About VT-NA The
Naval Academy Training Squadron, VT-NA, is a professional training
organization at the United States Naval Academy dedicated to the
cultivation and training of our nation’s future Naval Aviators. VT-NA
seeks to introduce future aviators to the principles and skills of
aviation by maximizing training and exposure opportunities. VT-NA is
the first step in educating the Midshipmen of the Naval Academy about
the Naval Aviation community. The United States Naval Academy is
the largest single commissioning source of Naval Aviators in the
country, and plays a crucial stage in training before aviators arrive
at Pensacola. VT-NA’s long-term goal is to produce the highest caliber
aviators by exposing Midshipmen to the fundamental elements of aviation
as early as possible, so as to develop a fond and deep understanding of
the profession, and cultivate a passion of flying in future Naval
Aviators.
What We DoSince
our inception, VT-NA has generated a dramatic rise in interest from the
Brigade of Midshipmen. Beginning from a relatively small group, VT-NA
has increased to an active all-volunteer staff of over 30 Midshipmen,
with a membership
of more than 400 aspiring aviators. The Squadron maximizes Midshipman
exposure to the field of aviation through a variety of activities, to
include briefs from current and retired Navy pilots and flight
officers, trips to aviation museums and centers, and visits to active
sites such as Patuxuent River and Potomac Air Traffic Control
facilities. VT-NA’s primary mission in developing aviators involves
active flight training, including FAA and Introductory Flight Screening
ground school, as well as simulator training in part time task trainers
donated from Pensacola. The hallmark of VT-NA’s flight training is the
Naval Academy Soaring Team, a team of 30 midshipmen who are learning
the principles and precision of flight by training in gliders. The
United States Military has used glider training since World War II to
develop and hone its top aviators to handle and control its
multi-million dollar platforms. The Naval Academy Aviation Squadron
also prides itself in its FAA and Navy Introductory Flight Screening
Ground School classes.
Our VisionThe
midshipman and officer leaders of VT-NA understand that Naval Aviation,
now more than ever, is in need of the highest quality aviators. Because
the Naval Academy represents the largest single precommissioning source
of Naval Aviators, it is a prime opportunity to augment and enhance a
future aviator’s overall training. With this in mind, VT-NA hopes to
continue to expand its operations, to include enhanced simulator
facilities, continued trips to aviation related sites in the region, a
robust speaker series to ignite the passion of aviation and a fully
self-sustaining Glider Team. Our mission is to develop Midshipmen
into the most prepared and competent Student Naval Aviators the Naval
Academy has ever produced. Furthermore, VT-NA seeks to adequately
prepare future Naval Aviators for the rigors of Pensacola, and ensure
the highest possible retention rate in one of the militarys most
demanding and necessary curriculums. We also aspire to represent the
United States Naval Academy and the US Navy in the highly competitive
inter-collegiate flying competitions with the 144 flight universities
around the country, including Embry-Riddle, The University of North
Dakota, Purdue, and the U.S. Air Force Academy. |