Army Fixed Wing Q
 

Im an E-5 in the Army Reserves, have a ASEL Commercial and Instrument. Is there a way to go straight to fixed wing, instead of helos? Ive heard that I have to spend a few years flying helos before I get into fixed wing. Im elligible for OCS and WOFT program. I've heard that for 121 type of operations, helo time really doesn't matter. Im getting out in March, but I will be willing to suck it up and stay in if I can get into fixed wing flying.

ok I'm not a great source... cause I just got my WOFT packet together...
however obviously you know that Warrants have longer road to go for fixed wing..... and OCS, branch aviation would be the best for fixed wing.... but I believe either way you'll go through IERW


Talk to this guy... he's a character... MAJ Jerry Gray, Army Reserve Aviation @1-800-359-8483 EX 464-8262 or e-mail him at [email protected]

I'm sure the Army pilots in this forum will have better information

Helo time will not count for airline employment at all, except at a few regionals and even then you only get partial credit, and still need significant FW time.

Historically most army flying was RW, with only a little FW. Also, the older guys (approacing retirement) put a premium on FW to enhance THEIR airline application. For this reason it was very hard to get army FW time for junior folks. I have heard that this changing, since the army appears to be acquiring more FW airplanes but there are still a LOT of helos to be flown. Somebody has to do it, and odds are good that it's going to be you.

I don't think army aviation is the best path to the airlines...the USAF has numerous FW and very little RW.

In the Army, you will go through RW training THEN the FW transition. Check out APTAP.org. The USAR, from what I hear, is looking for FW pilots. Best of luck.

Thanks for the info. I have drill this weekend and will get in touch with my Retention NCO and ask her some questions.

If you go guard or reserve you can get guaranteed FW if a unit is hiring for a FW slot. Getting FW time as an AD warrant officer is next to impossible for a good bit. I have a guy who just left our unit for the FW course and he's been a RW pilot for 6 or 7 years probably. It takes a while to get picked up if you do at all as a warrant. As a commissioned officer, if you track blackhawks (that was a new rule as of about a year ago due to the overstrength blackhawk community) it is all about timing. I had a lot of friends (incl my roommate) go from the TH67 to UH60s, straight into the fixed wing course (cessna 182, aerobatic plane, and C-12, then possibly the RC-12 depending on your assignment). Pretty much because of timing most people who wanted it got it when I went through. Then again sometimes the slots never come up. If I was dead set on going FW I would join the AF (what I plan on doing when my army time is up), or get a FW guard slot. Just my $.02. Clue32 can help you out as he seems to be our resident Army FW pilot.

Take Ryan's advice and call MAJ Gray. When I was in IERW there was one Reserve Lieutenant from 6/52 Avn in Los Al that was going straight to fixed wing after his initial rotary wing training. I read over on APTAP a few months ago that 6/52 and 2/228th AVN were both short FW guys. Go in with the team player attitude and offer to deploy immediatly after training. The army is building FW Task Forces like crazy and the aviators have to come from somewhere.

On the active duty side you will have to spend at least one tour as a RW WO guy before being eligible for FW. The recent WO's that we've gotten in who were new to FW were CW3's or CW4's (some of those fours came to us very senior, like BZ for CW5 senior). I have known... 3 guys that were picked up as CW2's, but they all had done two RW assignments before being picked up for FW. The army does reward senior WO's with a FW transition, but it also realizes that we need to grow strong and experienced young WO's in the community, so the whole range is selected.

Our resident Cav pilot hit the AD Lieutenant track right on the money. Your experience will help you in training and may help you stay high on the OML if you study hard. We heard from branch that FW transitions aren't being given out after the MI Captains Career Course, but that may change once the Army realizes they can't keep FW only aviators past 8 years.

Looking at the new bonus schedule, the Army still thinks its better (cheaper) to get skittle-hat pilots fresh from IERW rather than to hold on the experienced ones. "Retention" is a lost concept. :rolleyes:

Right on. I was insulted by the bonus offer last year and while DA has since gotten rid of the completely useless incentives the money offer is still missing a zero at the end. Come on, $8K a year after taxes for three years... that equates to one months pay. Pathetic when compared to what the other services get. Not worth spending three years in a mind numbing staff job, regardless of what branch you are.

I BS with a few C-12 guy's about every week or so when they stop in at Kandahar. According to them (CW4/5's), they are always looking for more pilots and after 500 hours in a C-12, UC-35 transitions are a possibility. If I wasn't ready to retire, I'd jump on it myself.

Bottom line, go with the service that will guarantee you what you're looking for.