I was under the impression the Jayhawk training was done up in Elizabeth City, but it sounds like that's not the case. How does that work? I don't remember seeing Jayhawks at Mobile when I've flown in there, but I guess I must have missed them.
The transition training for the HH-65, HH-60, and HU-25 are all conducted in Mobile. The CG's Aircraft Repair & Supply Center is located in Elizabeth City for all our platforms to include the HC-130. This is where all our major overhaul work is done. An Air Station, with HH-60s and HC-130s, is also colocated at Elizabeth City and this may be what you heard about.
http://aptap.forumco.com/ Is a great site but I will say it is very Army centric hence the name of the site. Back to the wings of silver turning magically to gold, how does that work for soldiers and airman that transition. Great info again.
"sardaddy's collateral makes him responsible for the makeup of the course and may be able to provide additional gouge" Not much more gouge to give. Just realize that the course, especially now, is designed to teach someone to fly the aircraft and use the flight director just enough to be able to provide a copilot capable enough to help work a mission when they leave the course. The course contains the items USCGaviator noted and those operations are separated into three basic sections. 1. Basic airwork. We get you used to the aircraft plain and simple. Through day and night pattern work, and instrument work using basic instrument procedures so you get used to the new configuration. 2. FDS operations. Instrument work using the flight director, and overwater flights utilizing the flight director for search patterns and approaches to the water. 3. Operational. You learn to integrate the Flight director even more in an operational environment, and conduct operational procedures like hoisting and rescue swimmer work day and night. Each phase is a stepping stone to the next so you are not too overwhelmed at the beginning. Just to let those of you who are either starting out in aviation or those starting over in the Coast Guard as a DCA, realize that there are specific weaknesses that we see as folks come through. New pilots right out of flight school seem to pick up the new EPs and limitations pretty quickly. They can also fly instrument approaches pretty well. However, when it comes to the actual flying portion they struggle. Heck they have 150 hours so we don't expect Chuck Yeager anyway. It is about 50/50 whether they can use the flight director well or not. Some jump right in while others struggle so much at flying a new airframe that adding the flight director makes their heads explode. DCAs can usually fly the heck out of the helicopter after only a flight or two, but depending on the service and which airframe they flew, they usually struggle at the instrument portion at first. Many have not flown an ILS or VOR since flight school due to their aircraft configuration. Many DCAs have a hard time with EPs and limitations as well. Personally I think the reasons for that are two fold. First they haven't been in the study mode since flight school and they don't use their free time in the course as well as they should. Second, They have all of those EPs from their other airframe still bouncing around their heads and they confuse them. Either way, the IPs at Mobile will work with you to get you to learn what you need to learn. The training environment is far different from any other aviation training environment you have seen in your military career.
"Back to the wings of silver turning magically to gold, how does that work for soldiers and airman that transition." Those wings are not quite so magic. Aircrew wings are given to an aircrewman when he becomes qualified as a basic aircrewman. Even Coast Guardsman right out of their "A" school don't get to wear the wings. They must complete an OJT flight syllabus at their units before becoming qualified to wear the wings. Depending on the unit and the individual, it won't take that long for them to earn their wings. As far as other wings go, i.e. airborne, air assault, etc. They don't make the cut and are not authorized for wear. Unless you completed the course while you were in the Coast Guard. So a prior service Airborne Ranger with 1000 jumps can't wear the wings but a Coastie who got a lucky boondoggle can. Silly rule but none the less still a rule.
sardaddy: I think when he says "soldiers and airman" he means ex-Army and ex-Air Force pilots. If so, it's pretty straightforward. Here's how it works: When an ex-Army or ex-Air Force pilot completes his aircraft transition course he is authorized to wear the "Wings of Gold." This usually occurs within a few months of entering the CG.
"I think when he says "soldiers and airman" he means ex-Army and ex-Air Force pilots." Maybe he did, maybe he didn't. Maybe you need to have a bit of what the soldier in your picture is having. Man, I crack myself up.
I was asking about soldiers and airman pilots transitioning, thanks again. Does the CG have the same Aviation Career Incentive Pay as the USMC/USN? I'm not in it for the money, I just love flying but I just bought a house in San Diego last year and need to know if I will have to sell it if I were to transition. Are there any bonuses for aviators who decide to re-up after the initial 5 year obligation?
He did. You know me better than that...ain't gonna happen. All kidding aside, I think between my response and Keith's pontification about air assaults, boondogles, and Airborne Ranger Coasties we've covered every possible "wing" issue for Gunfighter.
Yes, pay scale, benefits and Aviation Career Incentive Pay (ACIP) are the same as the DoD services. Also, your operational flight time carries over to the CG. For example, if you had 8.5 years in the cockpit for ACIP in the USMC then on day 1 in the CG you start at the 8.5 mark. No bonuses. Back in the mid-90's we were losing FW pilots to the airlines at a higher than normal rate so they offered a bonus to the FW guys for a short period of time. That's the only time I've seen it.
Just for the record, as soon as I read what uscgaviator wrote I realized what gunfighter had meant and I realized I was an idiot. But it sure is fun to make a snide comment directed at your elders (very much so in this instance) every once in a while, even if I'm wrong. As for the love hate relationship, as you know or have found out, no matter what community you get into, thick skin and a sense of humor is a prerequisite as the hits just keep on coming. And gunfighter be careful out there.
Thanks for the info. Now just an "interesting to know" question. If a Marine or Navy DCA shows up to Mobile, will he still wear his gold wings prior to completing the course? I would think they're authorized, since it's an approaved CG uniform item, but I would imagine there might be some disdain since they haven't completed the course.
Yes they will. It is the same as a CG flight school student getting winged and then showing up in Mobile. Actually this has never been an issue.
On APTAP there was talk that the CG took all of the alternates in addition to the primary candidates. Can anyone confirm that? Do you think this will continue?
I do believe that is true. Whether that will continue on other boards I do not know. Alternates are often picked up, whether it is because someone on the primary list decided to drop or they just needed more folks at that time. The next selection board may actually be proactive and select as many primary pilots as it will need and it may not pick up any alternates.You never know. I will say your chances are better than ever to get picked up in the next couple of years but I don't know how long it will last. Good luck to all.
hold on baby.... I hope the trend continues another year or two :scared_12 The first board I'll be eligible for will be the April '07 since I won't be done with school 'til November/December this year. Damn Blue 21 guidelines!!!! :icon_rage
Blue 21 is a totally different program than the DCA program. I though you were already assured flight school in Blue 21. Are you not?
you're correct Yes Blue 21 is guaranteed flight school and is completely different than DCA. I was commenting on the fact that many/most/all boarded candidates are being scooped up right now and I hope it continues until I (hopefully) board next spring. :clover_12
It sure seems like they will for the time being... I've heard with the unusually high attrition rates down here it's just compounding the need for more pilots. Whether it's from DCA or sending more people who knows, I'd guess DCA since its cheaper for the CG but who knows... Pretty sure though that they'll at least continue the numbers at where it is now for quite some time...
Are you talking about attrition rates at NPA? If so, I'd agree there is an obvious impact. However, the current shortage (and/or projected shortage) probably results more from: A large number of DCA's that are retirement eligible at a point in time when the civilian job sector is hiring (current unemployment rate is 4.7% - 10 year low) Possible CG aviation mission growth. Follow this link for more details: * http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9960618/from/RL.3/ It is cheaper to bring in DCAs (DoD already paid the bill to teach them to fly and give them some OJT) but more importantly it is quicker. A DCA entering the CG today can hit the fleet as a qualified CP in 6 weeks. Our ability to increase the pipeline in Pensacola is limited due to the number of annual slots allotted by the Navy. Yep, how long is anybody's guess. The results of the last DCA Board, released last month, had 16 Primary selections and 6 Alternate selections - all of the Alternates were given a call and told they had been "promoted" to Primary.
I read the article but I am a little confused. How does the Coast Guard plan to carry out the Air Intercept mission? (Hopefully they'll see nothing faster than a Cessna if they use helos.) What do they plan on shooting the other aircraft down with? Very interesting... FOX-2?:icon_rage
The CG's HLS (Homeland Security) role has increased over the course of the past few years. The link I posted was an example of the possible mission growth being reported by the media. To the best of my knowledge this mission is being conducted by CBP.
