Originally Posted by
e6bpilot
The days of helo guys transitioning platforms to fixed wing are pretty much over. Of course, there are onesies and twosies, but with manning what it is today, most communities are loathe to let their good pilots go, and the gaining communities don't want the trash. The best way, honestly, to make this happen in the Navy is to go FTS or SELRES with a VR unit and not to stay active duty and endure the pain that comes with AD officer promotion.
Hi, Navy helo guy here. My peers have flown C-12's for their shore tour, T-34's/T-6's at CNATRA and ranges, VX-1, Individual Augmentee billets, numerous other random assignments. My favorite was the exchange pilot with the Spanish Navy that racked up 100+ hours in a Citation.
As far as the trash comment, I will take that as a complement, since we do refer to ourselves as rotor trash. We do all the dirty work while you burn holes in your pedestal in the sky with a wire.
AND since I've done my homework as a Navy helo guy who sees no future in civilian rotary wing flying without another 1000 hours, I am happy to report that the majority of operators will count some if not all of your total time when applying. Hell, even Atlas Air will count 100% of rotary wing time, and
50% of your multi engine helo time. Even I think that's a little ridiculous, although very much to my advantage. Sure the majors won't, but with a couple years of some 121 or 135 in your logbook, it won't matter anyway.
Originally Posted by
e6bpilot
Best way for a guy who selects helos to get fixed wing time in the Navy:
Kick ass as a helo guy (or you are done from the start)
Go to a VT command
Go FTS/SELRES when your commitment is up
Of course, this would require the obligatory 2 year boat tour, but if your timing is good, YMMV.
Completely false. The guys who kick ass stay in the helo community. VT's are not desirable, and C-12's etc are a surefire career ender, which is fine if that is what you want. Honestly, the best way to get fixed wing time as a Navy helo pilot is to fly outside the Navy. That way, you don't burn any bridges in your military career.