Whether youre performing super-sonic precision maneuvers in an F/A-18 Hornet strike fighter or hunting enemy submarines in an SH-60 Seahawk helicopter, as a U.S. naval aviation officer, youre part of a world-renowned aviation team. The Navy offers some of the worlds most advanced and comprehensive training in the field of aviation. Navy pilots, Naval Flight Officers (NFOs) and Aerospace Maintenance Duty Officers (AMDOs)] are part of this adrenaline-seeking team, which maintains and operates over 6,000 aircraft. Perhaps launching from an aircraft carrier at speeds in excess of 150 miles per hour in less than two seconds seems thrilling to you. The "Air Boss" controls your takeoff and landing of a multitude of aircraft through the use of the most advanced air-traffic control and communications equipment available. If youre a physically fit individual who excels academically and possesses leadership qualities and a love of aircraft and flying, join one of our countrys most powerful aviation forces as a naval aviation officer.

What Will You Do?

Navy Pilots
As a Navy pilot, youll fly from land bases and sea platforms, often at a moments notice, to perform missions across the globe. Pilots can fly in a number of naval air platforms, including jet, helicopter, maritime propeller and other tactical fixed-wing aircraft. While training as a pilot, you will have the opportunity to request the training pipeline you would like to pursue upon completion of primary flight training. During advanced flight training you will learn skills specific to your aircraft platform, such as air-to-air combat, bombing, search and rescue, aircraft carrier qualifications, over-water navigation, and low-level flying.

You may find yourself banking your plane into a sharp left turn, then lining up with the carrier deck while you drop just the right amount of speed and altitude. Its "hook down, wheels down" as you approach the carrier flight deck. As your wheels touch down, youll throttle forward to full power. At the same time, your tailhook grabs the arresting cable, slamming you to a complete stop.

Variety is the order of the day as a helicopter pilot. Youll have the opportunity to fly different missions from the decks of several types of Navy ships with such missions as anti-submarine warfare or tracking potential enemies. Helicopter pilots search for underwater mines, fly vertical replenishment missions and conduct instant emergency search and rescue missions.

As a turboprop maritime propeller pilot, you may fly a multiengine E-2 Hawkeye early-warning aircraft on a radar-surveillance warfare mission from either a carrier or shore station. Maritime propeller pilots conduct some of the Navys most important missions including tracking submarines, surveillance and collecting photographic intelligence.

Naval Flight Officer
Imagine the skills and concentration needed to land a jet onboard an aircraft carrier deck pitching in the black of night or to track a submarine while flying just 200 feet above stormy seas. Naval Flight Officers (NFOs) are the key to successful mission accomplishment. A select group of individuals have the combination of talent and dedication it takes to be an NFO. NFOs receive specialized training on the advanced tactical systems and complex communications systems found in Navy aircraft. Youll study aerodynamics, aircraft engine systems, meteorology, navigation, flight planning and aircraft safety. NFOs train and specialize in specific aircraft including:

• Strike: S-3B Viking anti-submarine aircraft and EA-6B Prowler electronic countermeasures aircraft
• Strike Fighter: F/A 18D Hornet strike fighter and F-14 Tomcat jet fighter
• Advanced Radar Navigation and Airborne Early Warning System: E-2 Hawkeye early warning and control aircraft
• Advanced Navigation: P-3 Orion anti-submarine aircraft
• Aerospace Maintenance Duty Officer

Aerospace Maintenance Duty Officers (AMDOs) play a vital role as the managers of the Navys aviation fleet. As an AMDO, you are responsible for ensuring that all aircraft maintenance is executed correctly so that the crew is provided with a safe and operation-capable aircraft on each and every mission. AMDOs also manage all material and manpower needed to support flight operations. In this aviation profession, you will receive formal technical and managerial training which you will use to provide support to your squadrons personnel and aircraft.

Skills and Training
The U.S. Navy offers the world's most advanced and comprehensive aviation training to individuals who demonstrate academic and physical aptitude and a potential for leadership and responsibility.

Aviation officer candidates must have a Bachelor Degree before attending Officer Candidate School (OCS), Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida. OCS prepares you for the roles and responsibilities expected of and afforded to U.S. naval officers through academic and military courses and physical fitness training. All officers entering aviation programs also complete a six-week air indoctrination course at Naval Aviation Schools Command, also in Pensacola. Prospective pilots and NFOs then attend Primary flight training.

Upon completion of Primary flight training, pilots and NFOs request an aircraft training pipeline and enter the Intermediate phase of flight training, which builds upon the prerequisites of basic flight and navigation training. Advanced naval flight training is tailored for mission specifics and upon completion, both pilots and NFOs are awarded their wings of gold and report to their respective Fleet Replacement Squadrons (FRS) for training in their specific aircraft.

AMDOs attend Aerospace Maintenance School in Pensacola, Florida to learn leadership at all levels of the logistics and operational support of the naval aviation fleet.

Educational Opportunities
Aviation officers receive some of the most rigorous and prestigious training the Navy has to offer. The aviation officer program has earned a reputation as one of the finest in the world. As an officer, the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California is also an attractive tour of duty option, which allows you to earn a masters or doctorate degree while being paid full-time as an officer in the Navy.

Career Outlook
Military pilots fly the most sophisticated combat and transport aircraft in the world. The flight hours, precision and flight expertise you will gain as an aviation officer will undoubtedly afford you a prestigious career in the Navy or in the civilian sector working for a major airline or airport, as a private aircraft operator or as a pilot or aircraft maintainer for corporations or government agencies.

Special Pay/Bonuses
Naval aviation officers (pilots and NFOs) receive aviation career incentive pay in addition to their regular salary. Student aviation officers receive $125 per month flight pay during flight training. As an aviation officer, your monthly flight pay depends on your time in service and increases by hundreds of dollars within a few years to the current maximum of $840 per month. In addition, you may be eligible for continuation bonuses at the end of your initial commitment.

If youd like to find out more about career opportunities with the U.S. Navy, Request More Information.