Every Warrant Officer tracks helicopters out of flight school at Ft. Rucker. Annually, the requirements for the Fixed Wing course are posted and if you meet those requirements and submit a DA Form 4186 through your chain of command up to Department of the Army, you have a shot of getting it.

The year I got accepted (1998), the requirements were as follows:

-PCS status
-No ADS0 (active duty service obligation)
-Certain amount of actual weather time (which I had)
-Graduate of the Army Instrument Flight Examiners course (which I was)
-Top block OER's

There was a year back in the late 80's or early 90's when DA was letting Warrant Officers who were the top graduates of their flight class go directly to the fixed wing course. However, they have since stopped that and I am uncertain why.

The RLO's have the option to do either and most take helicopters because it is better for their Army career to do so. If you get a 60, Delta model or Apache and get stationed in a line unit, the chance to shine is greater for them. This results in good OER's (Officer Evaluation Reports....report card) and quicker promotions.

Warrant Officers only need to be high school graduates to fly in the Army. You will need to have a degree to stay competitive with your peers the longer you stay in. I had a BA prior to entering and opted to be a Warrant because they do the flying in the Army. The position of a Army Warrant Officer is much like the position of a LDO in the Navy in that we specialize in a certain area. This has been changing over the years though. You now see Warrant Officers commanding small companys, detachments, etc.. We are cheap labor for the Army and always do a great job.

Hope this helps clear up any questions you may have.