Longbow64

Hi, I was just wondering if anybody out here used to be in US Army before being an airline pilot? If yes, can you share your background and how you started your career as a pilot. I'm in the Army now, and just thought it would be interesting. Thank you!

hangaber

Go get your multiengine fixed wing ticket and get some time. Then at the airline interview, sell yourself as a fixed wing pilot with some helicopter time, instead of a helicopter pilot with some fixed wing time. At one interview, one airline (I forget which) didn't even want to count my helicopter time.

scarface

I was an active duty Marine Corps Huey pilot who went in the Pa. Army National Guard and flew OH6s,Hueys and Chinooks for about 10 years. I used that money to help pay the bills while I built up my fixed wing time flying in low paying flight instructor, commuter and corporate jobs. You can use your helo time to supplement your aviation resume but you need to kick the door down with fixed wing time.
Managed to get on to a cargo carrier and now fly 767s. I wish you the best of luck.

rickair7777

The bad news is that unless you can scam a lot of military fixed wing time, you will have to work at a regional airline, at least in the beginning.

Lots of ex-helo guys here at SKW, they are one of the few airlines that gives you credit towards minimums for rotor time.

Obviously if you can get some army fixed wing time, that would take care of your ratings, then you could CFI if you needed more total time.

You can also use the GI bill for flight training, but you get a lot more bang-for-the-buck going to college if you haven't already.

rusty737

Try to get assigned to one of the Army OSA detachments flying C-12's, C-35's and GV"s (You will probably have to suck up a bad deal first). I was a USMC Huey pilot that went this route and was hired at a legacy when I retired. Good luck.

Scout

The airlines have plenty of former and current Army Aviators. The key is networking with former Army/other military pilots when the time comes. Most flew Army Fixed Wing for at least 8-10 years before they got hired. You don't say whether your already an Army Aviator or not and if your Active Duty or a Reservist. These are all very important to what you want to do. However, first of all, get your degree (4 year) if you haven't already done it. Count on flying helicopters for 6-10 years first. If you’re an Active duty Warrant Officer you will have to compete for a Fixed Wing slot, if you’re a Reservist or Guard Officer it will be up to the needs of the unit. As far as "scamming" (rickair7777) military fixed wing time there are plenty of places to do that, most are in places you've never heard of, except of course Korea, Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan. PM me and I can tell you how I did it. Best of Luck!

MikeB525

Why exactly is helicopter time not always looked upon favorably by airline?? Helos take more skill to fly.

ToiletDuck

just grab your inkpen and a logbook. Get a nice cumfy chair. Grab a nice cold glass ofyour fravorite whiskey. Put on some blues music. Crack open that logbook and go flying!!!!!! Weeeeeeee!

rickair7777

Legitimately, it takes different skills and procedures. A few airlines will give you credit for helo time, so obviously the experience, if not all of the skills, can transfer.

Also, the airlines in general are fighter-jock intensive...

BIGBROWNDC8

I was a US Army Helo only guy in the Army. OH-58, UH-60's...

Never got the FW transition, asked for it several times, was denied (of course)... I started building my FW time (SE and ME paid for with the GI Bill) while still on active duty and also got into debt about $35,000 to get enough ME FW time to be taken seriously as a FW pilot. (Yes, flying Helos is more difficult, but the airlines dont fly helos... nuff said)

I also made friends with a former Helo guy who was a CP at a regional and he got me an interview. Worked at the regional until I logged enough time to get a few interviews at the Majors.

I got lucky I guess, DAL, AA turned me down and TWA, NWA and UPS hired me, I went with my gut and now Im at UPS. I feel like Im one of the lucky ones... What I mean is, there are not too many US Army Helo only guys walking around...

Try this website... http://aptap.forumco.com/default.asp

Its a great site...

BBDC8