Prerequsites for tactical flight training, length, etc

[DeltaFoxtrot57]

Hello, I hope I selected the right subforum.

I am a high school student who has been in love with aviation since I was 7, and I want to be a pilot in the Navy, specifically flying tactical aircraft, like F/A-18s, off carriers (I do not know if it will still be in active service when I graduate college and enter flight training).

I was hoping if anyone could give me an idea about what the physical prerequisites, such as vision sharpness, are and the length of the training program for F/A-18 pilots (or the future equivelant), which I have heard ranges anywhere from 3 1/2 to 5 years.

I know the stages are IFS (skippable), API, Primary, Intermediate and Advanced, and then tailhook syllabus and Adv. Strike pipeline;
But I also know the Navy is planning to put the F-35 Lightning II into service to take its place in 2011, so it may be different.

Also, can anyone give an estimate (or correct) on the training completion ratio for fighter pilots? For example, 1/2,500 SNA's? (example not intended for accuracy)

I apologize if I am repeating an already discussed sub-forum, and I appreciate your time and await your questions.

Thanks!

 

[MasterBates]

I see helos in this ones future.

 

[GO_AV8_DevilDog]

idk, but it sounds to me like you're asking for what precent get jets...


let the onslaught begin.

 

[picklesuit]

What percent get thread-locked?

 

[MIDNJAC]

There are a lot of different variables associated with your questions, so I don't think you will get a cut and dry answer here. You are basically correct in terms of the progression through flight training that you listed, but that is of course subject to change in the time between now and whenever you would be entering training, should you choose to do that following college.

There is no set ratio that I know of of Strike selectees to their non-tactical counterparts. I saw a pie chart breakdown of the percentage of pilots for each community, with roughly 1/3 being TACAIR, 1/3 being helo and the rest a mix of mostly P-3/maritime and a smattering of E-6 folks. If you look at it that way, you could see that on average over a longer time period the ratio would be somewhere near this number. I can say that in the short term, selections out of primary have not necissarily reflected these numbers.

If you are worried about physical requirements, you should check out the NOMI/NAMI website and check what it has to say. There are quite a few checks they need to put in the boxes, but the big ones that often get asked and discussed here can be found with a search. Vision requirements for pilot are 20/40 or better uncorrected, correctable to 20/20. PRK is permitted with a waiver, and LASIK is (AFAIK) in the process of being approved after much waiting. Beyond those simple bits, I would say the physical requirements get well outside the scope of this discussion and there are probably only a few members on this site qualified to answer your questions (feddoc for one).

Hope that helps, and overall, you can find a lot of your answers by using the search function of the forum.

 

[Lobster]

why didn't you make your name "whiskey tango foxtrot"...

 

[DeltaFoxtrot57]

Thanks for the help MIDNJAC.

When you say TACAIR, does that include electronic warfare Growlers?

 

[MIDNJAC]

Thanks for the help MIDNJAC.

When you say TACAIR, does that include electronic warfare Growlers?

Prowler/Growler studs do the same advanced strike syllabus as their Hornet/Rhino driving counterparts. Aircraft selection for pilots is done at the end of training, rather than partway through the strike syllabus like the SNFO's do in VT-86.

 

[torpedo0126]

Thanks for the help MIDNJAC.

When you say TACAIR, does that include electronic warfare Growlers?

I would recommend not setting your sights on jets so early in your not yet started career. In my opinion, its much better to go in with the attitude of wanting to earn your Wings of Gold.

Its a much easier goal to follow, and a goal that you can actually exert a significant amount of control over.

 

[MIDNJAC]

I would recommend not setting your sights on jets so early in your not yet started career. In my opinion, its much better to go in with the attitude of wanting to earn your Wings of Gold.

Its a much easier goal to follow, and a goal that you can actually exert a significant amount of control over.

I agree, take things one step at a time from a planning standpoint. However it is never too early to set goals that will encourage you to get through the hard work.

 

[fc2spyguy]

What percent get thread-locked?

Heyjoe, where are you!?

Sounds like a two-fer to me

 

[DeltaFoxtrot57]

Yeah...maybe I'm specifying too early...You guys are right. It can be my preference, but it shouldn't be what I assume I'll get, or end up with.

Another question: What kinds of tests do you have to take to get accepted into flight training in the first place?

 

[Schnugg]

Read the stickies....use the search function.

 

[A4sForever]

Yeah...maybe I'm specifying too early...You guys are right. It can be my preference, but it shouldn't be what I assume I'll get, or end up with.....

NO --- You're not "wrong" ... the rest of 'em are "wrong". Whomever said they would "recommend not setting your sights on jets so early in your not yet started career" is full of shit.

How do I know?? I started when I was @ 7 years old as well ... I wanted to fly off of carriers and I wanted to fly fighters/attack for the U.S. Navy ... at the end of the line, I spent 40 years in aviation - military & civilian; almost all of it in "jets".

Keep your grades up ... stay on top of your health, fitness, and eyesight ... participate in athletics, have a good time in school and be a "regular" guy ... keep focused ... AND READ EVERYTHING YOU CAN GET YOUR HANDS ON ABOUT THE NAVY AND NAVAL AVIATION -- past, present, and future trends.

When "your time" comes ... based upon your past interest, your knowledge and preparation --- you'll either make it or you won't. You'll either "get jets" or you won't ... in any case, Naval Aviation is a GREAT job and you will (or should) cheerfully accept the hand you're dealt and do the best job you can with the result. If you go another route at some point in time (I was prepared for that eventuality), then accept it and do the best job you can with that, as well ....

Don't let people "talk you into" being one of the crowd, accepting less than what YOU WANT, or becoming one of the faceless grey mass(es) -- be all that you can be (to borrow a phrase).

Believe it.