Ifs

[Steve Wilkins]

Got it, thanks much. And for those of you wishing more information on the subject, I found this link:

https://www.ifs.cnet.navy.mil/ifscode/help/FAQ.cfm

 

[zippy]

The real mission of IFS is attrition. By getting people "introduced" to flying, they can immediately get those not interested to DOR (or whatever) before they begin naval flight training.

I think thats why they use the word "Screening" as part of the description of the program. When I was doing it, my ROTC instructior gave me stats that the completion rate was in the mid to high 90% range (forget the number) so i'm not sure attrition is the best word for it.

 

[zippy]

I didn't see it listed on the FAQ, but i think it is on the contract/bid sheet for the 141 schools. IFS students must be trained non-complex aircrart. These aircraft don't have to be cessnas though.

 

[FlyinDevil]

I'm down here in Pcola right now and about to start API next week. I reported in two weeks ago and they are processing me through very quickly so I can start API next friday (19 AUG). The reason for this is that they are very much in need of IFS-Complete pilots. There are alot of SNFOs and SNAs down here that are not IFS complete. In fact, due to the weather, no one has been coming out of the IFS program each week. IFS is supposed to graduate about 8 people in the past two weeks, but due to the weather, no one is finishing.

In summary, if you are IFS complete AND a pilot, you'll class up very quickly. I expected to have a 2 month wait when I got down here but that's not the case anymore.

As far as SNFOs, there is a long wait for them because they are in dire need of SNAs in the API classes. Most likely, you'll get a stashed job.

 

[Steve Wilkins]

I think thats why they use the word "Screening" as part of the description of the program. When I was doing it, my ROTC instructior gave me stats that the completion rate was in the mid to high 90% range (forget the number) so i'm not sure attrition is the best word for it.

10% is 10%. Civilian flight training is pretty cheap compared to what it costs the Navy to train someone per flight hour. While you may not need to fly to mil standards in the IFS program, completing it (or not) gives the Navy a good indication that you will be sucessful in their flight program. If folks can be weeded out of the program before they even start, that is the same thing as attrition. You may call it screening, but the effect is the same none the less.

 

[kmac]

Steve,
I agree with you in regard to the levels of instruction. There certainly are crappy 141 instructors and awesome 61 instructors. But since 141 have tougher guidelines (for things like classroom instruction I believe), the Navy therefore has standardization inherent in the 141 requirements. And adding to your last post, if indeed it costs over $1 million for the Navy to try an aviator, that's over $10,000,000 spared from an initial size of 100 students. It adds up.

 

[riley]

FlyinDevil,

Please clarify what service you are in, because each one is different. For the Marine Corps, the SNFOs are being pushed through. I've been down in redneckville before Dennis (IFS complete) and I won't start API until November.

 

[heynowlookout]

I'm guessing FlyinDevil is Navy. I'm checking into API in two weeks and we were told by the LT in charge to expect to class up within 2-3 weeks if you're Navy SNA and IFS complete, even quicker if you volunteer to go to Vance for primary. If you're not IFS complete, expect to wait at least 30-45 days from the time you check in to even begin IFS. We were also told volunteers for Vance would be given priority to begin IFS.

 

[FlyinDevil]

Yeah I'm a Navy SNA. As far as TRAWINGS, Corpus and Vance are the open ones. Whiting is pretty full currently.

 

[mules83]

Is whiting full because people like to go there more than corpus or vance, or is just how the pipeline is working right now?

 

[Squid]

lemme go ahead and say it's probably the pipeline. I can attest to the fact that I enjoyed corpus very much.

 

[zippy]

A lot of the people I know who wanted to go to Whiting were either married, dating a SNFO, or just didn't want to move again if they could avoid it.

I think that its just the way the pipelines are right now.

 

[ET-Mike]

I am not sure if this was covered in detail or not but the reason I have heard we need to use 141 and not 61 is because 141 uses a mandated schedule. 61 seems to be more of a do it on your own time type of deal where if you have problems with a certain are, i.e. stalls, then you can use more time to practice them than what 141 allows. I hope that helps.

 

[CommodoreMid]

Mike, how long are you stashed?

 

[ET-Mike]

Until the 30th