Naval Aviation Rates - P3 Orion Flight Engineer

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Permalink Reply by Glenn Jones on July 30, 2011 at 12:50pm

Thanks Jim, yes I know about the P8 conversion, and that the first of them have been delivered around D.C. for initial flight testing and converting the initial crews over to the new plane. In my mind, given the state of the economy and talk of how much Congress is considering slashing the Defence budget, I don't think all the P3's will be going away any time soon, and many of them will remain in service. I would think the new P8's might be brought to bear on current combat situations in Iraq, Afganistan and Libia (God, how much longer are we going to be spending blood and treasure here?), and the P3's stick to sub survailance, rescue work, etc. Maybe some of them will be sent to support Homeland Security or other domestic activities. I have read wht I could find on the P8, don't remember anything one way or the other about having FE's. What is the current skinny from your son on future P3 -P8 roll-out going forward? What is his current assignment and base, if you can report on that. Thanks, Glenn

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Permalink Reply by James Lay on June 1, 2012 at 12:41am

Glenn,  I am a Chief Flight Engineer on the Orion.  I spent three years  at VP-30 which is where she will learn all the systems and procedures.  What kind of information do you seek?  I can give you both insight into the future of her training and the Rate. Vzp 30  has a facebook page as well.  www.facebook.com/pages/VP-30-PROS-NEST.../192115762880 

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Permalink Reply by Glenn Jones on June 6, 2012 at 12:39pm

James:

Thanks for your response. Our daughter started FE school(s) in Jax this past Feb, and if the Lord is willing and she continues to study hard, she will graduate in Nov. She should start her flying classes soon. She is hoping to be stationed at Whitby Island, as her fiance is a rescue swimmer assigned to HSC 6 on the Nimitz, based near there in WA.

We're interested in what to expect for her following graduation, where will she be deploying,for how long, etc. Are there a variety of P3 configurations out there. Guess as a FE, it wouldn't matter much the configuration. Her Mom visited Jax in April, and had a chance to visit the school and talk with a few instructors. She learned that the P8's were having some issues, and the P3's would be around for a while. Any info wou could share would be appreciated.

 

Glenn

James Lay said:

Glenn,  I am a Chief Flight Engineer on the Orion.  I spent three years  at VP-30 which is where she will learn all the systems and procedures.  What kind of information do you seek?  I can give you both insight into the future of her training and the Rate. Vzp 30  has a facebook page as well.  www.facebook.com/pages/VP-30-PROS-NEST.../192115762880 

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Permalink Reply by James Lay on June 7, 2012 at 2:19am

Glenn:

The initial training at VP30 is 243 days.  In the final phase of training she will receive her orders.  They will have filled out what the call a dream sheet listing top 3 locations desired.  If they are married they can fill out a 1306 requesting spousal co location which would guarantee  same region.  Her best bet is NAS Whidbey Island.  There are several P-3 squadrons there including a VQ squadron.  Upon graduation from VP30 she will be frocked to AWF3.  (Naval Aircrew Mechanical) 3rd class.  When she gets to her squadron she will start a training syllabus which will consist of simulator and flight training.  It will take 12-18 months to complete this next phase of training.  The deployment sites will very by the squadron.  

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