Army Aviator Daily Duties ?

[Fly4Tatt2s]

So as a prospective Army Aviator I had a question. I am curious how often as a Helo Pilot you fly and what is a typical few days like ?
Thanks in advance!

 

[Ben Stiller]

I was a warrant officer flying UH-60's and got out in 2001. I was stationed at the 101st, Korea etc. I flew 1000 hours total in my 7 years. Subtract out 200 hours for pilot training. I was your average Pilot-in-Command. Instructors flew more but I didn't want the additional commitment. Very little flying and a lot of sitting around. If you deployed you'd fly, if not, you sit. If you want to serve your country and be a soldier go for it...if you want to fly and become an airline pilot get your CFI and instruct or go guard/reserve. Check out www.aptap.org


Good luck!

 

[Traderd]

My experience is much the same. I flew AH-1s on AD for 4 years and did another 16 in the Guard flying 60's.


On AD if you're deployed and not a W1, you'll pretty much fly every day depending on where you're at of course. If you're a W1 count on being someone's "LAO" (you'll learn). Home station, it really is variable but plan on throwing a lot of darts, walking around the PX or loading up on "additional duties" such as Field Sanitation Officer, Supply Officer, EO Officer and so on.


The Guard is usually better especially after W4. Show up, plan and fly. Better yet, show up have some W1/2 plan and then fly! Of course Drill weekends can get pretty slow depending on OR rates and such.


If you want to fly a lot, but only a tenth or two at a time try becoming a Maintenance Test Pilot. I think it is a pretty good gig in the Guard, but can really suck AD.


Also consider AGR; pretty much the best deal going if you want to make the military a career. Just remember the deployments will be around for a long time to come.



Good Luck!!

 

[Fly4Tatt2s]

I have no problem with being deployed, in fact going in at this time my guess its a pretty safe bet that I will be. Just trying to decide if I go WOFT from civilian for minimum 6 yrs or go enlisted for 4 then WOFT. We will see.

 

[earl]

I have no problem with being deployed, in fact going in at this time my guess its a pretty safe bet that I will be. Just trying to decide if I go WOFT from civilian for minimum 6 yrs or go enlisted for 4 then WOFT. We will see.

That is a no brainer. Go to WOFT, do no go enlisted for 4 then WOFT. If you get accepted to WOFT then do it. I turned 21 during WOCS back in 90 and had 4 years in the Guard prior to that. My recruiter to AD told me that the best way to get into flight school was to be enlisted first. What a crock! If you are single and want to travel and see the world then go for it. Just remember you will go from diapers to manhood in 44 weeks.

earl

 

[Hobit]

Speel"Just trying to decide if I go WOFT from civilian for minimum 6 yrs or go enlisted for 4 then WOFT."

Why would you like to enlist first if your goal is flying?

Don't let a stranger (recruiter) talk you into a course of action you never intended on executing. He/She aint your friend!

If you like flying... FLY and that's it.

Press hard for it...

BTW, the 6 year commitment starts the day you pin your wings on your chest. This day comes after DEP,Basic,WOCS,Primarmy,Instruments,BCS, Nights (NVG's), and WOBC. (Bubbles pop up from time to time also- these stretch that wait)

That day can be up to a year and a half from the day you walk under the arches at "Relaxin' Jackson" for day #1 of Boot Camp.

That makes your total commitment something like 7.5 years.

Great friends, Great Times and some not so great times...

Good Luck

 

[Ben Stiller]

Here's the deal with recruiters. If you go enlisted he'll put you in quickly and get credit for you right away. If you try WOFT it could take years and chances are he's PCS'd by then...no credit. When I applied, I had 3 different recruiters because they kept on PCSing. Who got the credit? So obviously the recruiter wants you to enlist!

Good Luck