This guy gets it
Every SNA/SNFO on this forum should print this post, stick it to the mirror in their bathroom, and read it everyday before going to "work."Hey guys i am finishing up the contacts stage this week, I dont have any prior flight time but I'm prior enlisted here's my 2 cents. I am having an absolute blast right now. I dont think alot of guys are enjoying primary for some strange reason(worrying to death about grades). As enlisted at the end of a 12 hour shift you have a 1 hour brief then you get to go home and hope you dont get called back to work because someone lost a tool. Being a SNA is such a great experience after studying for a few hours I brief and my god i get to go fly a million dollar airplane. Dont get so wrapped up on stuff you cant control because honestly the grades arent going to change how i prepare for a flight, if i suck at stalls im going to work at it in the practice sims youll know what youre not good at and what areas you need to improve in at least for me. Getting a 3 on a stall doesnt turn a lightbulb on in my head to practice stalls.
Hey guys i am finishing up the contacts stage this week, I dont have any prior flight time but I'm prior enlisted here's my 2 cents. I am having an absolute blast right now. I dont think alot of guys are enjoying primary for some strange reason(worrying to death about grades). As enlisted at the end of a 12 hour shift you have a 1 hour brief then you get to go home and hope you dont get called back to work because someone lost a tool. Being a SNA is such a great experience after studying for a few hours I brief and my god i get to go fly a million dollar airplane. Dont get so wrapped up on stuff you cant control because honestly the grades arent going to change how i prepare for a flight, if i suck at stalls im going to work at it in the practice sims youll know what youre not good at and what areas you need to improve in at least for me. Getting a 3 on a stall doesnt turn a lightbulb on in my head to practice stalls.
...At TW-5, the ENS underground is strong. We talk. The only motivation driven DORs came from OCS studs. The academy/rotc studs were either attrites or they DORed for inability to physiologically adapt or just straight up couldn't get past the contact check ride. Prior flight guys/gals crush. period. I have yet to meet one that is not doing very well. Females statistically do worse in primary than their male counterparts. Not trying to offend anyone here but the data is crunched at the wing level and an IP confirmed there has been briefings on this. That being said, a girl just selected jets... and guess what... over 300+ hours civilian.
... Overall though... to any studs reading this... I enjoyed primary. It was challenging, yet achievable with hard work and motivation. I'll finish mid pack though without ever having unsatted/failed anything and being below mif once. I stand by my conviction prior flight time, especially into the 100+ hours, is a game changer.
I'm still a good long way from Primary, but wondering how I stack up in terms of flight experience. I've got 65 hours and finished my PPL in April. I wouldn't really compare myself to the Commercial guys and gals or CFIs putting in hours for their ATP, but I put in the work and had a 95% on the written, had a pretty easy time with the practical. Been studying instrument rating material and it seems easy enough, but I don't have the cash to do the flying at the moment.
I figure I'm a good way ahead of the IFS only guys, since they probably get like what, 15 hrs tops there. Have doubts if I'm far enough ahead to be "crushing" like the former CFIs though.
I'm still a good long way from Primary, but wondering how I stack up in terms of flight experience. I've got 65 hours and finished my PPL in April. I wouldn't really compare myself to the Commercial guys and gals or CFIs putting in hours for their ATP, but I put in the work and had a 95% on the written, had a pretty easy time with the practical. Been studying instrument rating material and it seems easy enough, but I don't have the cash to do the flying at the moment.
I figure I'm a good way ahead of the IFS only guys, since they probably get like what, 15 hrs tops there. Have doubts if I'm far enough ahead to be "crushing" like the former CFIs though.
With your level of experience you will do slightly better (maybe) than IFS only. You won’t crush. I LOL’d when I read about your written exam score. That will translate nothing to your performance in primary. If you get into some instrument rating stuff, that will be a huge benefit for your future grades. It will also be a huge drain on your wallet.
No advantage... EXCEPT you avoid IFS which is just another stage of training that you could potentially catch pink sheets. More Pink Sheets, More Problems.
Advantage is like 800+ flying commercially or as a flight instructor.
I can see how the written score might be funny to ya, but it helped keep the checkride oral nice and brief lol
What makes you place such an emphasis on the instrument if you don't mind me asking? I suppose to some pilots that may be their first brush with the controlled environment, but apart from that at first glance shooting approaches and such doesn't seem like all that big a deal. I was thinking spending a little time in a complex aircraft or even multiengine would maybe be more valuable.
Either way, thanks for the quick reply, definitely appreciated.
Yeah no chance of that happening any time soon. How many SNAs fit that description though? 800 hours isn't much shy of that restricted ATP, not sure who is turning around to join the Navy with that sort of PIC time.
More than you think. I personally knew 3 people in primary with me who were former regional pilots. Flying commerical is boring. Either you make it far enough to be an ATP or youre still bumping cessnas around somewhere for little money. All flight students start out flying an 1100 hp turbo prop with an ejection seat. We solo the same aircraft in about 13 flights, and then do an aerobatic solo in about 5 after that. Most civilians will never step foot in an aircraft like that. The missions and the airframes you can fly. Second to none. That is why people “give up” their ATP life. That will always be there. Flying jets, helos, and whatever else has an age limit. Naval Flight Training is the most prestigious flight training in the world.
And the written. It is still funny to me. Doesn’t matter one bit about the private checkride oral went for you. Primary will be a different beast.
Once again the ignorant speak without the experience to back it up. If you were one of those who had "given up their ATP life", then you post would be a valid opinion. As it is, it is nothing but ignorant speculation from a wanna-be who has not proven himself in either military or civilian aviation.More than you think. I personally knew 3 people in primary with me who were former regional pilots. Flying commerical is boring. Either you make it far enough to be an ATP or youre still bumping cessnas around somewhere for little money. All flight students start out flying an 1100 hp turbo prop with an ejection seat. We solo the same aircraft in about 13 flights, and then do an aerobatic solo in about 5 after that. Most civilians will never step foot in an aircraft like that. The missions and the airframes you can fly. Second to none. That is why people “give up” their ATP life. That will always be there. Flying jets, helos, and whatever else has an age limit. Naval Flight Training is the most prestigious flight training in the world.
Once again the ignorant speak without the experience to back it up. If you were one of those who had "given up their ATP life", then you post would be a valid opinion. As it is, it is nothing but ignorant speculation from a wanna-be who has not proven himself in either military or civilian aviation.