F-16 to Blackhawk or Herc

[av8instyle]

Anyone here ever transition from fighters to blackhawk rescue/hercs?

I am debating making the change for QOL and am wondering about the positives/negatives.

Thanks in advance

 

[f18pugsley]

I went from Hornets on AD to Hercs in the reserves. It's ugly, but it's slow.

I really am enjoying the C-130, it is a great airplane to fly. I wish now there was a way to get the Navy to pay me to learn to fly helos and keep flying the Herc.

Some pros:
- No Topgun briefs (2 hour brief/ 3-4 hour debrief for 1.2 flight time)
- I have seen more of the world in 2 years of the C-130 than I did in 10 years of the Hornet (Lithuania, Iceland, Switzerland, Bermuda and Spain were on two of my better trips last year.)
- No piddle packs
- For me (3 hour commute to either a fighter reserve unit or a C-130 reserve unit), reserves work out better going on 3-8 day trips rather than going to the unit and getting flights 1.5 hours at a time.
- I am kind of low time, so 56 hours in an 8 day trip helps build time quicker than the 9.6 I would get flying in R2508 in a comperable 8 day period.
- No shortage of flying money (read drill days). In Navy VR, we are always getting money from the other naval reserve components.

Some cons:
- 200' and 450 KIAS was my favorite kind of flying. You don't exactly light your hair on fire in the Herc.
- No BFM
- getting to the head over 75 pax on a 9.5 flight to Hawaii blows.
- A lot of the hercs are old and all have a lot more moving parts, so they can break a lot. It is a great platform that will bring you home with almost any failure, but you may be stuck somewhere for a while. I have had an 8 day trip turn into 14 (makes for a rather unhappy wife sometimes ).

Overall, I am happy with the change, but I would probably say go with the first unit to hire you.

Pugsley

 

[Hawg68]

I have bud in the squadron that flew Blackhawks first, then F-15 now A-10s. I can put you in touch with him if you want to PM me.

Hawg

PS Rolltide!!

 

[PureMuscle]

Out of curiousity, why do you want to switch from fighters?

In about three years or so I may be joining the Navy or Airforce to fly fighters. Any info would help.

 

[Hawg68]

Out of curiousity, why do you want to switch from fighters?

In about three years or so I may be joining the Navy or Airforce to fly fighters. Any info would help.

Not sure what his reasons are but I have a lot guys go to heavy's or trainers to allow for more free time with the family. As a reserve or guard fighter guy you are looking at a minimum of 6 days a month to remain current. The heavy squadrons demand about a 1/3 of that. The flying is great, but it takes time.

Don't hesitate for the fighters. It's worth it and you can always go heavy later, but you can't go the other way.

Hawg

 

[psysicx]

How often do navy reserves have to fly in to maintain currency?

 

[PureMuscle]

I have some questions regarding the Navy/Air Force, but I'm thinking it may be worth making another thread for it.

I read some other threads about the differences between the Guard, Active duty, and Coast guard, but I would love to hear the differences (pros & cons) between the Air Force and Navy. I always hear a lot of knit picking going on between the two but its just fun and games. What are the real facts?

 

[Hawg68]

I fly in an Air Force Reserve squadron and we have (or have had) 4 former navy/marine pilots. Here are some of the pros/cons I here them complaining about:


1. Air Force is more restrictive on regulations and procedure. They laugh at the number of regs we have to prevent us from making decisions on our own. In short, they say we sweat the small stuff and are more uptight than the Navy/Marine side of the house. That's what they say anyway. There seems to be some truth to it as they all say it, but I have no personal experience with the gold wing side of things.

2. They say a boat tour is the best and the worst all rolled up into one. Being away from home for months is not great, but the flying you do off the boat is unmatched.

3. Plus for the Air Force is they say our jets are in MUCH better condition and maintained better than what they flew in the Navy. I would have to agree as I have flown a couple of their birds and they were rough.

4. Finally, no one will argue that the AF has the nicest bases, jets and good deals. We don't sleep on ships (or in tents if you are the Army). Most seem to say we get all the "good deals".

To me the biggest factor is the 6 month boat tour. If you are up for that then go with the heart. It's like picking what jet you want to fly. No matter what you pick you will always love it. For me, not so much on the boat thing. I have really enjoyed my experiences with the AF and wouldn't trade it for anything!

One more thing. You of you asked how much a Navy Fighter has to fly each month. I am not sure what the exact answer is, but any "tactical" airframe is going to require more time/sorties to maintain currencies.

Good luck with your decision.

Hawg

 

[av8instyle]

It's not that I WANT to switch from fighters, it's that I live at my airline base because there are not enough commutable flights at my guard base and I have been given the opportunity to switch to a guard unit that is also the same location as the airline base. That would be no commute, less time required at the guard, and more time with my wife, 6 year old, and 3 year old boys.

I love the F-16, but at some point I need to decide just how much flying that thing is really worth in terms of home sacrifices. I leave home for a week every month to do the guard thing. If I took the other job I'd be home virtually every night.

 

[PureMuscle]

Thanks a lot for the replies Hawg and Av8.

Av8, I understand the responsibilties for sure. I believe if I were in your position I would make the same move. If you didn't have a family, do you think you would stay the fighter route?

 

[psysicx]

av8 isn't hard to maintain currency when you have to commute.Do you just spend a few days to get your flights out of the way?

 

[av8instyle]

Puremuscle - If I didn't have the kids It would be an easy choice. I'd fly the F-16. But if I had to do it all over again I'd still have the kids.

Psysicx - I am required six sorties per month. I usually give six days availability in a row and average a sortie a day. Since we fly 2-3 go's a day this allows me some leeway if one cancels/wx/ a jet breaks, etc.

 

[JimBo480]

I have a friend who went from flying the A-10 on active duty to a blackhawk with the guard (or reserve) in Alaska. He said he loved it, but it took awhile to get used to the extra speed of the blackhawk.

Jim

 

[Hawg68]

And don't tell me....He was happy to be able to out run flocks of birds now....

Nothing like an original joke...

and that was nothing like one....

BTW.. Thanks to all the lawn dart boys for testing so many AcesII seats. We in the Hawg community really appreciate it.

Hawg

All in fun boys...........

 

[AlbieF15]

AV8,

I also stuggle with trying to juggle life around to the required sorties, but living near my unit makes it work okay. I imagine the commute for you is a pain...

Not to play too much devil's advocate, because I'm a family guy like you and the wife and kids are center of my life.

There is a question you need to ask, however. If you have to go to war, which airframe do you want to fly? Do you want to be doing CAS, BAI, DCA, or SEAD? Or do you want to be flying a spooky helicopter in on rescue missions? Or doing tactical insertions in a C130?

Another question--how long will it take to get current and proficient in a new jet? You have already invested a whole lot of your life into the Viper. I know some of your airline experience will transfer to a heavy, but I have NO idea who difficult learning the new way of flying in helicopters would be. The time you "save" not commuting might be burned in training learning your new job. Any of those jobs will likely require NVG and seat upgrades, and you know those will take time and energy as well.

Either way--appreciate your service. If you do leave the Viper, they are losing one of their community's best cheerleaders. Wish your whole crew the best either way you go...

War Eagle!

 

[psysicx]

Wouldn't it be easier to live at your unit and commute to your airline job?

 

[TR4A]

I love the F-16, but at some point I need to decide just how much flying that thing is really worth in terms of home sacrifices.

Have you considered a AFR Cat E job (Points Only)? Two main Cat E jobs are Civil Air Patrol Reserve Assistance Program (CAPRAP) and Academy Liaison Officer (ALO). You work out of your house and can set your own schedule. I did CAPRAP for 12 years in three states. Not much pay in it.

 

[hawg2hawk]

I have a friend who went from flying the A-10 on active duty to a blackhawk with the guard (or reserve) in Alaska. He said he loved it, but it took awhile to get used to the extra speed of the blackhawk.

Jim

That wouldn't be T.R. would it?

 

[JimBo480]

You are correct sir! I lost track of T.R. after I left Alaska in 1998.

It's a small world, Jim now living in MSP

 

[av8instyle]

Thanks for the comments.

Albie - Thanks for the kind words. I'm sure it will take a while to get fully operational in a new frame. These are the details I still need to find out. I tried living at guard base and commuting to airline job. And in most instances that would be the way I'd go. However, In my situation it doesn't work as well. We have only two flights daily to get to the airline base, and with a two option requirement in our commuter policy it means I spend an entire day off at airline base for every trip I fly. It sucks.

To be quite honest, I'd probably get out of the military if this industry were more secure. I love flying the Viper but I'm missing my kids grow up.

TR4A - That's a thought, I may look into it.

 

[dtfl]

av8instyle...although you are an AU grad I'll be glad to offer some advice.
I have flown with some fast-slow mover guys - they seemed to like the fact that the community is more laid back - of course, if you go AFSOC C130s (if you want to PM me first - I flew AFSOC for years) that won't walways be the case. As far as transition to the 130 - depends on which one you fly and what unit. The J model is probably a SHORTER course then the old Es and Hs. Also if you get into a spec unit with Js like the ECs out of PA - then there is no real "TAC" training.
Our unit is going thru Tac training as we speak so I am only Assault qualed. meaning - hardly any requirements.
Been activated yet? If you go to a C130 unit that has not been - you will be soon.
Lots of things to think about - worst case - tng on an E or H 3-4 months at Little Rock unless you can work anin unit upgrade. J model - maybe 2-3 unless you can work in unit upgrade. Oh - H2s train in ATL at Dobbins...if that helps.