Airline Pilot Central Forums - Coast Guard Aircraft

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Quote:

Originally Posted by CoastieFlier (Post 303546)

I would never count on any airframe transitions. Try to fly the aircraft you want to fly for the rest of your career. Rotary to fixed wing is VERY competitive and very few get the opportunity. I don't know of any fixed wing fliers that have desired to go rotary.

When I get enough posts, feel free to PM me and I can get you more info offline.

What about DCA types that come in as FW, any of those guys get an opportunity to fly RW? I've been interested in the program for a while but only recently I see they are taking FW guys. That being said, I would love to fly the HH-65 (by background is S-3's and EA-6's). Totally different type of flying and mission, keeps things interesting in my opinion. Although I do realize the added cost to the service to retrain...

Quote:

Originally Posted by BingoOnTheBall (Post 303599)

Although I do realize the added cost to the service to retrain...

Hmmm, I doubt they would switch you over for that exact reason. Most DCA's we get for rotary are Army and Navy helo bubba's. Recently all of our DCA's that are going fixed wing are coming from fixed wing backgrounds (P3's, F18's, etc). I haven't heard of anyone getting a DCA and switching FW to RW. Sorry, I'm not much help on that one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoastieFlier (Post 303546)

Normally you will not get back to back tours to remain at any unit. 1 year extensions are very common but done on a case by case basis. After 5 years at a unit the detailer (person in charge of assignments) is looking to get you to a different unit. It's generally not good for your career to spend too much time at one unit. Odds are out of flight school you will spend at LEAST two tours in your aircraft before you would even be considered for a staff tour or transition. (8 years, about 2500+ hours)

One advantage of the CG is that we are a much smaller community and everyone generally knows each other (especially in your particular airframe) so assignments tend to probably be a little more flexible give your particular situation or hardship.

I would never count on any airframe transitions. Try to fly the aircraft you want to fly for the rest of your career. Rotary to fixed wing is VERY competitive and very few get the opportunity. I don't know of any fixed wing fliers that have desired to go rotary.

When I get enough posts, feel free to PM me and I can get you more info offline.

Will do...Thanks again for the info. I know it has been discussed somewhat on different boards, but when is the new C-144 expected to come online and fully replace the Falcon? Also, are those rumors about the S-3 true?

Quote:

Originally Posted by DILLA (Post 303968)

There isn't a definite timeframe. My personal guess/opinions....

First C-144 unit goes operational sometime in 2010.

S-3 acquisitions won't happen.

Falcons around until at least 2014...possibly later.

What are the vision requirements and the pay like for Coast Guard Pilots?

Quote:

Originally Posted by wannabepilot (Post 304124)

What are the vision requirements and the pay like for Coast Guard Pilots?

I think it's still 20/20 uncorrected, but I'm not 100% sure. It's the same as the Navy I believe.

As far as the CG flight physical goes - is FALANT acceptable for flight school, or only basic CG entry exam?

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSP Aviation (Post 304584)

As far as the CG flight physical goes - is FALANT acceptable for flight school, or only basic CG entry exam?

I never did FALANT during any of my CG flight physicals nor did I do it when I went to Navy flight school (granted that was almost 9 years ago so my info may be dated). I don't believe any of the CG units use FALANT to test color vision. Every color vision test I've ever taken (including my last physical in December) was the old "tell me what letter or number you see in all of the colored dots" as they flipped pages in a book.

The CG entry exam is much less thorough than the flight physical though.

A buddy of mine just started flight school for the CG and he only had to have 20/50 uncorrected, corrected to 20/20.

Coastie and Red - thanks for the info. I've got an appointment to the Coast Guard Academy. I want to know if there's some way I can find out exactly what is involved in the flight physical before I commit.