Is it hard becoming a chopper pilot?

[freddern 0]

Hi all.

This post is about how difficult it is becoming a chopper pilot.

I'm asking here because I think it may be that some of you are chopperpilots. (hopefully)

The reason why I'm asking is because I want to go in that direction when I join the military (wich will be the norwegian military).

I'm just wondering what kind of qualifications a guy/gal must have. Hope to get some good answers.

aye.

[Badgerboy 0]

It depends from force to force, but for aircrew its mainly medical qualities you need.

When you apply, its better to specifically request that branch. I believe you can fly choppers as either an NCO or an Officer. It would actually be quicker to do it as an officer, as getting to the rank of NCO takes a little while.

[Balschoiw 0]

What country do you come from freedern ?

Every army has different requirenments.

[freddern 0]

Norway

and also I do not mean strictly just requirements...

I rather mean what kind of person one's got to be. I know it must be hard.

[Sneaky 0]

As far as I have understood it, you dont get to choose what you will fly if you become a pilot. You will be placed in either a Falcon, a Hercules or a chopper of some sort, depending on where you are needed the most.

But flying military aircrafts is quite demanding I believe... You get a truckload of info from all directions all the time, while you at the same time have to make decisions and actually perform those decisions. I dont know you, but I doubt I'm smart enough for that

But of course, Flying helis must be alot of fun, so go for it if you can

[RSM123 0]

First off most modern Air Force pilots will be officers not noncoms. Noncom aircrew still fly in the rear as gunners or winchmen in Search & Rescue helicopters - but to be a pilot you'll almost certainly need to go for a commission.

Here in the UK - competition is very high. They have strict standards for things like vision, dexterity, heart / lung capacity, etc.

Regarding academic - you should look at the different entry options ... do you intend to enlist straight from school at 18 ? Or do you want to atten university to get a degree ? If so you should ask about scholarship entry as there are probably programmes where you can get your study paid, and get flight training practice, if you sign up for a minimum period (usually 6 - 12 years depending on the country.)

Here RAF officers in ground duties must serve 16 years to get a full pension, whereas aircrew officers get a pension after 12 years - so you cuold graduate through pilot training, and retire at 35 ... plenty of time to go and work for S.A.S earning Å50,000 per year on top  

Furthermore if you are a graduate of university you go in one rank higher. In UK the lowest commissioned rank is Pilot Officer, but with a degree you would be commissioned as Flying Officer either immediately, or within a short time.

Your best option if you have not would be to read here :

http://www.mil.no/luft/

Email them and ask for free literature on your career options regarding study, training requiirements, medical standards, etc.

Also try these beginners course to see if you're good enough.

http://www.hurtwood.demon.co.uk/Fun/copter.swf

http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/rockface/game/index.shtml

Good luck to you.

[RSM123 0]

Here is the RAF Careers page :

http://www.ukmfts.mod.uk/pages/current/raftraining/pilot.shtml

The courses will not be exactly the same - but very similar.

[freddern 0]

Must a pilot be able to fly both choppers and planes?

Yes, I'm planning on joining the military when I'm 19. (When I have finished scool.)

[RSM123 0]

This is a copy / paste from the RAF link above :

RAF Flying Training - Pilot Training

Entry

Student pilots join the RAF in one of 2 ways:

Through the University Air Squadrons (UASs).

As Direct Entrants.

Initial Officer Training

All officer student aircrew complete a 24-week Initial Officer Training (IOT) course at RAF College Cranwell.

Elementary Flying Training (EFT)

EFT comprises the UASs and JEFTS. All students, irrespective of background, receive common core groundschool training and EFT. Depending on their type of entry into the Service, students fly either 62 hours during a concentrated course on the Firefly at RAF Church Fenton (or, occasionally, at Barkston Heath/attached to a UAS) or up to 90 hours on the Bulldog/Tutor, during their university studies, at one of 15 UASs. The continuity of the JEFTS course accounts for the difference in flying hours of the 2 entry schemes. On completion of EFT students are streamed fast-jet, multi-engine or rotary.

EFT Course Standards

To progress beyond EFT both UAS and JEFTS students are required to pass a Final Handling Test. Notwithstanding the different lengths of the UAS and JEFTS syllabuses, common course standards and assessment procedures ensure a common EFT output standard.

Fast-Jet Stream

Pilots selected for fast-jet streaming progress to BFJT on the Tucano at RAF Linton-on-Ouse. The 124 hour BFJT course is designed as a lead in to fast-jet ATTU at RAF Valley. On successful completion of BFJT, students are posted to the ATTU to complete advanced flying training, tactics and weapons training on the Hawk. At the end of this course, pilots are assessed for either single or 2 seat operations and most progress to an Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) prior to joining a front-line fast-jet squadron. However, approximately 3 pilots a year are selected to attend the CFS Tucano course at Topcliffe and 2 pilots per year remain at RAF Valley. These pilots spend their first tour of duty as "Creamy" Qualified Flying Instructors (QFIs) and then go to the fast-jet front-line.

Multi-Engine Stream

Approximately half of all ab-initio pilots destined for multi-engine (ME) training are directly streamed and complete a 30 hour Multi-Engine Lead-In (MELIN) course on the Firefly. The remainder of the annual intake comprises students restreamed to ME from elsewhere in pilot training. All are posted to 45® Squadron at RAF College Cranwell to complete either a 70 hour, 45 hour or 30 hour AFT course on the Jetstream, before progressing to an OCU and a front-line squadron.

Rotary Stream

RAF rotary wing pilot training is conducted at DHFS, RAF Shawbury. The RAF course comprises a 37 hour basic phase and an 30 hour advanced stage, both of which are conducted on the Squirrel. Following this, students undertake 64 hours of multi-engine flying on the Griffin before completing 12 hours SAR training. Successful students then progress through Operational Conversion Flights to front-line squadrons.

The RAF Flying Badge

In all cases, the RAF Flying Badge (Wings) is awarded to pilots on completion of ATTU/AFT.

....................................................

To answer your question - no you do not have to learn jets and helicopters. All pilots go through the same course, those that pass flight training and want to fly helicopters or transports, etc go off to Operational Conversion Units to learn that particular type of aircraft (the best candidates from each class usually get to choose where they go, the rest go where they are needed.)

If you apply to fly the Lynx or Sea King you will not have to qualify on the F 16 or Tornado first. It would not be necessary - and it costs the military a lot of money - about Å3 million to train a fighter pilot.

[RSM123 0]

What you might like to try doing is a :

http://www.google.com Search for IQ Tests or Aptitude Tests as there are many free ones to test your verbal skills, maths skills, ability to spot 'odd one out' symbols, etc.

They are the sort of tests the military evaluation officers will put you through quite early on to see what you know, and also how you think.

You will also need to practice debating skills, because as an officer you will be commanding men, and they will need to have faith in your abilities as a leader so you cannot be shy or too quiet. You need to analyse a problem, plan how to resolve it, and implement the plan. Of course they will train you - but it helps if you have prepared in advance as it shows them you made an effort, and gives you a head start over lazy candidates who think they know everything.

I really do suggest you email the RNAF website for specific information as they are the only ones who can state for sure what they require from a candidate.

But if you have any more questions I will be glad to help if possible.

[shadow 6]

RSM123 pretty much explained it all. UK and Norway have a lot in common when it comes to recruiting and training pilots.

I'm not 100% (so don't take my word for it) but I think the two first years of actual flying will be done in those old propellar planes at Vćrnes (Trondheim).

Why becomes a helo-pilot in Norway?

All we got are Sea Kings, Lynx and Huys?

None of them are armed btw.  Where's the fun in that?

After basic training request a transfer to Ft. Rucker, Alabama and become an Apache pilot or CP/G  

That's what I would have tried if I still was 19  

I served in ground-equipment during my year of duty at Andřya.

I have no experience with any of the three helos, but I was aboard a Sea King once while I was at Andřya airbase. The crewchief let me fly a little. Never had as much fun in my whole life.

I was about to get a ride in the gunner's pit aboard a Cobra once. But in the last minute the squad-leader (head of the pilots) had an training-assignment for the crew  

[MSpencer 0]

You need to be steady on the hand, and have perfect eyesight too.

[Bobcatt666 0]

Well in the US Army you gotta be a at least a a warrant officer or a full commssioned officer to get behind the control stick of anything. Unless your maintaince then you can be an NCO and test fly because your repairing the birds. Flew a couple of Hueys once beinf part of the aircrew the lead flight officer wanted everyone on board to know how to fly incase somebody had to take over in combat. He was a slick commander in Nam and did a few tours so we kinda all got personal training on the bird. And taught to take off fly and land it. Road two birds into the ground so I now avoid the damn choppers or flying ingeneral, seeing didn't end up a crispy critter. Remember reading about the differnt mentalities between rotory winged pilots and fixed winged pilots.

Winged pilots are usually happy go lucky types where chopper pilots are the opposit, knowing any time they go up might be their last time if stomething goes wrong. Most choppers its a long way down you don't jump and use a chute like in ofp. =)

[Bernadotte 0]

I went through a cadidacy program for free civilian chopper pilot training and made it to 20 out of 500.  Unfortunately, they only selected 18 that year.

Ultimately, you'll need to know:

- more about aircraft's mechanics than the average mechanic;

- more about civilian and military air regulations than the average lawyer; and

- more about weather than the average meteorologist.

Furthermore, you will need to be in excellent physical (and mental) health with nearly perfect uncorrected vision.  Even then you may fail the competition because of a family history of diabetes or heart disease.

In most cases you will have sole command of a resource with greater value than a typical middle-sized company.  In fact, it's probably easier to become the CEO of a middle-sized company than a chopper pilot.

Good luck!  

[raedor 8]

I went through a cadidacy program for free civilian chopper pilot training and made it to 20 out of 500. Unfortunately, they only selected 18 that year.

Ultimately, you'll need to know:

- more about aircraft's mechanics than the average mechanic;

- more about civilian and military air regulations than the average lawyer; and

- more about weather than the average meteorologist.

Furthermore, you will need to be in excellent physical (and mental) health with nearly perfect uncorrected vision. Even then you may fail the competition because of a family history of diabetes or heart disease.

In most cases you will have sole command of a resource with greater value than a typical middle-sized company. In fact, it's probably easier to become the CEO of a middle-sized company than a chopper pilot.

Good luck!

hu! really?

i didn't think that it's that hard!

[Bernadotte 0]

hu! really?  

i didn't think that it's that hard!

All commercial or military choppers have gas turbine (jet) engines and all-weather navigational aids, which rarely cost under 1/2 million dollars.  Maintenance costs, insurance and fuel can double that.

Now consider your cargo!  Killing a corporate exec can wipe billions from a company's share value that no insurance policy will cover.  Air transport firms must be very selective about who they trust at the controls.

What would have happened if a US military chopper pilot hadn't crashed into another aircraft during the hostage rescue attempt in the Iranian desert, in 1980.  Jimmy Carter might have been re-elected.  No Ronald Regan.  Arguebly, world history was changed by the skill of a chopper pilot.

[Sneaky 0]

Why becomes a helo-pilot in Norway?

All we got are Sea Kings, Lynx and Huys?

None of them are armed btw.  Where's the fun in that?

Were most likely gonna get NH-90 soon

Not likely to be armed, but you might get to use something thats new in the military. THAT is sensational

[raedor 8]

Now consider your cargo! Killing a corporate exec can wipe billions from a company's share value that no insurance policy will cover. Air transport firms must be very selective about who they trust at the controls.

hm, yes, that sounds evident.

[Jinef 2]

I fly Sea Kings for the RAF. Most of what has been said is true and I just have one thing to add:

Do Not Call Them Choppers

They are rotary wing aircraft or Helicopters.

Oh and yeah they are quite expensive, it costs the taxpayer Å25,000 for every hour i fly.

Helicopter training is less expensive than fast jet, so I basically got a PPL and a degree before I applied and made myself as attractive to the requirements as possible.

Good mental arithmetic (getting the right answer in a fairly quick time while doing other tasks) is important.

Good luck.

[freddern 0]

What's RAF?

[GoOB 0]

What's RAF?

The Royal Air Force, her majesties own flight corps and one of the coolest* organizations I know of.

*Coolest as in historical achivements and impressive techniques used. Not as in "Oooh, I want to become a RAF pilot and wear a leather jacket!"

[ran 0]

"Oooh, I want to become a RAF pilot and wear a leather jacket!"

you got the french ALAT and Armée de Terre for that we have some of the coolest flightsuits and personnel gear

[RSM123 0]

What's RAF?

Whats RAF ?

The only thing that attacked the Nazis for two years between 1939 and 1941 - when the rest of the world thought that Germany had won the war.

Part of the reason why Norway sends a Christmas Tree to be erected in Trafalgar Square every year

http://www.norway.org.uk/culture/christmastree.htm

http://www.nmm.ac.uk/site....953

Speaking as an Englishman - we know most people in Europe hate us.

But if you read your history books - we have put more into Europe than we have got back.

[GoOB 0]

The only thing that attacked the Nazis for two years between 1939 and 1941 - when the rest of the world thought that Germany had won the war.

That's the operations I was talking about, how cool doesn't the RAG night-bombers seem? Must have been hell flying those bombing runs.

And I don't hate the English, England has accomplished alot in Europe and outside of it. Some things bad, some things even worse but a great nation indeed.

[bn880 5]

You need to be steady on the hand, and have perfect eyesight too.

I was steady on the hand but after I was done my eyesight was not so perfect.

(LOL)