the easy route
03-20-2007, 12:11 PM
#11
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,242
Originally Posted by 9999
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.
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.
Is there an age limit?
-LAFF
03-21-2007, 06:05 AM
#12
On Reserve
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Mar 2007
Posts: 17
Originally Posted by Nortonious
Yeah, kinda worried about your motives there Prospect Pilot. Your post is titled "easy route" and you don't want to do a 2-4 year college degree. I dunno man, but seems like life tends to reward effort.
03-21-2007, 06:53 AM
#13
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2006
Posts: 349
Originally Posted by LAfrequentflyer
Is there an age limit?
-LAFF
-LAFF
03-21-2007, 09:52 AM
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2006
Posts: 349
Here you go. http://www.goarmy.com/about/warrant_officer.jsp
- Have a high school diploma.
- Be at least 18 years of age at the time of Regular Army enlistment and not have passed your 33rd birthday when the board convenes. High school seniors may also apply. If you are 33-34 years of age, you may request a waiver.
- Be a citizen of the United States.
- Score 90 or higher on the revised Flight Aptitude Selection Test (FAST). FAST test results are valid indefinitely as long as verifiable official records exist. No waivers are available for failure to meet the minimum FAST score.
- Earn a minimum of 110 General Technical (GT) score on the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) (non-waivable as well). The GT score is one component of the ASVAB results.
- Meet the Active Duty Army's screening height and weight standards.
- Take a complete physical exam at a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) and meet entry medical fitness standards as determined by military medical authorities no more than eighteen months prior to the date of application. Must also undergo a Class 1A Flight Physical Examination in addition to the one conducted at the MEPS and have results approved by Flight Surgeons at Fort Rucker, Alabama, prior to the selection board. The Flight Physical must also be less than 18 months old.
03-21-2007, 04:18 PM
#15
New Hire
Joined APC: Feb 2007
Posts: 9
9999 has it right.....but the requirements for FW transition are not as bad anymore......it's still hard to get picked but......all you can do is try....
500 hrs
50 PIC
PCS status
and some more stuff......but no other crazy stuff thankfully
500 hrs
50 PIC
PCS status
and some more stuff......but no other crazy stuff thankfully
03-21-2007, 04:36 PM
#16
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2007
Position: BE-76
Posts: 353
Do those PIC hours include civilian fixed wing experience, or just military?
Ah, here's an oddie for ya...what is the height minimum for the army? With the USAF it's 5'4''...so as loadmaster on the C-130 I had to have a height waiver, as I am 5'2''. Wasn't a big deal, just had to do any task that would be questionable as to my physical ability with the big wigs watching...put in some paperwork...and wait 3 months.
Hurry up and wait. :-D
Ah, here's an oddie for ya...what is the height minimum for the army? With the USAF it's 5'4''...so as loadmaster on the C-130 I had to have a height waiver, as I am 5'2''. Wasn't a big deal, just had to do any task that would be questionable as to my physical ability with the big wigs watching...put in some paperwork...and wait 3 months.
Hurry up and wait. :-D
03-21-2007, 06:32 PM
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2006
Posts: 349
Originally Posted by planecrazyjenn
Do those PIC hours include civilian fixed wing experience, or just military?
Ah, here's an oddie for ya...what is the height minimum for the army? With the USAF it's 5'4''...so as loadmaster on the C-130 I had to have a height waiver, as I am 5'2''. Wasn't a big deal, just had to do any task that would be questionable as to my physical ability with the big wigs watching...put in some paperwork...and wait 3 months.
Hurry up and wait. :-D
Ah, here's an oddie for ya...what is the height minimum for the army? With the USAF it's 5'4''...so as loadmaster on the C-130 I had to have a height waiver, as I am 5'2''. Wasn't a big deal, just had to do any task that would be questionable as to my physical ability with the big wigs watching...put in some paperwork...and wait 3 months.
Hurry up and wait. :-D
As long as you can reach the pedals and sit comfortably in the cockpit, you are good to go. When I first came in, back in 86 there was a maximum height restriction for the 58 drivers and I want to say it was 6'5. That is a pretty confined area for a tall guy.
03-21-2007, 07:06 PM
#19
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Joined APC: May 2006
Position: Left Seat
Posts: 279
Hey There Prospect,
I can tell you that there is no such thing as an" easy route". Not having a degree and being young (19-30) doesn't sit well with the airlines come interview time. Regionals will hire you without a degree if you have a good resume, a good interview and sim ride. But you must show that you have done something with your life since deciding to be an airline pilot. Speaking from experience, I am 35 and just landed my first airline job in the regionals after a year of instructing. And without a degree, thats the limit, majors require a degree as well as UPS, FEDEX and so on. I do not have a degree, but I did have my own small building company for 10 years and walked away from it to pursue my true passion. I earned my ratings and certificates while running the business and raising a baby. Let me tell you, college is the easy route. If you are determined and disciplined and have something else to offer the airlines to prove you have the ability to handle the workload required then go for it. Otherwise I would pursue your degree and then the sky is the limit for you. For me, after my time in the regionals I will start thinking fractionals. Again, they prefer a degree, but not required if your a (great) pilot candidate.
Hope this gives you some insight from someone without a college degree but knows the importance of having one.
I can tell you that there is no such thing as an" easy route". Not having a degree and being young (19-30) doesn't sit well with the airlines come interview time. Regionals will hire you without a degree if you have a good resume, a good interview and sim ride. But you must show that you have done something with your life since deciding to be an airline pilot. Speaking from experience, I am 35 and just landed my first airline job in the regionals after a year of instructing. And without a degree, thats the limit, majors require a degree as well as UPS, FEDEX and so on. I do not have a degree, but I did have my own small building company for 10 years and walked away from it to pursue my true passion. I earned my ratings and certificates while running the business and raising a baby. Let me tell you, college is the easy route. If you are determined and disciplined and have something else to offer the airlines to prove you have the ability to handle the workload required then go for it. Otherwise I would pursue your degree and then the sky is the limit for you. For me, after my time in the regionals I will start thinking fractionals. Again, they prefer a degree, but not required if your a (great) pilot candidate.
Hope this gives you some insight from someone without a college degree but knows the importance of having one.
03-22-2007, 07:51 AM
#20
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2007
Position: BE-76
Posts: 353
Originally Posted by CH-47Driver
That's PIC military......I really don't know about the height....but as you know there are waivers for everything......there are booster seats for the chinook.......lol ....I was just kidding....
....I was just kidding.... Life savers in the C-172 as well. All kidding aside, I've used the pillows, and phone books when I first started out in the 152. Now I just use the back pillow to get me closer to the rudders. Maybe I grew .25 since then. ha.Thanks 9999.
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