Is flying involved at the Coast Guard Academy?

I have a huge interest in aviation, and I'm curious if the Coast Guard Academy has any flying programs as part of its curriculum. Are there opportunities to get pilot training there, or should I look elsewhere for that?

As part of the extracurricular activities at the United States Coast Guard Academy, there is the Flying Club. This club provides students with opportunities to familiarize themselves with aeronautical principles and gain practical experience in flight. However, it's important to note that this club primarily serves as a way to supplement the curriculum and is voluntary and separate from the official course of study.

For the official curriculum, there isn't any particular class that consists of pilot training. The academic focus at the academy is more on a core curriculum of math, science, engineering, humanities, and social sciences. However, during the summer, cadets have training opportunities to get exposure to various Coast Guard missions including flight operations.

Upon graduating from the Academy and commissioning as an officer, there may be opportunities to apply for flight school if you become an active-duty officer in the Coast Guard. But the selection is highly competitive and depends on a variety of factors such as your performance at the academy, your physical fitness, and the demand for pilots at the time.

Ultimately, while the Coast Guard Academy will offer you some exposure to aviation, if your primary goal is to become a pilot, it may be more beneficial to consider programs that directly offer extensive flight training as part of their curriculum. Nevertheless, the Coast Guard Academy does pave a potential path to aviation for those who are interested in a military career.