army helicopter pilots

[bunnyfufu]

i'm a 17 year old in high school with a private airplane single engine land license... is it a good idea to join the army if i want to fly helicopters? what will the lifestyle be like? is there any guarantee that i can be a helo pilot if i join? i could possibly graduate early from high school by taking two classes during summer.

 

[52vincent]

If I were you I would go talk with a recruiter to see what your options are also check out their web-site www.goarmy.com lots of info there. If you go to warrant officer school it is about a year and Iam not sure but I think a 6 year commitment after. Depending on where you are posted you will get to go camping quite a bit ( that is the army version).
Talk with a recruiter and ask about Warrant officer school there is probably a long wait to get in.

 

[Andy Neill]

There is a lot of good info at:

http://www.usarmyaviation.com/lounge.htm

and you can talk to a lot of folks who have been there at:

http://forumco.com/aptap/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=11&CAT_ID=6&Forum_Title=APTAP+Message+Board

 

[bunnyfufu]

how strict are they about the 2 years college credit? would i have any chance of being accepted when i'm 18 without it?

 

[Cecil]

The Army has had in the past a program called HighSchool to FlightSchool. There was no college requirement with this option. Not sure if they still have that program anymore so talk with a recruiter.

Dan

 

[tcoll777]

I have looked into the Warrant officer flight training program for army aviation. This is the program that is often referred to as "high school to flight school". You do not "need" any college to be selected, although it is extreamly difficult to be selected without any. I was told that most of the applicants have some college and/or flight training.

You need to take the ASVAB and get 110 or better on the GT score. Than take the AFAST and do better than a 90. Than the flight physical. Than a bunch of slection boards. It's basically the same packet as OCS applicants, so it is a long process but it's deffinitly possible.

If selected you would first go to basic, than warrant officer school, than you would do your flight training. If you go talk to a active duty recruiter they can give you the specifics. Just ask about the WOFT program. good luck

 

[Andy Neill]

Insert the sound of fingernails across a chalkboard..............

 

[HueyPilot]

WOFT and college

"Highschool to Flight school" was never a formal program. That's just what the warrant officer program was nicknamed because way-back-when you could get a slot if you were 18 and a high school grad.

Not exactly sure these days, but I believe you still do not require any college, but I'd imagine trying to get a slot without post-HS education would be difficult unless you were just one really sharp 18 year-old.

Anyways, I'd wait till you had at least 2 years of college, if not a full 4 year degree. Getting your college degree later in life will prove to be alot harder than you think. Get it over with now, and fly later. You'll thank me later if you do that.

 

[Birdstrike]

I agree with Huey and Andy's comments. 18 is pretty young to go bombing around as a potential flight warrant officer. I'd get the college thing done, at least an Associate's Degree, and cthen ome back at 20 or 22. You'll make a much better pilot and officer with a little more age and experience. The helo will still be there waiting for you. If you like it and want to stay in, you'll eventually need a bachelor's degree anyway to get promoted as a Warrant. It's competitive there too. If you're healthy, in shape, passed the AVSBAT, got an associates's degree, and tell Mr. Recruiter it's gotta be helo's or I walk, 'believe you will get an opportunity. Good luck!

 

[macatstarr]

hey, I'm in the process of applying for the WOFT program, I too would recommend getting some college. The recruiter that i'm working with told me that without at least a 2 year degree its almost impossible to get.
I just got my 4 year degree in aviation and have 5 years prior service as a helicopter mechanic. being cocky, i began the proccess believing that I was a shoe in, but from what i've heard its getting more and more competitive everyday. Maybe because the economy is bad now, but i know all branches have plenty of flight applicants these days. The standards for every branch has gone up considerably
I am 27, if i could go back and be in your shoes I would look into ROTC, or one of the several programs that are in place for wana be military pilots. YOU JUST HAVE TO DO THE RESEARCH!!!!
If you want to talk about it, you can private message me or email me at [email protected] I've looked into every branch and what it takes to get into those programs. good luck

 

[bunnyfufu]

ugh, i flew a R-22B for the first time today.. now i'm never going to be able to stop thinking about how awesome helicopters are

 

[GCD]

OK, but did you try to hover it?

 

[bunnyfufu]

yes.. the instructor, who was also the owner of the helo company, said i controlled the cyclic like i already had ten hours of flight, and i was fine with the cyclic and anti-torque pedals at the same time, too.... when he gave me the cyclic AND the collective, though, i had trouble keeping it under control. he said "sorry, i couldn't let your ego get too swollen"

i guess i will do my senior year of high school and one year of college before applying for WOFT :\

 

[B-J-J Fighter]

I leave this Friday 30 May to fly helos in the Army. I have had a few lessons in a R-22 on my own dime and can you tell you its hard to fly helos. I was all over the place. My instructor keeps telling me "dont move the sticks, just think about it" and that has helped a little. I was a little to heavy handed at first.

 

[OPIE01]

Apply NOW!!!!

How do you know when a Recruiter is lying?
Answer: When ever you see his lips moving.

The Recruiters job is to enlist Grunts not pilots.

20 some years ago, when I was senior in HS, I wanted to apply for WOFT. The recruiter told me that it was 3 times the paperwork for him to do than to just Enlist. He told me that he would do it if I promised to enlist if I didn't get selected for the WOFT program. I said yes. Well about 6 months later the WOFT board met and I was told I was an alternate for WOFT. I didn't know what that ment and niether did the recruiter. He said that I needed to keep my end of the bargin and enlist. So I signed up for UH-60 Crewchief school.

While I was in UH-60 Crewchief school, I was talking to some of the Instructors and told them my story. They told me that if I hadn't enlisted I would probably had be called for WOFT training as an alternate because there are always dudes who couldn't make it. They said that since I did enlist, my name was pulled off the Alternate list so I had to reapply.

I don't blame my Recruiter, he really didn't understand the process like many out there, the WOFT process is confusing.

As far as going HS to Flight school with out a degree, if you are the child of a Warrant Officer, or a Colonel in the Army, or someone else very important, you have a great shot of getting selected without any college. If you are not then it would be be hard to say what your chances are.

My advise: Apply now, don't let the recruiter talk you into anything else. But be prepared to go to college after HS in case you are not accepted. When I was in UH-60 Mech. school on of the other privates told me, "Don't apply now, there is a 2 year waiting list to go to WOFT." I told him, "If I wait 2 years to apply then I won't go for 4 years." So I applied and 6 months later I was at Ft. Rucker learning how to fly.

My point: If you want to fly a Helo, APPLY NOW!!. There are a lot of opinions out there. APPLY to GUARD and RESERVE units, they have just as many slots as the active duty does.

Never let anyone tell you to wait. But you must have a backup plan in case you don't make the cut.

Now on the flip side. How well of a WO would I have been if I would have went right to WOFT and not been a UH-60 Crewchief for a few months. I believe now that I would have not done as well if I hadn't had the extra months to mature. Yes I would probably done well in the flying part. But overall as an officer I would have had some major problems. I was not a mature 18 year old when I graduated HS. I was smart but Inmature.
And becoming a Crewchief has earned me brownie points during the past 20+ years many times.
I was able to relate to the enlisted folks very well, and in every unit I served I quickly earned the respect of the enlisted force becuase I had something in common with them. And I could talk Aircraft Mechanic talk with them.

I am not saying you should become a mechanic, What I am saying is that there is a reason for everything. God wanted to make sure I was ready and muture before I went to WOFT, and having the Mechanic back ground for me was an asset.

Good luck and PM me if you have any questions.

 

[GCD]

Opie is right. Most recruiters do not understand the process, nor do they care to. Their job is to get you to enlist, and they will always tell you it is easier for you to enlist then apply. Rubbish. It's easier for them, not you.

To get the straight scoop, you need to visit your state's entry station. Do a lot of research via internet and land line. I also recommend a visit to www.aptap.org for information from current Army Aviators.

 

[bunnyfufu]

i should apply even though i'm 17 and the minimum age according to the recruiter is 19?

 

[OPIE01]

You must be 18 to go to WOFT. You can be 17 in Basic Training.

 

[OPIE01]

You must be 18 to start WOFT, you can be 17 in Basic Training.

 

[weekendwarrior]

I am currently in flight school at Fort Rucker, and are in class with many High School to Flight School aviators. It is NOT hard to get accepted for this, believe me. Some flight time helps, but is not necessary. The Army needs Warrants right now really bad, and they are taking some people that lets just say wouldn't be the best choice. If you have your head on straight and did well in high school, you have an excellent shot at getting it. It doesn't take long, either. Do get a letter of recommendation if you can from someone in the Army or NG. Yes, it is an official program now. You don't have to seve enlisted first. There is a guy who is 19 and just graduated high school last year and is flying TH-67's with me (he's my stick buddy right now). He'll be flying AH-64's at 20 years old.

Don't let a recruiter BS you. You can do it, but most importantly, find one who knows aviation. Go to an aviation unit and ask if they know a recruiter that can help you. Most recruiters have no clue about flight school or the Warrant program.

Now, if you want to fly part time and pay for college, etc, go guard like I did. The only drawback is they don't have the High School to Flight School program. You have to serve a minimum of 1 year enlisted first. I served 2 years before I got selected. I'll be heading home in about 9 months back to my house, and flying Apaches on the weekend while working and making a good living.

Good luck!