Herman_Snerd
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Nov 27, 2017
- Messages
- 1,446
Some participants in ROTC select an Aeronautics major, which in essence is like a professional flight program in providing a solid foundation in aviation, but differs in that there are no hours in flight nor flight certs earned. It's also different in that it's not an an engineering degree (mechanical/ aerospace, etc.) The purpose of this post is to discuss a risk of that major.
I've seen this work out, where a new Ensign is now a Student Naval Aviator and the Navy is teaching him to fly / he'll get all certs and most if not all hours there. HIs thought was "why should I pay for flight lessons when the Navy will train me for free". It worked out - He'll fly for the navy, then if he wants can transition to a career as an airline transport pilot with the airlines.
I've also yesterday observed two examples, below, where Aeronautics majors were sub drafted or ended up being selected to be a NFO and honestly, I have empathy for them.
Sharing as "needs of the navy" take precedence, and if you have a young person gung ho to fly, well, it doesn't always work out that they are selected to do so. it's a pretty big gamble to have an aeronautics degree but no flight experience, nor no engineering degree, unless you want to go the Air Traffic Controller or Airport Management route. Just think about it being a pilot is your goal.
Examples below:
"___ be graduating in May with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics with minors in Air Traffic Management, Military Science, and Aviation Law. She has been service assigned to the Submarine community and will be reporting to Charleston for Nuclear Power School."
"___ is an Aeronautics major with minors in aeronautical studies and military science. He is from _____ and will be commissioned into the Navy as a Naval Flight Officer and will report to NAS Pensacola."
We have SNAs, and former FO/ aviators s in this forum who may wish to share their perspectives - I'm just bringing up a topic in case it may help those weighing options avoid a pitfall later.
I've seen this work out, where a new Ensign is now a Student Naval Aviator and the Navy is teaching him to fly / he'll get all certs and most if not all hours there. HIs thought was "why should I pay for flight lessons when the Navy will train me for free". It worked out - He'll fly for the navy, then if he wants can transition to a career as an airline transport pilot with the airlines.
I've also yesterday observed two examples, below, where Aeronautics majors were sub drafted or ended up being selected to be a NFO and honestly, I have empathy for them.
Sharing as "needs of the navy" take precedence, and if you have a young person gung ho to fly, well, it doesn't always work out that they are selected to do so. it's a pretty big gamble to have an aeronautics degree but no flight experience, nor no engineering degree, unless you want to go the Air Traffic Controller or Airport Management route. Just think about it being a pilot is your goal.
Examples below:
"___ be graduating in May with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics with minors in Air Traffic Management, Military Science, and Aviation Law. She has been service assigned to the Submarine community and will be reporting to Charleston for Nuclear Power School."
"___ is an Aeronautics major with minors in aeronautical studies and military science. He is from _____ and will be commissioned into the Navy as a Naval Flight Officer and will report to NAS Pensacola."
We have SNAs, and former FO/ aviators s in this forum who may wish to share their perspectives - I'm just bringing up a topic in case it may help those weighing options avoid a pitfall later.