IFS

EODDave, I never asked. Did you do IFS? Just curious on your experience if so. Since it is before PCS do people in IFS get per diem like in API? I am thinking that unless I get stashed back on the west coast between OCS & IFS or IFS & API then I will be separated from my family for 6 months or more perhaps (including my time at OCS).

ASLAM.

IFS is required for all who don't hold a pilot certificate (rec, private, or higher) and haven't completed a solo cross-country.

K-Ron

D Mac IFS is very new. Ramp up is as follows: FY02 350, FY03 800, FY04 and beyond..all USN, MC and CG.
IFS intent is to measure SNP aeronautical adaptabliity, enthusiasm, motivation and desire to fly.
You fly with a FAR part 141 school. Programs will may differ from place to place; but here's the intent and reason.
You are approved to receive civilian flight training. You make the appointments, you get ready to fly, you drive your own sylabus with a civilian flight instructor. The Navy removes the financial barrier to flying. Those who complete the requirements by the deadline are motivated to fly; those who don't, aren't. Saving the Nav $$. Civilian flight instructors and Cessnas are cheaper than senior LT pilots and T-34's.
Now what does it give you that API doesn't? You don't get any "houses get bigger, houses get smaller" monkey skills in API. Benefit: you get some prior exposure to FR&R, Comms, Basic Aero, etc: Oh yeah, you get to go flying for free.
BTW, no extra points for finishing IFS quickly.

EA-6B1...that 25 hours the Marines are going to pay for IS IFS.

Side note to Aslam: You do realize we're talking about the Navy here? We deploy...six months...family separation. I've met lots of people who joined the Navy to go back home...it still boggles my mind.

K-Ron
I miss Houston; but I miss the places I haven't been more.

Hey,
Does anyone know if the navy limits what type of plane they will pay for during IFS. I know i took a few lessons and flew the cessna 152 because it was the cheapest. I would like to fly a low wing if possible, which would be similar to the T-34C.

Slabman

K-Ron, Our family is fully aware of the length of separation, and other sacrifices, that are and will be required in the Navy. I would think that the Navy wouldn't accept someone for such a position, who didn't understand something like this. Though, I didn't expect this to happen literally immediately, or possibly for longer than 6 months.

S_ASLAM

Stephanie

I flew 152's also. I THINK the devildogs going through in Quantico are flying Piper low-wings (can't remember which one's). Down here in P'cola they are flying 172's I think. We lost a Marine here in the Fall that was flying a high-wing (172 I think). I'm not exactly sure what determines what you are flying. The school I went through in Arkansas had 2 152's and 1 172 (they only used it for instrument training). About 5 hours before completion, somebody bought the farm in one of the 152's so it made training time hard to come by. I was the only FIP'er (Flight Indoctrination Program) so I got "special" treatment...yeah, yeah the whole short bus thing. Actually they were all excited because they thought I was off to fly Hornets or something.

K-Ron it's not about going back home. It's about being with my family, my wife. I'm not on deployment, nor am I preparing for one. Yes I realize what comes with this and I am following through. I'm just not one of those people who looks forward to being separated like that, but perhaps you are.

Good luck with your family, thanks for the insight.

ASLAM.

All flight contracts will have to go to IFS after TBS. They must complete IFS within 60 days before going to API. It is not required for NFOs to go to IFS, but some of them may have the option to still go if they want to. We had an IFS brief about a month ago, and we were told most people finish IFS within 30 days.

Hope this helps.

-Ghish

ea6bflyr and K-ron,

You guys have answered my question right on the dot. I appreciate the senior help for others that aren't commissioned yet. This helps me get an insight on what to expect after OCS. It's too bad they won't let BDCP'ers do IFS before OCS, due to the fact that we are getting paid, and in the summer time, it will be for nothing. But, like ea6bflyer said... expect growing pains.... maybe that option will be in the future. Here's a good question for anyone that wants to tackle it.
What is the difference between a Part 61 and Part 141 school? I know the size of the school is one, butis the curriculum totally different? Thanks guys,

Dustin

primarily, the part 141 syllabus is different than 61. the schools usually have an in-house faa examiner and you do three stage checks during your private pilot training. there is less of a chance of busting your check ride if you go through this type of school.

i finished ifs in december, and it is a great program. for the guy asking about what kind of aircraft you fly, down here in pensacola currently you can go to the eglin aero club, pensacola aero club and miracle strip aviation in destin. miracle strip and eglin fly 172s and pensacola flies low-wing tomahawks. i suggest you all check out the website for up-to-date information. it is https://www.ifs.cnet.navy.mil

one thing to keep in mind is that it is a "screening process" and you can be attrited. we just had a guy get commissioned through ocs and start ifs, only to be DISCHARGED for failing to complete ifs. that's right-no redesignation. that said, it is a really easy program for 95% of the people and personally for me, a ton of fun.

a little update on the pool, currently it is 12 weeks to go to corpus, 15-18 to go to whiting and random to go to vance and moody. this by no means reflects what it will be like several months from now, just the time being. when we started ocs we were told we'd class up immediately for api, and just 13 weeks later, the wait is 3-4 months.

........and i'm spent.....

Sorry Aslam if I came of as short with you. Posts don't allow for inflection and I don't fully explain becuase I get tired of typing. I didn't mean to imply a judgement call towards you about your attitude in earlier posts.

I don't intend to be mean or ugly. This topic is suppposed to be about IFS, but indulge me please. For everyone: Take the following however you want, if it doesn't apply to you throw it away. If it does apply, stick in your big bag of knowledge to be used at some later date.

Your commitment is to serve the Navy, US, constitution, etc. Not the other way around. Although it's logical not to expect unforseen sacrifices, it is important to accept them. It's more than deployments. Even on homecycle you'll have work-ups, detachments, training evolutions and various other sundry items which will take you away from where you want to be. I never saw Tom Cruise waiting around for a broken plane, writing evals, wearing khakis on a 24 hour watch, or collecting samples as the Squadron Urinalysis Officer. I'll tell you this...the flying makes up for every bit of it. But realize early on that we are a Naval Officer first and a Naval Aviator second. If I did it all over again; I'd give some serious thought to the Air Force. *soapbox returned to storage*

BTW, I'm not married because I refused to have children while in a position to be away from them for so long. I've seen too many pilots get divorces and too many kids cry at homecoming because they don't recognize daddy. Other people can live life like that...I'm not one of them.

Play nice with others,
K-Ron

Thanks for answering my question about the Part 61 - Part 141 difference. Another one though. It would be nice to get a PPL out of this mess. Does anyone know the answer to this?: If I were to have about 20 flight hours in a Part 61 school (learn the ground work on my own, but hire an instructor for the flying portion), then graduate OCS and go to IFS, would they start me from scratch, or would I start where I left off, and possibly get my PPL out of it?? I know that I have to complete atleast 25 flight hours and solo once in IFS, but is this 25 hours for IFS, or your own total of 25 hours?

Thanks again,

Dustin

first, you might not go to ifs with that many hours, but it's a possibility. if you do go through ifs, you will follow the same syllabus that everybody does. you won't be able to "start where you left off." however, if you did want to go ahead and get your ppl afterwards it probably wouldn't take too long. you'd have two stage check rides left and then your faa check ride for your license. what's the point though? you'll have zero time to fly as a civ anyway during training.

your post on marriage in the Navy was a good read. I too have someone who I plan to marry soon. Luckily for me during training she will still be very busy with school...she is going pre-med. SHe is fully aware of the deployments that I will (hopefully) be on, and even though she doesnt like it, she understands what it means to me.

Point of Clarification, I'm confused about this IFS/API thing.

First, I'll have my PPL before OCS, so I don't have to do IFS?
The Navy will not move my wife out until AFTER API? So API is a TDY?
If one is selected for Vance, does that take place after API? Or is there an equivalent AF "API" @ Vance?

If you've got a PPL, then no, you won't do IFS. No, the Navy won't move your wife for API because it is TDY, but when you report for Primary, they'll pay then (it's considered PCS). If you are to go to Vance, it will be for Primary, after completion of API in P'cola.

I just graduated from The Citadel in Dec. 02 and the Navy put me through IFS in Charleston. It doesn't have to be Pcola but the school must be approved by CNET.

Blake A. Chaney

Can anyone share some info about IFS ground school? Is it just one week and then it's mostly flying? I understand the first week is busy with lots of readings and class time. How much detail should one get into when studying? Is it a lot harder when you don't have an engineering background? How much does it affect one's overall success in IFS? Just wondering... thanks!

Sabine

I am at OCS right now (commissioning this Friday) and I came in under BDCP and am married. I, along with all of the other married SNA/SNFOs in my class were given the option to have their orders cut for primary early, so we could move our families here. Also, we were given DLA...if you don't know what DLA is, it is important to ask if you are eligible for it anytime you move or switch duty stations. The only catch is that your orders will be to Whiting, and if you don't want that you can roll the dice and choose the per diem route, which would give you a slightly higher than a snowballs' chance in hell of getting out of going to Whiting. Bottom line is that most married, in fact all that I have ever met, have gone to Whiting.

IFS ground school depends on where you go for IFS. I hear that the dudes at PNS and Eglin have one week of ground school that covers everything. At Destin we watch videos on our own schedule and we just have to finish stage exams (30-50 multiple choice questions) by a certain point in the syllabus. Its nothing that could be described as rigorous academics. You won't need an engineering background to fly the cessna, since 16yr olds can work towards their PPL.