Considering NFO or Navigator?

[13579ms]

I had a great time during my short enlistment and would not have a problem doing another 16 yrs as an NFO. I think if I get some more civilian flight time within a year or less and instruct while i'm in(CFI if possible), I'll have the airlines to look forward to after retirement. To be honest I'm not in it for the money but more for the adventure and to say I did it. Thanks NFO's/Nav's for your info. It sounds like I may want to stay Navy.

 

[JimNtexas]

There is no question that NFOs are higher in the Navy's peaking order than USAF Navs are in the Air Force. That's not to say that USAF Nav can't have a good career and get promoted, but its something to consider.

In the Air Force a nav with a commerical FAA ticket can be a drone pilot. The drone guys are getting T-3s for proficency training, I wonder if they'll let their Navs fly them?

The Guard is an excellent option for both pilots and navs. I talked to a Guard or Reserve (I forget which) WC-130 nav at Oshkosh, he seemed like a really happy camper. I also met a former A-6 NFO who had an ATP and was an FAA designated examiner.

The upside to the USAF if you aren't close to the age limit is that that the USAF sends plenty of navs back to UPT, more so than the Navy I think. But since you are prior service I suspect you may be too old for that option.

If you think you can stand the life of a squid, then NFO is a good way to go if you can't pass the pilot eye test.

 

[Rush Limbaugh]

Another thing to consider is that to the best of my knowledge (which isn't much, believe me) USAF navs that go to UPT are eligible for the bonus. As someone mentioned earlier, they aren't eligible in the Navy. The bad part is that the committment is now 10 years or something ridiculous like that.

Along the same lines, I wonder if I can count my stinkbug time since stinkbug pilots are not much more than WSO's with landing currency.

 

[navhnt]

I don't think the bonus thing is quite accurate. To the best of my knowledge, NFO-Pilot transition is eligible for the bonus. A guy in my squadron was an A-6 BN who transitioned to pilot and he got a bonus. I think the tricky part is that as a transition guy, they are pretty senior and might not meet all the gates/requirements to be eligible. Additionally, part of the Navy bonus plan is structured to reward people for going back to sea-duty. Most of those bonus plans don't care if you are an NFO or pilot.

NAVHNT

 

[NavyGuy]

To piggyback on what navhnt wrote. As an NFO you ARE eligible for a bonus unlike your AF NAV/WSO bretheren. Just one more way you're treated a little better in the Navy. There are some great NFO TACAIR(F-14, F-18F, S-3, EA-6B) opportunities in the Navy if you're interested in being tip-of-the spear. There are also awesome jobs to be had in the E-2 and P-3 communities if you don't mind riding in a tube. However if you want to drive instead of hold the map I would look into the Guard or AF reserves for a pilot gig( they will waiver on occasion for less than stellar vision). Whatever you decide just amke sure you are well informed before signing on the dotted line. Good luck.

P.S. NAVHNT, How cool was it to fly the mighty SLUF!?!

 

[navhnt]

The A-7 was a great airplane for its time. I flew the A-7E which actually had some neat gadgets. It had a great Heads Up Display and some computerized bombing modes that made it a very accurate visual bomber. It was pretty good behind the ship as lond as you stayed ahead of it. It could get pretty ugly trying to dig out of the hole if you got low&slow. The best part was the community as a whole, we had great spirit and esprit. Our motto was "No slack in Light Attack."
Having said that, there isn't much the A-7 did that the Hornet doesn't do a lot better. I count myself very lucky to have flown both.

navhnt