The basics of API

[BACONATOR]

True.. they only "required" us to buy one set of khakis. The question for me to you guys is as an aviator how often do you wear your khakis? Should I have 3-4 sets of khakis or is 1-2 sets enough?

Thanks.

To pile on to what the others above said, the question you have to ask is "How bad do I suck?"

Seriously, you'll only wear em on duty and if you suck and see the man. I have two usable sets. Probably gonna get a new set since my two are from OCS and have gotten fucked up/stained since then.

 

[Kailuapilot]

Well, I can't believe I read this post over a year ago and here I am now in my last week of API. All I have to say is, API is a cake walk if you are even half way intelligent. Anyone that can make it though college can make it though API.

I don't what the gouge was a year ago or 5 years ago but we were told to study 8 hours a day and another 5 while you sleep with one eye open...bla bla bla...and so on and so forth. Needless to say, after hearing all the initial lectures about the common failures and the amount of studying necessary, I was somewhat nervous. On top of all this, I wasn't exactlly the greatest swimmer and well, there is a lot of swimming in the syllabus...with gear. So, I was slightly worried to say the least.

For those who are just starting or will be starting in the future, I can honestly tell you that it is not nearly as bad as people make it out to be. I will say that my engineering degree did help me to understand most of the concepts in AERO and ENGINES. The material is fairly simple but the ease with which you learn the material will depend on how "mechanically inclined" you are. They do a good job on simplifying the concepts in the books and you can definitely do great if you simply hit the "I believe button".

When it came to studying, I was probably putting in 6-7 hours during the week and about 5-6 on the weekends and my overall average was 94%. The questions that I did miss were the result of not reading the question carefully enough. I know some of you are thinking, how hard can it be to read the question "carefully enough"...you just have to experience it for yourself to understand. If you don't miss anything, then good on you.

As far as the swimming goes, just so everyone know my exact background, I couldn't even tread water 7 months ago. I really learned to swim at TBS and as much as I hated having to go to remedial swim every week, i'm glad I did because it helped me a whole lot though API. I'm not saying that TBS made me into an Olympic swimmer or anything even close. I just knew how to do the breast stroke, side stoke, back stroke and American crawl(freestyle). If you can do those 4 strokes, you will do just fine. The instructors are looking for proper form, not speed. For others who are worried about treading water with gear or swimming in the flight suit, put your worries aside because the gear floats! You will put on those steel toe flight boots and think you are going to sink right to the bottom but trust me, you don't. I didn't even have to kick to keep myself afloat with the gear because it did it for me. Some of the other swim events include the helo dunker and all that fun stuff and I will say it is just that, fun stuff!

So, to wrap it all up, just enjoy life and don't even sweat about API. If my dumbass can do it, so can you.

Wow thats a good gouge, thanks for sharing. Through reading these posts the main theme I'm getting is to relax, study hard and keep a positive attitude.

 

[Paulnieves]

what is more complicate NAVY OCS or API just to have an idea, any ways I am not scare just exciting to figure out how this work in comparison with my previous experiences?

 

[MIDNJAC]

what is more complicate NAVY OCS or API just to have an idea, any ways I am not scare just exciting to figure out how this work in comparison with my previous experiences?

Though I was an NROTC guy, I'd have to say that is apples to oranges. API just isn't that hard, and you certainly don't have the psychological intimidation that would be present at OCS. The swimming and physical requirements for API are relatively minimal, provided you know how to not drown and aren't afraid to jump off a short tower into a pool. It is a very short detour on your road to wings of gold, and you will probably have much greater challenges once you are in the VT's and beyond. If nothing else, you should have a lot of free time while you are in API, and more than enough time to study, drink beer, go to the beach, and lead an otherwise normal life.

 

[Cruzin]

I am set to go to Pensacola next fall. I have not flown much, and have never done any simulator training whether professional or recreational and I was a Sociology major in college. Basically what I am saying is I don't know anything about flying. Am I going to be far behind all the other students at API/Flight school or is everything taught in such a way that even if you have no experience with the material before hand you will still be okay?

Second thing is the swimming if anyone can give me info on how the swim qual is down there. I was an enlisted Marine before and I've passed CWS 2 but have never passed CWS 1 - which I have no doubt I will work towards passing at TBS. I am concerned however about the qual at API esp. the mile swim. Any insight?

Thanks.

 

[Uncle Fester]

I always say, if they could teach a chimpanzee to be an astronaut, we can teach anybody to be a pilot. You do not need any prior experience in aviation; in fact, too much prior flight time often hinders students...too many bad habits to unlearn. We will teach you from scratch. Your end is to show up willing to work hard and live in the books and listen to what the instructors tell you.

That goes for swimming, too. API swim is about survival (i.e., not drowning), not competitive times or strokes.

 

[MIDNJAC]

Like Fester said, don't sweat the API swim events. If you can swim at all, you shouldn't have problems. Normally if a student is having trouble in some area, they will just give you extra remedial training during off hours in order to get them up to speed. I'm sure some folks DQ there, but I never knew anyone to not make it through who wanted to. My advice for the mile swim is not to try and be a rockstar and burn yourself out. Had a roomatte who did this, failed the first time and had to redo it the next day. Next time around he relaxed and did just fine. I chose to swim with the slow group, and basically just chilled for the hour it normally takes, with a very lazy breast stroke. It really isn't anything to worry about.

 

[Cruzin]

Thanks. I feel better about it already. I certainly have the determination and the dedication, so hopefully I should be fine. Ooo-rah.

 

[VINNYNY]

I'm seeing lots of comments here that would lead one to believe that prior preparation for API is unnecessary. While that may have been true in the past, API is about to become a serious competition. The minimum will no longer be good enough. If you want to become a Naval Aviator, eliminate your weaknesses (swimming, PT, academics) before you get here. Swim, run, PT and download the pubs online. You don't want to start at the back of the pack and play catch-up the whole time you're here. If you want it, start working for it...

 

[OUSOONER]

I'm seeing lots of comments here that would lead one to believe that prior preparation for API is unnecessary. While that may have been true in the past, API is about to become a serious competition. The minimum will no longer be good enough. If you want to become a Naval Aviator, eliminate your weaknesses (swimming, PT, academics) before you get here. Swim, run, PT and download the pubs online. You don't want to start at the back of the pack and play catch-up the whole time you're here. If you want it, start working for it...

Sir, did you recently take over for "Decoy"? I obviously can't use names of active duty personnel in here...but if so, I believe you sat in on my Nav class just before he left.

Welcome to Airwarriors.

Also, for you guys waiting to get selected for flight training..or are in A pool, there you go from the horse's mouth.

 

[VINNYNY]

Decoy's Replacement...

Sir, did you recently take over for "Decoy"? I obviously can't use names of active duty personnel in here...but if so, I believe you sat in on my Nav class just before he left.

Welcome to Airwarriors.

Also, for you guys waiting to get selected for flight training..or are in A pool, there you go from the horse's mouth.

There's really no replacing Decoy, but I am sitting in his old office. You won't see me posting here often because you've already got lots of pedigreed contributors, but I will be stopping in periodically to see what the community is thinking about our program.

Word to the wise: the Navy aviation community is shrinking and API could start feeling the effects in the near future. Potential aviators who haven't "classed up" would be wise to be ready when their number gets called. Those already in academics should push up the throttles and max out their performance. The path to earning one's wings is becoming more like the "running of the bulls"--you don't want to be at the back of the pack.

 

[BACONATOR]

There's really no replacing Decoy, but I am sitting in his old office. You won't see me posting here often because you've already got lots of pedigreed contributors, but I will be stopping in periodically to see what the community is thinking about our program.

Word to the wise: the Navy aviation community is shrinking and API could start feeling the effects in the near future. Potential aviators who haven't "classed up" would be wise to be ready when their number gets called. Those already in academics should push up the throttles and max out their performance. The path to earning one's wings is becoming more like the "running of the bulls"--you don't want to be at the back of the pack.

It is ALWAYS prudent to be prepared and study hard to excel and succeed. But to be honest (pessimistic), there will ALWAYS be a good number of folks who SHOULD be studying and don't and ultimately pay the ultimate price. API is NOT hard. If you have no aviation background and don't know a wing from a rudder, study what they recommend in class and you'll be fine. If you are an aeronautical engineer, prior experienced certificated pilot or have extensive history in the aviation field, then crack the book when you feel like it, party a lot and you will be fine. I'm not making it out to be easy, but honestly.... for that last example....a doctor doesn't need to do a whole lot of studying to become a medic (not EXACTLY the same comparison, but you get the idea).

 

[VINNYNY]

Doctor Analogy

It is ALWAYS prudent to be prepared and study hard to excel and succeed. But to be honest (pessimistic), there will ALWAYS be a good number of folks who SHOULD be studying and don't and ultimately pay the ultimate price. API is NOT hard. If you have no aviation background and don't know a wing from a rudder, study what they recommend in class and you'll be fine. If you are an aeronautical engineer, prior experienced certificated pilot or have extensive history in the aviation field, then crack the book when you feel like it, party a lot and you will be fine. I'm not making it out to be easy, but honestly.... for that last example....a doctor doesn't need to do a whole lot of studying to become a medic (not EXACTLY the same comparison, but you get the idea).

I'm not sure if this posted, so I'll try again--apologies if it's a duplicate.

Your use of the doctor analogy is ironic. The poorest performers at API tend to be the flight doc candidates. Fortunately for them, they won't be competing for the decreasing number of aviator slots.

The point I'm trying to convey is that "good enough" won't be good enough for much longer. Merely posting good numbers won't guarantee a candidate that he/she will get the chance to earn wings--professionalism, character, and attitude will come into play as well. I brief incoming students on the first day that they are about to become part of an elite community--that community is going to get a lot more selective. So, if wearing wings is important to you, start proving it on day one and don't let up until you put it on the deck after your first combat mission.

 

[Swanee]

I am set to go to Pensacola next fall. I have not flown much, and have never done any simulator training whether professional or recreational and I was a Sociology major in college. Basically what I am saying is I don't know anything about flying. Am I going to be far behind all the other students at API/Flight school or is everything taught in such a way that even if you have no experience with the material before hand you will still be okay?

Second thing is the swimming if anyone can give me info on how the swim qual is down there. I was an enlisted Marine before and I've passed CWS 2 but have never passed CWS 1 - which I have no doubt I will work towards passing at TBS. I am concerned however about the qual at API esp. the mile swim. Any insight?

Thanks.

For the last few companies Aviators who couldn't get CWS-1 didn't pick up, they stayed in Mike Co until they could get it. That may have changed but you still have to have CWS-1 to graduate the BOC as a 75xx (AAVs have the same requirement).

 

[Makk85]

Pensacola Check-In

Made it through OCS and now I'm heading down to P-cola to check in sometime this week (skipping IFS since I have some prior flight experience). I am curious about any pointers people can offer about checking in. It seems pretty straight forward, but I'll take any current advice people are willing to offer. I also have a few specific questions:

Orders say wear khakis to check in. Do we wear combi-covers (White or Khaki) or garrison covers to check-in? Also, am I going to get beat up if I wear brown shoes already, or do I have to wear my SWO shoes still?