New NavAv program graduates 33

The Navy graduated its first group of “newbies” from a new aviation program - Naval Introductory Flight Evaluation (NIFE) - aimed at better preparing Student Military Aviators and flight officers for the rigors of the entire flight training pipeline. NIFE opened its doors at the Naval Aviation Schools Command at NAS Pensacola, Fla., in September. Eight-and-a-half weeks later, 33 graduated on Oct. 14, according to a media release from the Naval Education and Training Command. NIFE combines and replaces Aviation Preflight Indoctrination (API) and Introductory Flight Screening (IFS) programs, which have been in place for decades. Under the new program, students still get initial flight hours in civil aircraft under the guidance of a mostly civilian instructors. It is designed to provide students with aviation fundamental knowledge, introduce students to military procedural-based aviation training and performance standards, conduct aeronautical adaptability screening, and decrease drop on request (DOR) and flight attrition and improve performance in primary flight training. “Students are briefing, pre-flighting and executing procedures in flight just like they would in Primary, Advanced and the fleet,” NITE director Cmdr. Mark Yates is quoted. “We have essentially moved the learning curve to the left with expectations of higher performance in Primary.” (Source: NETC 11/09/20)