And here is a quick run down of things I have learned so far...
Additionally, I have been told the secret to surviving Indo is to remember 2 simple rules:
To elaborate slightly... With regards to rule #1... There doesn't seem to be any logic or order in Indo's brand of chaos... Once you make peace with this fact, you'll quickly stop asking questions that contain the word "why"... And you'll be a much happier person...
As for rule #2... Trying to achieve anything, is a constant battle... Trying to effect change is nigh on impossible... If you invest yourself to heavily in something, chances are very high that you will ultimately end up very frustrated and/or angry...
I've only been here 2 weeks and already I can see the benefits of Rule #1... I suspect that trying to figure out the "why's" of Indonesia would be a lifetime of work... (And would most probably just end up proving Rule #2! :-P)
Having said all that, I'm having a blast... I've got a good bunch of guys on my training intake... Pangandaran is beautiful little beach resort... The training schedule is intense but the content is interesting...
- Indonesia is hot... Like ~30°C hot... ALL. THE. TIME! Morning... Afternoon... Evening... Middle of the night! The temperature variance is maybe 2 or 3 degrees...
- Never trust an "Indonesian fart"... I'll spare you the details, suffice to say that imodium is very useful in this part of the world. :-/
- Indonesia is cheap... Like crazy cheap... Like a big bottle of beer for $3 cheap... 30¢ for a bottle of water... Cornetto and magnum ice creams for ~80¢... $9 for tailor made pilot shirts... 1 hour cab rides that travel 30+km for $15... 3 gigs of prepay mobile data for $6...
- The people are very friendly... "Hellooo Meeester"
- Google Translate is awesome
- Like the "Pirate Code"... I think the Indonesian road code is more a set of guidelines.... That no one follows!
- Attempting to fly IFR and shoot an ILS approach from the right hand seat of a Cessna Caravan with analogue instruments and a vacuum pump failure is NOT fun
- The "Engine Fire" alarm in a Cessna Caravan is VERY loud
- Flying a Cessna Caravan with asymmetric flaps is hard work
- Sim instructors are the same everywhere... They don't seem to be happy unless something has failed on the aircraft! :P
- Sitting up until 1am watching world cup football, the night before an 8am sim session is not a good idea.
Additionally, I have been told the secret to surviving Indo is to remember 2 simple rules:
- Nothing makes sense
- Don't get too personally invested in anything
To elaborate slightly... With regards to rule #1... There doesn't seem to be any logic or order in Indo's brand of chaos... Once you make peace with this fact, you'll quickly stop asking questions that contain the word "why"... And you'll be a much happier person...
As for rule #2... Trying to achieve anything, is a constant battle... Trying to effect change is nigh on impossible... If you invest yourself to heavily in something, chances are very high that you will ultimately end up very frustrated and/or angry...
I've only been here 2 weeks and already I can see the benefits of Rule #1... I suspect that trying to figure out the "why's" of Indonesia would be a lifetime of work... (And would most probably just end up proving Rule #2! :-P)
Having said all that, I'm having a blast... I've got a good bunch of guys on my training intake... Pangandaran is beautiful little beach resort... The training schedule is intense but the content is interesting...
The only real downside is that the Lovely Em is all the way back in New Zealand... :( Fingers crossed I get a few days off after training is completed for a quick trip back to NZ!
Can't wait to get into the real aircraft next week... After the written and verbal exams are done! :-P
Can't wait to get into the real aircraft next week... After the written and verbal exams are done! :-P
