Naval Academy & Pilot's License

e_lemon

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Jan 7, 2015
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I was wondering if there was a way to get my ppl at the Naval Academy. I know that they have the Naval Academy Flying Squadron and it looks like they do groundschool, but I was not sure how involved with flying I could get while there or if it would be any benefit to have my certificate before going.
Thanks for any information!
 
It'll definitely be on your own time (aka weekends) for the flying portion at a local club. The majority of the guys who are on the flying team have their PPL's but also pay out of pocket for their flight hours. The ground school that VTNA runs allows you to take the FAA written test but no flight hours. You can also do the powered flight summer training where you can get a few hours but not enough to get a PPL. IMO, no benefit really other than it shows "interest" in aviation when service selection comes. Plenty of grads go into flight school without their PPL's and do just fine since you will be learning to fly the Navy way.
 
Ok, thanks. Can you take the written test plebe year or is there really not enough extra time? I was really only looking into getting it before because I have the time and inclination-and spend half my free time out at the airport as it is! I've heard that demonstrated aviation interest is good, but does it make a significant difference in selection?
 
Definitely, there were plenty of plebes who took the written test and it showed up on their "brag" sheet when it came time to selection. Interest is good but grades/PRT/order of merit are the major deciding factors, everything else helps but won't make up for poor performance.
 
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