Im new / flight training through the National Guard?

[Eddie96]

Hello,

I am new to the site here and have been looking around for info. I am considering going the military route to get training. I have heard that it is a major plus to get a PPL first. There is a local flight school where I can get this done (check). My question is, I am thinking of going into the National Guard; do they have the same rules and regs of regular Army (as far as flight instruction)? Also, can a civi go strait to WOFT through The Guard without any past years of military experience? I have read the first timer posts but couldn't find anything about my situation. By the way, I don't have a degree (AA or Bach.) in any field, but I am in a carreer that deals with "turbines" (Industrial Power-Plant maintenance/operation)...yes I know they're a little different. However I do have a lot of certifications through my work. Hope someone can help point me in the right direction?

 

Thanks,

Ed.

 

P.S. NICE SITE.... lots of great insight.

[zcat]

Eddie96,

Welcome to the board. Having a PPL could certainly give you an edge, but it wouldn't be THE deciding factor. The selection boards generally use the "whole person" concept. If you have a PPL, and you're otherwise a tool, they'll probably pass you by. If you have no flight experience, but are otherwise a strong candidate, your chances could be good. I went through this discussion a few months ago. some say a PPL will make a big difference, others say it won't make much. Personally, I took civilian instruction to the point of soloing. That's enough to show that I at least have the aptitude to keep a helicopter in the air, and it shows that I'm taking my application very seriously. Some people thought I was nuts, others thought it was a good idea. I'm glad I did it, and am hitting my NG unit's board in December.

 

NG pilots have the same regs/flight requirements as active duty, and they go through the same school that Active Duty pilots go through. Honestly, the NG is a GREAT way to go. Without any prior service, you'll probably have to join, get through basic and AIT and be at your unit for a while--probably a year or so, could be shorter, could be longer--to prove yourself to the unit. I'd get in touch with your closest aviation unit's Warrant Officer Strength Manager, tell him/her your desires and see what he/she advises.

 

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

z

[CharyouTree]

Hello,

I am new to the site here and have been looking around for info. I am considering going the military route to get training. I have heard that it is a major plus to get a PPL first. There is a local flight school where I can get this done (check). My question is, I am thinking of going into the National Guard; do they have the same rules and regs of regular Army (as far as flight instruction)? Also, can a civi go strait to WOFT through The Guard without any past years of military experience? I have read the first timer posts but couldn't find anything about my situation. By the way, I don't have a degree (AA or Bach.) in any field, but I am in a carreer that deals with "turbines" (Industrial Power-Plant maintenance/operation)...yes I know they're a little different. However I do have a lot of certifications through my work. Hope someone can help point me in the right direction?

 

Thanks,

Ed.

 

P.S. NICE SITE.... lots of great insight.

 

 

You have to be a member of the Guard. You can't do it as a civilian. But, depending on your state, it could be a REALLY short amount of time. I suggest if you go that route that you get an aviation MOS to start with. I think flight ops is the shortest course. :shrug: I'm not sure, but you might be able to go commissioned as an aviator, without prior service. I don't know if that's only an option for ROTC, though.

 

Honestly, I don't know why they look for the PPL. The only guys who had prior experience that it helped had a lot more than that. The three guys with PE who are doing well all have their commercial rating, and one has his CFII (and two of them are stick buddies. You've never SEEN a happier instruments IP). Just my thoughts, though. But like ZCat said, it's not a deal breaker if you don't have one.

 

One recommendation: don't go military just for training. Because you have to be enlisted before coming to flight school, there's a possibility that you'll never actually get here, but still have to serve out a contract. Or if you do, it might take a few years. You might be able to pass a normal physical, go through everything (Basic, AIT, etc), and come to your flight physical only to find out you can't pass that, for some reason. As long as you can accept that there's always a possibility of doing the time without the "reward", it's a viable option.

[FLHooker]

I had my FW PPL when I went to my state's board, it gave me only 1 point, however, it did show that i have aviation experience/desire... zcat said it best, depends on who you talk to and if there is overcast that day.

 

I will say this, I love being the NG, but it is true, you need to be in the military to apply... However, the Reserves is different, they actually do have a "street to seat" program, difficult.. yes, but it is there. Something to think about.

 

By the way, what state are you from?

 

 

 

CHAD

[zcat]

As CharyouTree stated, Flight Operations Specialist (15P) is a good MOS to go with--that's what I did. And yes, it does have the shortest school (4 weeks). When I was preparing to join, an officer put it this way--if you go with a mechanic MOS (15R, 15T, 15U, etc.), you'll be around the pilots...if you go 15P, you'll be around the decision-makers. Good advice. And I'm constantly around all the pilots as well, because when they're not flying, they hang out at flight ops. And when a bird comes in, they always appreciate when I head down to the flight line and help them tie down.

 

z