Hello everyone my name is Gene. I'm a college freshman at 18 years old who dreams of one day in 4+ years to fly amongst the greatest pilots there are. The reason I'm writing this is to discover, for me as well as all of those who are aspiring the same dream, what it's going to be like to be a U.S. Air Force or U.S. Army helicopter pilot. I've been searching through many different forums and I haven't been able to find the right answers I'm looking for. I hoping that all of you present or formal military helicopter pilots can help us out. I would be most grateful. =)
Oh and I do understand the Army has pretty much all the helicopters but I'm still partial to the Air Force (which has at least one or two known helicopters still in service). So I'm trying to stick with flying in the Air Force, but I don't know if both services have the same lifestyles for their helicopter pilots.
Here are some of my questions (all of them concern being a helicopter pilot):
1. What are deployments like? On average, how long are they?
2. How often do you have the opportunity to fly? On average, what age or rank does one generally stop flying?
3. What preparations does one take to be most competitive to earn a pilot position?
4. Where are most helicopters stationed (bases in the U.S.)?
5. Have you ever wished you did something else after you became a pilot? Did you ever regret your decision to become a helicopter pilot?
6. What's the difference between an Air Force and an Army helicopter pilot?
*I will continue to add questions as they come to me*
*Also, if anyone else has any questions, feel free to ask*
Thank you for all your help!
Oh and I do understand the Army has pretty much all the helicopters but I'm still partial to the Air Force (which has at least one or two known helicopters still in service). So I'm trying to stick with flying in the Air Force, but I don't know if both services have the same lifestyles for their helicopter pilots.
Here are some of my questions (all of them concern being a helicopter pilot):
1. What are deployments like? On average, how long are they?
2. How often do you have the opportunity to fly? On average, what age or rank does one generally stop flying?
3. What preparations does one take to be most competitive to earn a pilot position?
4. Where are most helicopters stationed (bases in the U.S.)?
5. Have you ever wished you did something else after you became a pilot? Did you ever regret your decision to become a helicopter pilot?
6. What's the difference between an Air Force and an Army helicopter pilot?
*I will continue to add questions as they come to me*
*Also, if anyone else has any questions, feel free to ask*
Thank you for all your help!
