The One with a Quick Reality Check (GB LOFTs 1 & 2)

Just wrapped up our Ground-Based LOFT sessions one and two. These were our first experiences flying a full route from departure to destination—and wow, was that a wake-up call. Until now, we’d been focused mostly on isolated maneuvers and validations, but flying a route end-to-end felt completely different. The reality hit pretty quickly: it was all about knocking off the rust from our flows, remembering how to manage the plane through each phase of flight, and carefully following ATC instructions.

This photo captures the heart of our Flat Panel Training room—a space filled with memories of long hours spent mastering FPT lessons and exploring new challenges in the GB lofts. The room itself feels like a well-loved hub, where every detail of the setup speaks to countless moments of learning and camaraderie. Last day in it for IQ training. Will be back for more for recurrent!

Day one was definitely a bit of a shock. It highlighted just how easy it is to get behind if you’re not staying ahead of the airplane, especially with clearances. Today, during our second GB LOFT, the goal was to tighten things up. Overall it went better, though I still missed a few small items here and there. The experience underscored how crucial it is to carefully read and verify everything—clearances, SIDs, STARs, and approach plates—and keep a close eye on situational awareness.

It was a valuable reminder to always think a few steps ahead and just fly as normally as possible. Learning from mistakes at this stage feels like perfect timing. Tomorrow is our full SIM LOFT, which promises to be even more intense, especially since we’ll face a real issue on the ground that we’ll have to manage all the way through the flight. I’m genuinely looking forward to seeing how everything we’ve learned ties together in a realistic scenario.