Carrier landings no longer required for Navy pilots’ Wings of Gold

Carrier landings no longer required for Navy pilots’ Wings of Gold

Graduated pilots will now complete the carrier qualification during follow on training at their fleet replacement squadron, a Navy spokesperson said.

Navy Ends Carrier Qualification Requirement for Student Pilots

The Navy has ended carrier landing qualifications as a requirement for student tactical jet pilots to graduate with their “Wings of Gold.” According to Task & Purpose, the final undergraduate carrier qualification occurred in March.  Pilots in the strike pipeline — those headed to the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, F-35C Lightning II and EA-18G Growler — will now complete their first landings at sea and get carrier qualified after moving on to fleet re…

Navy Pilot Training Shifts Away from Mandatory Carrier Landings

Washington, DC, Sept. 3 - The U.S. Navy has made a historic shift in its pilot training pipeline, announcing that carrier landings, once a cornerstone of naval aviation training, are no longer a mandatory requirement for earning the coveted Wings of Gold. This change reflects the evolving nature of naval warfare, driven by advancements in technology, shifts in strategic priorities, and the increasing diversity of aircraft in the Navy’s fleet. Fo…