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Current transition to fixed wing from lift?


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Has anyone seen midgrade tracked guys (W2) successfully request a fixed wing utilization slot from branch? Im weighing career options and Im seeing whats out there. Just trying to test the waters before I reach out and get fussed at by branch.

 

Current UH60M ASO.

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I know guys who have tried and every one of them was denied, including a guy who gave branch the option of retaining him as a fixed wing pilot or getting out on an approved UQR.

Thats what Im hearing as well. I just dont understand the thought process.

 

You could

A) Give a pilot a ton of money

B.) Give them no money but a new aircraft and get them twice as long as a bonus does

C) lose that pilot

 

And thats listed least to most expensive in my opinion.

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Just had 2 LTs jump over. Havent seen any warrants. They are pumping out a ton from Rucker now so I think those days are long gone except if you happen to be in the rightplace in the right time. In our local FW spot i have seen the W1s make PC in less than a year so they are definately less expensive than youd think. Plus the Army doesnt make choices based on money when making everyone mad is an option.

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You can query HRC, but they get about 50 calls and emails a week with the same requests. Bottom line, you will not get a FW transition unless there's a medical or compelling reason to do so. Army Aviation across the board is undermanned and under assessed, creating one shortfall to fill another isn't a sound policy. Also, the branch is no longer providing FW transitions as a retention carrot, with very few exceptions, it's now exclusively a direct accession program.

 

If you really want to fly FW your other option is to man up and assess for one of the special mission units that flies FW exclusively, and even that is a long road. A comparable timeline would be to serve out your remaining ADSO while acquiring your FAA FW ratings and make the jump to the airlines like everyone else. You'll probably come out ahead if you amortize your 5 and 10 year plan.

 

Mike-

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You can query HRC, but they get about 50 calls and emails a week with the same requests. Bottom line, you will not get a FW transition unless there's a medical or compelling reason to do so. Army Aviation across the board is undermanned and under assessed, creating one shortfall to fill another isn't a sound policy. Also, the branch is no longer providing FW transitions as a retention carrot, with very few exceptions, it's now exclusively a direct accession program.

 

If you really want to fly FW your other option is to man up and assess for one of the special mission units that flies FW exclusively, and even that is a long road. A comparable timeline would be to serve out your remaining ADSO while acquiring your FAA FW ratings and make the jump to the airlines like everyone else. You'll probably come out ahead if you amortize your 5 and 10 year plan.

 

Mike-

 

Mr. stearmann,

 

Forgive me for my ignorance on this subject; when you say special mission units, are you referring to FW assets that ferry SF and rangers/equipment etc. to overseas battlefields or ones that provide a jump platform for purely training purposes? Do these assets fall under a contingent of the 160th? This stuff sounds intriguing!

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Mr. stearmann,

 

Forgive me for my ignorance on this subject; when you say special mission units, are you referring to FW assets that ferry SF and rangers/equipment etc. to overseas battlefields or ones that provide a jump platform for purely training purposes? Do these assets fall under a contingent of the 160th? This Let's

 

All please table the conversation about "who does what, for who" due to potential classification issues.

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