Coast Guard Aircraft
02-28-2008 | 07:01 PM
#31
On Reserve
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Falcon 20 Instructor Pilot
Were there a typical CG career progression for someone desiring to stay in for 8-12 years, what would it be? What opportunities are there for becoming an IP and progressing through the standardization ranks. At what point would you expect most aviators to get pulled from the flight line in favor of a desk, and are those moves to staff temporary for professional development or permanent as normal career progression.
I can only speak from the Falcon side, not the Herc side, but a typical progression for our new pilots finishing their transition training is....
First 4 years at a duty standing unit upgrading to aircraft commander. Seldom make IP during the first tour.
Second 4 years most likely at a second duty standing unit with an upgrade to unit IP. Sometimes you can get a stan IP assignment as a second tour.
The third tour is normally where you head over as a stan IP for four more years if that's what you want to do and are qualified. (this is where I'm at now) Sometimes people go operationally for a third tour and others elect to go to a desk.
From what I hear from our assignment personnel, we are so short fixed wing pilots right now, our odds of flying until retirement are extremely high if that's what you desire to do. Some people choose to volunteer for desk assignment to increase their chances of making O-5......I'm just not one of those people.
Hope this is the info you're lookin' for.
03-01-2008 | 02:16 AM
#32
Line Holder
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 944
Likes: 12
From: 747 FO
Coastieflyer,
Thanks for the response. That's what I was looking for, and I know different units and different times can change things. I wouldn't be looking for O-5, figuring that after my 9 years in the army and a career flying for the coast guard I'd be quite happy retiring as an O-4.
Thanks for the response. That's what I was looking for, and I know different units and different times can change things. I wouldn't be looking for O-5, figuring that after my 9 years in the army and a career flying for the coast guard I'd be quite happy retiring as an O-4.
03-10-2008 | 04:30 PM
#33
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
Clue,
I can only speak from the Falcon side, not the Herc side, but a typical progression for our new pilots finishing their transition training is....
First 4 years at a duty standing unit upgrading to aircraft commander. Seldom make IP during the first tour.
Second 4 years most likely at a second duty standing unit with an upgrade to unit IP. Sometimes you can get a stan IP assignment as a second tour.
The third tour is normally where you head over as a stan IP for four more years if that's what you want to do and are qualified. (this is where I'm at now) Sometimes people go operationally for a third tour and others elect to go to a desk.
I can only speak from the Falcon side, not the Herc side, but a typical progression for our new pilots finishing their transition training is....
First 4 years at a duty standing unit upgrading to aircraft commander. Seldom make IP during the first tour.
Second 4 years most likely at a second duty standing unit with an upgrade to unit IP. Sometimes you can get a stan IP assignment as a second tour.
The third tour is normally where you head over as a stan IP for four more years if that's what you want to do and are qualified. (this is where I'm at now) Sometimes people go operationally for a third tour and others elect to go to a desk.
What do you mean when you say transition? Any idea what the progression for a current A/C or IP (C-130) would look like? I understand they would need some tactics / operational employment training.
Also, the USCG website says this about Engineers. Any word if they are desperate enough for FW aviators to do the same them?
Rank As An Officer
Based on your experience in the degree field, education, officer standards and other criteria, selected applicants will either receive a reserve commission, or temporary commission as a Lieutenant, Lieutenant (junior grade) or Ensign.
http://www.gocoastguard.com/find-you...ssion-programs
RB
03-10-2008 | 05:49 PM
#34
On Reserve
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: CAPT
The Coast Guard does have a Direct Commision Engineer DCE program. But the DCA program is only for those with a military flight school in their background. I did know a guy who came in under the DCE program and went to Navy flight school within the first year or so.
A Transition is just training on the aircraft you're going to fly; for Falcons it's all at Mobile, AL. For Hercs you go through AF training at Little Rock and then still need to fly with Coast Guard instructors before being designated at a Coast Guard Co-pilot.
For the C-130 side, E-City is getting the J models on the operational side, and it is a separate "type rating" if you will. So for now, the only unit a C-130J pilot can fly at is E-City (unless you join the Stan team in Mobile).
A Transition is just training on the aircraft you're going to fly; for Falcons it's all at Mobile, AL. For Hercs you go through AF training at Little Rock and then still need to fly with Coast Guard instructors before being designated at a Coast Guard Co-pilot.
For the C-130 side, E-City is getting the J models on the operational side, and it is a separate "type rating" if you will. So for now, the only unit a C-130J pilot can fly at is E-City (unless you join the Stan team in Mobile).
03-11-2008 | 10:05 PM
#35
New Hire
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: HC-130H IP
The Direct Commission Engineer (DCE) Program is normally for Naval, Mechanical, Civil, or Electrical Engineers (boat types). We do have Aeronautical Engineers, but they normally come from the ranks of the junior pilots and typically get trained to fill a role like the Maintenance Officer (MO) for the other services. That is not saying that you can't get in under the DCE program and go into aviation.
The Direct Commisison Aviator (DCA) program is for military pilots requesting transfer into the CG. Highest rank coming in on this program is LTjg (O2).
We do acknowledge the Inter-service transfer as a possibility, but our manuals refer to it in a CG to other service example. For a C-130 rated pilot, I would try and pursue the inter-service transfer. Your rank follows you. The CG has stayed away from this mainly I believe due to the costs associated with accepting a retirement cost with only 10-12 years of CG service. Local Recruiters are not going to be knowledgeable on Inter-service transfer so I would call the CG Recruiting Command and get on the phone with a civilian at the command. They are the true experts and can help the best.
If you come into the CG on the DCA program, you can expect to serve in 2-3 operational flying units and 0-1 Standardization/Training units prior to retiring as an O-4. Typically, fixed wing flying opportunities dry up at the O-5 level.
As far as transitioning into the C-130, the best you can get out of our transition course is FP and it is dictated by the time out of the C-130 and your flight performance. If you transfer directly in from a std Herc (all but the J) as an AC/IP with no lapse in quals, you can expect to leave the transition course as a LSCP or FP and and quickly (6 months to a year) upgrade to AC. Like cgflier said, if you are a J pilot or transition into the CG and get J's, then you can expect E-City, NC for 4-8 years. The J models will all be in NC and the Standardization Team will also be stationed in E-City but will be attached to Mobile. The C-130H Stan team is attached to Mobile, AL, but is stationed in Clearwater, FL. Currently, transitions into CG C-130's are CAE in Tampa, FL for the H model; and Keesler AFB for the J model.
Hope this helps.
The Direct Commisison Aviator (DCA) program is for military pilots requesting transfer into the CG. Highest rank coming in on this program is LTjg (O2).
We do acknowledge the Inter-service transfer as a possibility, but our manuals refer to it in a CG to other service example. For a C-130 rated pilot, I would try and pursue the inter-service transfer. Your rank follows you. The CG has stayed away from this mainly I believe due to the costs associated with accepting a retirement cost with only 10-12 years of CG service. Local Recruiters are not going to be knowledgeable on Inter-service transfer so I would call the CG Recruiting Command and get on the phone with a civilian at the command. They are the true experts and can help the best.
If you come into the CG on the DCA program, you can expect to serve in 2-3 operational flying units and 0-1 Standardization/Training units prior to retiring as an O-4. Typically, fixed wing flying opportunities dry up at the O-5 level.
As far as transitioning into the C-130, the best you can get out of our transition course is FP and it is dictated by the time out of the C-130 and your flight performance. If you transfer directly in from a std Herc (all but the J) as an AC/IP with no lapse in quals, you can expect to leave the transition course as a LSCP or FP and and quickly (6 months to a year) upgrade to AC. Like cgflier said, if you are a J pilot or transition into the CG and get J's, then you can expect E-City, NC for 4-8 years. The J models will all be in NC and the Standardization Team will also be stationed in E-City but will be attached to Mobile. The C-130H Stan team is attached to Mobile, AL, but is stationed in Clearwater, FL. Currently, transitions into CG C-130's are CAE in Tampa, FL for the H model; and Keesler AFB for the J model.
Hope this helps.
03-13-2008 | 03:15 PM
#37
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
The Direct Commission Engineer (DCE) Program is normally for Naval, Mechanical, Civil, or Electrical Engineers (boat types). We do have Aeronautical Engineers, but they normally come from the ranks of the junior pilots and typically get trained to fill a role like the Maintenance Officer (MO) for the other services. That is not saying that you can't get in under the DCE program and go into aviation.
The Direct Commisison Aviator (DCA) program is for military pilots requesting transfer into the CG. Highest rank coming in on this program is LTjg (O2).
We do acknowledge the Inter-service transfer as a possibility, but our manuals refer to it in a CG to other service example. For a C-130 rated pilot, I would try and pursue the inter-service transfer. Your rank follows you. The CG has stayed away from this mainly I believe due to the costs associated with accepting a retirement cost with only 10-12 years of CG service. Local Recruiters are not going to be knowledgeable on Inter-service transfer so I would call the CG Recruiting Command and get on the phone with a civilian at the command. They are the true experts and can help the best.
If you come into the CG on the DCA program, you can expect to serve in 2-3 operational flying units and 0-1 Standardization/Training units prior to retiring as an O-4. Typically, fixed wing flying opportunities dry up at the O-5 level.
As far as transitioning into the C-130, the best you can get out of our transition course is FP and it is dictated by the time out of the C-130 and your flight performance. If you transfer directly in from a std Herc (all but the J) as an AC/IP with no lapse in quals, you can expect to leave the transition course as a LSCP or FP and and quickly (6 months to a year) upgrade to AC. Like cgflier said, if you are a J pilot or transition into the CG and get J's, then you can expect E-City, NC for 4-8 years. The J models will all be in NC and the Standardization Team will also be stationed in E-City but will be attached to Mobile. The C-130H Stan team is attached to Mobile, AL, but is stationed in Clearwater, FL. Currently, transitions into CG C-130's are CAE in Tampa, FL for the H model; and Keesler AFB for the J model.
Hope this helps.
The Direct Commisison Aviator (DCA) program is for military pilots requesting transfer into the CG. Highest rank coming in on this program is LTjg (O2).
We do acknowledge the Inter-service transfer as a possibility, but our manuals refer to it in a CG to other service example. For a C-130 rated pilot, I would try and pursue the inter-service transfer. Your rank follows you. The CG has stayed away from this mainly I believe due to the costs associated with accepting a retirement cost with only 10-12 years of CG service. Local Recruiters are not going to be knowledgeable on Inter-service transfer so I would call the CG Recruiting Command and get on the phone with a civilian at the command. They are the true experts and can help the best.
If you come into the CG on the DCA program, you can expect to serve in 2-3 operational flying units and 0-1 Standardization/Training units prior to retiring as an O-4. Typically, fixed wing flying opportunities dry up at the O-5 level.
As far as transitioning into the C-130, the best you can get out of our transition course is FP and it is dictated by the time out of the C-130 and your flight performance. If you transfer directly in from a std Herc (all but the J) as an AC/IP with no lapse in quals, you can expect to leave the transition course as a LSCP or FP and and quickly (6 months to a year) upgrade to AC. Like cgflier said, if you are a J pilot or transition into the CG and get J's, then you can expect E-City, NC for 4-8 years. The J models will all be in NC and the Standardization Team will also be stationed in E-City but will be attached to Mobile. The C-130H Stan team is attached to Mobile, AL, but is stationed in Clearwater, FL. Currently, transitions into CG C-130's are CAE in Tampa, FL for the H model; and Keesler AFB for the J model.
Hope this helps.
Just what I was looking for. Thanks for the help.
RB
03-13-2008 | 08:53 PM
#38
New Hire
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: HC-130H IP
You won't stay at Flight School as an instructor if you are a CG pilot. That job is considered an out of rate job, so it doesn't help with the promotions or those looking to be Station CO's. Typically we send folks there that are good pilots, but don't desire upward mobility. The CG does NOT have flying reservists right now, but they are looking at that and if that does get approved, they will be looking at using that program to fill Pensacola and Corpus Christi Instructor billets.
03-14-2008 | 04:14 AM
#39
Thread Starter
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: PPL, Engineer
You won't stay at Flight School as an instructor if you are a CG pilot. That job is considered an out of rate job, so it doesn't help with the promotions or those looking to be Station CO's. Typically we send folks there that are good pilots, but don't desire upward mobility. The CG does NOT have flying reservists right now, but they are looking at that and if that does get approved, they will be looking at using that program to fill Pensacola and Corpus Christi Instructor billets.
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