IFT Cycles

NASMCO Office
2017-05-18

Intermediate Flight Training cycles and details

To: All stations Third Fleet
Cc: All stations USNSL

Brief history of IFT in Third Fleet

IFT has always been a part of NAS Miramar and it has evolved from certifying pilots who already had Navy service to training new Naval Aviator candidates.
In the beginning the classes and practice were given one on one due to the amount of candidates available each month. To this date all NAS Miramar officers with Gold Wings that did not achieve them before January 2016 and a few others went through the program.
Every candidate was examined, with a success rate of 9/10. This includes experienced officers who were tested at NAS Miramar before being awarded a new set of Gold Wings by their own initiative.
As the number of candidates increased the IFT WOC/T2 was created, now known also as VEX, and the candidates were assembled for the theory classes and handled one on one for practice, a few at a time each month.
We have now reached a point where it is justifiable to create IFT cycles - when the IFT program is held periodically much like the OCS at NSTC. Up to now, for a rookie pilot, IFT previously took several months to pass. We are formalizing this and compressing the cycle.

The IFT program

Developed in cooperation with 7th Fleet during last year, the program has been augmented to accommodate a number of classes that have been deemed important and part of the program's scope. There is now a solid theory component and a solid practice component that explores all that is taught in the theory classes.
The complete program lasts 8 weeks and the cycles have 2 week intervals between them. Theory and practice credits may be cumulative as long as they do not spread for more than 20 weeks from the initial enrolment and/or exams taken in the meantime.

For the complete program layout see HERE.

There are two paths in IFT - Fixed wings and rotary wings. You may choose which is your primary but need both if you wish recognized NA grade in both categories. However you can opt for just one qualification. The theory class component is common to both fixed and rotary wing IFT's. The rotary wing IFT practice has been recently updated and formalized just as the fixed wing has been for many months now.

For the WOC/T2 Assessment (VEX) see HERE.

For the WOC/900 Assessment (HEX) see HERE.

We are now finishing the update and will start with the first cycle on Monday, May 29, 2017 (30 maybe as the 29 is Memorial Day). Classes and practice must be completed by June 26, 2017, followed by the oral exam (VHO) and the practical exam (VEX or HEX), during the week of June 27 to July 02. Following another week of interval, the next cycle starts July 10, 2017.

IFT classes and practice take place at NAS Miramar with one exception - The Carrier Qualification component. COQ classes may take place aboard the USS Kitty Hawk with 7th Fleet instructors but also at NAS Miramar with 3rd Fleet instructors. COQ practice takes place either on the USS Carl Vinson or the USS Kitty Hawk with initial stages at NAS Miramar.

IFT instructors:
CAPT. Asra Kron
CAPT. Vickster Kuhn
CAPT. Sidney Pobieski
CDR. Helena Stenvaag
LCDR. An Rainbow
LCDR Skarah Zane
LCDR. Jenny kaz
LT. Lalo Wolf
* more instructors tba

The IFT program has a PQS established, covering all classes and practices.

As a final note I remind everyone that in parallel with the IFT program (or after it's completion) the NA candidate must obtain Advanced Flight Training (AFT) credits to earn the Gold Wings, which are granted when both IFT and AFT requirements are met.
AFT Credits are achieved by participating in documented complex missions with any Third Fleet / Seventh Fleet front line squadrons or via deployment to one of the advanced units/schools in Third Fleet: NFDT, NFWS or USNTPS, with documented participation in regular missions.
For details see here.

I hope this clarifies any doubts about the IFT program and hope to see Class 01 of 2017 very soon.

CAPT. Asra "Cougar" Kron
NASMCO