Thinking about aviation

Hi guys,

I was thinking about joining aviation. Right now I am a civilian and wanted to get some info about flying. I have some college done but I want to become a WO and fly apaches.

Is there still a big need for pilots?

How many people don't make it into the program?

How long is the flight training?

What are some bases for Apaches?

Any tips for the ASVAB and AFAST?

If I go through the process and don't make it do I have to go into the army or can I still be a civilian and try again later?

Anything I should know about and get prepared for?

Any helpful advice?

Any idea on how many apaches are deployed into Iraq/Afghanistan?


If you can answer any of these questions I would love to know. I am still finding out more info and would like to get it without the help of a recruiter (didn't want to get it from someone trying to fill a quota...sorry any recruiters out there). Thanks for the helps guys.

[Brad]

http://www.goinfantry.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10967

or just scroll down a few threads.

If you have any more questions after that, there's a few aviators around that willl help you.

Good luck!

I tried reading all the information around here before I posted. I these questions are a little different from the questions that were posted on the other thread.

I would appreciate any help.

[Brad]

Is there still a big need for pilots?

Last I heard (as in the last 6 months), the Army was screaming for pilots.

How many people don't make it into the program?

I didn't - There are physical requirements - I failed a very small portion of the vision screening and there was no waiver. If you are in good health and your vision is correctible to 20/20 in both eyes, you're not color blind, and have good depth perception, you're physically qualified.

You have to pass the AFAST test (Army Flight Aptitude Selection Test). I didn't think it was that hard.

You have to submit a packet - you'll need letters of reference and some other things and you'll have to go before a review board. The board will ulitmately determine whether you make it. If you're squared away and don't come across as a moron and there's nothing bad in your past record, you'll probably make it. Information on the packet can be found at the Warrant Officer Recruiting Command website: http://www.usarec.army.mil/hq/warrant/

How long is the flight training?

Training varies depending on what you wind up flying, but figure in the vicinity of a year and a half.

What are some bases for Apaches?

Don't know.

Any tips for the ASVAB and AFAST?

Neither of these are really designed as "study for" tests - they're aptitude tests. But you can go to Borders and buy study guides for both if you're at all nervous about it. For the AFAST, you need to have a basic understanding of flight systems and familiarity with basic flight instruments. If you've flown at all in light aircraft you should be fine. If not, get the study guide. But again, it's an aptitude test - it's not really testing what you already know, but what your common-sense aptitude for flight is.

If I go through the process and don't make it do I have to go into the army or can I still be a civilian and try again later?

If you're applying as a civilian and don't get picked up, there is no requirement that you enlist. If you make it, you'll go to basic just like an enlisted guy, then to WOCS, then to flight school. Whether or not you can try again later if you don't make it would depend on why you didn't make it.

Anything I should know about and get prepared for?

If you're not in shape, get in shape. Think about who can give you letters of reference - you'll need several. Coaches, teachers, bosses, pastors are the best bet for a civilian. If you were applying from within, it would be CO's, etc. I didn't make it to the selection board, but if you can find someone who's been through that process, there are a few things you can do to make a better impression. Hopefully somebody who's been through it will chime in here.

Any helpful advice?

I'll leave this one empty

Any idea on how many apaches are deployed into Iraq/Afghanistan?

nope - but I imagine all of them are in the rotation.

Again, good luck. Hopefully Av8tor or one of the other rotorheads on the board can jump in - we don't see them here very often though...

[Av8tor152d]

Yep Brad pretty much hit most the answers on the head...

And yes us Rotorheads (such a wonderful term) are few on here and we show up everynow and then and put a few words onto the forums..But Anyone is welcome to shoot me an email at anytime just use the link in my profile.

Ummm duty assignments for Apaches ( why anyone would want to fly these is beyond me but hey its still flying)

Lets see...Ft campbell
Ft Bragg
Ft Hood
Ft Lewis
Korea
Germany( soon to be going away though )
not sure if there are apaches at Ft Carson I will research that

Oh and the most popular place for them to be found .....Yep you guessed it Iraq/Afaghan


Although Iraq is a rough spot for them they were built for more of a cold war era Battle many Apache Jocks that I know will agree that the apache is ill suited for an urban type conflict...unlike the 58 they can not look down into the streets as easily and see whats goin on under them. which is one huge advantage of the 58 I just stick my head out my door and can see straight below me at all times.

Well I have babbled enough any other questions I may have missed feel free to shoot me an email

[cincymarsdad]

I'm a civilian private pilot (VFR, nothing fancy). You can get a ride at most little airports for around $50 or so, lasts maybe 45 minutes, they call it an orientation ride, and you will be allowed to fly the plane at altitude. Even better is to find a pilot and ask for a ride - plan to pay for the time operating (and fuel). You won't really learn much in one hour of course, but you will get some notion, if you haven't already.

Obviously, this is fixed wing, not rotary (which costs an arm and a leg), but it at least exposes you to the flight environment. To get your "ticket" (civilian, fixed wing, basic), you needs 40 hours of instruction minimum - it often takes 50-70 hours. Avgas these days (100LL) is over $4/gallon and the whole shebang would run you $4,000 plus - better to let the Army pay for basic flight if you qualify. But as I say, you can take a few lessons yourself and get some familiarity with basic procedures - some navigation, radio work, stick and rudder. Figure on about $100/hour for flying a Cessna 172 with instructor these days. After 10 hours, you CAN solo if your instructor thinks you are ready.