DeltaMikeCharlie Posted June 13, 2006 Report Share Posted June 13, 2006 Heli-o out there, I'm just sitting here wondering how crazy I am to be contiplating what I am contiplating. I am sitting here with the paperwork half filled out to take a tour in the sandbox for a year as a mechanic to pay for flight school. All I can think is it must be a lack of altitude messing with my brain. Any comments on how crazy , sane , or whatever you think I am to do this would be completely appreciated. BTW, what do they call this disease that makes you want to fly this bad? Thank you in advance for any appropriate or inappropriate remarks,Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pogue Posted June 13, 2006 Report Share Posted June 13, 2006 Heli-o out there, I'm just sitting here wondering how crazy I am to be contiplating what I am contiplating. I am sitting here with the paperwork half filled out to take a tour in the sandbox for a year as a mechanic to pay for flight school. All I can think is it must be a lack of altitude messing with my brain. Any comments on how crazy , sane , or whatever you think I am to do this would be completely appreciated. BTW, what do they call this disease that makes you want to fly this bad?Thank you in advance for any appropriate or inappropriate remarks,Dave Sounds like you're crazy enough to be a helicopter pilot... Umm, have you considered going Warrant and getting the Army to train you? If for some reason that isn't possible the tax free does help, and if you reup in theater you get a good bonus tax free as well. What kind of mechanic are you? Transportation companies tend to be higher risk than most since guess who spends the most time on the road. If you're an aviation mechanic it's a different story. FWIW my lessons have been made possible by my tour, and the VA 1607 is going to help (36% of the cost for the profesional pilot protion of the course.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeltaMikeCharlie Posted June 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2006 Poque, Sounds like you're crazy enough to be a helicopter pilot... Umm, have you considered going Warrant and getting the Army to train you? Considered it and tried while I was in, 11years combined active and guard, but at the time they didn't need any and when they finally did I was too old. And have been out so long I lost my GI bill . Time flies when you least expect it. What kind of mechanic are you? Ground, Heavy equipment and generators. Would like to get my A&P, looking at a few collages that would allow me to get my pilot licence at the same time (Time wise). Hence my goal of what I have saved + what I make over there = minimum 90k to take both. Main goal no loans to pay back so the worst that comes out of it is the completion of goals set when I was a kid. Have a good 1 Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pogue Posted June 13, 2006 Report Share Posted June 13, 2006 If you decide to go over it will qualify you for the Chapter 1607 VA (REAP). It's a new educational benefit for Guard and Reserve called up for "contingency" operations. Depending how long you're activated for it pays 40 to 80 percent of the regular benefit. I don't have any regrets about my time over there, but it's a decision you need to make for yourself. Bear in mind that it's not like they report on the news - there's only a couple of areas that are "hot." That doesn't mean you won't experience an incoming mortar round or two, but unless you're doing convoy escort or CA/Infantry/MP work you're probably not going to be around any firefights. If you do go, apply for warrant anyways - they do a lot of waivers and you never know unless you try... Best of luck, whatever route you decide to take. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrchuckf Posted June 13, 2006 Report Share Posted June 13, 2006 Heli-o out there, I'm just sitting here wondering how crazy I am to be contiplating what I am contiplating. I am sitting here with the paperwork half filled out to take a tour in the sandbox for a year as a mechanic to pay for flight school. All I can think is it must be a lack of altitude messing with my brain. Any comments on how crazy , sane , or whatever you think I am to do this would be completely appreciated. BTW, what do they call this disease that makes you want to fly this bad?Thank you in advance for any appropriate or inappropriate remarks,Dave DMC From the sound of your post, Im guessing your contemplating going over as a contractor. As for your question, Only you can answer that question. Is the risk worth it to you. For me it was. Im halfway thru my second tour. A big part of my motivation at first was to finish my training without going in debt. The biggest reason was to get out of debt, which I have accomplished. Now my motivation is different. On my first vacation, my wife got pregnant, and now Im a daddy to a beautiful 6 month old little girl, so now Im saving money to pay off my girls college long beforehand. Im still going to fly, but that has taken a backseat. If your single, then this is a great time to do it. There are so many opportunities in this line of work. You'll meet a lot of great people, and some not so great. If I were single I would do this for 5-6 more years, and then hopefully not have to worry about work for awhile. There are guys in my camp that have been doing this stuff for 10-15 years. If your married, make sure your wife is completely on board with you going. It is very hard being away from your wife (and kids if you have them) But if they are on board, it makes it a lot easier. One good thing though, most places over here have internet access, so staying in touch is not hard. Even when were in the FOB's we have access (Most of the time)Anyway, whatever you decide, make sure its right for you, and your wife (If you have one) Be safe, and if you have any questions feel free to PM me. Good LuckChuck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeltaMikeCharlie Posted July 2, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2006 DMC From the sound of your post, Im guessing your contemplating going over as a contractor. As for your question, Only you can answer that question. Is the risk worth it to you. For me it was. Im halfway thru my second tour. A big part of my motivation at first was to finish my training without going in debt. The biggest reason was to get out of debt, which I have accomplished. Now my motivation is different. On my first vacation, my wife got pregnant, and now Im a daddy to a beautiful 6 month old little girl, so now Im saving money to pay off my girls college long beforehand. Im still going to fly, but that has taken a backseat. If your single, then this is a great time to do it. There are so many opportunities in this line of work. You'll meet a lot of great people, and some not so great. If I were single I would do this for 5-6 more years, and then hopefully not have to worry about work for awhile. There are guys in my camp that have been doing this stuff for 10-15 years. If your married, make sure your wife is completely on board with you going. It is very hard being away from your wife (and kids if you have them) But if they are on board, it makes it a lot easier. One good thing though, most places over here have internet access, so staying in touch is not hard. Even when were in the FOB's we have access (Most of the time)Anyway, whatever you decide, make sure its right for you, and your wife (If you have one) Be safe, and if you have any questions feel free to PM me. Good LuckChuck It seems definate now, going to Houston this weekend to process (sounds like a side of beef)! My little card house crashed but I'm keeping flying in the forefront to keep me going. Chuck, let me know if you don't get this next PM I send U.Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ascott20 Posted July 3, 2006 Report Share Posted July 3, 2006 The disease you have is called AIDS... Aviation Induced Divorced Syndrome:) It's an addiction that's worse than drug addictions and probably more expensive. On another note... Congrats on the baby Chuck!!! Be safe over there... I'll be heading out that way soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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