Looking for gouge? Ask your Stupid Questions about Naval Aviation here (Part 1)

[OUSOONER]

my stupid questionS: when you get winged. is it sort of like a draft by the squadrons? do you get to select from a list of squadrons who have a slot opened? finally, what is it like for a noob as soon as he is in; what is good etiquette (ie..does he take the guys/gals he/she flies with out for a round? if so...he better hopes he gets single seat platform! basically can someone elaborate in a few words what typically happens with a noob..i picture it like freshmen joining the varsity in highschool sports

 

[A4sForever]

....basically can someone elaborate in a few words what typically happens with a noob.....(newly Winged in the new squadron)

You mean: "what typically happens with a Nugget".

You will be a "Nugget"; not a "noob", which rhymes w/ "boob".

There's about 100+ permutations and possibilities in the answer(s) to your question. More later ...

 

[markkyle66]

I have a pretty dumb one... do naval aviators have special boots for flying? Seems like it would be kind of hard to manipulate the rudders or get a feel for the aircraft with boots! But then again I've only flown cessna's so I have no idea!

 

[MasterBates]

Flight boots are Steel Toed, steel shanked, 8" tall boots with a "fod free" sole.

 

[e6bflyer]

Flight boots are Steel Toed, steel shanked, 8" tall boots with a "fod free" sole.

My personal favorite. It's like wearing sneakers.

 

[BACONATOR]

My personal favorite. It's like wearing sneakers.

So when do you get these trendy brown boots, instead of wearing the lame Doc Martin wannabees? RAG? Fleet Squadron?

 

[Harrier Dude]

So when do you get these trendy brown boots, instead of wearing the lame Doc Martin wannabees? RAG? Fleet Squadron?

Yes. Unless you're a chopper dude, then you'll just wear your tan desert boots around all year long.

 

[MasterBates]

I have had mine since my 1st cruise.

They were never able to get flight boots in my size, from supply in less than 6 months. The issue ones were too narrow in the toe, and 2 sizes too small (I put up with it in flight school) but they were giving me ingrown toenails and other problems, so I get red wings bought by the squadron.

I'm on my 4th or 5th pair now.

 

[HeyJoe]

Flight boots are Steel Toed, steel shanked, 8" tall boots with a "fod free" sole.

Preferably in brown

 

[MasterBates]

Preferably in brown

Aviator boots/shoes come in another color?

 

[nugget81]

I have a pretty dumb one... do naval aviators have special boots for flying? Seems like it would be kind of hard to manipulate the rudders or get a feel for the aircraft with boots! But then again I've only flown cessna's so I have no idea!

When I did civilian flying in the North Dakota winter, I would use Oakley boots because they were waterproof, and had soft soles--which meant I could feel the rudder pedals better. However, after wearing the above pictured boots over the last year and change, it doesn't seem to make that big a difference. Heavy steel toe boots are the least of your concerns when you're wearing 40 lbs of g-suit, torso harness, survival vest, and other extraneous gear. Simply put, you just get used to it.

 

[Semper Jump Jet]

Unless you forget the anti-skid switch, then you can wear these:

But seriously, for jets (these days) the rudders are footrests 95% percent of the time. Not a lot of feel required.

 

[Pugs]

Also, what are those vents right behind the engine for?

Cowl flaps that are manipulated to control the temp of the air cooled engine to keep it in optimal range.

 

[ecofriendlyrich]

Why I Have Never Seen an NFO With Glasses

Here's a good question. You are allowed to be an NFO (Naval Flight Officer) as long as your vision is correctable to 20/20 then why have I never seen NFOs with glasses? Pilots and NFOs do API (aviation preflight indoctrination) together. Why is it no one is wearing glasses?

 

[CommodoreMid]

Because you might have found a group that didn't have any blind NFOs. You may be shocked to learn that people with perfect vision may choose to be NFOs even if they could physically go pilot! Also, they could be wearing contacts on ground. I'm blind, going NFO, and I sure as hell am not going to wear my glasses all the time. I will only wear them when I absolutely have to, otherwise I'll be wearing my contacts.