UNCLASSIFIED// ROUTINE R 281530Z SEP 18 FM CNO WASHINGTON DC TO NAVADMIN INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC BT UNCLAS NAVADMIN 241/18 PASS TO OFFICE CODES: FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1// INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1// MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/SEP// SUBJ/FY-19 AVIATION PROFESSIONAL FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR BOARD// RMKS/1. This NAVADMIN announces the convening of the FY-19 Aviation Professional Flight Instructor (PFI) Board in November. The PFI Program is a career path initiative that allows well-qualified pilots and naval flight officers to serve continuously as flight instructors beyond their department head (DH) milestone. This path is an alternative to the traditional sea/shore rotational career path associated with operational service and for officers who do not wish to pursue command opportunities. The PFI career path offers greater assignment stability for selected officers and their families and provides professionally and personally rewarding experiences shaping the development of our newest naval aviators. 2. PFI is a new program designed for the Navy to optimally manage the talents of its aviators. PFI provides flexibility in officer community manning and improves the return on investment from aviation training by leveraging the fleet experience and instructional skillsets of officers throughout their careers. Applications from qualified 1310 and 1320 lieutenant commander and commander aviators are now being accepted for the 20 November 2018 PFI board. Full-Time Support and Selected Reserve officers are not eligible to apply. 3. Qualifying assignments for the PFI Program include, but are not limited to: fleet replacement squadron, primary, intermediate and advanced flight instructor tours. Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements: a. Completed or currently serving in either an operational or operational-training aviation DH assignment. b. Completed a prior tour flying in aviation production. c. A projected rotation date (PRD) in calendar year 2019. d. At least 36 months remaining before statutory retirement date. e. Officers who do not meet these eligibility requirements must submit a waiver request with their PFI application. Waiver requests require a commanding officer (CO) endorsement. 4. Submit applications and any waiver requests via encrypted e-mail to jeffrey.creighan(at)navy.mil with applicable CO endorsements. E-mail subject line should reflect *Board Package: FY19 Aviation Professional Flight Instructor Board.* If no means of electronic correspondence are available, application packages may be sent to: Navy Personnel Command, PERS-432F 5720 Integrity Drive Millington TN 38055-0000 5. Applications, waiver requests and other eligibility documentation must be received no later than 13 November 2018. All non-eligibility supplemental information for the PFI Board such as transcripts, letters of recommendation or current fitness reports must be received no later than 16 November 2018. 6. Officers selected for the PFI Program incur an obligation to execute no less than 36 months in a qualifying billet. Upon notification of selection by Strike Fighter Squadron Department Head Detailer (PERS-432F), officers will have ten business days to accept or decline this commitment. Failure to respond within ten days can constitute declination of the PFI opportunity. Formal selectee conversion to PFI will occur no sooner than current tour PRD. 7. Officers selected for PFI will be awarded additional qualification designator (AQD) for classification and tracking purposes. PFIs are no longer eligible for command consideration and future orders will retain the PFI within Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) production assignments until the member either retires, voluntarily withdraws from the PFI program or fails to meet performance standards for continued PFI duties as outlined in paragraph 8. 8. PFIs play a critical role in the development of our newest aviators, therefore the highest standards of performance, safety and instructional ability must be maintained. Continued participation in the PFI program will be contingent upon the recommendations of the CO, documented in annual fitness reports. Suspension or removal of the PFI AQD for reasons of performance, professional aptitude or safety concerns will be considered by the Director of Aviation Warfare Assignments (PERS-43) at the recommendation of CNATRA. Officers not recommended to continue as a PFI will revert to traditional sea/shore rotational assignments based upon needs of the Navy. 9. Officers may voluntarily return to operational aviation service upon completion of at least one qualifying 36-month PFI assignment. 10. For further program details, eligibility and application procedures, visit the Navy Personnel Command Aviation Bonus website at https://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/officer/Detailing/aviation/Pa ges/Professional-Flight-Instructor.aspx. 11. For submission questions, contact LCDR Jeffrey Creighan, PERS-432F, at (901) 874-3986/DSN 882, or via e-mail at jeffrey.creighan(at)navy.mil. 12. Released by Vice Admiral R. P. Burke, N1.// BT #0001 NNNN UNCLASSIFIED//