Military AircrewA forum for the professionals who fly the non-civilian hardware, and the backroom boys and girls without whom nothing would leave the ground. Army, Navy and Airforces of the World, all equally welcome here.
Iv completed a search "for life in the navy as i pilot" and got nothing of interest, so i thought id create a post as it would be interesting to know the ins and outs, and pros and cons of life in the navy as a helicopter pilot.
I would be very grateful for feedback, on any of the following pointers from any naval pilots currently reading this post.
-General life in the navy
-Being Away from family and loved ones (Periods of time, how often you get to see them... ETC)
-The reality of the everyday risk of flying sorties on the front line
-The types of deployment (are you always flying interesting and exciting missions, deployments to Afganhistan and the middle east ETC)
-Pay
- Any other information that would be valuable or useful
-Options after the navy?
Sorry to be the first of many but you will find that the people who have achieved the position that you enquire about will have worked incredibly hard to get where they are. They will therefore find your post with its poor grammar and spelling a lazy attempt. You may justify it as "modern youth culture" but if you cannot be bothered to put any effort into your post then why should busy individuals take time to answer it?
BTW, before I am flamed by the typing police I have to admit that I am very, very drunk indeed! (poisonous monkeys et al)
Sorry mate, the Royal helicopter pilots decided to join the RAF and the Army - Andrew left the Navy some time ago so there are no Royal navy helicopter pilots.
Thanks for the input. I have seen the RN website, but i was after more personal opinions from people who have experience in the field. Its a big commitment to make joining the armed forces, especially when you've got other commitments at home. Sorry Flap62, i wasn't aware of the spelling and grammar test. I guess I'll work on it for the next post.
I've got one staying with me at the moment. He's an awesome bloke, a mate I've known for 33 years, likes to do anything and everything and bitches like noting on earth. We've been through some real s41t together and come out smiling.
He tried to join the RAF, they wouldn't have him and he walked into the FAA. After much hard work over many years he eventually qualified as a pilot and spends a lot of time away doing dangerous stuff in old, underinvested aircraft, and he loves it.
I know, iv been called Wiggy before by an old navy instructor in my current job. He didn't give me an explanation of why Bennett's are known as 'Wiggy Bennett' so i just accepted it . Are the aircraft really that old?
Hopefully that will change a small amount soon due to the investment in the Lynx AW159 Lynx Wildcat.
All the replies above seem to be flaming you for daring to ask such a question, whereas my answer to you is simple:
If you are thinking about joining the FAA, don't hesitate, sign up today; you won't ever regret it!
All walks of life have their problems, but don't dwell on them. Realise that you will be joining the best, most professional, personable and sociable band of brothers and sisters, flying in the most demanding and satisfying conditions found anywhere in the world.
Join up and enjoy!
(Spelling and punctuation Police; marks out of ten?)
You are a Naval Officer first and pilot second. All three services have their own benefits. For the FAA, you may find yourself in Lynx conducting missile attacks on patrol vessels or launching torpedoes at submarines. You could find yourself in the depths of the Arctic, operating in white out conditions or brown out in Afghanistan looking after the needs of the Royal Marines, you could find yourself flying around in circles for hours on end whilst your observer in the rear supports ground forces in the mighty Sea King Mk7, you could find yourself flying a team into a caribbean island to provide disaster relief or tracking drug runners off Belize. You could find yourself chatting to some incredibly beautiful woman during a cocktail party in some far flung part of the world, whilst trying to think how your are going to break it to her that your real name is not Hugh Jarse or Mike Oxbig. You could find yourself trapped in Hellstown for ever and get married to some Cornish witch who just wants a meal ticket, or you could live in the delight that is Somerset, flying over the Glastonbury festival.
Your life will never be boring or mundane, you will be part of a very close and proud organisation and see parts of the world that many in the Army or RAF sadly never get to see anymore.
I agree with Widger's posting - although he is a little jaundiced in his opinions - Cornwall is fantastic!
Best thing I did was join - although the next best thing I did was leave (after 17 years)! Been to some interesting places, did some interesting flying, met & worked with some very interesting people!
current location: Culdrose tower bears 260 degrees magnetic, range 3nms, height 450 ASL
weather nil, vis 9999, CAVOK, 25C
Just sitting here in the garden on the laptop 3 miles from Hellstown, can see aforementioned tower in the distance with Mounts Bay sparkling behind. The witch has just gone inside to replenish the G & Ts, fully expect someone who is just passing to drop in at anytime. In other words - happy as a pig in the proverbial and wouldnt be anywhere else.
Get back to your zyder and the truly living hell that is Glastonbury
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