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Average NSS score range for aircraft selection

Skywalker

Naval Aviator
pilot
Getting back to this three months later...thanks for the advice! I am currently in the process of studying for the ASTB, so this piece of being humble is great. It's a totally different mindset currently for me from "I want to fly X aircraft" to "I just want the chance and get my foot in the door."
Hold on to that attitude. If you let it, flight school can be tons and tons of fun.
 

Gatordev

Well-Known Member
pilot
Site Admin
Contributor
Yeah, I agree. I'm not sure what his preferences were out of Primary...but if it was helos all along, he should have gone straight to the HT's (and probably on a much abbreviated syllabus).

In the days before COPT-R, the idea of wanting to select helos from the beginning wasn't even in the consciousness, so a (insert non-prior Naval officer) still has to go through the basics that form the foundation later on in the jet world (precision landing, forms, aerobatics, etc).

I think the guy I went through training with ended up selecting jets.
 
Gentlemen, ladies,

Hoping this is the right forum to launch this question in. I’m about to finish up NIFE academics and I’m gung-ho jets, but I’d be happy with any tailhook (or anything that flies in general). Got anthro’d out of E-2 due to sitting eye height, and I’m wondering if getting remeasured at the end of NIFE and potentially opening that door back up is worth it. To risk the E-2 draft or to not risk it? (No offense intended to the E-2 bubbas). What would be best to get a jet select? (other than a 90 billion NSS). Any advice is greatly appreciated :)
 
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MIDNJAC

is clara ship
pilot
Gentlemen, ladies,

Hoping this is the right forum to launch this question in. I’m about to finish up NIFE academics and I’m gung-ho jets, but I’d be happy with any tailhook (or anything that flies in general). Got anthro’d out of E-2 due to sitting eye height, and I’m wondering if getting remeasured at the end of NIFE and potentially opening that door back up is worth it. To risk the E-2 draft or to not risk it? (No offense intended to the E-2 bubbas). What would be best to get a jet select? (other than a 90 billion NSS). Any advice is greatly appreciated :)

I wouldn't overthink this. Just study and work hard. There was a student a class or two behind me in primary, who was pretty excited after selecting Tailhook, to have been previously anthro'd out of E2/C2. Was "guaranteed jets" in their words. Fast forward a few months, and this student barely made it out of RI's before they were attrited from T-45s and flight school. Being able to go E2/C2 wouldn't have made a difference.
 
I wouldn't overthink this. Just study and work hard. There was a student a class or two behind me in primary, who was pretty excited after selecting Tailhook, to have been previously anthro'd out of E2/C2. Was "guaranteed jets" in their words. Fast forward a few months, and this student barely made it out of RI's before they were attrited from T-45s and flight school. Being able to go E2/C2 wouldn't have made a difference.
Thank you! I appreciate having a different perspective on this. I will be trying my hardest. Thank you for the additional guidance 😁
 

FLGUY

“Technique only”
pilot
Contributor
I wouldn't overthink this. Just study and work hard. There was a student a class or two behind me in primary, who was pretty excited after selecting Tailhook, to have been previously anthro'd out of E2/C2. Was "guaranteed jets" in their words. Fast forward a few months, and this student barely made it out of RI's before they were attrited from T-45s and flight school. Being able to go E2/C2 wouldn't have made a difference.
True, but I think the SNA was trying to maximize his chances to select something tailhook out of primary, since E-2s and Jets are two separate things to put on your dream sheet now in primary. Still, if T-45 RIs are the same for E2 and Jet studs, it’s moot like you said.
 

jointhelocalizer

Well-Known Member
pilot
It is always good to have a goal in mind, especially when you have a tough day in Primary! Everyone does. Also, keep an open mind throughout the syllabus and with IPs of different platforms. Almost every IP is big wing/helo. You might occasionally fly with a former jet pilot who is a part of the USMCR/USNR. I also flew with an E-2 pilot who was the Base CO. Always be receptive to hearing about their experience in their community and what they liked and didn't like. You also might get incredibly airsick, or something like Formation is less remarkable than you thought. You might love instruments or VNAV and only want to fly long flights or low in the VFR world with the helo bubbas. Long story short, Primary exposes you to almost every type of flying the USN/USMC/USCG does. There is no shame in changing your mind. I came in wanting jets or E-2s and left the syllabus wanting and selecting E-6s.
 

MIDNJAC

is clara ship
pilot
True, but I think the SNA was trying to maximize his chances to select something tailhook out of primary, since E-2s and Jets are two separate things to put on your dream sheet now in primary. Still, if T-45 RIs are the same for E2 and Jet studs, it’s moot like you said.

I get what they are thinking here, and it makes some sense. I just think that this effort and worry could be better channeled into just putting in hard work and seeing where it takes them. Which I’m sure was already the plan. Also, hopefully people arent reading too much into my anecdote from many years ago. RI’s are not exactly rocket science, even in the T-45. This person just probably wasn’t cut out for carrier aviation in general, and it became apparent that quickly.

It’s way easier said than done, but I think the best advice is to not worry about where you might end up after whatever phase of flight school. Focus on the now, not several steps down the road, and definitely don’t focus on how well you perceive yourself stacking up against your peers. Both of those sources of anxiety can be extremely detrimental to performance if they get out of hand. I certainly had moments when I was in orange and whites, when those thoughts crossed my mind, but i really made an effort to not dwell on them. I think the hardest part was trying to explain any of it to my (at the time) fiancée, in terms of what she could expect……which i think ultimately came out as an exasperated “we could go literally anywhere, so stop asking” The ladies love that in a guy :)
 
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