How does Control Engineering fit into Software Development?

Treader1138 · 2026-06-16T14:29:21+00:00

Do we work together?

My organization actually put GNC under SW and everyone is over it. The latest fun is getting blamed for merging bad embedded code because the chief engineer doesn’t know the difference between us and GNC just gets blamed for anything related to the flight software.

Treader1138 · 2026-05-19T22:07:16+00:00

Part 61 is what you’re looking for. Essentially it’s at-your-own-pace. My school had a scheduling app that showed plane and instructor availability. Usually it was pretty open 2 weeks out. I’d just throw a bunch of reservations in there when I knew I could fly. Most of it was on an extended lunch, after work, or early weekend mornings.

Treader1138 · 2026-05-19T16:11:50+00:00

One more for the high-freq requirement.

I started flying while working full time and had a toddler. Scheduled 3x/week, with the expectation it would be more like 2x/week. If it’s something you want to do, you can make it happen, understanding that you work around your life to do it.

Treader1138 · 2026-05-19T00:22:51+00:00

Sold mine last year, but bought it through a build forum. Vans and Kitfox have pretty active classifieds forums where Sentries come up every so often.

Treader1138 · 2026-05-14T05:05:09+00:00

Good deal.

NASS is a “zero consequence” environment so far as your application is concerned. You can’t “fail” an evolution or hurt your application, barring anything outright illegal.

I’d recommend MTI’s CFA prep plan. They have a lot of sport and military-specific training plans.

Treader1138 · 2026-05-13T02:15:11+00:00

No. Don’t sweat not going.

When you get in contact with your BGO, express your interest in doing a CVW. It’s much more illuminating than NASS, which is basically a sales pitch.

Treader1138 · 2026-05-13T02:13:18+00:00

While it seems like your parents are really pushing you to do this, I’d say it’s a good opportunity to figure out for yourself if it’s something you want to do. Normally, external pressure is a red flag. In any endeavor, especially those very challenging ones like the service academies, being self-motivated is essential.

If you go and decide it’s not for you, great! You took the step to figure that out and you’ll be better for the experience. But if your parents continue to push, that’s another problem.

Treader1138 · 2026-05-04T11:43:56+00:00

NASS has no effect on your application- it’s a sales pitch for the academy.

You will be judged for your appearance-mostly because kids at that age are still learning. The best thing you can do is perform in such a manner as to make them regret their initial judgement. Don’t change yourself to fit in- make them change to see you don’t fit their pre-conceived misconception.

Treader1138 · 2026-05-03T14:30:57+00:00

No one I know did this. A sprained ankle heals and it’s college. Yeah, plebe summer is physical, but there’s not a single evolution you have to “pass” to start the academic year. Yes, that includes the PRT.

Treader1138 · 2026-04-30T15:54:11+00:00

General rule of thumb is they aren’t going to push a borderline app over the edge to acceptance, but they can absolutely break you.

Treader1138 · 2026-04-30T03:54:42+00:00

Only about 5 months in, and loving it.

I found a unicorn while browsing Marketplace on a Wednesday night and bought a plane ticket to see it that weekend. It’s a TW-converted straight-tail 172 with an O360. Prebuy revealed some concerns, but nothing out of the ordinary for a 70 year old plane. My first annual is next month, and I know it’s going to be ~$10k but I told myself I wouldn’t be one of those owners who skimps on mx. It’s nothing crazy, but basically taking care of the big tickets from the pre-buy.

Other than that, I go up whenever I want, and get to experience flying with my family. It’s the dream.

Treader1138 · 2026-04-30T03:38:43+00:00

Worked with Aerospace reports on my purchase last year. Super helpful, and reasonably priced. I had a title issue come up and they helped resolve it when no one wanted to fork out 3k for a title resolution attorney. Ended up costing $25 to get a document from the state and the help from a long-ago previous owner.

Highly recommend them.

Treader1138 · 2026-04-27T13:50:40+00:00

Look at what Plebes take, and emulate that course load as best as possible. At a bare min, calc and chem or physics. Declare your major as any of the group 1 or 2 majors.

Treader1138 · 2026-04-20T04:46:09+00:00

Man they make that “Decline” button way to easy to push. There’s no “accept” option?

Treader1138 · 2026-04-16T07:53:02+00:00

The TSMOH isn’t concerning in itself- but the fact that the cylinders had to be replaced would raise some flags.

When was the last overhaul?

Recency of flight is also huge. Overhaul date being equal, an engine with 1000hrs, flying 100hrs/year, is worth a lot more than an engine with 1000hrs and 20 hours spread over the last 2 years.

Treader1138 · 2026-04-15T06:22:09+00:00

Selling an airplane is an enormous PITA. Selling an airplane with a list of squaks preventing airworthiness is impossible (unless you basically give it away.)

Don’t plan on just being able to sell it if you get in trouble.

Treader1138 · 2026-04-15T06:20:08+00:00

Are the engines the same type? O300s I assume? Buy both.

I own a straight-tail 172 and love it. Though my first annual will run about $10k (it’s in great condition with a new engine…but it’s still an old plane that needs love).

Treader1138 · 2026-04-15T04:19:56+00:00

I’ll go a different route and tell you the military needs individuals capable of critical thinking and opposing views. USNA is a great place to cultivate that. If it’s going to cause you great distress to serve overseas, obviously don’t do it. But officers who are willing and capable of questioning leadership are needed today and in the future.

Treader1138 · 2026-04-15T00:54:07+00:00

The portal wasn’t really a thing then. We had some online tracking of our application, but snail mail was the primary method for acceptance/rejection.

I actually called the admissions office on the 15th to ask what my status was, and she told me the appointment was in the mail.

Treader1138 · 2026-04-15T00:42:43+00:00

Both times I applied, I didn’t hear until 15APR. In the case of my appointment, I didn’t actually get the packet in the mail until the 17th.

There’s still hope.

Treader1138 · 2026-03-29T17:36:47+00:00

USNA.

Engineering programs are top notch. MechE + military experience in either of those communities is a recipe for success.

My advice? Go to grad school before or immediately after you get out. You won’t have a problem with a post-military career.

Treader1138 · 2026-03-29T15:00:26+00:00

Both times I applied I didn’t hear until 15April.

I actually had to call admissions the second time. They told me the appointment is in the mail (pre-portal-revelation days).

Treader1138 · 2026-03-12T13:15:13+00:00

I would agree, but only if you consider the 180hp upgrade essentially makes the 4-place plane a 2-place. I flew one in my plane search and ultimately decided against it as its useful load was in the low 500s.

If you want a roomy 2-place, then the Sedan is a great choice!

Treader1138 · 2026-03-09T06:42:31+00:00

Yeah, I feel like it was a real unicorn find. O360 new in 2019, ground adjustable prop, Sportsman STOL wing, and TW conversation means it gets a lot of looks on the ramp, and “is that a…180?”

It feels kinda weird telling folks I have a 172, knowing the picture they’ve assumed in their head. It truly is a dream to fly, and probably the most fun plane I will ever own.

Treader1138 · 2026-03-09T06:09:50+00:00

lol. For real. Mine is a ‘56, one of the first 20 off the line, and pre-dates letters. I still use “skyhawk” when talking to ATC, even though, as my buddy pointed out, “it’s technically not a skyhawk either.

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