What Is a Naval Aviator?
Naval aviators are men and women who work within the Navy as pilots of a variety of aircraft, based on land and aboard ships, that can be deployed around the world.
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Types
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The aircraft piloted by naval aviators vary from jets and helicopters to turbopropeller aircraft.
Geography
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Land-based naval aviators are stationed at bases in close proximity to ports and surface fleet bases in the USA and worldwide. Sea-based aviators are stationed on aircraft carriers and smaller ships that form part of the fleet squadron as part of the air wing.
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Tours
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A naval aviator usually completes three tours of duty split between land and sea. The first and third tour are based at sea while the second tour usually sees the naval aviator stationed at a land base.
Command
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Within the U.S. Navy, only naval aviators can become the commanding officers of aircraft carriers after first commanding a smaller ship such as an auxiliary.
Training
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To prepare for life as a naval aviator, prospective pilots must complete Officer Candidate School and a six-week air introduction course at Naval Aviation Schools Command. Finally, intermediate and flight-specific advanced training are completed before naval aviators receive their wings of gold.
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