Is NOW the time to join the Military?

[airludy]

I dont know if I believe the "prior flight experience wont help one bit in the application process". That simply cant be true.

 

[BMD]

prior time

One way that prior time can work against you in Navy Primary training is the Navy's accelerated syllabus. It used to be, if you entered the Navy with XXX civilian hours (not sure of the exact number), each of your first several events will cover 2 flights worth of information. That put some guys at a disadvantage from a grading standpoint (grades determine what you select: jets vs. props vs. helos). I'm not sure if this system is still in place. The navy is now paying for students to get their private before starting navy ground school here in P'cola.

 

[shootr]

Navy pre-program

The Navy is not exactly paying for their private...25 hours from a CFI in light civils, whether they solo or not.

shootr

 

[Clownpilot]

Re: Re: Flight hours on application

That just simply isn't true. If that were true then airlines would hire people who have never flown before so they wouldn't have any bad habits to unlearn. There is a reason why airlines want experienced pilots.

Remember the first time you hit a golf ball or drove a car? Well, you made lots of mistakes and you probably weren't all that good at it. Now you are because your experience allows you to anticipate what is going to happen so you are prepared for it when it does. To say that isn't important in flight training is ludicrous.

As a former IP, I can tell you, past flight time made very little difference, and in some cases, worked against you. Without fail, the guys who did best in UPT were the ones who wanted it the most, and worked their tails off, no matter what their background was. Also, the T-38 was the great equalizer, IMHO. Its too bad not every student gets to fly it these days.

 

[Michael Knight]

Well, I agree with Michael. Prior flight time usually makes LITTLE difference in flight school. The prior flight time I'm talking about is usually 25 to 50 hours, which is not much. Any advantage by these students is only realized during the first few flights, if at all.

Those coming to flight school with significant experience are often a different story. I have seen some students with commercial licenses and an instrument card, a few even with 1000+ hours. These students usually did not have to work as hard (especially on instruments) and did well but still didn't end up with the top grades (nor the bottom). If I had to come up with a top 5 list of students I have seen (based on performance), only 1 of them had any prior flight time. It really comes down to natural ability and desire.

 

[Clownpilot]

OK

Well great. At your next interview try explaining to them that you have real raw talent, lots of aptitude and a boatload of desire, so you really don't need much time or experience.


Let me know how that works out for you.


Airlines don't waste expensive training slots on inexperienced pilots for a reason. It's been tried.

Well, I agree with Michael. Prior flight time usually makes LITTLE difference in flight school. The prior flight time I'm talking about is usually 25 to 50 hours, which is not much. Any advantage by these students is only realized during the first few flights, if at all.

Those coming to flight school with significant experience are often a different story. I have seen some students with commercial licenses and an instrument card, a few even with 1000+ hours. These students usually did not have to work as hard (especially on instruments) and did well but still didn't end up with the top grades (nor the bottom). If I had to come up with a top 5 list of students I have seen (based on performance), only 1 of them had any prior flight time. It really comes down to natural ability and desire.

 

[firstthird]

upt not airlines

This thread is about UPT requirements not airline hiring. What Delta is looking for has very little to do with what the Navy or Air
Force is looking for. Majors want experienced, accomplished pilots. Military UPT programs want motivated, intelligent students who are willing to learn the Navy way. Reread the thread, Clownpilot, I don't think what the majors are looking for has anything to do with what this thread is discussing.

 

[Skyrunner]

Desire is more important than experience

I only had about 20 hours of flight time before I went to UPT. If you want to serve your country and endure true hardship, I believe desire probably outweighs experience. Just my opinion.

Ya'll take care,

SR

 

[Chunk]

....back to the original question...

Don't use the military as a means to an end. It doesn't sound like you are ready (your own words) for the commitment. You are a sailor first, pilot second. blah blah blah....this has been gone over a bunch o' times.

Chunk