flight school chances?

alyswimmer

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Oct 29, 2011
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Hi! I was recently talking with one of our cadre from AIM, and had asked him a few questions about dream sheets and life after graduation. He said that roughly 25 people out of ~200 were sent to flight school every year. I was just wondering how many people typically indicate that as their first choice, and what percentage get it? And is there any opportunity to go to flight school later if you're not sent there directly after graduation?
Thank you!
 
Looks like the odds are 9:10 a USCGA grad would be piloting a sea vessel than an aircraft. If flying is the goal, better chances with USAFA,USNA or USMA.:spacecraft:
 
If flying is the goal, better chances with USAFA,USNA or USMA.:spacecraft:

This is a direct quote from USCGA brochure:
"As a percentage of the officer corps, the Coast Guard has more aviators than any other branch of military service, even the Air Force!"
 
This is a direct quote from USCGA brochure:
"As a percentage of the officer corps, the Coast Guard has more aviators than any other branch of military service, even the Air Force!"

But many of those are prior-service pilots from other branches who join the Coast Guard after leaving their previous service. With only ~6,000 officers, it's not hard to skew that percentage. :wink:

alyswimmer said:
I was just wondering how many people typically indicate that as their first choice, and what percentage get it? And is there any opportunity to go to flight school later if you're not sent there directly after graduation?

Approx 10% of the USCGA class (in most years) will be selected for flight school. Last year I think it was 24 out of 235. However, just a few years ago, only 7 went (out of ~250 commissioned).

You don't have to be top of your class to get it, not everyone in the top 50 wants to go to Pensacola, and cadets way down the list can still make it.

Yes, you can apply again as a LTJG.
 
Keep in mind, going to a ship first tour doesn't mean you can't apply to flight school later.
 
Thanks everyone! And LITS, that actually sounds great! If anything, it could only be helpful to have more experience on a ship before heading to Pensacola. Thank you for the info!
 
Thanks everyone! And LITS, that actually sounds great! If anything, it could only be helpful to have more experience on a ship before heading to Pensacola. Thank you for the info!

It keeps your options open. If you got to flight school and had any issues, if you have an afloat tour under your belt, you still have many many options.

I think some people would also agree that it helps airdales understand what cutter life is like, as they visit from time to time... but many cadets get that experience over the summers too.

It wasn't until 2004 that flight school (and sectors) were options straight out of CGA. Before that class, all CGA grads first went to cutters.
 
Looks like the odds are 9:10 a USCGA grad would be piloting a sea vessel than an aircraft. If flying is the goal, better chances with USAFA,USNA or USMA.:spacecraft:

Maybe right out of the Academy, but USCG pilots definitely have one of the best gigs in the military. Good base locations (beats ND or Montana), good family life later on once that happens, and you get to perform the mission you train for. Lots of the guys over at air warriors want to cross-commission into the uscg.

As far as chances go, class rank doesn't matter as much like someone said, but there is an emphasis in rewarding STEM majors for the spots straight out of the Academy. The past few years indicate that they'll only accept 2-3 government and management majors at most for straight to flight school.
 
Your chances for flight school are as good as you make them during your stay at the A

My son is eight 2012 graduate of the US Coast Guard Academy. His first billet is flight school at Pensacola Florida where years currently about to enter phase 2. He just loves flight school and hopes to fly a helicopter but confided in me that he would be also happy with fixed wing.

He told me that during the early part of spring semester of his second greatest year, the cadets started the preparations for flight school applications. Arrangements were made for the aviation aptitude tests followed by a very thorough flight physical and then by a pilot review board interview. His graduating class included 242 cadets. Flight school directly out of the Academy is limited to 10% of the graduating class. The remaining 55% of the flight school class comes from the fleet. Initially 75 cadets indicated an interest in flight school. Only about 45 cadets actually completed the requirements for flight school consideration upon graduation. Some of the cadets postpone consideration until I had a chance to experience life as an officer in the Coast Guard, some chose to go to the fleet for experience for their first billet and somewhat hesitant because of the 10 year commitment. Flight school takes approximately 2 years after which there is an eight year obligation. I believe two or three did not have the minimum eyesight for flight qualification. Out of approximately 42 students, 24 positions were awarded. My son was told that virtually all candidates who wanted flight school and were qualified would eventually attend flight school.

Out of a class of 242 graduates 24 receive flight school. I believe that the lowest cadet assigned flight school had a overall combined class rating of 212 out of a class of 242.

Good luck and best wishes. The Coast Guard is a fantastic job in the Academy is a fantastic place to begin your career.
 
Looks like the odds are 9:10 a USCGA grad would be piloting a sea vessel than an aircraft. If flying is the goal, better chances with USAFA,USNA or USMA.:spacecraft:

Sure, only 10% of the graduating class may be going straight to flight school, but in the end nearly 35% of the officer corps is a pilot, which is significantly higher than the USAF, USN or the USM. Ironic how that works, isn't it?

In fact, the USCG has a large multitude of officers looking to cross commission into the USCG because they will get more stick time. Not only do we have more pilots by percentage, we also give them more flight time doing the missions (not just training for them).
 
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