Aviation career options

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PaddyyD

5-Year Member
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Aug 17, 2010
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Hey,

I'm looking to go into aviation. I know that at the Merchant Marine Academy the primary focus is marine transportation, but what do you need to do in order to get a job in aviation. I ultimately want to fly either cargo or jets, anyone have any suggestions?

thanks
 
My son is getting his degree in Engineering, Mechanical. I think there is a minor in aviation engineering? Not sure. He plans or hopes to get into the Coast Guard and fly helicopters.
 
Ports across the world

Has anyone that has been out to sea, or knows someone that has gone, know of ports that have been traveled to in Africa?
Thank you!
 
kp2014gf said:
Has anyone that has been out to sea, or knows someone that has gone, know of ports that have been traveled to in Africa?
Thank you!
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Has nothing to do with this thread...I'll start a new thread with the answer for you so we don't thread jack.
 
PaddyYD? Are you at KP right now? I have a friend who went thru KP and is at pilot on a refueling plane. She went to flight school at the Air Force after the graduated from KP. You need to check with the proper people at KP to find out more about it. I will check into it and get back to you, but in the mean time pick some peoples' brains. Good Luck.
 
PaddyD,

Are you at KP now.

Are you talking about military or civilian world?
 
If you're asking what you have to do while at KP to get in the aviation community the only thing you have to do is apply. Since you can go into any branch when you graduate you can apply for flight in the Navy, Army, Air Force, Marines or Coast Guard. This is a lot of options however be warned this still does not mean you'll get a slot. The slots given to KP depend on year to year. I applied for Navy Flight and didn't get it...out of everyone who applied which was a lot, only 5 got Aviator slots, 1 got Coast Guard, a couple got Marines, 0 for AF (no one applied due to the old way of having to commit to the AF before you found out if you were accepted for flight) and a bunch of slots for Army.
If you're asking what major you need in order to get flight, it doesn't matter. Just get a high enough GPA. Hope this helps.
 
I am currently a High School senior who is applying at KP.

And I am speaking in terms of getting a job as a pilot for one of the branches in the military, not the civilian world.
 
Spruce Goose? You know the largest Flying Boat ever built - Howard Huges' embracement of a vision of Henry Kaiser - the Father of Liberty Ships?
 
PaddyyD said:
I am currently a High School senior who is applying at KP.

And I am speaking in terms of getting a job as a pilot for one of the branches in the military, not the civilian world.
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In terms of achieving that goal, you'd be much better off attending one of the other academies.
 
scoutpilot said:
In terms of achieving that goal, you'd be much better off attending one of the other academies.
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Disagree Scout. We've had this discussion many times, and the vast majority of people who go to KP and end up physically qualified get an aviation slot.

For the first time I heard of a KP cadet not getting a Navy slot (mentioned in another thread), but they did get a USCG slot....so, in that end I still vouch for KP being one of the best options if someone wants to fly.

The other option rarely explored is to go Air National Guard which I don't think other Academies would allow.
 
You can always apply for the Air Force ROTC at any excellent university in your state. Our ds received a full ride to Marquette University for Army ROTC then 2 days later got his appointment to Kings Point.
 
Ha, what a coincidence. I'm actually applying to Marquette for the Navy ROTC.

But anyways, thanks for the help guys. Hopefully in the end regardless of my path I'll be able to at least fly something, whether it is what I originally wanted or not.
 
KP2010 said:
If you're asking what you have to do while at KP to get in the aviation community the only thing you have to do is apply. Since you can go into any branch when you graduate you can apply for flight in the Navy, Army, Air Force, Marines or Coast Guard. This is a lot of options however be warned this still does not mean you'll get a slot. The slots given to KP depend on year to year. I applied for Navy Flight and didn't get it...out of everyone who applied which was a lot, only 5 got Aviator slots, 1 got Coast Guard, a couple got Marines, 0 for AF (no one applied due to the old way of having to commit to the AF before you found out if you were accepted for flight) and a bunch of slots for Army.
If you're asking what major you need in order to get flight, it doesn't matter. Just get a high enough GPA. Hope this helps.
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kp2001, I certainly admit that you have much better SA on USMMA. I was basing that purely on numbers and the post I quoted above. Good to know things work out for people! :thumb:
 
scoutpilot said:
kp2001, I certainly admit that you have much better SA on USMMA. I was basing that purely on numbers and the post I quoted above. Good to know things work out for people! :thumb:
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I think the "good deal" may be on a swing downward. Since about the class of 2002 or so there has been a tremendous increase in the number of graduates going active duty (number of reasons, one of which was an increased scrutiny of shore jobs that were allowed).

If those regulations continue then I would suspect over time more and more people at KP will apply for aviation slots and it won't be quite as "automatic" as in the past.

(The other issue is the "need" side of things, currently the Navy is trying to get people out of the aviation pipeline)
 
PaddyD. Our ds got with his Army ROTC scholarship, a dorm w/ other ROTC people, room and board, books, computer and stipend, all because the university's endowment is large and kicks in. I'm assuming the same package would apply for Navy ROTC. Marquette is an excellent school. But ds wouldn't trade being at KP for anything. Beware. Milwaukee in the winter is either super cold with bright blue sunny skies or gray overcast in the 20-30's. I prefer the former.
 
What do you mean by "ds"?

And yes I know Milwaukee is very cold, I've lived here my whole life. My older brother also went to Marquette (civilian, not ROTC) and I've seen the campus and like it a lot.
 
Paddy I sent you a PM, private message. If you don't know how to retrieve it, let us know.
 
DS has an appointment for a flight physical in Pensacola in a couple of weeks. The Marine Corps does things a little bit differently, but it can be done. I would caution you however, to take a good look at the curriculum that is offered at KP. This is a maritime school and as such the academics are focused on maritime careers. If you are not at least open to the idea of sailing you might find the courses of study here to be very limited. I would major in one of the engineering disciplines. Yes you can minor in aeronautics but you may find yourself struggling just to keep up in your major. By the way, quite a few people come to KP with the intent of flying only to find out they like the idea of sailing more.
 
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