Voski

Hey everyone,

I am looking for some input regarding career direction. I am a rotary-wing pilot in the Army and have enjoyed much of my time in thus far. I'll be eligible to leave the service in 2018 and am currently weighing my exit options.

I have always been highly interested in an airline career with the desire of eventually becoming a pilot for a major/legacy carrier (as is 99% of people that want to fly 121). With all the movement at the regionals and projected retirements at the majors, it's going to get interesting in the years ahead. In the same breath, I am excelling at my current job. I have been rewarded with some great opportunities and have upcoming opportunities that are exciting. Even though I enjoy my work, the main reason I'd stay active duty is for the 20 year retirement.

So what it ultimately boils down to is this: is getting out worth it?

The military retirement is extremely appealing, but missing out on 12 years of potential seniority in a time where hiring is hot may ultimately be a night/day difference in quality-of-life and earning potential. There's a lot of Air Force/Navy/Marine fixed-wing drivers on here that face the same dilemma, but they're military fixed-wing pilots; they usually need a handful of 121 time to be considered for a major. I would still need a lot of a turbine fixed-wing time... and I'm not sure how the majors view military service and flight experience as a helicopter.

Any input would be much appreciated!

V

deadstick35

Two things: build f/w time. Get your CFI and find a school. Also, figure out where you want to live when you ETS, and start finding a Guard/Reserve flying slot. It'll help with income when after you're out and will help you stay current.

kme9418

Army Pilot to Airline Pilot:

APTAP.org - Professionals Helping Professionals

ApachePhil

There are many variables, but my military retirement is worth $2-3M. While it isn't guaranteed, it is as secure of an income source as any...for the time being. I was just hired by a major airline, at 45 years old, and my earning potential is estimated at $3M. So, I am glad I stayed to get my military retirement.

Like you, I was an Army aviator. I lucked out and was able to get a fixed wing position for my last 7 years. I got 3000+ hours and that, no doubt, was the reason I was called to interview at several major airlines. I did have 1000 hours of FAR121 time from 2000-2002 time during a break in service.

My 4500 hours of helicopter time didn't help get me an interview at all. Tho, at the interview, it scored points, created great conversation, and was probably a reason I was offered jobs at 3 major airlines.

Back to the luck part...I became retirement eligible during a hiring frenzy.

My advice...If being an airline pilot is a major goal in your life, do it. Transition to the Army Guard, where you live - don't commute to drill. You will have to start at the regionals and it will be fairly painful, but guys do it all the time. The Guard will supplement your income and create reasons to be home a couple times a month. If you luck out and get a fixed wing slot, your time at the regionals will be a bit shorter than if not.

Butcher

Concur with everything ApachePhil says....I was a USMC Cobra pilot who transitioned to the USAF to fly U2s my last several years before retirement to get the necessary fixed wing time to get hired by the majors...been working for Delta for a year and loving it...at a minimum stay in the Guard/Reserves to help augment your income until you can land a job at the majors - also, it's better to get the military retirement later than life than to never get it


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Voski

Thanks for the advice thus far. I already qualify for the R-ATP and have all my F/W ratings -- fixed-wing time is obviously important, but there are regionals I currently qualify for so long as the hiring spree continues. Moreover, I am familiar with APTAP -- but the website is relatively dead with lots of dated information both on the website and the forums.

ApachePhil, thank you for the advice. I could see how the Guard could severely curb the pain of the junior airline years. Regarding ARNG/USAR, I like the simplicity involved in not commuting to drill. However, I have been contact USAR F/W units and have found they are interested in me since I am a dual-tracked IP/TACOPS guy. The problem is that almost all of the locations hiring for FW do not share nearby bases for the regionals. If the minuscule amount of military fixed-wing time earned in a C-12 (maybe eventually a UC-35) in a reserve capacity isn't worth the hassle of commuting, I might as well stick around in helicopters. If it's that much a of a resume enhancer, maybe commuting would be worth it.

Congratulations on getting job offers at three majors! Certainly your fixed-wing time was important, but your military service as -64 driver probably made you stand out from the thousands of resumes on file; you weren't just another pilot with a degree.

Voski

Talk about a unique lateral transfer and airframe transition! While the retirement is significantly less, you're right -- it's a good safety net. At the very least, the healthcare benefit alone makes it worthwhile to stick it out. Thanks, Butcher.

Sliceback

For many majors helo time = zero so the more f/w time you get now the sooner you'll rate higher among the candidates at the majors. I wouldn't say "oh, I've got X hrs f/w so I'll be ok." Don't settle because you meet the regionals requirements. The goal is to meet the majors requirements ASAP. Foot on the gas until you get hired.

If you can crank out enough f/w time in the next 3 yrs to get hired a couple months earlier the effort you put in during the next 3 yrs will be worth it over the length of your 121 career.

If you can fill the 'military f/w' square it will rate higher than 'military helo time' at some carriers.

Go ANG/ARNG/USAR, etc and get your reserve retirement.

Good luck.

Voski

Point taken and thank you for the input. I'll continue to push -- even if it means more PIC piston time. It sounds like every little bit helps.

Sliceback

Didn't see it mentioned - get a four year degree. Yesterday ....