collegedropout9

General186,

Go back to 1986 and I was a CW2 riding in the back of a C141 to Honduras to go fly Hueys. Talking to those MAC pilots got me thinking. Like you, I found out that it was hard to get a civilian helo job because I could not build hours fast enough in the Army. I determined the best course of action was to get my ratings at a local Mom and Pop flight school. Remember, they are add on ratings, so you can earn your Private, Instrument, and Commercial ratings in much less time because ( please tell me you have a FAA Commercial Rotorcraft rating with Instrument ) of your experience flying Hawks. Possibly you can get IP school from the Army, then get a civilian equivalent Rotorcraft CFI, then go out and obtain your FAA ASEL CFI. It will take time and money, but it is an investment in yourself and your family. Not far down the road in Salina, Ks is a local flight school with Cessna 172’s and CFI’s. You will be surprised at how much of your skill set will transfer from Blackhawks to Skyhawks. I spent quite a few days pulling Medevac at Riley back in the day. Obtaining a 121 pilot job with a Major airline is definitely possible with the right attitude. It’s a fun and sometimes bumpy ride.
Best of Luck.. CD9

Taco280AI

If you want to set yourself up for the airlines at the end of your Army career, get your bachelor's degree and start flying fixed wing now. Gives you plenty of time to get yourself in a good position to make an easy transition. No worrying about hours, ratings, or any career related requirements as you're getting out and looking to relocate. In this case time is your friend to get it all done.

shoelessjoe

As a retired Apache guy also transitioning into the civilian world I completely agreed with Taco. One thing I might add is to get your fixed wing CFI also. Might be able to do it part time and build some time. It will make your job prospects much better.

I tell people all the time the real benefits of my retirement is Health care. Takes a lot of the worry out of changing jobs after retirement.

fiftyone

I agree with many of these recommendations. I think only one person recommended leaving ASAP for the Guard/Reserve. As tough as my final Army years were, I would not leave active duty at 14-15 years TIS. As a high time W2, even the best regional paycheck will be a pay cut. It is a relief to know my mortgage is paid with my retirement check and as another retiree mentioned, my regional check does not go toward healthcare.

Make sure the ERAU degree you seek includes the same transfer credits as the Aernautics degree does.

I did not see you confirm a previous question about you commercial rotor certificate. That is the first and major step. With six years until retirement, you can also pursue the other recommendations of FW certificates if you have the extra money.

porkchopexpress

General, the army FW program is hurting bad right now. Look into it. I was a UH60 CW2 when I applied for the FW course and got it 6 years before retirement. Three years in the King Air, three years in the Citation. I've been retired now for about 18 months spending time with my 3 year old and 10 month old. Time well spent after all of the deployments you mentioned. You will definitely deploy with FW unless you get really lucky, but that's a great time to knock out that degree. Embry Riddle is great, but you might want to look into Excelsior College as well. They have the same accreditation but give a lot more transfer credits for military education than Embry Riddle does.

I'm getting ready to jump into the 121 world in about a year. I have more family matters to tend to before I'll start. Because of my gap in flying I'll have to start at a regional, but all of the guys in my last unit went straight to the majors when they retired (Delta, Jet Blue, Spirit, Southwest). Army fixed wing will definitely hook you up if you can get in. I believe it's a 6 year ADSO.

Side note, I'm also in the PNW and am looking hard at Compass and Horizon to start with. Definitely pros and cons to both. Follow them in the forum. But if you get FW in the meantime and don't take a break when you retire like I did you probably won't need the regionals at all. Good luck.