Coast Guard Flying
02-19-2009 | 01:24 PM
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Coast Guard Flying
I am looking at flying opportunites with the Coast Guard and was wondering the best way to pursue this? Are there no guarantees for slots until after OCS? How competitive are the fixed wing slots? Thanks.
02-19-2009 | 03:43 PM
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From: Engines Turn or People Swim
Generally, there are no guarantees at OCS.
There is however a guarantee program called BLUE 21 which you might be eligible for if you went to a college with a high minority population.
The USCG flies mostly helicopters...I probably would join the USAF if you really want FW.
There is however a guarantee program called BLUE 21 which you might be eligible for if you went to a college with a high minority population.
The USCG flies mostly helicopters...I probably would join the USAF if you really want FW.
02-20-2009 | 08:10 PM
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Generally, there are no guarantees at OCS.
There is however a guarantee program called BLUE 21 which you might be eligible for if you went to a college with a high minority population.
The USCG flies mostly helicopters...I probably would join the USAF if you really want FW.
There is however a guarantee program called BLUE 21 which you might be eligible for if you went to a college with a high minority population.
The USCG flies mostly helicopters...I probably would join the USAF if you really want FW.
02-20-2009 | 10:57 PM
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From: FAA 'Flight Check'
Thanks for the advice. I have been looking at most of the branches and have actually applied to a couple of ANG Units. I just feel that Coast Guard Missions would be very fulfilling and seem to fit me. Im not dead set on CG, but would like to see how far I can go with it to see if it is a real possibility.
USMCFLYR
02-22-2009 | 03:24 AM
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From: HU25 (Falcon 20) IP
If you want fixed wing in the Coast Guard as a flight school student, right now at least, it's pretty much guaranteed. This wasn't the case so much 10 years ago.
It's definitely some of the most rewarding flying you will ever do. I had the option to go AF or CG coming out of high school and have never regretted the decision a day of my life.
02-22-2009 | 03:28 AM
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From: The Far Side
02-22-2009 | 03:46 AM
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From: HU25 (Falcon 20) IP
Most guys speculate it's because flight school students are not seeing flying fixed wing then going to the airlines as attractive a career option as it used to be.
Also, with the publicity (mainly rotary wing) we got from hurricane Katrina coverage and the movie "The Guardian", it's been pretty glamorized by the media and Hollywood. Not that it shouldn't be, I sure as heck wouldn't want to do some of the stuff those guys do.
02-22-2009 | 06:27 AM
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From: Engines Turn or People Swim
I couldn't disagree more that AF is the way to go just because they have more FW. Coast Guard fixed wing opportunities are plentiful, especially right now. We are seeing so many flight school students asking for helicopters, many of them are being forced into the fixed wing pipeline.
If you want fixed wing in the Coast Guard as a flight school student, right now at least, it's pretty much guaranteed. This wasn't the case so much 10 years ago.
It's definitely some of the most rewarding flying you will ever do. I had the option to go AF or CG coming out of high school and have never regretted the decision a day of my life.
If you want fixed wing in the Coast Guard as a flight school student, right now at least, it's pretty much guaranteed. This wasn't the case so much 10 years ago.
It's definitely some of the most rewarding flying you will ever do. I had the option to go AF or CG coming out of high school and have never regretted the decision a day of my life.
Also, say you do get assigned helos, is there an opportunity to switch to FW later?
02-22-2009 | 06:35 AM
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From: FDX 767 FO
We train all the FW Coast Guard here. Every single one is doing initial training. I have yet to met one that is switching platforms. I doubt they would go straight to Falcons or straight to Little Rock to learn Hercs. We have a specific syllabus for guys like this and I haven't seen (or heard of) a Coastie do it yet.
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