The Student Naval Aviator

CHAPTER ONE

T-34C CONTACT

same basis, each having been exposed to the same material and afforded an equal opportunity to

demonstrate his/her abilities. No two instructors will be identical in their techniques and each

may vary his/her presentation to fit the needs of the individual student.

In order to teach you to fly the T-34C properly, the instructor must criticize! His/her comments

on your performance of the various maneuvers are intended to improve your understanding and

technique. All criticism by the instructor is meant to be constructive in character. The

instructor's sole intent is to instill confidence and develop you into a qualified naval aviator.

Your flight instructor is a vital part of your training. Nonetheless, you must do your part as well.

The one word that you will hear most from your instructor is "PROCEDURES!" In order that

your time in the aircraft can be devoted to the improvement of maneuver performance, it is

imperative that you learn, memorize, and understand the procedural steps required in performing

each of the various maneuvers. Then and only then can your instructor's time with you be

profitably utilized. The instructor is well trained and qualified to teach his/her student, but

his/her success requires the fullest cooperation of the student himself/herself. If you have

questions about procedures or concepts, ask them. Again, knowing procedures, both for normal

and emergency operations, cannot be overemphasized! They must be over-learned so that they

can be recalled in flight, especially during periods of high cockpit workload and stressful

situations.

CONTRACT INSTRUCTORS. Simulator instructors are generally civilians, contracted to the

Navy to provide simulator flight instruction, and teach academics. These instructors are all

experienced military aviators. They are bound by the same instruction as their military

counterparts. The simulator event should be treated just as a flight event. Both events require

the same dedicated preparation and forethought. The contract instructor (CI) is also responsible

for standardization. If you notice a nonstandard maneuver or technique, bring it to the attention

of the standardization officer at the squadron.

107.

THE STUDENT NAVAL AVIATOR

The qualifications to become a SNA are high. The SNA has been selected for flight training by a

screening process that determines his/her superiority over the average American youth with

respect to physical condition, intelligence, ability to grasp and retain new ideas, and apparent

emotional stability. Superior reasoning ability will enable him/ her to combine these talents into

experience that will produce a qualified naval aviator. One critical factor of success, which

cannot be accurately evaluated by the normal selection process, is mental attitude. Mental

attitude, as much as any other factor, determines the ease or difficulty with which the student

progresses through the training syllabus. Under the heading of positive mental attitude come

such elements as willingness to conform to military discipline, acceptance of curtailed personal

freedom and leisure, and the ability to encounter occasional reverses and still maintain

enthusiasm and self-confidence.

Motivation and mental attitude are closely related. The student's motivation greatly affects his

or her mental attitude and consequently his or her progress throughout training. The majority of

students have had little or no previous aviation experience. Flight training is arduous and places

great demands on the student's time and energy. Therefore, motivation plays an important part

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INTRODUCTION TO T-34C CONTACT