What is Naval Aviation?

Naval Aviation is renowned for the demands it places upon its flyers. The skills and concentration required to land a high-performance jet on board an aircraft carrier deck pitching in the black of night, or to track a submarine while flying at only a few feet above stormy seas, are not only linked to a solid academic background or to top physical conditioning. There is more to it than that; it requires a combination of talents and dedication that many people possess, but few are challenged to use to full measure.

How do you get selected to be a Naval Aviator?

Midshipmen are selected for flight training during their final year of school. All are volunteers.

What to expect for training as a Naval Aviator?

Student Naval Aviator’s (SNA’s) arrive at Naval Air Station Pensacola to begin their flight training. They spend about six weeks in Aviation Preflight Indoctrination where they are challenged both academically and physically. Classes include: engineering, aerodynamics, air navigation, aviation physiology and water survival.

Upon completion of API, SNA’s (also known as student pilots) are assigned to primary training squadrons. Primary SNA training is conducted at three bases: NAS Whiting Field, Milton, Florida, NAS Corpus Christi, Texas and Vance Air Force Base (AFB), Enid, Oklahoma. For the SNAs reporting to the Navy bases, primary training is approximately 22 weeks. It includes ground-based academics, simulators and flight training in either the T-34 Turbomentor or the T-6A Texan II. Primary training consists of six stages: Familiarization (FAM), Basic Instruments, Precision Aerobatics, Formation, Night FAM, and Radio Instruments.

Pipeline selections occur upon completion of primary training. This is based on the current and projected needs of the services, the student’s performance and preferences. Student naval aviators are selected for: Maritime (multi-engine prop), E-2/C-2, Rotary (helos) or Strike (jets).

Maritime students complete their advanced training at NAS Corpus Christi and upon receiving their Wings of Gold, Navy pilots report to the P-3 Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) while Marine pilots report to the C-130 FRS.

E-2/C-2 student training consist of multi-engine training as well as carrier landing qualification training. After primary training, students report to VT-31 at NAS Corpus Christi to complete 44 hours of flight training in approximately 17 weeks in the T-44. After intermediate training, E-2/C-2 students report to NAS Kingsville for advanced training in the T-45. Students earn their wings in approximately 27 weeks after receiving their carrier landing qualification.

Student pilots selected for helicopter training report to NAS Whiting Field and complete advanced training in the TH-57 Sea Ranger. Students learn the unique characteristics and tactics of rotary-wing aviation. They are also introduced to shipboard landing on the Helicopter Landing Trainer; the Navy’s only ship dedicated to teaching helicopter pilots how to land onboard a moving vessel. Once they receive their Wings of Gold, Navy helicopter pilots report to their respective FRS for SH-60 or MH-53 training. Marine helicopter pilots report to an AH-1, UH-1, CH-46 or H-53 FRS for training. MV-22 (Osprey) training is currently being conducted utilizing both the helicopter and maritime pipelines.

SNAs who enter the Strike (Jet) pipeline complete their training at either NAS Kingsville, Texas or at NAS Meridian, Mississippi in the T-45C. During Strike training, pilots learn strike tactics, weapons delivery, air combat maneuvering and receive their carrier landing qualification. Upon receiving their Wings of Gold, Strike pilots report to an F/A-18 or EA-6B FRS, and eventually report to their first Fleet squadron.

What is a Naval Flight Officer?

Naval Flight Officers (NFO’s) are the men and women who operate the advance systems onboard naval aircraft, and some may also act as the overall tactical coordinators of multiple air assets during a mission. They differ from Naval Aviators in that they do not pilot the aircraft in which they serve. This division of labor between Aviators and NFO’s allows for each to concentrate more closely on mission tasks that require specific occupational training. NFO’s are integral members of the Naval Aviation community and are just as competitive as Naval Aviators for command of aircraft squadrons, air wings, and even aircraft carriers.

How do you get selected to be a Naval Flight Officer?

Midshipmen are selected for flight training during their final year of school. All are volunteers.

What to expect for training as a Naval Flight Officer?

Student Naval Flight Officers (SNFO’s) arrive at Naval Air Station Pensacola to begin their flight training. They spend about six weeks in Aviation Preflight Indoctrination where they are challenged both academically and physically. Classes include: engineering, aerodynamics, air navigation, aviation physiology and water survival.;

Upon completion of API, all SNFO’s report to either VT-4 or VT-10 located at Sherman Field aboard NAS Pensacola for Primary NFO/Navigator training. Here they will spend the next 15 weeks in academic, simulator and flight training using the T-6 II Texan. This portion of training is similar to the student pilot syllabus for learning the basics of flight, the landing pattern, navigation and aerobatics.

Pipeline and aircraft selections are made at various phases of training. SNFO’s selected after primary for the maritime mission will transfer to NAS Jacksonville, Florida for follow-on training in the P-3 Orion or the EP-3 Aries. A few SNFO’s will be selected for follow-on E-6 (Strategic Communications) training at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma. SNFO’s selected for the tactical jet syllabus will remain in their respective squadron for intermediate training. This consists of more time in the T-6 II Texan aircraft as well as further training in the T-1 Jayhawk. Upon completion of the Intermediate phase of training, SNFO’s either select the E-2C Hawkeye with follow-on training in Norfolk, Virginia or continue their training with VT-86 in Pensacola.

In the advanced training syllabus at VT-86, SNFO’s fly the T-39 Sabreliner and the T-45 Goshawk. Students will either proceed down the Strike pipeline ultimately receiving their Wings of Gold as Electronic Countermeasures Officers (ECMO) for the EA-6B Prowler or proceed down the Strike/Fighter pipeline for selection as Weapons Systems Officers for the F/A-18F Super Hornet.