Coast Guard flying

[SmellsLikeAvGas]

Hi,
I am applying for Coast Guard OCS (interview coming up soon..) I was wondering if there are any CG pilots out there? So far, I have my PPL, and I'm trying to finish up my instrument rating.. I really want to fly in the Coast Guard, but I know unlike the Air Force, in the Coast Guard, you go to OCS first, and THEN see if you get a pilot slot. How hard is it to get accepted in to flight school? If I didn't get in to flight school right away, I was thinking it would be an option to stay in the CG Reserves and apply for flight school again the following year (and finish my civilian ratings while in p/t) but my recruiter told me that from OCS, you have a minimum of 5 years you must serve active duty. I really want to fly, but it sounds really risky.. and five years is a long time to put off flying, if I don't get chosen. Any advice out there? Thanks.

 

[dabandermac]

It is true that most pilots of the coast guard aren't guaranteed a flying slot upon graduation of ocs. from what i've heard (b/c im not in the coast guard, but i have researched this topic heavily 'cause im in the same boat as you) usually 2-5 ocs grads out of 60 are selected for flight school, and a couple of those guys are blue21 guys (guaranteed flight initiative- hard to get unless you are a minority). that is bad news cause if you do the math the probability of getting a pilot slot is around 5%.

There is good news, however. The fact that you already have flying time will help, and if you show a ton of motivation at ocs this will help also. From what I've heard from several coasties that they have never known anyone who wanted flight school & passed the flight physical not to get flight school within a few tours (1-3 yrs), and many that did a couple tours before flight school are glad they had the opportunity to serve on a cutter beforehand.

Finally, I've never heard a flying coastie complain about CG aviation, unlike some of the AF guys that complain about active duty and how guard it better, blah blah blah.

So, if you are motivated and meet the flight requirements I think there is a good chance you can get a flight slot out of OCS, or soon after if you have the heart. Good luck, and if you decide on the CG maybe I'll see ya there one day.

CV

 

[qmaster3]

smellslikeavgas,

Good choice. I'm E-5 in the Navy (hopefully E-6 in a few days). Having worked under a CG chain of command for the past couple years. I can tell ya it's the best kept secret in the military. There are a few Coasties on here that will chime in regarding the Aviation aspect. I just wanted to wish you luck, and let you know that if you have to do a few years of sea duty. You will be in good company, with great folks.

I'll be entering the CG in July to finish career hopefully as a pilot. See you there.

 

[rjl2001]

Hey just in case you didn't see it, there was a good thread a couple months ago about becoming a USCG pilot.

http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?t=49038&highlight=coast+guard+flying

good luck!

 

[sardaddy]

Well, some basic stats have been posted so I will leave those alone. Considering you have you private license already, you should be able to do fairly well on the flying portion of the tests but realize there is more to the test than aviation so if you do get selected to OCS consider purchasing one of the many available study guides so you don’t go in blind. It will help your chances if you get a really good score. Additionally as also stated, you can continue to apply after OCS for flight school until you get selected or get tired whichever comes first. But there are usually two boards a year, and from what I have observed, you have a much better chance once you get at least one OER into the system (due every six months at first). I know many officers that were able to get flight school after OCS and they all said the hardest part about getting selected after OCS was the wait to see if they were selected.



As for the 5 years on active duty, I thought it was only three but I could be wrong. But either way, serving in the CG in any capacity will certainly not be a waste of time and you can still fly in your off time.

Good luck on whatever you choose.

 

[dabandermac]

sardaddy,

what test are you talking about? my recruiter said I could use my SAT scores...

CV

 

[sardaddy]

Once you are in OCS all candidates who want to compete for a flight slot must do a couple of things, a flight physical and a flight aptitude test. That is the test I am talking about. Most book stores have a testing section and the aviation flight tests for the military are usually available. The more you know about the test the better you should do.

 

[dabandermac]

Are those the only factors that contribute being selected for flight school? Do ratings & certificates have any bearing? What about OCS performance?

thanks,
CV

 

[qmaster3]

Hi dabandermac,

The Coast Guard has a great site for OCS. It covers all the job requirements, and that of your package. It also has all your forms and package checklist on there. I'm sure your recruiter is a great guy. Taking charge of your own package, asking questions on here, and making sure your ducks are in a row is the right thing to do.

Good Luck,
q

http://www.gocoastguard.com/officerindex.html

 

[dhc8fo]

I did the EXACT same thing as you but several years ago (was in the last class at Yorktown, so back in 98). I went into OCS with my PPL. My class had 53 people in it and 26 chose aviation. It sucked because there turned out to only be TWO billets for our class! I needed a vision waiver and they cut ALL waivers after we had all taken the aptitude test in order to slim down the prospects.

I opted to get out after I didn't make the cut and I took the airline route. You can quit OCS at 13 weeks (I think that was the cutoff) with no strings attached at that point if you don't like how it is looking for you.

I am always a bit regretful that I didn't stay in and keep trying for that pilot slot (which by the way one guy and one girl got the spots and BOTH washed out!! I was pissed), but I have nothing bad to say about taking the civilian route. I love the airlines and my job, although the whole industry kind of sucks right now.

I am married to a Navy pilot and every Coastie pilot we have run across has had nothing but great things to say about it. You need to decide if it is your goal to just plain fly a plane for the rest of your life, or if you want to serve your country AND fly a plane. Then make your choices accordingly. Either way, good luck.

Oh yeah, forgot to add that it was a three year committment, not five. Also, while flight experience had some bearing on getting chosen, the aptitude test, your OCS recommendations (ie; class performance), and the flight physical were the biggest factors. Kick ass in OCS, be in great shape, do well on the test and you have the best chance of getting a slot.