Army WO Flight time

[iketitcomb]

Hello,

 

I have been accepted to the WOFT program and am leaving for BCT on june 1st.

 

I am very excited and ready to learn, I do have few questions. I want to know which Army helicopter is the most rewarding to fly? Which one is flown the most and which one is the most difficult? I am ready to fly what ever the Army wants me to, but I would like to set a goal for myself on what I want to fly.

[AStarB3]

Apache pilots get all the glory, Blackhawk pilots get a beer and a pat on the back for saving the wounded, Chinook pilots do heavy lift and no on cares, Kiowa pilot get the most flight time and all the girls the apache pilots dont want

[BlackHwk27]

The most rewarding to fly? There's only one person who can answer that, and it's you. Each aircraft has it's own unique mission. Truly, as far as flight time goes, it all depends on the unit, the depolyment, and a host of other variables.

 

As you go through flight school, before you select which aircraft you want to fly, you'll fly with a variety of instructors and you'll meet people from the various aircraft communities. You'll make your decision as you go along, and see which community best fits your personality.

[iketitcomb]

I am glad to hear that I will get a chance to in a sense explore which helicopter is best for me. I can hardly wait. My wife is very proud of me thus far!

[permison]

Apache pilots get all the glory, Blackhawk pilots get a beer and a pat on the back for saving the wounded, Chinook pilots do heavy lift and no on cares, Kiowa pilot get the most flight time and all the girls the apache pilots dont want

 

Scouts out baby!!!

[heloidaho]

Congratulations on your selection.

 

Just think about what mission appeals to you most rather than the airframe. They are all unique helicopters and I'm sure you'll enjoy flying them, but "playing with the sticks" is the easy part. Once you learn to fly, you'll be using those skills on missions, so I'd pick it based off what you want to do. Flying is only part of the puzzle.

 

If you're crazy, fly Kiowas. If you want to provide armed escorts, kill tanks and bad guys, fly Apaches. If you want to transport troops and equipment fly Blackhawks or Chinooks. I don't think you can go wrong. You could even end up flying in the new UH-72 Lakotas, which would be interesting.

 

I don't think you can go wrong with any of them, but you can go extra right if you fly 64s. That's my unprofessional opinion.

 

I read 'Low Level Hell' by Hugh Mills, 'Chickenhawk' by Robert Mason, 'Black Hawk Down' by Mark Bowden, 'Nightstalkers' by Michael Durant and Steven Hartov, and even the slightly comical book Apache by Ed Macy. Just read about the history of the missions and you'll maybe find a place where you fit in best.

 

Good luck on your endeavours. I went to aviation boards this week, and with any luck I'll might be down there in the next year. I'll find out in a few days.

[akscott60]

Congrats on selection. Where are you going to basic? I also ship 1 June, and I am going to benning.

 

You choose the mission or the mission chooses you. Then airframe selection is easy.

[iketitcomb]

I am doing BCT at Fort Jackson, SC. I already have my CFI. I just haven't been able to make a living as an instructor. I have always wanted to move to rotary wing, but never had the money. Well hopefully I will see you at Rucker.

[SBuzzkill]

Lucky for you I can tell you the aircraft you will be flying: The TH-67.

 

No need to worry about anything else at the moment. Got a few steps ahead of you before it's time to think about helicopters. Congratulations on getting selected!

Edited May 2, 2010 by SBuzzkill

[akscott60]

You sound like me. I have just under 500 hours, CFII, Commercial multi. All fixed wing. I know of quite a few instructors picked up lately.

 

 

I am doing BCT at Fort Jackson, SC. I already have my CFI. I just haven't been able to make a living as an instructor. I have always wanted to move to rotary wing, but never had the money. Well hopefully I will see you at Rucker.

[BillyBob]

Like others have said, Choose the mission, Not the aircraft.

 

Keep your flying experience to yourself. No need to tell anyone at rucker about that.

[CharyouTree]

Keep your flying experience to yourself. No need to tell anyone at rucker about that.

 

 

Bad advice. Friend of mine was a RW pilot, went to flight school, and didn't tell them when asked. They figured it out the first day in the sim, and he had to see the flight commander about it. There's no need to be lying about something stupid, when they'll figure it out pretty quickly.

[madcityjets]

Bad advice. Friend of mine was a RW pilot, went to flight school, and didn't tell them when asked. They figured it out the first day in the sim, and he had to see the flight commander about it. There's no need to be lying about something stupid, when they'll figure it out pretty quickly.

 

The first day at the flight line during your inbrief you will have to fill out a form with your experience. I definately suggest disclosing your experience. Just don't be "that guy" that thinks they are better than everyone. Your fixed wing time will help, like it did me, with air sense and basic manuvers and that's about it. Once you get hovering done it will be easier, then its on to laps in the traffic pattern doing autos, low level approaches etc. It's a lot of fun!

[Amhuinn]

Howdy!

 

Nice to hear some others going to WOC's

I also have been selected and ship out June 1st. Ft. Sill

 

Hope to see you at Rucker!

[Lindsey]

Howdy!

 

Nice to hear some others going to WOC's

I also have been selected and ship out June 1st. Ft. Sill

 

Hope to see you at Rucker!

 

Hey! Congrats on your acceptance - would you mind sharing your "stats" and any prior flight experience with us?

[BillyBob]

Bad advice. Friend of mine was a RW pilot, went to flight school, and didn't tell them when asked. They figured it out the first day in the sim, and he had to see the flight commander about it. There's no need to be lying about something stupid, when they'll figure it out pretty quickly.

 

Interesting. I know others who kept it to themsleves and never had a problem.

 

Maybe things have changed and they make you spell out your expereience.

 

BTW, I was a FW guy so most things were new in primary and I got sick of seeing my stick buddy gettting different treatment while we were both learning a new skill.

 

Agree to Disagree I guess.

Edited May 7, 2010 by BillyBob

[Amhuinn]

Hey! Congrats on your acceptance - would you mind sharing your "stats" and any prior flight experience with us?

 

 

Sure,

 

22 years old

CFI for Helicopters, CFII

1000 ish hours of flight time

no college

no prior service

 

I have heard that people can get in without flight time, then college helps. But its the attitude that makes the pilot, not the flight time.

Anybody have any tips on how to prepare? ive been studying the TH-67, amongst other things related to basic and WOC school.

 

Thanks,

[justwant2fly]

Im not to sure how long you've been in the Army Helo world and Im not trying to be mean, but it sounds like you either got your info about airframes from a book or from the cold war.

 

Here's my 2 cents on airframes.

I will agree and say to choose the mission. Here's what I've seen. The 58 guys are cool as s*$t. They fly the most of anyone in garrison and in combat. Mainly due to cheap operation cost, and the fact that they are more effective in close combat support.

 

The 64 Guys fly alot in combat but not in the rear. when they are flying in combat they are flying high as crap and doing circles. They arent killing tanks, but they do have there fair share of fun. Its a harder community to come up in as a new aviator. It takes quite a while to become a Pilot in Command. Which means it take longer to become a Instructor or Maintence test pilot.

 

The 47 guys are as laid back as they come. They fly the most NVG's of anyone these days. They dont fly alot in the rear but they do downrange. Very hard to make Pilot in Command, but do to the fact of the complexity of the aircraft. They dont just haul cargo and pax as the post above said. They also do air assualt and medevac and there bread and butter, Sling Loads.

 

The 60 community is somewhat laid back but can be brutal as well. The 60's defintly have the greatest flexability as far as mission. One day it feels like your and airline pilot, then the next day your flying bambi bucket to put out fires. The bread and butter of the 60 world is Air Assualt and Medevac. Air Assualts can be really fun and exciting but can also be alot of flight planning for a flight that never happens. Medevac is extreamly exciting when you have a mission. Now days the Army doesnt really pull medevac duty in the rear which useIf you do go 60's then you could also get a UH-60M slot. Which is a pretty cool aircraft. Its much more powerful and all kinds of cool toys. d to be the best part about medevac. But they do have the most rewarding mission downrange.

 

As far as flight time in the 60 world you can fly anywhere from 100 to 350 hours in the rear, and while deployed your going to fly anywhere from 400 to 1000 hours in a year. OH YEA you will deploy, and OH YEA it will be a year at least, and OH YEA you will deploy minimum 2 - 3 times before your commitment is up.

 

As far as the 72 lakotas. I've known a few guys to fly them they have their fair share of problems, but there are'nt alot of them in the inventory and they are non deployable aircraft which means alot less flight time. They only mission they really do now is medevac.

 

By the way Im a UH-60M guy whos is getting out very soon. The funnest flying I've ever done in my life was in the Army, and I had flown fixed wing for 8 years before I went into the Army. I've enjoyed my 7 years in the Army it was the best decision I ever made. I have flown almost 2,000 hours and have set myself up for a civilian career.

 

Good luck to all.

 

 

 

 

 

[Rob Lyman]

Bad advice. Friend of mine was a RW pilot, went to flight school, and didn't tell them when asked. They figured it out the first day in the sim, and he had to see the flight commander about it. There's no need to be lying about something stupid, when they'll figure it out pretty quickly.

I am surprised anyone was asked to go talk to the commander unless they did not fill out the questionaire accurately. When transitioning from the Navy to the Army and going through the Blackhawk AQC I did not verbally offer up any of my flight experience up front. I did complete the questionaire accurately (for risk assessment purposes).

 

Then the first day of class, they asked us to tell what aircraft we were transistioning from, since this was an EAATS AQC. I said I had been flying civilian fixed wing for the last few years and had last flown in the military 8 years earlier. They pressed me for more details. Once they found out I had 1300 hrs in Seahawks, my instructor laughed and and bragged that this was going to be easy for him.

 

It was a bit adjusting to the military way of flying again, especially the Army way.

 

At the end, I got selected to check with DES after two of my classmates failed their checkride. The DES guy, not knowing my experience, told me it was the best AQC checkride he had ever done. He said I flew better than some of the instructors he has checked. At the end, I 'fessed up and we had a good laugh.

 

There is nothing wrong with not offering up information. In fact, I would recommend keeping a low profile. They will eventually figure it out though. You just don't want them to form preconceptions and opinions about you before seeing your flying. I would NOT recommend lying, denying experience or failing to fill out the risk assessment form correctly.

[Amhuinn]

What are some of the differences between military flying and civilian flying?

Edited May 8, 2010 by Amhuinn

[palmfish]

I am surprised anyone was asked to go talk to the commander unless they did not fill out the questionaire accurately. When transitioning from the Navy to the Army and going through the Blackhawk AQC I did not verbally offer up any of my flight experience up front. I did complete the questionaire accurately (for risk assessment purposes).

 

Then the first day of class, they asked us to tell what aircraft we were transistioning from, since this was an EAATS AQC. I said I had been flying civilian fixed wing for the last few years and had last flown in the military 8 years earlier. They pressed me for more details. Once they found out I had 1300 hrs in Seahawks, my instructor laughed and and bragged that this was going to be easy for him.

 

It was a bit adjusting to the military way of flying again, especially the Army way.

 

At the end, I got selected to check with DES after two of my classmates failed their checkride. The DES guy, not knowing my experience, told me it was the best AQC checkride he had ever done. He said I flew better than some of the instructors he has checked. At the end, I 'fessed up and we had a good laugh.

 

There is nothing wrong with not offering up information. In fact, I would recommend keeping a low profile. They will eventually figure it out though. You just don't want them to form preconceptions and opinions about you before seeing your flying. I would NOT recommend lying, denying experience or failing to fill out the risk assessment form correctly.

 

There's a huge difference between an EAATS transition course and Ft. Rucker IERW.

 

If you're going to Rucker, don't play games (or give the impression that you are).

[BillyBob]

What are some of the differences between military flying and civilian flying?

 

Civilian pilot make money. Military pilots spend money.

[CharyouTree]

I am surprised anyone was asked to go talk to the commander unless they did not fill out the questionaire accurately. When transitioning from the Navy to the Army and going through the Blackhawk AQC I did not verbally offer up any of my flight experience up front. I did complete the questionaire accurately (for risk assessment purposes).

 

Then the first day of class, they asked us to tell what aircraft we were transistioning from, since this was an EAATS AQC. I said I had been flying civilian fixed wing for the last few years and had last flown in the military 8 years earlier. They pressed me for more details. Once they found out I had 1300 hrs in Seahawks, my instructor laughed and and bragged that this was going to be easy for him.

 

It was a bit adjusting to the military way of flying again, especially the Army way.

 

At the end, I got selected to check with DES after two of my classmates failed their checkride. The DES guy, not knowing my experience, told me it was the best AQC checkride he had ever done. He said I flew better than some of the instructors he has checked. At the end, I 'fessed up and we had a good laugh.

 

There is nothing wrong with not offering up information. In fact, I would recommend keeping a low profile. They will eventually figure it out though. You just don't want them to form preconceptions and opinions about you before seeing your flying. I would NOT recommend lying, denying experience or failing to fill out the risk assessment form correctly.

 

 

Exactly the case. He didn't fill out the questionnaire accurately. It didn't seem anyone really cared that he had the experience, but that he failed to note that he had any whatsoever. My IP flew with him once, and said he was a good pilot, but his academics were rather lacking, and I think he actually failed his primary checkride first go around for the same thing. Otherwise, the IPs didn't care...

 

 

You were in Pensacola doing DLQs back in March, weren't you?

Edited May 9, 2010 by CharyouTree