Carrier

[USNA69]

<p>

@JAMO4

Do many (most) pilots get grounded at one time or another? Will his career survive?

At the beginning of last night’s episode, this particular pilot was bemoaning the fact that he continued to do stupid things in the aircraft. He mentioned getting back aboard and then asking himself why he had done what he did. Probably a little slow on the uptake. Since he was probably in a section with the lead pilot directing the flight and the tanker being where it was, there had to be extenuating circumstances beyond his control so this was probably a culmination of things, with not being able to get into the basket more of a factor than the landing at Baghdad.</p>

<p>Yes, Field Naval Aviator Evaluation Boards (FNAEBS) –pronounced fee nabs- are relatively serious. COs routinely ground pilots, especially at sea. If the infraction is serious or more likely part of a trend, he will sometimes recommend a FNAEB prior to letting the pilot fly again. This is what happened last night. I doubt if this guy will see the cockpit again during this cruise. </p>

<p>From the OPNAV inst:</p>

<p>

Field Naval Aviator Evaluation Boards (FNAEBs) – Definition. Per reference (e), FNAEBs are administrative boards convened to evaluate the performance, potential, and motivation for continued service of any Naval Aviator ordered by competent authority to appear before such a board. These boards shall review and evaluate the overall performance and the specific element of performance or behavior that is the cause of the evaluee’s appearance before the board. These boards are fact-finding, evaluative bodies which shall make recommendations as specified in the “Recommendations” paragraphs of this article, through the chain of command to the type commander (TYCOM).<br>
These boards are not bound by formal rules of evidence and may consider and include in the record any type of evidence deemed credible, authentic, and relevant to the case. These boards are not judicial nor disciplinary bodies and shall make no recommendation for disciplinary action as a result of their evaluations. Any disciplinary action accruing from the same circumstances or events that are the reason for convening an FNAEB shall be kept completely separate from such boards.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Grounds for Convening a FNAEB. A FNAEB shall be convened for all Class A and B flight mishaps except in those cases where the aircrew’s performance is not in question. Normally, for circumstances not involving a flight mishap, the decision to convene a FNAEB is left to the discretion of the respondent’s CO or immediate superior in command (ISIC). Higher authority may direct a FNAEB when considered necessary. A FNAEB should be convened when the following conditions exist:</p>

<p>a. The aviator has demonstrated faulty judgment in flight situations. This may be evidenced by violations of flight discipline or repeated minor incidents of any kind in which aeronautical judgment is a factor.</p>

<p>b. The aviator has demonstrated a lack of general or specific flight skill. This may be evidenced by failure to satisfactorily complete all or any part of a prescribed training syllabus or failure to achieve required qualifications. In the case of pilots this may also be evidenced by mishaps or near mishaps involving pilot skills.</p>

<p>c. The aviator has demonstrated certain habits, traits of character, emotional tendencies, or lack of mental aptitude or motivation that make it questionable to continue the member in assigned flying duties.</p>

<p>d. The aviator has failed to comply with minimum annual flying requirements for reasons within the member’s control.</p>

<p>e. The above conditions are provided as a guide and are not in any way restrictive. Command discretion must be exercised when an aviator is deemed professionally unfit for flying for any reason not specified above.

</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Man Overboards happen. More often on a carrier than a smaller ship. Very seldom does one fall overboard without someone seeing it. The few with which I have been involved that the exact time could not be ascertained, all turned out to be suicide. Overall, on a carrier, usually one or two per cruise. There are always the lovelorn who cannot bear leaving their honey and jump overboard when the ship leaves the pier. An conversely, those who cannot wait to see them upon return and decide to swim the last couple of miles</p>

<p>One thing this series has not really emphasized is just how dangerous a flight deck is, especially at night. Not being able to see what is going on and attempting to work on aircraft, exhausts from aircraft being taxied, can prove deadly. That is why they wear the flotation vests and chem lights. Fortunately the helo can get airborne in 5-10 minutes 24/7 and they are well trained so most man overboards have a happy ending. And lastly, there are a lot of false alarms like on episode one where the XO lost it when someone threw the chem light overboard. There are stern lookouts on duty who are watching for anything unusual in the wake. It is amazing how much a basketball from the hangar bay game looks like a head bobbing in the water.Do many (most) pilots get grounded at one time or another?
Will his career survive?</p>