Professional Flight Instructor (PFI)
The purpose of the Professional Flight Instructor (PFI) Board is to provide 1310 and 1320 officers with the opportunity to continue serving as Professional Flight Instructors beyond the Department Head milestone. This program offers an alternative to the traditional Naval Aviation sea/shore rotational career path. The PFI program is a key component in managing the talent of Naval Aviators, particularly those who desire to remain in flight instructor positions. By leveraging the fleet experience and instructional skillsets of officers throughout their careers, this program enhances officer community manning flexibility and improves the return on investment from aviation training. PFI program quotas are primarily driven by CNATRA manning requirements and will therefore fluctuate from year to year based on individual community needs. For more information about the program, please email the program manager.
Program Manager
Current Fiscal Year
FY23 PFI Message
FY23 PFI Application
FY23 PFI Results
FY22-1 PFI Message
FY22-1 PFI Application
FY22-1 PFI Results
Professional Fleet Aviator (PFA) Pilot Program
The Professional Fleet Aviator (PFA) pilot program provides an alternative career path for aviators to maintain currency and proficiency in their assigned Type/Model/Series (T/M/S) aircraft. This program addresses critical officer (O4) manning gaps in operational sea-going commands. Officers selected for the PFA program will serve 36-month fixed-length tours, rotating between sea and shore duty assignments, and incurring an initial service commitment of six years. Yearly quotas are community-specific, focusing on staffing needs within sea-going operational commands. Shore duty assignments will prioritize T/M/S-related Duty Involving Flight Operations (DIFOPS) billets. These billets support critical community production needs, including Fleet Replacement Squadrons (FRS), Wing staffs, the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center (NAWDC), and VX/HX test squadrons. More detailed information can be found in the PFA Fact Sheet or by contacting the program manager.
Program Manager
Current Fiscal Year
FY27 PFA Message (Coming Soon)