Military Career
01-08-2014, 08:00 PM
#11
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Position: 767A (Ret)
Posts: 6,248
Prior flying time will most likely help, not hurt, your chances of being selected. It is routine for UPT instructors to warn all new students that they will have to fly as instructed, regardless of their previous experience, but that's mostly to deter complacency and other bad attitudes. Those things will cause even a skillful student to wash out.
01-08-2014, 09:00 PM
#12
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Joined APC: Apr 2013
Position: Golf course, mostly.
Posts: 292
^^^^What he said. Having been a Primary Flight Instructor in the Navy, I saw all kinds. I had students with prior flight time (some had lots) that were very humble and just worked their tails off. I also saw a few with prior flight time who thought they knew everything and were not very humble. Fly as much as you can. It won't hurt you in Naval flight training. Just be humble when you get there and have a positive attitude. Nothing makes the instructor/student relationship go south faster than a student with an attitude. I just retired after 20 years of naval aviation and I'm doing the airline gig now. PM me if you need any help, advice, etc. Best of luck to you.
01-09-2014, 03:51 AM
#13
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Joined APC: Apr 2013
Posts: 3,638
No im financially capable supporting my college. This has just been my goal since I was a kid. Even though my high school career wasn't great academically. Just trying to sort out the best route. As far as what I will fly in the Navy I have no specific aircraft, Im perfectly happy with Helos as long as its something I can fly Im perfectly happy with. My uncle who just retired as a Colonel in the Marines flew the 46's and got in through OCS. But he's told me both ways will get you into the cockpit.
01-09-2014, 04:55 AM
#14
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Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,839
My main goal after college was to join the Navy to fly. But Ive been reading alot lately and noticing a trend that the military will not want pilots with hours and hours of civilian flight time. Because when you join they will have to untrain all of your civilian flight habits.
Check out the above posted thread and read posts 11-16 for some insight to the value of prior flight time.
01-09-2014, 04:57 AM
#15
Working weekends
Joined APC: Jul 2005
Position: Left Seat
Posts: 2,384
back in the 90's (when they were banking AF pilots) a private pilot was almost mandatory to get "looked at" for AF slots.
my buddy had CFI/MEI (at age 22) and the AF picked him immediately. used to fly his old mans Baron.
graduated top of class.
my buddy had CFI/MEI (at age 22) and the AF picked him immediately. used to fly his old mans Baron.
graduated top of class.
01-09-2014, 06:14 AM
#16
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Thread Starter
Joined APC: Sep 2013
Position: First Officer
Posts: 71
Really appreciate all of the great advice! Probably going to go through with NROTC and hopefully lead me to a career as a Naval Aviator.
Again if anyone has any further advice or guidance, please feel free to post!
Again if anyone has any further advice or guidance, please feel free to post!
01-09-2014, 06:14 AM
#17
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Joined APC: Nov 2012
Position: BE350 PIC
Posts: 624
Also, where are you flying out of in the Boston area?
I grew up under the pattern at PYM and there are more than a couple retired/former military pilots around there if you want to pick someone's brain.
I grew up under the pattern at PYM and there are more than a couple retired/former military pilots around there if you want to pick someone's brain.
01-09-2014, 08:04 AM
#19
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Joined APC: Jun 2007
Position: Retired Naval Aviator
Posts: 377
I was a Navy primary and intermediate/advanced T-45 Goshawk IP. Prior flight time helps if you have "it" but won't help if you don't have what it takes. The advantage that prior flight time brings to those with the ability, goes away by mid-phase in jet. Everyone struggles to a degree.
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