How hard is it to become a British Army pilot?

[sabre1001]

I am in the army at the moment but i really want to get flying in the army. if anyone knows what criteria you need and what the training is like? , i would appreciate it. Thanks:mad:

[SandChopper]

Criteria? Simple! Be a good soldier, like living in trenches, know you way around South Armagh and have a few handy insults to throw at the Crabs......;)

Why not leave the Army and join the Navy/RAF, after all the last line in the AAC brochure used to say ".......even if you fail RN and RAF selection the AAC will still have you."

Nuff said.

[owe ver chute]

Sabre, look in the last issue of soldier magazine, the Army Air Corps had a page or so on how to become a pilot.
Age, rank, time to serve etc.
A rounded background tends to help, infantry to tanks, chefs to drop shorts, tthe Air Corps must have a least one of each.
At the moment I think the pilots course is taking about 18 months (could be longer) however the Grand Fromage wants to cut this down, it gets in the way of the officers career structure. It would also depend on what aircraft you convert to at the end of wings. extra 10 weeks for Gazelle course, 6 months plus for the AH64.

[Little_Boy]

In 1995 the BBC ran a six-part television series called 'Flying Soldiers'. A book of the same title by Tim Lambert was published by BBC Books. It follows a course of ten going through Helo training with the Army.

It's obviously a bit dated now (in fact it's pre-DHFS etc.) However, I reckon it still gives a useful insight into the pressures of flying training and the AAC. I don't even know if it's still published, but I suggest if you can get your hands on a copy it would be a useful read.

Best of luck me olde'

[MightyGem]

Even better, arrange a visit to Middle Wallop or an AAC Regt.

[CrabInCab]

Sandchopper, it would appear that a knowledge of South Armagh is no longer necessary. Common sense has finally prevailed!
:ok:

[student-mork]

Sandchopper,

Dont worry about whether you're good enough or if its too hard, just bang your tabs into your OC and get the ball rolling. Because...1) It doesnt cost you a penny
2) You may never have to walk across Brecon/Otterburn/Salisbury again.
3) It doesnt rain inside helicopters
4) Think of it as an 18 month resettlement course!
Best of luck with whatever you decide :ok:

[student-mork]

Whoops!

Sorry, that was meant for sabre 1001. not sandchopper. I do hope that this doesnt detract from the "comic impact"
:O

[mutleyfour]

Theres no shame in failing either.......what have you got to lose?

[bigley]

Doesn't rain inside a helicopter? What rubbish, have you ever been inside Wessex or Puma on a typical NI day? You get wetter inside than out!!:O

[EmeraldToilet]

Or a Gazelle for that matter !!!

[student-mork]

Fair point there Bigley, it can get a bit wet, but the army is good enough to provide door gunners/ draught excluders. Always better than walking back in! But the important thing Sabre needs to ask himself is, out of everyone in that chopper, who is nice and toastie and whose covered in mud and cam cream? Not to mention who will be getting paid more at the end of the month!
;)

[Tbird]

Sabre

If you want to fly then the above post if correct, go and see the AAC at Wallop and see what you think. The process is long, but well worth it. First you have to go and do your Pilot Aptitude test at Cranwell. If that is okay then go and talk to the Air Corps and they will put you through Army Flight Grading. This is a 3/4 week course, which aims to give you 13 hours instructional flying time in the Firefly.

At the end of that then you will be told whether they think you are good enough for the army pilots course. If all is well, then you are off to Barkston Heath to go and do another 40 hours on the Firefly. Then if you are successful there, its off to Shawbury to start your 80 hour basic rotary training. Once that is done, you are back at Wallop to do your advanced rotary course. At that point, if your successful you get your wings. Then you have to convert onto a chosen type. Not sure about the Gazelle or the Lynx, but AH conversion, last time i looked was 78 weeks.

Don't quote me on the timings etc, but i think most of that is currect. Hope it helps.

Tbird

[Always_broken_in_wilts]

"but AH conversion, last time i looked was 78 weeks"

Is this still being done in a large hanger in Shropshire??:p :O

all spelling mistakes are "df" alcohol induced

[Gainesy]

78 or 7-8 weeks?

[Training Risky]

To complete the quartet of helicopters that leak like sieves.... our 20-odd year old Chinooks give you wet legs as well:mad:

[SunderlandMatt]

Sabre,

I'd advise you to ask the question again one the ARRSE (http://www.arrse.co.uk) site, like pprune only no crabs :ok:

Any further questions pm me and I'll be pleased to advise.

[Always_broken_in_wilts]

"I'd advise you to ask the question again one the ARRSE site, like pprune only not quite as sophisticated"............lots of tatooed chaps f'in and blind'in......so very uncouth:p

all spelling mistakes are "df" alcohol induced

[BEagle]

Abiw - that's no way to talk about the Umpty-umpth Queen's Own Chinless Pwancers......;) Whose wedgimental twaditions w@nk amongst the highest in the land, don't you know.

ARRSE has all sorts of jolly interesting threads - such as "CS95 shirt, worn in or outside the waist".....really:ugh:!

[Always_broken_in_wilts]

And those timeless classics "Abusing the RN!" and W@ank Yank Rank:p

The high levels of sophistication within those hallowed walls is nothing short of inspirational................or is it high levels of of tatooed f@ck wittedness............made up word I know:O

Been up for 26 hours now, just got back from a trip to V813 if memory serves me correct, and it was raining..........as opposed to its about to or it's just stopped, the Emerald Isle is nothingmore than a pustule of the bottom of mankind............rambling over

all spelling mistakes are "df" alcohol induced

[northernmonkey]

And all this from a mouthy crab loady and an old bloke who posts on such interesting and delightful subjects, for example Blue and white towles and insurance quotes.:yuk:

Gripping chaps, gripping.... no I forgot I almost got dull as dishwater confused with gripping, apologies

[BEagle]

I realise that you don't use them in your dung-filled ditches, but they're spelled 'towels', idiot.

[northernmonkey]

Humble apologies to the spelling and grammer Guru

So that will be a bite then will it?...... Mr Interesting:D

Why on earth would I go near a dung filled ditch? Unless it would be to dig for your wit or sense of humour, but I imagine thats dug in far beyond the dung layer

[SASless]

It has been my experience that unless it leaks like a sieve....it isn't a helicopter! During Monsoon season....I tend to put the waterproof jacket on when I get into the aircraft and take it off when I get out. Must say I perspire more inside the aircraft than I do outside.....there must be a reason though I am missing it though.

I would suggest the Crab blue suit over the Army Air Corps...if for no other reason , you will be able to figure out which Regiment you belong to....what color beret you should wear....with what hat badge(s).....color of trousers....and how you should pace your marching. Must say...the British system is all a bit confusing to your cousins across the salt water divide.

If you are a good singer, like your Gin, look good with a beard....then the Navy is the way to go....but if you like lace hankies.....and wear sweet smelly perfume...then it is the Marines for you.:uhoh:

[Murphy]

"I would suggest the Crab blue suit over the Army Air Corps...if for no other reason , you will be able to figure out which Regiment you belong to....what color beret you should wear....with what hat badge(s)....."

Whereas the Crabs only have one style of hat per order of dress................Oh no, Peaked Caps, berets, those Thunderbird jobbies and I'm sure knotted hankies all with flying suits!!!!!!!

[BEagle]

I recall that it's not just helicopters which leak like sieves. Memories of sitting in the back of an AAC Beaver from Valley to Manston to Wildenrath watching the rain come through the roof as we chugged merrily along at 3000 ft....

Mind you, a moist Beaver isn't such a bad thing....;)

[Bullet Tooth Tony]

Yet another sensible question that gets turned into a ridiculous pi$$ing match by prats like ABIW and Beagle.

It used to be quite funny. Now its just boring.

[BEagle]

Must be cavalwy....

[Sloppy Link]

Beags,
We do not have the monopoly in bickering over triv, you are not so bad, I recall you and your kin going to great length bemoaning the decision by an airship banning the use of brightly coloured rucksacks in uniform.

Don't throw stones before you leap!
;)

[BEagle]

OK - back to square one, chaps.

Good luck to those like sabre 1001 wishing to join the AAC - hope it goes well for you!

[Always_broken_in_wilts]

Hear hear:ok: Best of luck to him.

all spelling mistakes are "df" alcohol induced