Could it possibly be a legal help for the SNA in the case of a mishap? Seems it would be pretty easy to explain why you crashed an airplane you aren't qualified to fly.
I was describing how the Hornet is much more straightforward and forgiving NATOPS-wise. If we can't agree on that then I'm not sure we'll agree on anything.
Haha. I remember my solo cross-country in the T-45. Went with 4 other solos to do an out-and-in with practice approaches the day before Thanksgiving. Which I hear is a pretty busy day for air travel. ATC loved us.
The fam stage is longer for Harriers, which makes sense. Why hornet students do a NATOPS check immediately after and harrier students don't doesn't have anything to do with FOD or the number of engines though.