Applying to the March 2013 Board

[J.McGinnis]

To be honest, I think an IP would know much more about this topic than a NASA commander. Since IPs see students of all sorts everyday. Unless the NASA commander was an IP too. I guess there's differing opinions on this topic. But in general, it seems the PPL won't give you too much of a leg up in Navy selection.

If I had 10k right now, I would consider it. But why not just go through IFS, it gives you 14 hours or something right? I mean time spent in IFS is probably lower than time spent to get a PPL anyway. Then you could fly awesome planes like the T-6 sooner.

I totally agree with you, an IP would know much more about the topic (He was never an IP). I guess I should have been more specific. Of the Commander I know, and several other aviators all of whom had prior flight experience before entering the service, said their experiences in the cockpit before commissioning helped immensely in flight school. As for selection, I have no clue on whether or not it gives you a leg up if you've logged time or not. I would think it has to have some importance (minimal though). If it serves no purpose then I'd be confused as to why there's a "Flight Experience" block on the Navy Application form. GPA and ASTB are the deal breakers......

And for sure...10k is a lot of money, and it took me 5 months to get my PPL , and 5 to get my instrument (noting that I was in a structured flight program at a university). Even though I have some unwanted loans, I wouldn't have done it any different!! And I just heard from a buddy of mine who graduated class 02-13 (SNA) and is waiting to class up for API that if this sequestration takes full effect that IFS might be a goner. I don't know any specifics, just heard it from the butterbar down in P'Cola....

 

[Navy Airedale]

I totally agree with you, an IP would know much more about the topic (He was never an IP). I guess I should have been more specific. Of the Commander I know, and several other aviators all of whom had prior flight experience before entering the service, said their experiences in the cockpit before commissioning helped immensely in flight school. As for selection, I have no clue on whether or not it gives you a leg up if you've logged time or not. I would think it has to have some importance (minimal though). If it serves no purpose then I'd be confused as to why there's a "Flight Experience" block on the Navy Application form. GPA and ASTB are the deal breakers......

And for sure...10k is a lot of money, and it took me 5 months to get my PPL , and 5 to get my instrument (noting that I was in a structured flight program at a university). Even though I have some unwanted loans, I wouldn't have done it any different!! And I just heard from a buddy of mine who graduated class 02-13 (SNA) and is waiting to class up for API that if this sequestration takes full effect that IFS might be a goner. I don't know any specifics, just heard it from the butterbar down in P'Cola....

Are you going for SNA, if so please tell me in having your PPL and IR helped you out purring the selection process at all. It seems as from what I am hearing, having them will do you no justice in getting selected, perhaps a little. Both Nay pilots I spoke with are giving me mixed answers because they never say board, but have instructed SNA before. I still plan on getting my PPL but mainly for me. I think having it would be a good plan B of I am not selected.

 

[Tycho_Brohe]

Are you going for SNA, if so please tell me in having your PPL and IR helped you out purring the selection process at all. It seems as from what I am hearing, having them will do you no justice in getting selected, perhaps a little. Both Nay pilots I spoke with are giving me mixed answers because they never say board, but have instructed SNA before. I still plan on getting my PPL but mainly for me. I think having it would be a good plan B of I am not selected.

Is this related to the "meow game"?

 

[J.McGinnis]

Are you going for SNA, if so please tell me in having your PPL and IR helped you out purring the selection process at all. It seems as from what I am hearing, having them will do you no justice in getting selected, perhaps a little. Both Nay pilots I spoke with are giving me mixed answers because they never say board, but have instructed SNA before. I still plan on getting my PPL but mainly for me. I think having it would be a good plan B of I am not selected.

I am going for SNA. As for getting selected for SNA, well that hopefully is soon to come...As for selection, who really knows if it will help you or not. To be honest, I could care less. I got into aviation because it is a passion of mine. If it helps with the selection, awesome, if it doesn't, awesome. If I get selected it will be because I have good ASTB scores, an above average GPA and extensive leadership experience in college.

As for getting your PPL , go for it if that's what you want to do! A PPL and a poor ASTB score though aren't a good match...The test is huge... You only live once, so if becoming a private pilot is a goal of yours, jump on it

 

[exNavyOffRec]

I personally know a commander who just retired who flew tomcats and hornets, topgun graduate, and now flys for NASA. When I asked him if my flight experience will benefit me during primary (I am instrument rated), he said hands down. Now, there are totally different procedures when operating in a military / civilian flight environment that everyone will have to learn regardless of flight time. The stick and rudder skills are there, the aviation knowledge is there, and most importantly, the pressure during check rides and in-depth ground schools are good preparation for the brief, before and after the flight in primary. It's an equal playing field for all and would assume it's different for everyone, but to say that having prior time will hurt you is plain non-sense!!

Oddly enough the guys that I put in who failed out of flight school all had their PPL

 

[BusyBee604]

Oddly enough the guys that I put in who failed out of flight school all had their PPL

Folks, this PPL a + or - for a successful flight training program, has been discussed, dissected, hashed out on AW, for years. Unfortunately, there has never been a multi-$$$ scientific PPL Impact Study done to give a definitive answer. It is ALL opinions both pro and con, although most of the opinions on both sides are based on considerable personal experiences (some Navy IPs) , make sense, and are valid, deserving consideration.

It is, in my opinion, pretty much a wash. Over a large SNA population, a PPL+ would help some with some airwork & basic instruments, while there may be a slight negative for some due to the unlearning/relearning process, in that GA & Navy procedures are markedly different. The cost of obtaining a PPL should be considered. It is pretty much unanimous among those experienced in the selection process, that it has little if any positive impact on selection.

That's just what I have concluded from my experience (been a good solid discussion)!
BzB

 

[J.McGinnis]

Folks, this PPL a + or - for a successful flight training program, has been discussed, dissected, hashed out on AW, for years. Unfortunately, there has never been a multi-$$$ scientific PPL Impact Study done to give a definitive answer. It is ALL opinions both pro and con, although most of the opinions on both sides are based on considerable personal experiences (some Navy IPs) , make sense, and are valid, deserving consideration.

It is, in my opinion, pretty much a wash. Over a large SNA population, a PPL+ would help some with some airwork & basic instruments, while there may be a slight negative for some due to the unlearning/relearning process, in that GA & Navy procedures are markedly different. The cost of obtaining a PPL should be considered. It is pretty much unanimous among those experienced in the selection process, that it has little if any positive impact on selection.

That's just what I have concluded from my experience (been a good solid discussion)!
BzB

Completely agree! I believe it is totally dependent on the student at hand...His/her work ethic, dedication, and commitment to excellence....Time tells all stories in life! Thanks BzB

 

[AirGuy]

Are you going for SNA, if so please tell me in having your PPL and IR helped you out purring the selection process at all. It seems as from what I am hearing, having them will do you no justice in getting selected, perhaps a little. Both Nay pilots I spoke with are giving me mixed answers because they never say board, but have instructed SNA before. I still plan on getting my PPL but mainly for me. I think having it would be a good plan B of I am not selected.

If you really want to go with the PPL option, then consider the Air Force. I've looked into AF OTS as well. Head over here: http://www.wantscheck.com/PilotSlotResources/OTSPilotSlot/tabid/62/Default.aspx

But even with the AF, you still have to do well on the AFOQT and TBAS. The TBAS you can't even study for and there's barely any info out there. The two tests make up some PCSM score and flight hours will bump up that score or something like that. But even then, I don't think the OTS board will just accept a guy with bad AFOQT and TBAS scores, even if he has 2000 flight hours. Here's an important section from the link I gave you: When you look up your PCSM (which can only be done once you’ve taken the AFOQT and TBAS), you are given a scale indicating what your PCSM would be with additional flight hours. Flying hours may be a good way to increase your PCSM score if you have the money and time.
So if you want to go AF, then I would take their tests first, and then see how much your flight hours will bump up you PCSM score. So you don't even need a PPL, just flight hours. And I heard from one of my friend who got in that the first few flight hours are weighed a lot more. He got free lessons (had to pay for fuel and costs) but free lessons from the Civil Air Patrol. He just told them he was interested in flying for the AF and one of the instructors offered free lessons. He didn't do that many flight hours but they were enough to bump up his PCSM and he got accepted. So if you really just want to fly and don't care about service I would apply with the AF too.
But then again, you have to study for the AFOQT....

I think the reason the Navy / AF use these test for selection is because there was a strong correlation between people who did well on the test and their performance in flight school. That would make sense because if you studied a lot of the math and mechanics now, then you would have an easier time understanding the concepts in flight school.

 

[Navy Airedale]

ONE WEEK LEFT UNTIL BOARDS....

 

[strandluper]

I have been getting mixed answers, does the board see your results from MEPS? (waivers and such)

A person at the MEPS said that if you don't have all your waivers completed by the date of the board that could be a reason for them not to accept your packet.
Is this true?

 

[exNavyOffRec]

I have been getting mixed answers, does the board see your results from MEPS? (waivers and such)

A person at the MEPS said that if you don't have all your waivers completed by the date of the board that could be a reason for them not to accept your packet.
Is this true?

The board does not see anything from MEPS, they do not have a need to, they just look and evaluate your professional record, if what the person at MEPS was saying was true then there wouldn't be people who are losing there Pro Rec Y status due to not being medically cleared.

NRC is in the middle of requiring a person to be PQ prior to board but that isn't fully in place yet.

 

[youngaviator]

The board does not see anything from MEPS, they do not have a need to, they just look and evaluate your professional record, if what the person at MEPS was saying was true then there wouldn't be people who are losing there Pro Rec Y status due to not being medically cleared.

NRC is in the middle of requiring a person to be PQ prior to board but that isn't fully in place yet.

I am also curious to know if the board even sees a person Nasis? Or is that solely just for the folks completing the background checks.

 

[AirGuy]

The board does not see anything from MEPS, they do not have a need to, they just look and evaluate your professional record, if what the person at MEPS was saying was true then there wouldn't be people who are losing there Pro Rec Y status due to not being medically cleared.

NRC is in the middle of requiring a person to be PQ prior to board but that isn't fully in place yet.

Do you take a PRT/PFT? Does it go to the board?

 

[apilot87]

I'm in for the march 4th board as well... I'm getting antsy as the date approaches. I have lower scores and gpa than most buton the flip side i have my major in professional piloting and 6 years active duty. I also have 200 hrs with commercial multi instument. I'm thinking I have a 50/50 shot

 

[exNavyOffRec]

I am also curious to know if the board even sees a person Nasis? Or is that solely just for the folks completing the background checks.

Yes, that is part of the package now, the application itself used to be many more pages, part of the change to get it down to the 4 pages it is now was that the full SF86 is to be completed with the kit.