Military Flight Time

[FelixTheGreat]

I was wondering approx. how many hours per month Naval Aviators average. I keep hearing all kinds of stories that military pilots are hurting for flight hours just to keep current. I can deal with 10-15 hours per month, that is the rumor of what military pilots average that I keep hearing. I keep getting beat over the head by these Learjet and Gulfstream drivers out here in Colorado that they are logging 70-80 hours a month, trying to remind me how cool they are. What is typical of a Naval Aviatior's flight time? Is it really an issue to log hours to keep up with currency (IFR, etc.)?

 

[Brett327]

I was wondering approx. how many hours per month Naval Aviators average. I keep hearing all kinds of stories that military pilots are hurting for flight hours just to keep current. I can deal with 10-15 hours per month, that is the rumor of what military pilots average that I keep hearing. I keep getting beat over the head by these Learjet and Gulfstream drivers out here in Colorado that they are logging 70-80 hours a month, trying to remind me how cool they are. What is typical of a Naval Aviatior's flight time? Is it really an issue to log hours to keep up with currency (IFR, etc.)?

Honestly, it is going to depend on what you fly and where you are in the deployment or work-up cycle. As a jet guy, I would get anywhere from 20-40 hours per month on average. As for the Lear jet homos, all I have to say is, "Ohhh airways navigation, neat-o!"

Brett

 

[wink]

I was wondering approx. how many hours per month Naval Aviators average. I keep hearing all kinds of stories that military pilots are hurting for flight hours just to keep current. I can deal with 10-15 hours per month, that is the rumor of what military pilots average that I keep hearing. I keep getting beat over the head by these Learjet and Gulfstream drivers out here in Colorado that they are logging 70-80 hours a month, trying to remind me how cool they are. What is typical of a Naval Aviatior's flight time? Is it really an issue to log hours to keep up with currency (IFR, etc.)?

As some one who has done both, 25 hours a month in the Navy flying tactical aircraft beats the he!! out of 70-80 hours a month flying airways. Beside, 80 hours a month is real work. If you don't need to build flight time to get to another job, like just about every one flying a Gulfstream, you are working too hard. I wouldn't brag about that.

 

[bunk22]

I was wondering approx. how many hours per month Naval Aviators average. I keep hearing all kinds of stories that military pilots are hurting for flight hours just to keep current. I can deal with 10-15 hours per month, that is the rumor of what military pilots average that I keep hearing. I keep getting beat over the head by these Learjet and Gulfstream drivers out here in Colorado that they are logging 70-80 hours a month, trying to remind me how cool they are. What is typical of a Naval Aviatior's flight time? Is it really an issue to log hours to keep up with currency (IFR, etc.)?

I'm glad you can deal with 10-15 hours a month. I would hate to hear otherwise. As far as 70-80 hours a month, okay :boring_12 Like said above, must be tough navigating those jet routes.

 

[HighDimension]

I was wondering approx. how many hours per month Naval Aviators average. I keep hearing all kinds of stories that military pilots are hurting for flight hours just to keep current. I can deal with 10-15 hours per month, that is the rumor of what military pilots average that I keep hearing. I keep getting beat over the head by these Learjet and Gulfstream drivers out here in Colorado that they are logging 70-80 hours a month, trying to remind me how cool they are. What is typical of a Naval Aviatior's flight time? Is it really an issue to log hours to keep up with currency (IFR, etc.)?

I would contact the Navy right away and let them know that you are willing to only fly 10 - 15 hours a month. I know in my case that I told my ROTC advisor if I couldn't get at least 25 I was going to DOR. :icon_wink In all seriousness though, from what I have seen on this board your job in the Navy isn't going to be just flying, you're a Naval Officer first. The lear and gulfstream guys job is to fly and for the most part, thats it.

 

[Gatordev]

I'm glad you can deal with 10-15 hours a month. I would hate to hear otherwise. As far as 70-80 hours a month, okay :boring_12 Like said above, must be tough navigating those jet routes.

Don't worry bunk, you can be a 70-80 a month guy at your next command if you want. I'm sure 80 hours a month in a Texan is only slightly more comfortable than a T-34 seat.

 

[Steve Wilkins]

You guys are ruthless I tell you....ruthless. SWO's may eat their young, but you guys are always snacking on hour d'oeuvres

 

[bunk22]

Don't worry bunk, you can be a 70-80 a month guy at your next command if you want. I'm sure 80 hours a month in a Texan is only slightly more comfortable than a T-34 seat.

That's what I hear. I think about 20 hours a month is all this balding, aging aviator can handle

 

[PropStop]

10-15 is average on home cycle for P-3s, sometimes more. On deployment my best month was 80 hours, my worst was 25 hours. All depends on where you are and what you're doing. With MMA i'm sure you'll see time go way up. Since P-3s have three pilots for long missions you end up losing out on some of your hours because the hours are split 3 ways and you end up with some SCREW time (Special Crew). When you sign for the plane you get all the A time, even if your in the rack for half of it.

 

[FelixTheGreat]

Whats the deal with recency requirements in the military? Do you still have go up and do 6 approachs and turns in a hold to be IFR current or do you just have to meet a certain number of flight hours per month?

 

[Brett327]

Whats the deal with recency requirements in the military? Do you still have go up and do 6 approachs and turns in a hold to be IFR current or do you just have to meet a certain number of flight hours per month?

Requirements vary among communities and there are literally dozens of individual currency and tactical requirements that need to be maintained, but there's no such thing as IFR currency (at least in the jet community).

Brett

 

[Fly Navy]

I keep getting beat over the head by these Learjet and Gulfstream drivers out here in Colorado that they are logging 70-80 hours a month, trying to remind me how cool they are.

What a bunch of fags. Yeah, real cool flying admin your entire flight career. *yawn*

 

[Steve Wilkins]

Don't C-12's do a lot of airway navigation?

 

[Fly Navy]

Don't C-12's do a lot of airway navigation?

Except you dont start in C-12s, and even if you did, youve already done formation, low levels, aerobatics, etc. More than most straight-civilian pilots can claim, especially the formation side of things.

Bragging to a non-pilot about flying a Learjet... good to go. Bragging to a military pilot? Yawn.

Call me a snob.

 

[bunk22]

Don't C-12's do a lot of airway navigation?

Of course. As do C-2's. That's why we know airway navigation is simple