About Navy Pilots
According to the United States Navy's official website, the military branch operates more than 6,000 different types of aircraft. Navy pilots operate aircraft that perform basic maneuvers, such as the helicopter which Navy pilots use to transfer senior ranking officials to events and conduct airlifts. Navy pilots operate fighter aircraft, such as the F/A 18 Hornet or the E-2C Hawkeye. Completion of officer training is required before military personnel become Navy officer pilots. Training consists of basic officer training and specialized aviation training.
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History
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According to the book by Roy Grossnick titled, "United States Naval Aviation 1910 to 1995," the Curtiss Company provided the Navy its first aircraft in 1911. During World War I, the United States Navy had 48 pilots including student aviation pilots. The number of aircraft the Navy had during World War I was 54. Aviator standards were defined and set in 1913 when the Secretary of the Navy approved the qualifications necessary to be an aviator in the Navy. Since its inception the Navy's aviation pilot training has expanded as the types and numbers of aircraft have increased. Academically and physically, the requirements to be a Navy aviator are rigorous.
What Navy Pilots Do
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Aviation pilots fly aircraft to and from military land bases and ships. Navy pilots may also be required to fly aircraft low over water. A lengthy notice is not always given as to when a flight mission is required to be performed. The ability to adjust to change and quick decision-making plays a key role in how well Navy aviation pilots adapt to the role. Navy pilots may be asked to fly jets, helicopters, fighter aircraft and aircraft with turbo-propellers or to train potential pilots at aviation school. Using tactical skills, Navy pilots may fly aircraft into foreign territory undetected or to warn United States military personnel and government officials of impending danger.
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Types of Navy Pilots
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According to the Navy's official website, naval flight officers received special training using advanced tactical and communications systems. Areas of study for naval flight officers include aerodynamics, flight planning, safety and engine systems. Naval flight officers track submarines during critical missions and in inclement weather.
Aviation maintenance duty officers manage aviation fleets. Not only may these pilots know to operate and fly aircraft, the responsibility of insuring that aircraft is properly maintained and ready for flight rest upon these pilots.
During training aviation pilots receive $125 a month of flight pay. After successfully completing flight school training, Navy pilots receive a maximum of $840 a month of flight pay in addition to the base military pay. The more flight hours a Navy pilot logs, the more the pilots flight pay may increase.
Stellar Careers
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According to Ace Pilots, Navy fighter pilots fought the Pacific War. Japanese Zero pilots proved formidable against the Navy fighter pilots, but the Navy pilots prevailed. Notable Navy pilots during World War II include Alexander Vraciu and Patrick Fleming.
Alexander Vracius flew Navy aircraft during the war in 1944. He fought at Moen, Eten and Param Islands. A key battle came in February 1944. Alexander gunned down several Japanese fighter aircraft while flying his VF-6 Intrepid. In April of that same year, Alexander flew a VF-16 into combat and landed more victory. He flew in battle most of 1944 and later became a test pilot for the Navy.
Another heroic Navy pilot is Patrick Fleming. From November 1944 to February 1945, Patrick flew in six combat missions. He met with nineteen targets during this time and shot all nineteen down. During other fighter missions he flew in for the Navy he gained more victory. He flew various fighter aircraft during his naval career including a VF-80 and a VBF-80. On several missions he put his life in jeopardy, but continued to serve and fly as a Navy pilot. After World War II, Patrick also served as a test pilot in the Navy.
Considerations
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Check with your local recruiter in regards to getting started in a career as Navy aviation pilot. There are age requirements to be accepted into the Navy across all careers. Keep in mind that a career as a Navy pilot can lead to a career as a commercial civilian pilot after you complete your term of duty if you decide to continue to fly during your post-military years.
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