this (that might bore others) really appeal to me - this type of flying most closely resembles the kind I do flying as a civilian. Headings, altitudes, airspeeds - basically following instructions. I might not be able to coordinate a CCRP attack on a moving column while utilizing a JTAC, but I’m pretty good at flying assigned instructions.
After a short vector, I’m instructed to shut down my right engine and perform a visual approach to landing using only the power from the left engine. A nice (easy) challenge. Throughout the approach I get some tips from the IP - again, a nice touch from the mission designer.
With the added pressure of having to hit the landing zone (this is actually now a requirement on FAA checkrides as well…resulting in all of us just driving airplanes onto the fixed distance markers in the sim…LOL) I stay on speed and keep the FPM short of the touchdown zone.
The IP hawks me all the way down…(I’ve nicknamed him Sgt. Foley)…
Success!
Pay attention until the end of the mission though - the mission isn’t over until the shutdown is complete…
Again, the two-minute shutdown seems a bit hurried, so I end up forgetting something again (the pitot heat)…
After the shutdown, the ratings start coming in. I forget an item on the startup, disabled nose-wheel steering a touch late, and (in the IP’s opinion), deployed the gear too late during the visual approach. Even though I was “Qualified Minus” in several areas, I still passed the checkride!
