CNATRAINST 1542.166 — Primary Syllabus
Navy Primary Syllabus
Typically 6–9 months at Whiting Field or Corpus Christi for ~70–90 events including sims. Both wings share the CNATRA P-series FTIs; course rules and call signs are wing-specific.
Stage sequence
- 01
API / Ground School
~10 weeksNASC, NAS PensacolaAerodynamics, aerology, engines, navigation, water survival, parachute/ejection training, swims.
Source: CNATRAINST 1542.166
- 02
Contact (C-blocks)
~25–30 eventsVT-2 / VT-3 / VT-6 (Whiting) or VT-27 / VT-28 (Corpus)VFR / aero. Stalls, spins, aerobatics, OCF recovery, normal / configured patterns, ELP, T&Gs, full stops. Ends with C4901 check-ride.
Source: CNATRA P-764 — Primary Contact T-6B FTI
- 03
Instrument (I-blocks)
~20–25 eventsSame squadron, mostly RCPScan, PAT, 6 Ts. Approaches: VOR, VOR/DME, LOC/LOC-BC, ILS, PAR, ASR, no-gyro, GPS/RNAV (LNAV). Holding, point-to-point, circling.
Source: CNATRA P-765 (INAV) + P-771 (IFP Workbook)
- 04
Formation (F-blocks)
~10–15 eventsSame squadronRelative motion, parade checkpoints, A-B-C correction priority. F4101–F4103 parade form. F4201 solo. F4301–F4304 section / tactical.
Source: CNATRA P-766 — Primary Formation T-6B FTI
- 05
Navigation / VNAV (N-blocks)
~6–10 eventsSame squadron, off-stationDD-1801 flight plans · EFB / ForeFlight EKB. Pilotage / DR / GPS. NAV4102–NAV4290 cross-country VFR. 1–2 CCX possible.
Source: CNATRA P-767 — Visual Navigation T-6B FTI
- 06
Wings & Selection
—End of PrimaryStrike (T-45) / E-2C2 (T-44) / Helo (TH-57 / TH-73) / Tiltrotor / Maritime / USCG.
Source: NSS-based
The two primary wings
Both wings fly the T-6B and share the CNATRA P-series FTIs (P-764, P-765, P-766, P-767, P-771). They differ on course rules, OLFs, working areas, and call signs.
TraWing-4 (TW-4)
NAS Corpus Christi, TX (KNGP)- Primary VTs
- VT-27 Boomers, VT-28 Rangers
- Course rules
- COMTRAWINGFOURINST 3710.14 (Feb 2025)
- Standard.
- CTW-4 1552.1 Encl 1 (Mar 2025)
- OLFs
- NOLF Goliad (KNGT), NOLF Waldron (KNWL)
- Areas
- MUSTANG, FOXTROT, KINGS 4, SEAGULL, CHEETAH
TraWing-5 (TW-5)
NAS Whiting Field, FL (KNSE)- Primary VTs
- VT-2 Doerbirds, VT-3 Red Knights, VT-6 Shooters
- Course rules
- COMTRAWINGFIVEINST (not yet sourced)
- Standard.
- Wing-specific FWOP / VT-10 study guide
- OLFs
- Choctaw (KNDZ), Brewton (KNDA), Site 8/X et al.
- Areas
- Multiple working areas over the Gulf / FL panhandle
CNATRA squadrons
| Squadron | Wing | Base | Aircraft |
|---|---|---|---|
| VT-2 Doerbirds | TW-5 | NAS Whiting Field, FL (North) | T-6B (Primary) |
| VT-3 Red Knights | TW-5 | NAS Whiting Field, FL (North) | T-6B (Primary) |
| VT-6 Shooters | TW-5 | NAS Whiting Field, FL (North) | T-6B (Primary) |
| VT-27 Boomers | TW-4 | NAS Corpus Christi, TX | T-6B (Primary) |
| VT-28 Rangers | TW-4 | NAS Corpus Christi, TX | T-6B (Primary) |
| HT-8 / HT-18 / HT-28 | TW-5 | NAS Whiting Field, FL (South) | TH-57 / TH-73 (Helo Advanced) |
| VT-31 Wise Owls | TW-4 | NAS Corpus Christi, TX | T-44C (Multi-Engine) |
| VT-35 Stingrays | TW-4 | NAS Corpus Christi, TX | T-44C |
| VT-7 Eagles / VT-9 Tigers | TW-1 | NAS Meridian, MS | T-45C Goshawk (Strike) |
| VT-21 Redhawks / VT-22 Golden Eagles | TW-2 | NAS Kingsville, TX | T-45C Goshawk (Strike) |
| VT-10 Wildcats | TW-6 | NAS Pensacola, FL | T-6A / T-45 NFO |
Advanced track selection
Strike
T-45 Goshawk
Fleet
F/A-18, F-35C, EA-18G
Path
TW-1 (Meridian) / TW-2 (Kingsville)
E-2 / C-2 (Strike Tango)
T-44 Pegasus
Fleet
E-2 Hawkeye, CMV-22 Osprey
Path
VT-31 (Corpus)
Maritime
T-44 Pegasus
Fleet
P-8, E-6 Mercury
Path
VT-31 / VT-35 (Corpus)
Helicopter
TH-57 / TH-73
Fleet
MH-60R/S, MH-53E, CH-53K, MQ-8B/C
Path
HT-8 / 18 / 28 (Whiting South)
Tiltrotor
T-44 + TV-22
Fleet
MV-22, CMV-22
Path
VT-35 + HT-22 → MCAS New River