Aviation

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JamesVanKirk09

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I was just wondering if anyone knows how difficult it is to get into an aviation career from the Naval Academy, specifically becoming a pilot. What kind of class rank is necessary etc. etc.
 
I think pretty much everyone who wants it right now is getting it, aviator if you are physically qualified, NFO if not. Elective eye surgery for most has made NPQ for pilot almost a thing of the past.

With that said, try not to be the anchor man.
 
Pilot need decreasing?

Testing a thought. Do you think the need for NAVY pilots is decreasing (relatively) becuase on the increased use of unmanned DRONE aircraft?
 
JVK09, we always advise our sponsor mids to shoot for at least the top third of the class for best leverage on service selection. We had a mid who was comfortably in the top third, was physically q'ed for aviation, "sat" in all respects, but did a bonehead thing his 2/c year. The resulting demerits tanked him downward and he did not make the cut for Navy pilot. To be accurate, it wasn't just the demerits but the nature of his bonehead thing that stained his record. All of our mids who wanted aviation and did the work to maintain a solid class standing got what they wanted, in terms of community.

This past year, all 7 of our sponsor mids got what they wanted, whether it was the one who has a single-digit standing in the class or the ones hanging out in the middle and lower third.

As with anything else, working hard to be more than sat in academics, physical and military performance will pay off in the end. If you keep your internal focus on aviation, and that remains constant for you as you sample other communities during USNA years, that will help you put your nose to the grindstone and avoid conduct/performance/honor derailments.

And don't ever forget the folks in the bottom parts of the class are just as likely to be extremely successful and advance to the top of the Navy and Marine Corps.
 
Recent Aviation Service Selection Stats

JamesVanKirk09 said:
I was just wondering if anyone knows how difficult it is to get into an aviation career from the Naval Academy, specifically becoming a pilot. What kind of class rank is necessary etc. etc.
Click to expand...

Class of 2008
319 pilots of 1047 grads - 30%

Class of 2009
307 pilots of 1058 grads - 29%

Those numbers include USMC pilots. Capt MJs advice is spot on. For best service selection you wish to be in the top one-third of your class. Two of the most selective career options are usually Special Warfare (SEAL) and USMC ground.
 
kaullman said:
Class of 2008
319 pilots of 1047 grads - 30%

Class of 2009
307 pilots of 1058 grads - 29%

Those numbers include USMC pilots. Capt MJs advice is spot on. For best service selection you wish to be in the top one-third of your class.
Click to expand...

Your advice would be correct only if the entire classes first choice were aviation. Historically for the past several years, 90% +/- of each class has been given either their first or second choice for career selection. Therefore, if one chose pilot first choice and NFO second choice, they have a relatively certain chance of success. Not to say they shouldn't do the best they can though.
 
Thanks for the info. Now I've got a new question, for aviation what does physically qualified entail?
 
It means you didn't get in with a waiver that limits you to restricted line, vs unrestricted line.

It also means you aren't too tall to fit into the cockpit, or two muscular, etc.

You must also make it through a series of schools, which if you wash out from either of them, you could find yourself doing something totally different than you had planned for.

JB
 
jbrown said:
It means you didn't get in with a waiver that limits you to restricted line, vs unrestricted line.

It also means you aren't too tall to fit into the cockpit, or two muscular, etc.

You must also make it through a series of schools, which if you wash out from either of them, you could find yourself doing something totally different than you had planned for.

JB
Click to expand...

That wouldnt include a waiver for eyesight correct? Restricted line just means you have a certain condition with a waiver tight?
 
It depends on whether you are talking about physically qualified (PQ) for aviation or the Academy. For aviation PQ is even a step beyond being PQ'd for the Academy. If you have poor eyesight you would likely be found not physically qualified (NPQ) for aviation; however, USNA offers its midshipmen laser eye surgery which is waiverable for aviation.
 
I am in high school now, but was interested in becoming a Marine pilot after graduating from the NA. How difficult do you think that would be considering that I am a woman?
 
Just taking a stab at this one. I don't see why the pilot part of it would be any harder that being a guy going for it. The challenges you'll face for being a woman (discrimination, sexism, etc.) I'm pretty sure you'll see pretty much wherever you are in the military just by the demographics of it being so dominantly male.

I don't mean to override your question, but since it was brought up, if we have a medical waiver that says PQ'd, that means qualified for pilot too, right? My waiver says nothing about restrictions so I assume this applies to PQ for pilot.
 
jbrown said:
It means you didn't get in with a waiver that limits you to restricted line, vs unrestricted line.

It also means you aren't too tall to fit into the cockpit, or two muscular, etc.

You must also make it through a series of schools, which if you wash out from either of them, you could find yourself doing something totally different than you had planned for.

JB
Click to expand...

Sorry to bring up another old post but I was looking around and if you read through this thread its talking about pilots and restricted/unrestricted line. What does that mean in reference to being accepted to the Naval Academy with a waiver for flat feet. Would having flat feet (but no negative effects) and a waiver have anything to do with being pilot qualified?
 
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