Newbie with a question about the best path to take

[Ponyperformance]

Hey guys,

Got a couple questions for you guys, hopefully you can help me out. Since I was four I've wanted to be a Navy Pilot. Since then I went to Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Graduated Cum Laude with a 3.52 GPA in May of last year. I have an FAA CMEL with about 300 total time aerobatics expereince, the works, now I'm ready to go, I just don't know what to do. I've been talking with a Master Chief SignalMan out at Jax NAS, XXXXX XXXXX, and he has given me some good advice, but I want to find out some more of the real story from you guys.

My problem is my eyes, I've got good corrected vision with contacts (20/20 or better) but my uncorrected is somewhere aclose to 20/400. I know all about LASIK vs. PRK and that PRK is the way to go, but my question is this. I'm 24 years old and ive been told I can do one of two things, get PRK on my own (with the Navy's aproval), or possibly go in as an NFO and get the Navy to give me PRK and get into an NFO-Aviator program. So what's the best thing to do ? How likely is the NFO - Aviator program and whats the process to get in, also is there an age limit to begin Aviator training. Thanks guys, any advice you can give me would help.

Will Brazelton

 

[Fly Navy]

You're not at the age limit yet, I believe it's like 28 or 29? If you want to be a pilot, get approval for PRK. NFO to NA is not a good bet at all.

 

[Ponyperformance]

Yeah thats what I was afraid of, I just found out about a Soft Contact Lens Waiver, didn't even know that that existed, and I have been wearing SCLs since seventh grade. Does anyone know the process for getting that waiver approved ?

 

[Oh-58Ddriver]

Dont take this the wrong way, but it always gets me when people are like "I have wanted to be a pilot since I was 4, but now I am 24 and have done nothing about it." I think you still have a good shot, but if you wanted it that bad, why the wait?

 

[Ponyperformance]

Dont take this the wrong way, but it always gets me when people are like "I have wanted to be a pilot since I was 4, but now I am 24 and have done nothing about it." I think you still have a good shot, but if you wanted it that bad, why the wait?

No problem, maybe you misunderstood, I just graduated from one of the best aviation schools in the world and I have an FAA Commercial Multi Engine Instrument License with over 300 hours of flight time. So you see, I am a pilot, however its awful hard to find a job flying fighter jets in the civilian world haha. I havent pursued the military option further until this point, because my vision has pretty much prevented that.

 

[UMichfly]

Yeah thats what I was afraid of, I just found out about a Soft Contact Lens Waiver, didn't even know that that existed, and I have been wearing SCLs since seventh grade. Does anyone know the process for getting that waiver approved ?

I actually just had my flight physical last week and with the help of the optometrists there am beginning the process for the contact lens waiver. As they explained it to me, I'll have to go get the correct contacts fit by a local optometrist (I've been wearing contacts for a few years now but they aren't an approved type so I have to restart). I'll get documentation of the fitting etc... and then wear the contacts for 6 months. At the 6 month point, I'll have to take the lenses out and not wear them again for a month. Once this month is over, I'll be heading back to Great Lakes to have a complete eye examination because it has to be done by a military doctor. That's basically the process in a nutshell. A checklist can be found at

http://www.nomi.med.navy.mil/NAMI/W...r Applicant Contact Lens Waiver Checklist.doc

I have also contacted the POC for this waiver with a few questions so if I hear anything noteworthy back, I'll post it here.

 

[Steve Wilkins]

Dont take this the wrong way, but it always gets me when people are like "I have wanted to be a pilot since I was 4, but now I am 24 and have done nothing about it."

That's not what the guy said, so stop exaggerating about it. I would hardly say that going to ERAU is doing nothing about it.

 

[HighDimension]

"I have wanted to be a pilot since I was 4, but now I am 24 and have done nothing about it."

That seems like it would be sort of a asinine way to look at this situation. There is a big difference between what someone wants to do and what someone might have to do. Each situation is unique to that individual and in my opinion it is not right to criticize a guy that is making an obvious attempt to pursue his dream. He came and found this website to get some answers so he is doing something about that dream now =)

 

[nugget81]

Yeah thats what I was afraid of, I just found out about a Soft Contact Lens Waiver, didn't even know that that existed, and I have been wearing SCLs since seventh grade. Does anyone know the process for getting that waiver approved ?

Depending on what branch you're looking to into, you may need to get PRK done first. There has been some debate about whether or not the Navy is applying SCL waivers to OCS applicants. Last I heard only the Marines were doing that. Check out this tread for more info:

http://www.airwarriors.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11533

The waiver came out about a year ago while I was putting together my package, but rather than push my luck with trying to get a SCL waiver I opted for PRK. Best of Luck!!

 

[Ponyperformance]

Great thanks a lot guys,

So what is the first step ? I realise this may be a better question for a recruiter, but do I begin my package and then schedule a flight physical or should I attempt to get a flight physical first in order to begin the trial period with the contacts or whatever ? I am planning on calling NAMI monday if I can to see if I can get some more information about the SCL waiver, I'm not opposed to having PRK done, but if I can get in with the SCL and then get PRK that sounds like a winner to me.

 

[NeoCortex]

There is no way to get a PRK waiver approved before you get the surgery. I had the surgery, got approved, made it through OCS, then Primary and am now in the Jet pipeline. I'm pretty sure, as long as the surgery goes ok you shouldn't have a problem, but it all depends.

 

[Ponyperformance]

There is no way to get a PRK waiver approved before you get the surgery. I had the surgery, got approved, made it through OCS, then Primary and am now in the Jet pipeline. I'm pretty sure, as long as the surgery goes ok you shouldn't have a problem, but it all depends.

I thought thats how it worked, but I am curious about the SCL waiver, and from what ive been reading no one has really applied for that waiver, so it sounds like uncharted territory. I'm going to try to call NAMI Monday to find out if I am elligible i think.

 

[zippy]

How likely is the NFO - Aviator program and whats the process to get in, also is there an age limit to begin Aviator training. Thanks guys, any advice you can give me would help.

There are some retreads around Primary, but I would say pretty slim overall. Its gonna depend on Year group manning, monkeys flinging ****, star alignment, fuzzy dice, magic 8-ball, voodo dolls and rabbits feet (aka timing and needs of the Navy). Some on this site might be able to fill you in with more specific stats and how their process went. I would say get the PRK and go for the pilot slot if thats what you want to be.

...maybe you misunderstood, I just graduated from one of the best aviation schools in the world and I have an FAA Commercial Multi Engine Instrument License with over 300 hours of flight time. So you see, I am a pilot, however its awful hard to find a job flying fighter jets in the civilian world haha...

Might I suggest diet koolaid for you...

I am curious about the SCL waiver, and from what ive been reading no one has really applied for that waiver, so it sounds like uncharted territory. I'm going to try to call NAMI Monday to find out if I am elligible i think.

Being a trend setter/ pathfinder in uncharted teritory when dealing with the government and military is generally a bad idea. I'd go with the PRK if I was you. Its proven and theres already a set path for you and all the boneheads you are going to have to dealwith on this tedious journey to follow.

Good luck though.

 

[Schnugg]

Since I was four I've wanted to be a Navy Pilot.

I don't remember being four...

 

[Mumbles]

Pony...I had the exact same circumstances. Get the PRK done before you sign up, but make sure you have all your ducks in a row with respect to paperwork you'll have to provide to NAMI to get your waiver. Definately try to go in as a 1315. I was one of the first "new accesstions" ( guys who weren't already winged and had vision degradation) who got it done in the summer of 2000, and my formal waiver was approved prior to classing up at API the next summer.