Originally Posted by
JamesNoBrakes
Isn't there that NOAA Officer commission program?
NOAA Corps
Pretty sure I looked through this a little bit at one time, supposedly this is the path to flying for them as well. I'd think a meteorology degree would go far with them? Says they use the same standards as the coast guard, but that any potential disqualifying conditions are evaluated on case-by-case basis (I somehow doubt they meet the physical standards of the Armed forces).
Yep, NOAA Corps is not a bad deal but you will do 2 years on a ship no matter what before you even get a look at the pilot pipeline. I believe there is an age cutoff too and after 2 years on ship, Id be running up against or over it. Thats if they would even take me with the medical history.
Originally Posted by
rickair7777
They generally use military standards, but since NOAA pilots probably won't deploy for a ground tour in AFG, they might be willing to overlook something that doesn't impact your daily function but might be risky to be away from medical care for an extended period (ie anti-coagulants could be bad news on a battlefield).
But major heart surgery is unfortunately not a good thing for aviation medical certification. Doesn't hurt to ask.
Also...if you're pursuing civilian aviation make sure you can hold an FAA first class medical. It will be VERY desirable to hold an FAA 1C without any sort of "special issuance" restrictions. Given your medical condition, I would also research what your long-term prognosis is. If you might be dealing with complications later in life it might not be wise to commit to an aviation career.
Sorry to hear military medicine screwed things up for you.
Interesting you both mention USCG. The points you make were pretty much the points the Navy Med Board made about me, they said nothing about my condition physically precludes me from performing as a Naval Aviator and I could readily complete all associated tasks however anti-coagulation and monitoring of said situation presents an undue risk to the mil and I in a deployed environment. That does not mean USCG would want to touch me with a 10' pole either considering they have people that are like I was a year ago, never a medical issue in their entire lives.
About a week ago, I had a conversation with a Navy LT in my command who is a C-2 pilot and he strongly recommended I look into the Coast Guard as well. I'd get to go right back to the same training pipeline I left, haha.
I guess I will take a serious look at Coast Guard Medical Regs and maybe make some phone calls. I'm not expecting a favorable answer but I've now been told by more than 1 person to at least give it a shot.