Questions about naval aviation

[tfashemp]

Hey guys,

After doing a lot of reading and research, I decide to do my first post to try and get a couple more questions I have answered, I hope this is in the right spot. I am a college sophomore and just recently got my PPL and working on my instrument rating currently. I am pretty set on going the PLC air contract route, I am just about done with all the paper work and tests. I was hoping some of you guys could shed some light on life as a current naval aviator. My main concern is flying a desk. I realize I won't fly every day or even every week but I just dont want to be sitting on the sidelines all the time. Another fear i have is flying a UAV, while it would be better than sitting at a desk it's no f18. I know my question is a little broad, I'm just looking to get some personal experiences and opinions of naval aviation; from API to flying in the fleet.

Thanks guys,
Tyler

 

[CUPike11]

Firstly i'm not a Marine nor in the fleet (yet) but am getting closer and some of my best friends are Marines who I went through flight school with, but that doesn't really matter as the training isn't any different.

API - Get through it. 4 weeks of academics followed by 2 weeks of survival training.

Primary/Intermediate - Plenty of flying (sometimes too much) with ground school and sims and cross countrys mixed in as well too. I had a blast in Primary, though I'm an NFO, we still have a ton of stuff we do as well. Whether pilot or nfo, it doesn't matter, both work damn hard in their own rights to make it through each stage.

As far as "flying a desk" or not flying everyday, hopefully you do realize that there is an IMMENSE amount of studying in flight school and even in the fleet (from what I've heard) as well. In flight school, you WILL study more than you fly. Period. And you'll learn something new and grasp it as quickly as you can (firehose effect) and learn to apply it and get good at it. Now don't get me wrong, once you hit flight side, you may have a large number of flights to knock out. However, the caveat to that is once you debrief and head home, its not like leaving a 9-5 job. You take a break and workout or eat or nap or whatever and get back and hit the books to get ready for the next days flight, probably call your instructor, flight plan, and get ready for the next days brief. Some days, that was easy and it didnt take very long. Some days, I was up all night with friends trying to figure out concepts and approaches and things "chair flying" my entire route the next day and what could possibly happen on each leg.

That'll continue until you get to your operational squadron and even there, you're going to have different quals you'll have to try to get and study for to apply in the aircraft. You'll also have a ground job or 2 or 3 (depending on what kind of aircraft/squadron you are in) and you'll have sailors that you'll be in charge of, so you have that to attend to as well.

Bottom line, dont worry about "flying a desk." The flying is there but there is paperwork, ground duties, etc. that you will have to endure and be a part of while you're in aviation.

You won't be sitting on the sidelines the entire time either. You'll be at the mercy of the flight schedule and OPSO. Honestly, at least for me, there are definitely days or at least have been days where I didn't want to go fly or do an event. They were few, but they existed and still come up every now and then, but most of the time, on the good days, the thought of "i'm getting paid to do this" crosses my mind in the midst of an event......even if my instructor is yelling/smacking at me.

The perks of being in Naval Aviation, now that I'm slowly inching my way closer to wings, is becoming more apparent to me. They were apparent and mostly obvious before but learning even more so now. The fraternity that I'm working my ass off to be a part of is awesome and with that awesomeness comes a metric shitton of responsibility....in every way, shape, and form. But part of this is learning how to balance those and still be a competent, dependable, fun to fly with aviator.

There are guys WAY more senior than me, so I only speak of my own experiences from training thus far up through my time at VAW-120 currently (E-2 FRS)

Good luck man and enjoy the ride if you make it in.

 

[revan1013]

I'm in the HTs (Helicopter Advanced) right now, just a stud a two months from winging. I'm also Navy, not Marine, but we train together up to getting winged. Take my words with a grain of salt, since I am only an unsalted stud.

You will be an officer first, and an aviator second.

You will be flying a lot early on in your career, and depending on where you end up, your flying mileage will vary. You spend a few years doing a fleet tour, and you'll get a B-billet after you're done with that, which could be anything from a FAC tour (forward air controller, with the grunts), or flight instructor in the training command or the FRS (Where people go right after winging to learn their fleet aircraft). You won't have a ground job during flight school, and you'll get plenty of hours as you're learning and climbing that ladder on the way to wings. It will be fun. And there will be days you'll be amazed you're getting paid to learn to fly.

As far as I know, the Marine Corps isn't dishing out any UAV slots.

That being said, if all you want to do is fly and you don't think you'd like to do the officer "thing", consider the Army's Warrant Officer program. They fly tons more than most Navy and Marine pilots, and they don't have the same ground-based responsibilities. They're technical specialists primarily, while Navy-Marine officers will wear many hats.

Cheers !

 

[texags]

I don't think any Marine/Navy studs will have to worry about getting UAV's for many many years

 

[helolumpy]

I don't think any Marine/Navy studs will have to worry about getting UAV's for many many years

Never say never.

When I was in flight school we were told that "the last Navy H-46 pilot hasn't been born yet". Last time I checked, not too many Navy guys are selecting Frogs out of the HT's...

 

[tfashemp]

Thanks for all the replies! These are exactly the kind of answers I was looking for. I know you guys are busy and I really appreciate you guys taking the time to answer my questions. I'll hopefully see you all in the air soon.

Thanks again,
Tyler

 

[KBayDog]

Plenty of flying (sometimes too much)...

Blasphemy.