radar intercept officer salary radar intercept officer salary

You can unsubscribe from these emails at any time. The T-39 is used as an intermediate instrument and low-level trainer for SWSOs, where they receive a total of eight flights. After Contacts, the SNFO goes back to academics to learn instrument flying rules. Those destined for the F/A-18F Super Hornet (USN Only) or the F/A-18D Hornet (USMC only) will become WSOs. Full-time. Jeff Campagna By creating this job alert, you agree to the LinkedIn User Agreement and Privacy Policy. Using the templates, you can rest assured that the structure and format of your Radar Operator resume is top notch. linguists, loadmasters, crewman).[2]. Enter your information below, and we'll quickly reach out to discuss your hiring needs. Take the MyMajors Quiz and find out if it fits one of your top recommended majors! This is an operational flying billet for this officer and he or she previously flew the twin-seat F/A-18D "Blue Angel 7" aircraft (which had replaced the F/A-18B previously used), and now flies the twin-seat F/A-18F "Blue Angel 7" aircraft with the team's advance pilot/narrator. 1. Co-pilots map the route before the flight departs. When it comes to the most important skills required to be a radar operator, we found that a lot of resumes listed 18.4% of radar operators included dod, while 16.6% of resumes included technical guidance, and 8.2% of resumes included radar systems. The WSO integrates with the pilot to collectively achieve and maintain crew efficiency, situational awareness and mission effectiveness. Colonel Church amassed more than 500 missions in the F-4. Co-pilots ensure a safe flight by assisting the PIC through the following 5 major duties. In the F/A-18D Hornet, the NFO position is known as the weapon systems officer (WSO) and may also be mission commander qualified. In this course, we will talk about two components of a cyber-physical system, namely hardware and operating systems. In terms of flying the black jets, Im pretty sure that its me in the scene where Maverick is flying inverted above the MiG . An F-14 radar intercept officer (RIO), Baranek whose callsign was Bio, eventually became commander of his own F-14 squadron. Co-pilots ensure a safe flight by assisting the captain through the following 5 minor duties. Get email updates for new Radar Intercept Officer jobs in United States. Generally, the bigger the airline (major vs regional air carriers), the better the salary they pay. As an RIO, regarding the type of pilot youd rather fly with, are you a Maverick guy or an Iceman guy? I loved the Air Force F-106. Listing for: BorgWarner. You need to be assertive. He previously flew the P-2 Neptune and P-3 Orion. TOPGUN Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) David "Bio" Baranek's F-14A Tomcat. Pilots usually retain the responsibility for flying the aircraft in tactical situations. for Air Crew Officers : She retired in 2017. During the course, USAF WSOs learn the basics of surviving an aircraft ejection over water, obtaining food and drinkable water when stranded at sea, combat evasion at sea, and how to be successfully rescued by boat or helicopter. Dario Leone. As a result, he was able to capture images of some of the Navys finest 1980s airpower from an intimate perspective. I liked flying with a good pilot who does his job. The Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) training course trains all USAF aircrew basic survival skills, combat evasion, and techniques to resist exploitation if captured. Create a profile, promote your company and attract candidates. Parachuting water survival What was the tightest spot youve been in? NIFE consists of several phases: academics, ground school, flight training, and physiology. But you have to be a pilot for that, and those are retired, too. Sign up in our career community today! All rights reserved. He retired in 1990. Captains are responsible for making all critical flight decisions, such as whether or not to make an emergency landing. Check out a gallery of some of his shots here. Many NFOs achieve flight/section lead, division lead, package lead, mission lead and mission commander qualification, even when the pilot of the aircraft does not have that designation. Air Force WSOs no longer train at VT-86. SWSOs also receive instruction in Air-to-Ground strike training, Air-to-Air intercept training, Basic Fighter Maneuvering, and Close Air Support. People have been predicting that for decades now. As you move along in your career, you may start taking on more responsibilities or notice that you've taken on a leadership role. Primary 2 training is also done through VT-10. Hard skills like these are helpful to have when it comes to . It just didnt interest them. Cookie Settings, The close-ups were of pilots . No Navy pilot is going to shoot down any enemy aircraft without a competent RIO. A woman radar-intercept officer (RIO) disappears at night from an aircraft carrier in the Adriatic Sea. Academics phase is followed by one week of ground school. In the United States Navy, WSOs are naval flight officers responsible for manning the weapon systems of the F/A-18F Super Hornet strike fighter from that jet's aft seat. The academics portion spans three weeks and covers aerodynamics, engines, FAA rules and regulations, navigation, and weather. I went out there and flew that mission. You get all kinds . Years of experience Per year; Less than 1 year: $54,166: 1 to 2 years: $53,489: 3 to 5 years: $60,484: Vice Admiral David C. Nichols was the deputy coalition air forces component commander (deputy CFACC) during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. They can serve as aircraft mission commanders, although in accordance with the OPNAVINST 3710 series of instructions, the pilot in command, regardless of rank, is always responsible for the safe piloting of the aircraft. All training in VT-10 is done in the Beechcraft T-6A Texan II and consists of four phases (all phases consist of ground school, simulator events, and flight events): After graduating from Primary, SNFOs will select between multi crew aviation or strike aviation. Is a REO a pilot? By creating this job alert, you agree to the LinkedIn User Agreement and Privacy Policy. A/G Training takes place on both VR and IR routes that criss-cross the south east United States. Both crew member's relied on each other- even. Of course they bring confidence, but theyre mature enough not to be offensive. From the 1970s onward an aircraft with two-member crews, such as the F-15E Strike Eagle, F/A-18F Super Hornet or Su-34 Fullback and Dassault Rafale B have often featured programmable multi-function displays. 11, 2012, as the following picture shows, a Kamov Ka-31 helicopter belonging to the Indian []. Cold War Era / F-14 Tomcat / Military Aviation . Thats Hollywood writer stuff! Get started with a free resume review. Both SNAs and SNFOs go through the same naval introductory flight evaluation before splitting off into different primary training tracks. Posts navigation. Training ends at either VT-10 or VT-4 with the "i-grad" ceremony and top graduate award. Youre coming into their arena, and although they appreciate a good enthusiastic fighter pilot, youve got to know your limits! NFO astronauts have also flown aboard the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station as mission specialists and wear NFO-astronaut wings. These programs allow roles to be more flexible than previous generation aircraft. Apr 4 2021. He was the first NFO appointed to the position of Deputy Commander (then DCINC), U.S. Following the winging ceremony, USN and USMC WSOs will proceed to a Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) and USAF WSOs to a Formal Training Unit (FTU) to complete advanced ground school and flight training to prepare them for their "operational" combat aircraft in the deployable operating forces. The courses listed below are affiliate links. In this place we talked to each other and interacted with people outside for a frenzied few moments until we were again brain-scrambled by a cat shot into the serenity of darkness. Air. Contents of this blog/website may not be used without author's prior written permission. They have also flown a number of USAF and NATO/Allied aircraft via the U.S. Navy's Personnel Exchange Program (PEP), to include, but not limited to, the USAF F-4 Phantom II, F-15E Strike Eagle and E-3 Sentry, the Royal Air Force Buccaneer S.2, Tornado GR1/GR1B/GR4/GR4A and Nimrod MR.2, and the Royal Canadian Air Force CP-140 Aurora. We all flew the same mission and had a lot of time in the plane, but some guys just never carried a camera. For example, the co-pilot could be in charge of flying, in which case theyd be responsible for knowing the flight take off and arrival procedures. Such officers are typically graduates of the U.S. As a Captain, he became the first NFO to command a nuclear aircraft carrier when he took command of USSTheodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) in July 1992. In the United States Marine Corps, "WSO" refers to naval flight officers serving as the aft crew member of the F/A-18D Hornet. Regionaal Indicatie Orgaan (Dutch: Regional Indication Body; health care) RIO. Prior to the introduction of the F/A-18F, they were known as Radar Intercept Officers (RIO) in the aft seats of the F-4 Phantom II and F-14 Tomcat; as Bombardier/Navigators (B/N) in the right seat of the A-6 Intruder and the A-3 Skywarrior and in the aft seat in the A-5 Vigilante; and Reconnaissance Attack Navigators (RAN) in the aft seat of the RA-5C Vigilante. For example, the aircraft pilot could be the junior member of a flight crew such as a first lieutenant or captain, and the weapon systems officer could be a senior officer such as a major, lieutenant colonel, or colonel; regardless of rank, the WSO would be the mission commander if he/she is qualified. Magazines One of these days Ill get up in a biplane and thatll be fun! For Counselors Get notified about new Radar Intercept Officer jobs in United States. A Weapon Systems Officer (WSO), nicknamed "Wizzo", is an air flight officer directly involved in all air operations and weapon systems of a military aircraft. An F-14 radar intercept officer (RIO), Baranek whose callsign was Bio, eventually became commander of his own F-14 squadron. He retired in 1993. Generally, co-pilots fly an aircraft when either the main pilot is on a break or there is an emergency. The F/A-18D will be eventually replaced in Marine Corps service with the single-seat, STOVL, F-35B Lightning II. Weve got to be ready to face a lot of countries around the world, and as long as they have fighters with people in them, weve got to be ready to duel with them and defeat them. The planes that I want are gone. Training begins with several weeks of ground school followed by remnants of the "super-fo" program from the U.S. Navy where the SNFO takes front seat of the new T-6 Texan II for six "contact" flights where the student will become familiar with the T-6. The MC2 program was developed to allow SNFOs to receive advanced platform-specific training while still at NAS Pensacola, and to receive their wings before progressing to their respective fleet replacement squadron (FRS) for training in their ultimate operational combat aircraft. Centrifuge training Training begins with Introductory Flight Screening, where the WSO flies a Cessna 172 or Piper PA-28 variant to show they are competent enough in aviation to continue the rigorous training ahead. Carter flew 125 combat missions in support of joint operations in Bosnia, Kosovo, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan. 13 Radar jobs available in Thompson, CA on Indeed.com. Click the link in the email we sent to to verify your email address and activate your job alert. Are you an aspiring air crew officer? Training for student NFOs (SNFOs) starts out the same as for student naval aviators (SNAs), with the same academic requirements and nearly identical physical requirements. . New F 14 Radar Intercept Officer jobs added daily. In terms of piloting the plane, thats easy. Bill Miller and CAPT. Donnie L. Cochran, right, and his radar intercept officer pose for a photograph in front of a Fighter Squadron 1 (VF-1) F-14A Tomcat aircraft aboard the aircraft carrier USS RANGER (CV-61). Robert Davis Travel Management Consultant, 2023 Executive Flyers +1 (512) 241-0795, What to Do If Flight Prices Decrease After Booking. Like their naval aviator counterparts, NFOs in both the Navy and Marine Corps have commanded aviation squadrons, carrier air wings, shore-based functional air wings and air groups, Marine aircraft groups, air facilities, air stations, aircraft carriers, amphibious assault ships, carrier strike groups, expeditionary strike groups, Marine aircraft wings, Marine expeditionary forces, numbered fleets, and component commands of unified combatant commands. Co-pilots are fully trained and certified to fly, but they dont have the same responsibilities or authority as captains have. A single USN or USMC NFO is assigned to the United States Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, as "Blue Angel #8", the Events Coordinator. If you dont get the message the first time, theyll do it again. He was the first NFO from the land-based maritime patrol aviation community to command a numbered fleet, the U.S. 6th Fleet, and later commanded the U.S. Pacific Fleet. As a captain, Vice Admiral Richard Dunleavy was the first NFO to command an aircraft carrier, the USSCoral Sea (CV 43). But, co-pilots lack the authority of captains, who have full control over an aircraft and its passengers. There are several types of radar operator, including: Zippia allows you to choose from different easy-to-use Radar Operator templates, and provides you with expert advice. NFOs also flew in these retired aircraft, including as mission commander: NFOs have also served as instructors/mission commanders in since retired training aircraft such as the UC-45 Expeditor, T-29 Flying Classroom, several variants of the T-39 Sabreliner, the TC-4C Academe, T-47A Citation II and the USAF T-43A Bobcat. They can put people in their place. [10] He retired in 1990. All Student NFOs begin primary training at Training Squadron TEN (VT-10), flying the T-6A Texan II trainer, eventually moving on to advanced training at Training Squadron 4 (VT-4) or Training Squadron 86 (VT-86). According to Bio one of these sorties, flown with LT Jim McArthur (who would later become an admiral) as his instructor pilot, and their wingman in the second F-14 was Sandy Winnefeld (a student RAG pilot, Baraneks college friend, and a future admiral himself) and his instructor RIO Willy Driscoll, the Vietnam MiG ace, was particularly memorable. Naval Flight Officer, Radar Intercept Officer Career *A job as a Naval Flight Officer, Radar Intercept Officer falls under the broader career category of Air Crew Officers. Illustrations were easy to come by, since "Bio" always carried a camera with him on his flights. Calm, cool and in control, that's the stereotype of the fighter pilot, right? Fighter Pilot salaries at US Air Force can range from $77,980 - $147,552. Rimonabant in Obesity. Although NFOs in the Navy's E-2 Hawkeye aircraft perform functions similar to the USAF air battle manager in the E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft, their NFO training track is more closely aligned with that of USAF combat systems officers. It appears that most of your experience was in the F-14. It wasn't. Dave Andersen, a former F-14 Tomcat Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) at the U.S. Navy, wrote on Quora that "back in the day, a typical U.S. Navy F . I think its going to be awhile before we can turn everything over to unmanned vehicles. WSOs also learn how to survive an aircraft ejection over land. Baranek gives detailed descriptions of his early training, which was exciting and challenging, and tells about the times he thought he might not complete the program. "No restrictions were placed on tactics used by either side, so we were facing well-trained U.S . It is a much shorter syllabus and consists of two phases: After graduating from Intermediate, SNFOs will select: E-2C/D Hawkeye selectees will continue on to the advanced maritime command and control curriculum at VT-4, while jet selectees will continue to intermediate training and remain at VT-10. This time it was only a few minutes of serenity before we again started the relentless rush of a night carrier approach. In the original film, Rossovich plays Radar Intercept Officer LTJG Ron "Slider" Kerner, who flies with the movie's antagonist LT Tom "Iceman" Kazansky (Val Kilmer). During your time as air-to-air combat instructor, what was the most important advice you passed on to your students? Naval Aviation designators.[5]. Also known as: Most small helicopters have a single pilot, but larger commercial choppers may need two. Similarly, Marine Corps NFOs are also considered eligible for command at sea and ashore within Marine aviation, and are also eligible to hold senior general officer positions, such as command of Marine aircraft wings, Marine air-ground task forces (MAGTFs), joint task forces, Marine expeditionary forces, Marine Corps component commands and unified combatant commands. 21, 1973 to Jan. 19, 1974, had. Marine SNFOs can only select carrier aviation. As a Captain, Colonel Church, "the Silver Fox", had previously served with VMFA-115 during the Vietnam War, during which time he and his pilot, Captain James "Rebel" Denton, were shot down and subsequently rescued. Vice Admiral Walter E. "Ted" Carter Jr. became the 62nd superintendent of the U.S. He previously flew the P-3C Orion and retired in 2018. The requirements to obtain a restricted ATP certificate are as follows: A captain or co-pilots salary is mostly dependent on the type of aircraft they fly, their experience, qualifications, and the airlines policies. If youve ever taken a commercial flight before, you probably know that there are at least two pilots on the plane the pilot and co-pilot. Is this useful? Systems Engineer - Sensing Technologies. But he did. Radar jobs in Michigan. It's easy. For most of us, the epic 1986 movie, Top Gun, starring Tom Cruise as fighter pilot "Maverick" and Anthony Edwards as his trusty co-pilot "Goose," is the beginning and end of our knowledge of the Navys elite specialized fighter training academy, the U.S. Navy Strike Fighter Instructions Program. February 10, 2023 Guardia di Finanza's New Air-Naval Operations Simulation Centre Opens in Italy Military Aviation ; February 10, 2023 U.S. Air Force F-22 Shoots Down 'High Altitude Object . ), for inviting him to . Choose a template with the colors, fonts & text sizes that are appropriate for your industry. The SNFO program has continued to evolve since the 1960s. Recruiters, find exclusive recruiting opportunities with Recruiter.com. Marine SWSOs by default select the F/A-18D Hornet. Hard skills like these are helpful to have when it comes to performing essential job responsibilities. Software Development. RIO - Radar intercept officer, a category of Naval Flight Officer who was the second crewman in the F-14 Tomcat. As Baranek recalls: As with the Tomcat, the designers of the Eagle applied the hard lessons from aerial combat in Vietnam and took advantage of further advances in engines and aerodynamics. The only real distinction in physical requirements is that SNFOs may have less than 20/40 uncorrected distance vision. After about two minutes the fight ended with Knock it off on the radio. I have to tell you, TOPGUN instructors can handle that stuff! Today’s top 1 F 14 Radar Intercept Officer jobs in United States. For example, co-pilots will use the altimeter to ensure the plane is at an appropriate altitude. RapidIO (Interconnect Architecture) RIO. The SNFO is treated like a pilot training student for these six flights. And how did you help Paramount with the dialogue? They respect the instructors and know that they have things to learn. Full Time position. But have you ever wondered what a co-pilot does? But then they threw in a bunch of Hollywood stuff, too You hook em, Ill fry em? Come on! Captains also instruct their subordinates: first officers, who are second in command, and second officers, who are third in command. The F-14 Tomcats that never were vs F/A-18E/F Super Hornet: who would have won? On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Is there another particular airplane in which youre still craving some quality flight time? Following a fatal mishap with one of these aircraft at the former Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, the Coast Guard returned the remaining E-2Cs to the Navy and disestablished its NFO program.[3]. Did I get sandbagged, an old trick of instructors to see how I would handle it? I just got that from my father. Some current and recently retired naval aircraft with side-by-side seating are also authorized to operate under dual-piloted weather minimums with one pilot and one NFO. Colonel John C. Church Sr., USMC was the first NFO to command a Marine F-4 squadron. Tech. The United States Coast Guard had a short-lived NFO community in the 1980s and 1990s when it operated E-2C Hawkeye aircraft on loan from the Navy. These classes include a combination of SNFOs who are E-2C/D selectees and land-based maritime selectees. With the pilot, they also use aeronautical charts to ensure the flight maintains altitude. No, surreal is not a strong enough word.. Early in his career as a radar intercept officer (RIO) onboard the F-14 Tomcat fighter jet, a movie studio came to make a film on Tom Twomey's base, Naval Air Station Miramar, California. Naval Flight Officer, Bombardier/Navigator Jobs. [1], Non-commissioned Aircrew can serve as a WSOp (Weapon Systems Operator), an umbrella term for the various specialist aircrew responsible for assisting the pilot in operating the mission systems of the aircraft (e.g. careers. Before Topgun Days tells how student RIOs were brought to this level of skill through a structured training approach that begins in Pensacola. 40 Miles of Wiring. From one old-school Naval Radar Intercept Officer's (RIO) perspective, the Donabedian Quality Assurance model is an exceptional framework for organizational continuous process improvement. Working as a Radar Operator? A lot of flying, especially back then, is pretty boring, so you want to fly with a pilot whos funny and entertaining, so you can tell stories . Driscoll received the service's second-highest decoration, the Navy Cross, for his role in a 1972 dogfight with North Vietnamese MiGs. EWO Privacy Statement In the P-8A Poseidon, the NFO is initially designated as a co-tactical coordinator (COTAC) and upgrades to tactical coordinator (TACCO) and then TACCO/mission commander (TACCO/MC). Your duty includes arranging interviews, timely response to media questions, and acting as the company's mouthpiece. In the T-45C, a USN single-engine jet trainer, SWSOs learn advanced instrument flying, radar navigation, and composite visual/radar navigation. A radar intercept officer (RIO) is a naval flight officer who occupies the rear seat of such aircraft as the F-4 Phantom II and the F-14 Tomcat. Until mid-2019, the Marines also employed Naval Flight Officers in the EA-6B Prowler, where they were known as Electronic Countermeasures Officers (ECMO, pronounced EK-mo). In the Royal Air Force, a WSO is a commissioned officer that operates aircraft mission systems formerly on the Tornado GR4, however now on the Reaper, Sentinel R1 drones, the Boeing Rivet Joint, Boeing E-3 Sentry and the Boeing P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. When the F-14 was designed, because of parts of its mission and state of automation, they still needed one guy to make the radar be most effective. What made the Tomcat such a high-maintenance aircraft . He (Driscoll) definitely lived up to his reputation., But for U.S. Navy aircrews being fully capable to man their aircraft during real combat operations is not enough: indeed, before being assigned to an active duty squadron they must be qualified to operate from an aircraft carrier and the biggest challenge they have to overcome during CQs (carrier qualifications) is called night carrier qualification.. Terms of Use You are able to plan and use embedded operating systems in resource-constraint devices for Internet-of-Things (cyber-physical system) applications. New Radar Intercept Officer jobs added daily. When designated as the mission commander (MC), the WSO is also responsible for all phases of the assigned mission, especially if there are multiple aircraft involved. The co-pilots help could be invaluable for the PIC for charting a route to the destination. Co-pilots ensure a safe flight by assisting the PIC through the following 5 major duties. The close-ups were of pilots . 1 2 3. A naval flight officer (NFO) is a commissioned officer in the United States Navy or United States Marine Corps who specializes in airborne weapons and sensor systems. Steven Collins, fired an AIM-7 that hit one of the MiGs at a range of roughly 5 miles. AEDO/NFOs are eligible to command test and evaluation squadrons, naval air test centers, naval air warfare centers, and hold major program management responsibilities within the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). A co-pilot is essentially a backup pilot whos onboard to take command when the Pilot in Charge (PIC) cant. After six weeks of ground school and basic water survival training during API, future SWSOs (Student WSOs), at that point known as student naval flight officers (SNFO) check into the primary Training Squadron for SNFOs, the VT-10 Wildcats. Although the Grumman F-14 Tomcat had evolved into a multi-mission strike fighter when it was eventually retired from U.S. Navy service in 2006, the last of the Grumman Cats was originally conceived to be one of the best air-to-air fighters ever built, a goal reached thanks to its speed, its high maneuverability and its sophisticated weapon system. Report to Airline managers or heads of departments, Prepare the cabin and passengers for landing, Remain updated with federal and local flight regulations, Hold a commercial pilot license with instrument and multi-engine ratings, Pass a written knowledge and practical test, Helping the helicopters captain on request, Planning routes and accounting for the weather. Introduction to Hardware and Operating Systems. Copyright 2023 | MH Magazine WordPress Theme by MH Themes So, with encouragement and a little coaching from his pilot, Bio directed the two F-14s through the intercept, calling an AIM-7 Sparrow missile shot and describing the radar picture for the wingman. Prior to the introduction of the F/A-18F, they were known as Radar Intercept Officers (RIO) in the aft seats of the F-4 Phantom II and F-14 Tomcat; . In terms of higher education levels, we found that 1.7% of radar operators have master's degrees. Job specializations: IT/Tech. Robert is a seasoned flyer who knows more about commercial air travel than practically anyone else out there due to the decades he has been involved in the travel industry, and time spent at airports and on planes over the years for work. Sales communication operators have records of media coverages. The counterpart course for USN and USMC WSOs is taught at NAS North Island (academics) and Warner Springs, California (field exercise) for Pacific Fleet personnel and at Brunswick, Maine for Atlantic Fleet personnel. USAF WSOs selected for the F-15E learn basic fighter maneuvers (BFM) and surface attack in the T-38C at Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals (IFF). Eligible fleet platforms for NFOs are as of August 2022 are as follows: In the EA-18G Growler, NFOs are designated as electronic warfare officers (EWOs) and may also be mission commanders. After winging, students conduct follow-on training at their respective fleet replacement squadron (FRS).[4]. Though it was more maneuverable than the TA-4, the F-15 was also larger and easier to keep track of. Intermediate picks up where Primary ends for USAF SWSOs. 2023 Smithsonian Magazine Radar Intercept Officer. Flying at an altitude of 20,000 feet and at 350 knots, both groups the F-14s and their adversaries were closing at a speed of 700 knots. A pilot and I went up to Paramount for two days. Job in Detroit - Wayne County - MI Michigan - USA , 48228. In the E-6B Mercury, NFOs are initially designated as airborne communications officers (ACOs), then upgrade to combat systems officers (CSOs), and finally to mission commanders (CSO/MC). The primary flight responsibilities are spelled out in the F-14 operating manual. The final three months of some of the hardest training at Pensacola will leave the SWSO F/A-18 selectee with their wings of gold. He is also the first member of the Navy's land-based maritime patrol aviation community, pilot or NFO, to promote to four-star rank. You may also need to manage conflicts before they get out of hand. In these four courses, you will cover everything from the basics of a C program to distributed systems. As a former graduate and a former instructor, what kinds of things were done to really push the buttons of pilots selected for TOPGUN? | The course lasts approximately eight weeks.