Deciding which branch to join based on aircraft is extremely difficult given the impressive arsenals: Air Force fighter pilots get assigned the F-15C Eagle or F-22 Raptor. Primarily, AF pilots serve on bases throughout the United States as well as around the world. Students advance to one of four training tracks based on class standing. API is the introduction of flight basics to the SNA. This is an operational flying billet for this officer and he or she flies the twin-seat F/A-18D "Blue Angel 7" aircraft (which replaced the F/A-18B previously used) with the team's advance pilot/narrator. There is currently a shortage of qualified pilots in both branches. NFOs are not formally trained to pilot the aircraft, although they do train in some dual-control aircraft and are given the opportunity to practice basic airmanship techniques. b. As a 3-star vice admiral, he was the first NFO to command a numbered fleet, the U.S. 2nd Fleet. The main difference between USAF and Navy pilots is the aircraft type and size. Naval Aviation designators.[5]. Filter by location to see Naval Flight Officer salaries in your area. The college degree is typically related to the sciences such as aerospace engineering or physics. The ground school portion lasts about two weeks and culminates with the student completing the FAA private pilot exam. Often, a senior NFO is paired with a junior pilot (and vice versa). Your email address will not be published. He has landed on 19 different aircraft carriers, to include all 10 of the Nimitz class carriers. Training consists of five phases: After graduating from advanced strike training, Navy SNFOs will select: Naval flight officers operate some of the advanced systems on board most multi-crew naval aircraft, and some may also act as the overall tactical mission commanders of single or multiple aircraft assets during a given mission. The Navy Blue Angels are a sight to behold. Initial pilot training in the Navy lasts approximately six months. Air Force pilots also assume the offensive role by manning combat air patrol stations and conducting fighter sweeps through hostile airspace in the event of an adversary which poses a serious threat in the air. See our advertising policy here. Naval flight officers aid pilots by operating flight systems aboard Navy and Marine aircraft. Introductory training may take place at Columbus AFB (Mississippi), Vance AFB (Oklahoma), or Laughlin AFB (Texas). Training consists of four phases: After primary, students who have selected E-2s or land-based maritime aviation (P-3, P-8, EP-3, E-6) check into VT-4 for advanced maritime command and control (MC2) training. SNFOs destined for carrier-based strike fighter and electronic attack aircraft remain in VT-10 and continue to fly in the T-6A Texan II. Navy duty stations for pilots are unique because most of them are mobile. Regardless, both military branches are currently facing a shortage in qualified pilots which means now has never been a better time to consider becoming one. Colonel John C. Church, Sr., USMC (Ret.) The biggest difference between the Air Force and Navy pilot training is that Navy pilots also need to learn the extra skill of landing on aircraft carriers. And I think I'm the only one in my unit that actually wanted to be an NFO at one point in time! In fact, both military branches report they are about 25 percent short of fighter pilots needed in critical areas. Actual flight hours vary by rank, resources, and additional duties, but current numbers state that USAF pilots average 17.8 hours a month, with 20 hours considered optimal. Colonel Church amassed more than 500 missions in the F-4.[10]. For example, becoming a fighter pilot is earned by being one of the top performers in the classroom where you get the rare opportunity of specializing in aircraft like the T-38 and T-1. Navy pilots get to see the world by sea and the experience is difficult to match elsewhere. Currently, the Air Force has 12,500 pilots on active duty, while the Navy maintains a force of 7,000 active duty pilots. The counterpart to the NFO in the United States Air Force is the combat systems officer (CSO), encompassing the previous roles of navigator, weapon systems officer and electronic warfare officer. Then they are assigned to a new military base where they will learn to master the aircraft they are assigned. Read the full article below to learn more about the requirements, training, duty stations, aircraft, and more of each military flight program. AF pilots also specialize in radar and intercept work as part of their air-to-air duties. The F-15C Eagle is a twin-engine jet that originates from the early 1970s and is still used heavily in the Air Force. Navy pilots are also officers who attain the rank through different methods depending on if you are already active duty, previously served the military, or never served the military. Related Article: How To Join The Space Force. It’s just very difficult to compete with the airlines, which offer competitive pay, benefits, and a relaxed flying schedule. (2) Restrict to flight duties of service group III, requiring a co-pilot qualified in service group I or II. The Thunderbirds fly F-16s and many pilots aspire to one day become a member of this incredible team. The Rand Corp estimates that there is a current shortage of 800 active-duty pilots and that number may double by 2023. This included service as the 31st Vice Chief of Naval Operations from October 2000 to August 2003; the Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command and U.S. Atlantic Fleet from October 2003 to February 2005; Commander, U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM) from February 2005 until March 2007; and Commander, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) from March 2007 until his retirement in March 2008.[8]. The F-22 Raptor is primarily used for air attacks as well as ground attacks, electronic warfare, and signal intelligence. Both SNAs and SNFOs go through the same introductory flight screening and aviation preflight indoctrination together before splitting off into different primary training tracks. He was the first NFO to command the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center, the second NFO to command a numbered fleet, the U.S. 5th Fleet, and was later deputy commander of U.S. Central Command. The different duty stations from an accredited college or university previously flew the F-4 [. 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