CG aviation

fsuflyer

fsuflyer

New Member
I'm in the process of applying to the Coast Guard for a pilot slot. I'm well aware that most of their aircraft are helos; however, they do have a fleet of fixed wing. How does the CG assign pilots to either fleet? First and foremost it has to depend on the needs of the CG, but do they take cadet preference into account?

I'd like to fly fixed wing (the hercules and guardian are bad-ass). Does anybody know how competitive it is to be assigned to a fixed wing aircraft rather than a helo? If not, are there any good CG forums on the net (I haven't been able to find any)?

Much thanks.
 
My understanding was that Coast Guard only accepted those with pretty significant previous military flying experience from another branch. Something like 500 hours flight time, and 2 years full-time military flying. Could be wrong about that.
 
The CG has both rotor and fixed wing aircraft. Besides helicopter the have falcons and C-130. Blue-21 is the only program that give you an official slot. If you apply to OCS and get in that is where you take the flight test and decides if you go to flight school. Right now they are hurting for pilots so your chances are good if you can get into OCS.
 
I too was looking into the Blue 21 program. I found out that the school I graduated from qualifies me to apply but that it's mainly geared towards minorites and that my chances were slim to none of getting one....
 
The CG does require a lot of experience for interservice transfers, however, they also take applicants off the street for flight as well. Believe me, I've been a helo IP--these guys do not have 500 hours coming in.
 
As far as f/w competitiveness, I don't know how hard they are to get. The Coasties I've know have always said that rotors are where it's at in the CG. The Falcon is always in danger of being cut for lack of utility. However they are getting new C-130Js, though they lack the infrastructure to support them.
 
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My understanding was that Coast Guard only accepted those with pretty significant previous military flying experience from another branch. Something like 500 hours flight time, and 2 years full-time military flying. Could be wrong about that.

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I'm not sure about the 2 years full-time military flying as all pilots have a higher commitment than that. I think the least amount of years you can serve as a pilot is 7 in the Navy and 10 in the USAF. I'm not sure about other branches.
 
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