I am hoping for some feedback from people with CG Academy experience. What are the actual opportunities to become a fixed wing pilot? My DS really wants to be a pilot (he has no experience to date fyi). Got an appointment to CGA but is hoping for AFA or NA. I would really like to make sure he has done all his research before making a decision. Thank you!
Pilot opportunities in the CG?
- Thread starter Helen737
- Start date
I've heard several times at Admissions events that the Coast Guard has the highest percentage of pilots of all services. Not the highest number, but the highest percentage.
For the past several years, about 10% of each graduating class goes straight to Flight School.
And even if you don't get a Flight School assignment right away, you have chances to apply for your 2nd or 3rd assignment.
From what I've been told, most people who want Flight will eventually get it.
Now, once you are at Flight School, I don't know the details on whether you will be assigned Fixed Wing or Rotary. You definitely get to state your preference, but there are probably some cases where, due to the needs of the Coast Guard, someone is assigned to Rotary when they want Fixed Wing, or vice versa.
More information on Flight School is here: https://uscga.edu/careers/flight-school/
For the past several years, about 10% of each graduating class goes straight to Flight School.
And even if you don't get a Flight School assignment right away, you have chances to apply for your 2nd or 3rd assignment.
From what I've been told, most people who want Flight will eventually get it.
Now, once you are at Flight School, I don't know the details on whether you will be assigned Fixed Wing or Rotary. You definitely get to state your preference, but there are probably some cases where, due to the needs of the Coast Guard, someone is assigned to Rotary when they want Fixed Wing, or vice versa.
More information on Flight School is here: https://uscga.edu/careers/flight-school/
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2017
- Messages
- 1,365
According to their website there are 54 fixed wing and 143 helicopters, which may or may not be accurate but can certainly serve as a good outline of the ratio of rotary to fixed wing. As mentioned above the needs of the service prevail and there are no platform guarantees, but that's the case in all services so he'll be taking his chances regardless.
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2010
- Messages
- 6,424
HMMMM, percentage of officers who are pilots? CG does not have as many specialties to fill such as Subs, Seabees, Cryptologists, Oceanography/Meteorology, etc so CG MIGHT have a higher percentage of officers who are aviators but percentage of USNA Graduating class that goes aviation is far higher than 10% and that goes back over at least the past 45 yrs. When you add USN & USMC Aviators plus NFOs it is well over 30%.
So much for what is said at Admissions events. After all, there is a bit of salesmanship going on.
The Coast Guard states it here also: https://www.gocoastguard.com/careers/officer/aviation
"Did you know the U.S. Coast Guard has the highest percentage of officers that are pilots out of any U.S. military service? As a Coast Guard aviator, you’ll fly in challenging, high-risk environments—such as rescuing people in distress, stopping smugglers, or monitoring illegal activities."
Herman_Snerd
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Nov 27, 2017
- Messages
- 1,607
It's not a direct answer to your question but within any group of commissioning officers, the needs of the service factor into who gets to do what in their service selections. The coast guard, navy, marine, and some foreign pilots from ally nations all train together in the same pipelines and there is no guarantee even if you service-select as an aviator in a marine-air contract or as a student naval aviator, that you'll fly fixed v rotary wing craft. General gouge is that coast guard and marine pilots more often than not fly rotary, but for your specific class, who knows? I've gotten to know now a few young people who were pegged on becoming a pilot but after they self-selected pilot as their top choice, are now serving on a ship, or sub, or sitting in the flight officer NFO (Goose) seat instead. Recommend he/ you research backup options in each service branch - if I can't be a pilot which service has the best alt. roles for my interest. Again, no guarantees but at least you can pursue the best fit.
You mention he has no flight experience - if you can afford it, pay for a flight lesson this month before decisions are due that gets him up at the yoke in the air in a small craft - see if he likes it. Met a number of people who went to Purdue/ Embry Riddle/ one to Ohio State to become a pilot who amazingly had never flown in a plane - even once, and ended up learning the reality wasn't matching their expectations. Not everyone likes it, and that is ok... One orientation flight for my son as a young teen and he was hooked for life... Try it before making such a commitment is my recommendation.
Good luck and thanks for his willingness to serve.
You mention he has no flight experience - if you can afford it, pay for a flight lesson this month before decisions are due that gets him up at the yoke in the air in a small craft - see if he likes it. Met a number of people who went to Purdue/ Embry Riddle/ one to Ohio State to become a pilot who amazingly had never flown in a plane - even once, and ended up learning the reality wasn't matching their expectations. Not everyone likes it, and that is ok... One orientation flight for my son as a young teen and he was hooked for life... Try it before making such a commitment is my recommendation.
Good luck and thanks for his willingness to serve.
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2010
- Messages
- 6,424
I am of course very familiar with the distinction. That said I can assure you that the general public and many of our applicants would codify the people who fly on the planes and execute the missions with the people at the controls of the arcraft.
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2010
- Messages
- 6,424
Which matches up quite well with my post regarding how many other job categories there within the entire Navy enterprise but once again, looking at opportunities when graduating from USNA or ROTC almost all go to unrestricted line and the percentages going to aviation are much higher than 10%.
Again, you're reading marketing literature. Do you not believe that a Navy (or USMC) pilot will be flying in challenging, high risk environments? Maybe the words after the dash could be "Rescuing downed pilots, stopping smugglers *, or monitoring illegal activities**" as well as defending vital US assets, providing close air support to ground troops and serving as the strike force for US national interests.
* and ** I personally served in command of the assets that were enforcing the UN embargoes on Iraq in the late 90's which primarily searched for and dealt with smugglers who were bringing in weapons to Iraq. Those assets were primarily USN and USMC aircraft but also included some from the USAF.
Last edited:
He has had familiarization flights just not formal lessons. His dad is a Captain of a major airline and former F-16 pilot.
Just an observation, but a lot of the Coastie classmates and friends I have in T-6 primary right now want to fly helos. I’ve only heard a couple of them say they’re going for maritime. However, a lot of them are LTJGs and LTs who did a whole other tour before being accepted to flight school. They told me it’s very rare for USCG to go straight to flight school. Only really a thing for a couple USCGA grads each year, and even then, those guys are at the very top of their graduating class.
Flight lessons before NIFE and primary aren’t necessary. Cessna definitely not the same as the T-6, that’s for sure…. You will be fine with 0 prior flight hours
Flight lessons before NIFE and primary aren’t necessary. Cessna definitely not the same as the T-6, that’s for sure…. You will be fine with 0 prior flight hours
DTT!FSA!
Member
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2022
- Messages
- 488
Umm, no. Nobody confuses a flight attendant with a pilot, just as nobody confuses a jumpmaster with a pilot.
You are arguing too much...and to a failed conclusion. The statement, "...the U.S. Coast Guard has the highest percentage of officers that are pilots out of any U.S. military service?..." is simply factual. Don't read into it, don't try to manipulate it to say what you wish it said. Just take it as it is.
NFOs are not pilots. Jumpmasters are not pilots. Radar operators are not pilots. Pilots are pilots and USCG has the highest percentage of officers that are pilots of any service.
Deal with it.
About 10% of each graduating class goes straight to flight school. So that is about 22-26 or so each year. Others can apply to go after their 1st, 2nd, or even 3rd assignment.
And although most billet assignment choices are based on rank, flight school is one of the special ones that is not only based on rank. In addition to needing to meet additional medical requirements, the cadets hoping for flight school need to pass a flight test and also have interviews. A lower ranking cadet who has a superb interview could still get flight school ahead of a higher ranking cadet who did not interview well.
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2006
- Messages
- 3,994
Yes they do. I see it all the time.
Thanks for clearing it up! Learning everyday
I don’t run into too many Coasties down here (even though my squadron is known as the “Coastie squadron” on base). The ones I’ve run into and talked to almost all did a tour or two before flight school. I think I’ve only met one who was straight from USCGA
Herman_Snerd
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Nov 27, 2017
- Messages
- 1,607
Ah, much different picture than no experience to date. That’s good.
VAcadetmom
Member
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2020
- Messages
- 217
And one thing that is great about the Coast Guard is that if you don't get flight school right out of the Academy or OCS, you still have the opportunity to apply (and a good percentage are accepted) after your first or second tour. Some of the cadets purposefully choose to go to an afloat unit first before applying for flight to experience that part of the Coast Guard.
I believe in the other services it is much more difficult to switch to aviation if you aren't selected at graduation.
I believe in the other services it is much more difficult to switch to aviation if you aren't selected at graduation.
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2010
- Messages
- 6,424
Yup. I'd like to see you call a few of my F14 or A6 NFOs stewardess or radar operator. About half of the aviators who worked for me on the Battlegroup staff were NFOs as was my CO and saw how most people reacted to them. Perhaps some folks have not lived in that world.