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Hi, I had some questions on how it is being a WO helicopter pilot in the Army. I am highly considering this as I need a change in careers and long considered the military. Some people say WO are the best of both worlds that you don't get buried in the politics and you don't get stepped on endlessly.
What is a typical day like? How much flying do you do, how much BS do you have to deal with? Were most happy or wanting to get out? Thanks.
I wasn't a WO but was an aviation commander flying Cobras and OH-58s in Europe during the cold war. WOs are the backbone of every Army Aviation Battalion. WOs are considered to be the experts in their field be it flying, medical, technical or maintenance. They (should) focus on improving their skills in their fields and are usually less knowledgeable in other areas. As a Commissioned Officer, I was trained in infantry combat skills, marksmanship (WO qualified with pistols), combat tactics, etc. WOs are 'officers' and still participate doing admin officer duties. But like senior enlisted, W4s are still subordinate to a lowly 2nd LT. Cobras always flew with two pilots be it WOs or WO and plt ldr. Our OH-58's always flew with one pilot (WO or LT/Cpt/Maj) and a trained enlisted scout\observer.
You will find your classmates at flight school are mostly recent high school graduates. Good luck.
I would also like to add that it also depends on how you want to end your career. For instance, some soldiers go in enlisted, get to E-6 and then transition to a WO. They decide to not pursue a senior NCO position, and are happy being a WO.
If you are not interested in rising up the officer ranks, and have no desire to ever get into command, go for it. If you feel that you would like to be a career soldier, then I would finish school and then pursue becoming an officer after you have a degree.
When I was in the Navy, the Army heavily recruited enlisted sailors for the WO program.
Some people say WO are the best of both worlds that you don't get buried in the politics and you don't get stepped on endlessly.
Was that from real WO rotary pilots?
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigFrank3
What is a typical day like? How much flying do you do, how much BS do you have to deal with? Were most happy or wanting to get out? Thanks.
It depends on where you are stationed. If you fear any "BS" don't bother to go into the military. I guess there are irritants in all jobs, it also depends on the personality... My wife and I are both "Private Pilots" and owned a plane for about 10 years. We were amazed how many professional pilots don't eat and dream flying. Maybe because they haven't flown a Cessna 150H at dawn to go eat crummy pancakes at an EAA fly in?
During my 22 years in the Army I probably rode in choppers 50 times? Camp Red Cloud Korea, Osan AB Korea, Fort Mead, Fort Ritchie, .... Ah, how could I forget my four months at Fort Rucker in 84 for the advanced course.
Go for it! Accept it! The military is an experience you will never forget!
ADDED: Ahhhh... I forgot all the chopper induced dust I ate at my brief moment's at Fort Hood...
It depends on where you are stationed. If you fear any "BS" don't bother to go into the military. I guess there are irritants in all jobs, it also depends on the personality... My wife and I are both "Private Pilots" and owned a plane for about 10 years. We were amazed how many professional pilots don't eat and dream flying. Maybe because they haven't flown a Cessna 150H at dawn to go eat crummy pancakes at an EAA fly in?
During my 22 years in the Army I probably rode in choppers 50 times? Camp Red Cloud Korea, Osan AB Korea, Fort Mead, Fort Ritchie, .... Ah, how could I forget my four months at Fort Rucker in 84 for the advanced course.
Go for it! Accept it! The military is an experience you will never forget!
ADDED: Ahhhh... I forgot all the chopper induced dust I ate at my brief moment's at Fort Hood...
I know this is off-topic, belongs in "Aviation" forum, but I have known many military and airline pilots who weren't that much into aviation. One got into it only because he thought flying an F-16 would be cool, and didn't do particularly well. (His ANG unit later kicked him out) I agree, Poncho, how can anyone get into aviation with being into it at the same time? I was a private pilot in high school (senior year) and had ~200 hours when I went to USAF pilot training. In college I had four priorities, in varying order depending on my disposable income that day, cars, flying, beer, and women. A lot of the time flying jumped to first place. (It helped having a girlfriend who was also a sailplane pilot, two birds, one stone.)
My last assignment was at nearby Fort Sill, and I worked a lot with warrants. They seemed very happy with their lot in life, especially the aviators (although at Sill they were generally there for class since Sill has no aviation assets.) The majority of OH-58 aviators I flew with both as a lieutenant A-10 pilot and as a captain FAC were warrants as well, and it seems like they fast-tracked to the cockpit without having to do all that officer stuff pilots generally detest.
One thing is EVERY time I hear a helicopter I go outside to watch them, is this normal or a sign of me liking them? I took a helicopter lesson and it was pretty sick going over the cliffs being so high up.
One thing is EVERY time I hear a helicopter I go outside to watch them, is this normal or a sign of me liking them? I took a helicopter lesson and it was pretty sick going over the cliffs being so high up.
Nothing wrong with being an aviation fanatic... I was the same way as a kid whenever something flew over.
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