United States Naval Aviator
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A United States Naval Aviator is a pilot in the United States Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard.
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[edit] Training and Designation
Student Naval Aviators (SNAs) progress through a significant training syllabus – typically 18 months to two years – en route to becoming designated Naval Aviators. This includes ground and flight training at numerous locations.
[edit] Aviation Preflight Indoctrination (API)
All SNAs start at the "Cradle of Naval Aviation", Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. There SNAs (along with Naval Flight Officers) receive classroom instruction in aerodynamics, aircraft engines and systems, meteorology, navigation, and flight rules and regulations. They also receive field instruction in survival tactics, survival swimming, and aviation physiology.
[edit] Primary Flight Training
Following API completion, SNAs are assigned to Primary Flight Training at NAS Whiting Field, Florida or Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas where they learn to fly the T-34C Turbo Mentor. A small percentage of SNAs attend Primary Flight Training with the United States Air Force flying the T-6A Texan II at Vance Air Force Base as part of a joint USN-USAF training effort. Primary teaches the SNA the basics of flying, is approximately six months long, and is divided into the following stages:
- Ground School (aircraft systems, local course rules, emergency procedures)
- Familiarization (take-off/landing, limited maneuvers, spins)
- Basic Instruments (common instrument scans, used during maneuvers)
- Precision Aerobatics (aileron roll, loop, 1/2 Cuban eight, barrel roll, wingover, split-s, Immelman, etc.)
- Formation (basic section flight, cruise formation flight)
- Radio Instrument Navigation
- Night Familiarization
- Visual Navigation
[edit] Intermediate and Advanced Flight Training
Upon successful completion of Primary Flight Training, SNAs are selected for one of four Intermediate Flight Training paths: E-6B Mercury, multi-engine propeller / maritime aircraft, helicopters, or "Tailhook" aircraft. Selection is based upon the needs of the service (USN, USMC, etc.), the SNAs performance, and finally, the SNAs preference.
- Only a small number are selected for further training leading to assignment in the E-6B. These SNAs transfer to Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma for training in the T-1.
- Those selected for multi-engine propeller / maritime training are assigned to NAS Corpus Christi, Texas for training in the T-44.
- Those selected for helicopter training are assigned to NAS Whiting Field, Florida, for training in the TH-57C.
[edit] Tailhook Syllabus
Student Naval Aviators selected for Tailhook training are assigned to Naval Air Station Kingsville, Texas or Naval Air Station Meridian, Mississippi flying the T-45C or T-45A. The syllabus incorporates basic instrument flying, formation, night familiarization and airway navigation over approximately 58 graded flights lasting approximately 27 weeks. At the completion of the Tailhook syllabus, approximately 70% of those student aviators are selected for Advanced Strike training, leading ultimately to tactical jets (like the FA-18 or AV-8B). The remaining 30% receive further training in the E2/C2 pipeline, ultimately leading to assignment flying either the E-2C or C-2A.
[edit] Advanced Strike
Advanced Strike students continue with approximately 67 additional graded flights lasting approximately 23 weeks in the T-45A/C. The syllabus covers bombing, Air combat manoeuvring (ACM), advanced instruments, and Carrier Qualification (CQ) (see Modern US Navy carrier operations.
[edit] E2/C2 Pipeline
E2/C2 students go straight to CQ with approximately 20 additional graded flights over 8 weeks. Upon successful CQ, E2/C2 students go to NAS Corpus Christi to complete multi-crew and multi-engine training (approx. 16 weeks) in the T-44.
[edit] Community Selection and Winging
Upon completion of flight training, a final selection process takes place in which the Student Naval Aviators are assigned a particular fleet aircraft community (e.g., EA-6B, H-60, etc.). This selection is also based upon the needs of the service and performance. SNAs are designated as Naval Aviators and are awarded the Naval Aviator insignia in a “winging” ceremony. Newly-designated Naval Aviators (no longer referred to as “students”) are then assigned to a Fleet Replacement Squadron for training on their specific aircraft type. Approximately 1,000 pilots are designated each year, and more than 100,000 Naval Aviators have earned their "wings of gold" since 1910.
[edit] Fleet Assignments
Upon completion of FRS training, Naval Aviators are assigned to a fleet squadron – either ship or land based – in their type aircraft. In addition to flying, Naval Aviators also hold one or many “collateral” duties of increasing responsibility such as Legal Officer, Maintenance Division Officer, Training Officer, etc. Initial fleet assignments typically last approximately three years.
[edit] Shore Rotation
After completing a successful tour in the Fleet, Naval Aviators complete a “shore-duty” tour typically as a flight instructor, adversary pilot, or staff officer. Some complete further military schooling or are assigned specialized flight duty (e.g. foreign exchange pilot, Test Pilot, Blue Angels, presidential support in HMX-1, etc.). Typical Navy shore rotations are approximately two and a half years long, after which time personnel return to the fleet for another fleet rotation. At around the time of the second sea tour, Naval Aviators are typically eligible to separate from active service (and/or elect to join the Naval Reserve) or re-obligate for additional service. Re-obligating is often accompanied with an incentive monetary bonus.
[edit] Service Obligation
The service obligation for Naval Aviators depends on their commissioning source (service academy, NROTC, or Officer Candidate School) and is typically 8 years after winging.
[edit] Reserve Naval Aviators
Naval Reserve Naval Aviators all come from the active ranks. They fly fleet type aircraft as well as aircraft exclusive to the reserve force. These include the F-5 Tiger used for adversary support, and the larger cargo or transport aircraft such as the C-9 Skytrain, C-12 Huron, C-20D Gulfstream III, C-20G Gulfstream IV, C-35 Citation or C-40 Clipper. These aircraft are used to transport cargo and personnel, including dignitaries and senior leaders.
[edit] Aircraft Carrier Commanding Officer
By law, US aircraft carrier Commanding Officers must be designated Naval Aviators or Naval Flight Officers. Prior to assuming command of the largest warships on earth, these officers first command smaller ships and go through an extensive training syllabus in ship handling and nuclear propulsion.
[edit] Naval Astronauts
Naval Aviators that fly in space are designated Naval Astronauts, and are issued the Naval version of the Astronaut Badge.
[edit] Naming Conventions
Naval Aviator is a term strictly used for either commissioned or warrant officers. Until 1981 the Navy and Marine Corps also had a small number of enlisted personnel trained as pilots. Such individuals were referred to as Naval Aviation Pilots. The Naval Aviation Pilot badge, while considered a separate award, was identical in designs to the Naval Aviator badge.[1]
Occasionally, the term Naval Aviator is used to refer to both pilots and Naval Flight Officers.
[edit] Aircraft
[edit] Fixed Wing
[edit] U.S. Navy
- C-2 Greyhound - cargo plane designed for aircraft Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD)
- C-26 Metroliner - land based passenger and cargo plane
- C-130 Hercules – land based medium cargo and personnel transport
- E-2 Hawkeye - all-weather, carrier-based tactical battle management airborne early warning, command and control
- E-6B Mercury - strategic command, control, and communications
- EA-6B Prowler - electronic warfare and countermeasures
- F/A-18 Hornet - all-weather fighter/attack aircraft
- F/A-18E/F Super Hornet - updated version of the Hornet
- EA-18G Growler - electronic warfare and countermeasures
- P-3 Orion - anti-submarine warfare, maritime surveillance
- S-3 Viking - carrier-based anti-submarine warfare.
- C-40A Clipper - Fleet Logistics Support and Navy/Marine Corps personnel transport
- C-9B Skytrain II - Fleet Logistics Support and Navy/Marine Corps personnel transport
[edit] USMC
- AV-8B Harrier II - VTOL attack aircraft
- V-22 Osprey - tilt-rotor, VTOL tactical transport
- KC-130 Hercules - aerial refueler/assault transport
- F/A-18 Hornet - all-weather fighter/attack aircraft
- EA-6B Prowler - electronic warfare and countermeasures
[edit] U.S. Coast Guard
- HC-130 Hercules
- HU-25 Falcon
- HC-144A OceanSentry
[edit] Rotary Wing
[edit] U.S. Navy
- MH-53E Sea Dragon - anti-mine warfare, shipboard delivery, and assault support
- SH-60 Seahawk - medium lift, utility, assault helicopter, special operations support, anti-submarine warfare, command and control, and naval gunfire support
- UH-1 Iroquois - station search and rescue
[edit] USMC
- H-3 Sea King - Executive Transport Mission, ex. HMX-1
- CH-53D Sea Stallion - medium lift helicopter used for transport of personnel and cargo
- CH-53E Super Stallion - heavy lift and assault support.
- CH-46E Sea Knight - medium lift helicopter used for transport of personnel and cargo
- AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopter
- UH-1N Huey - search and rescue, command and control, and special operations
[edit] U.S. Coast Guard
[edit] See also
- Naval Aviation
- United States Marine Corps Aviation
- Naval Flight Officer
- List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons
- List of United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons
[edit] References
- This article incorporates text in the public domain from the United States Marine Corps.
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