Wings of Gold

So you are out of OCS and you have your Basic Flight done... And you ask yourself "Are we there yet?" The answer is simple. No, you are not. Not yet. But you are getting there.

Earn your wings. 

The Wings of Gold are granted to an elite group of pilots who can become Naval Aviators. It takes  training and dedication to earn your wings, but if you're dedicated to a career as a pilot, it's a good long term goal.

• After completing flight school and preliminary training, you will enter an intermediate training phase. This builds upon what was learned in basic training. ^{[see here for detail]}
• After intermediate training, you will move on to advanced training. This includes mission specifics and allows you to truly specialize in one type of aviation device. ^{[see here for detail]}
• Once you've completed intermediate and advanced training, you can earn your wings and become a Naval Aviator. ^{[see here for detail]} 

When you enroll with Third Fleet you will go through Intermediate Flight Training (IFTR) at N.A.S. Miramar - This will allow you to go through more specific training in fixed and rotary wing aircraft and give you more advanced notions of flight theory in SL which you then proceed to apply in your active duty squadrons. If you are a jet pilot, then you will need Carrier Ops Certification, which we share with 7th Fleet, along with a number of advanced classes in flight (AFTR), such as formation flight which you will get through your service with your squadron. In addition or alternatively you may choose the Naval Flight Officer's path (NFO), which will allow you to operate the other systems of rotary and fixed wing aircraft - RIO, Co-pilot, Navigator, SAR operator, etc.) That is another program altogether, and a very needed one. You should consider the Naval Flight Officer option leaving OCS. Every Maverick needs a Goose.

Left to right: Naval Aviator short form, Naval Aviator Fleet and Naval Flight Officer short form certificates (SAMPLES).

So the question begs to be asked: "What if I was already flying Navy before? And I have no certification?" Chances are you do. Send your naval record to Admiral Isaac Harcassle. Make sure you include your deployments by years and commanding officers by units and also the date on which you were assigned active flight status with a USN squadron as carrier pilot, NFO, rotary wing pilot or propeller aircraft pilot. Fleet will examine your case and if you have a naval record that justifies it your Wings of Gold cert will be issued retroactively, what we call a Naval Aviator Retroactive Certificate. That will give you proof of your Naval Aviator status. This is valid for experienced OCS attendees who served in the past and currently active duty Third Fleet officers O-3 and higher.

CDR. Vickster Kühn's Naval Aviator Retroactive Certificate

Want to find out more about IFTR and AFTR requirements send your inquiries to Naval Air Training Command (N.A.T.C.) at N.A.S. Miramar - to the attention of LTJG. An Rainbow.

More to come on this subject. Stay tuned.

CDR. Asra "Cougar" Kron

NASMCO