All newly commissioned Ensigns and 2nd Lieutenants entering the Aviation Pipeline report to Naval Air Station Pensacola for Aviation Preflight Indoctrination (API). API is a six-week school that educates prospective aviators in the fundamentals of aviation. Coursework includes Aerodynamics, Navigation, Aircraft Engines, Meteorology, and Basic Flight Rules and Regulations. In addition to academics, API students undergo rigorous aviation physiology training that will equip them with the necessary skills to survive the rigors of Naval Aviation.
Prospective Naval Flight Officers report to Primary flight training following API. All NFOs stay in Pensacola and report to VT-10 for Primary flight training.
Upon completion of Primary flight training, NFOs select either jet or propeller driven aircraft and enter into the Intermediate phase of flight training. Intermediate training builds upon the basic flight and navigation skills learned during primary. NFOs then select their fleet aircraft type.
Advanced Naval flight training is tailored for the mission specifics that NFOs have selected. Upon completion of Advanced flight training, they are awarded their coveted wings of gold and report to their respective Fleet Replacement Squadrons (FRS) for training in their specific aircraft. The FRS will teach newly winged aviators how to fly their aircraft type in all the various missions that pertain to their selected community. FRS training concludes with carrier qualifications. FRS graduates are now official 'fleet aviators' and will report to an operational fleet squadron.