Student Naval Aviator (SNA)

Aviation Training Pipeline

CNATRA conducts six Student Naval Aviator training pipelines - Strike, Rotary, Maritime, Tilt-rotor, E-2/C-2, and E-6. The foundation of a Naval Aviator's development begins in the Primary phase of training. Primary training is conducted in the T-6B at VT-27 or VT-28 at Training Air Wing FOUR and VT-2, VT-3, or VT-6 at Training Air Wing FIVE.

The T-6B replaced the T-34C Turbo Mentor as the primary training aircraft in April 2015. Its digital avionics provides fighter-type maneuverability with a modern glass cockpit including a head-up display, up-front control panel, multi-function displays, hands-on throttle and stick, and a global positioning system with wide-area augmentation system and required navigation performance. The T-6B cockpit and avionics suite is designed to better facilitate the transition to increasingly sophisticated follow-on training and fleet aircraft, as well as keep pace with emerging air traffic control regulations.

Tailhook Training

Intermediate and Advanced Strike training is conducted in the T-45C Goshawk at VT-7 or VT-9 at Training Air Wing ONE, NAS Meridian, MS, or VT-21 or VT-22 at Training Air Wing TWO, Kingsville, TX. This syllabus is the foundation upon which all future tailhook aviators begin to build their experience.

The Strike pipeline fills fleet seats for the FA-18C/D Hornet and E/F Superhornet, EA-18G Growler, AV-8B Harrier, and EA-6B Prowler in the Navy and Marine Corps. F-35B/C Lightning II pilots will also come from the Strike pipeline.

Student Naval Aviators selected for the E-2/C-2 pipeline at the completion of primary flight training report to Training Air Wing FOUR for multi-engine training in the T-44C. Upon completion, students will report to TRAWING One or TRAWING Two to complete a syllabus that will culminate in T-45C carrier qualification prior to reporting to VAW-120 in Norfolk, VA.

Upgrades to the T-45C digital configuration are underway and all student naval aviators now receive training in a technologically advanced cockpit to prepare them for fleet digital / glass cockpit aircraft. The T-45C is planned to meet CNATRA's Strike training requirements through 2035.

Advanced Rotary and Tilt-Rotor Training

Rotary and intermediate Tilt-Rotor training is conducted in the TH-57B and C Sea Ranger at HT-8, HT-18 and HT-28 at Training Air Wing FIVE. The rotary pipeline provides fundamental and advanced rotary skills for Student Naval Aviators selected for fleet service in the AH-1 Cobra, UH-1 Huey, H-53 Sea Stallion, H-60 Seahawk series, HH-65 Dolphin, and MH-68 Sting Ray in the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. Marine students designated for the MV-22 Osprey Tilt-Rotor receive intermediate Rotary training at Training Air Wing FIVE and then report to Training Air Wing FOUR for Multi-engine training in the T-44 before receiving their wings.

Advanced Multi-Engine Training

Maritime and Advanced Tilt-Rotor training is conducted in the T-44C Pegasus at VT-31 and VT-35 in Training Air Wing FOUR. The Maritime Patrol and advance Tilt-Rotor pipelines provide foundational training for student Navy, Marine, and Coast Guard aviators selected to fill fleet seats in the P-3C Orion, P-8 Poseidon, C-130 Hercules, E-6B Mercury, HC-44 Ocean Sentry, E-2C/D Hawkeye, C-2A Greyhound, MV-22 Osprey, and C-12 Huron.

Training Air Wing FOUR has converted analog T-44As to digital T-44Cs which is the perfect lead-in trainer for the digital / glass cockpit P-8 Poseidon, MV-22 Osprey, E6-B Mercury, and C-130J Hercules aircraft. High fidelity T-44C visual simulators will follow the upgrade which will enable the perfect mix of ground and air training.