For six years, the Naval Aviator Production Process (NAPP) had failed to produce enough first tour aviators to meet fleet squadron requirements. This shortfall resulted in extended tours of duty for current aviators and created a backlog of extra officers in the aviation training program that negatively impacted aviation readiness. To address these concerns, the Navy initiated the Naval Aviator Production Process Improvement (NAPPI) project. The overall goals of NAPPI are to reduce Naval Aviator time-to-train by 33 percent, to significantly increase the number of pilots and Naval Flight Officers (NFOs) sent to operational forces, and to install an ongoing management process.
NAPPI is a three-year program that began in 1998. The scope of the NAPPI effort comprises the entire "Street-to-Fleet" training continuum and extends from the new aviators commissioning to their assignment to their first fleet squadron. In addition to a hierarchical management structure, it incorporates an inclusive metrics package and best of commercial practices production management methodology.
NAPPI was awarded 6 of the first 8 Revolution in Business Affairs (RBA) "Beacon Awards" established by the Secretary of the Navy. Under Secretary of the Navy Hutlin noted: