Navy to Cut Excess Student Pilots

The commander of Naval Air Forces has identified an excess of student naval aviators (pilots) in the training pipeline. Historically, the training production rate has been approximately 1,200 aviators per year, but analysis indicates an excess of some 160 student naval aviators currently in training. Accordingly, NAF has adjusted performance standards for Aviation Pre-flight Indoctrination (API) classes. If needed, it will apply additional performance-based standards to other stages of flight training. Current strategies to shape the force consist of controlling the inputs from commissioning sources, such as the Naval Academy, Reserve Officer Training Corps and Officer Candidate Schools, as well as offering opportunities to serve in other flying careers within the Naval Reserve, and transfers to a Marine Corps aviation unit. These initiatives are expected to achieve force-shaping goals as early as May, but no later than the end of the calendar year.