Hi all,

I don't really know where to introduce myself so I chose the place that seamed most fitting.

I began my military life as an Apache helicopter armament tech 12 years ago. At the end of 2008 I went to the Army's Warrant Officer Flight Training program. Nearly two years later I became a Blackhawk pilot. I was sent to the 82nd CAB as a Medevac pilot where I currently fly HH-60M Blackhawks. I truly enjoy my job and feel that it is very rewarding.

 

Welcome Mr. Adams.
Thank you for your continued service and I hope that you enjoy being a part of the APC forums.
How much longer do you plan to serve in the USA and do you have hopes of continuing an aviation career after you get out of the military?

USMCFLYR

 

Thank you.

My current plan is to continue until I reach 20 years of service. Depending on many factors like retirement, family, disposition of the Army, work outside the Army, etc. I would consider trying to make 30 years of service.

I would love to continue with aviation after I get out of the military. I have fixed wing ratings as well so I hope that I can continue outside of the military.

 

Do you have plans to stay rotary in the Army or try to transition to the C-12s for instance?

USMCFLYR

 

Hey there Mr. Adams, I am a fellow Army Warrant Officer myself. I have been flying OH-58D's for the last eight years and have 12 years time in service. I too plan on staying in until 20, and staying in the aviation field when I retire. The big question I have is what is the best way to go when I retire. All the rotary wing jobs seem to require about 2000-3000 hours which I already have and starting pay seems to be around $60,000. The fixed wing side of things interests me also but it seems that the job market is MUCH more competitive and starting salary seems lower as well, but you end up making much more if you stay in long enough. I would like to hear from someone who went through the fixed wing transition to see what kind of job they landed once they got out. Have you considered the FWMEQC MrAdams?

 

Welcome aboard.

How do you like the M model? I flew the HH-60L(MEDEVAC). Currently flying HH-60G in the Air Guard.

 

Thank you for your service!

 

Right now I have no desire to transition away from rotary wing. You never know what the future holds.

I am very lucky that I was able to get the M model transition. I love having moving maps. I flew an A+ for a few hours at the first of this deployment and that helps you appreciate the Mike when you are flying both regularly. It does take a little longer to get started than the A/L but not a significant amount of time. We are always w/u in less than 10 minutes.

I am interested in the same question. When I get out I will choose the type of flying that interests me most. I understand that pay is important but I will have constant money every month (hoping congress doesn't ruin that for us).

I do have a friend from flight school that currently is in Germany flying the MI's C-12's. They do have a pretty good deal. He is in Germany 4-6 months and the desert 2-4 months.

 

Mr Adams,

Welcome to the forum. I am also a helo driver with a lot of fixed wing quals and on the fence about where to go to next to continue my aviation career. You're right when you hear about the helo jobs paying better right now, well at least in my case that is how it's been but there are all sorts of opportunity out there.

Again, welcome to the forum.

PS: Anyone need a helo guy in SoCal? ha-ha