What if I mess up again? What if I forget to call “gear down” on final? What about the spin recovery maneuver? What if I miss one of the steps? I chair flew and practiced the maneuvers over and over, and I knew what needed to be done, but I began to second-guess myself. I kept replaying in my head the previous flights when I failed. My confidence dwindled, and I could feel the sweat pour down my back.
In walked the instructor who would decide my fate, Major Jerry Free. He was the commander of the UPT squadron, a former F-4 fighter pilot who had little tolerance for mediocrity and laziness. At 6 foot 3 inches and with buzz cut hair and shiny boots, he was the epitome of an Air Force fighter pilot. I was intimidated to say the least.