Becoming a U.S Army Helicopter Pilot
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Becoming a U.S Army Helicopter Pilot
Hello,
I have searched the forums, but no thread seems to hit the nail on the head for what I want to know about.
I am a senior in High School and my dream is to be a army helicopter pilot and eventually a civilian chopper pilot. I am considering the University of Montana, University of Colorado at Boulder, University of North Dakota and possibly Embry-Riddle Prescott for their Helicopter Pilot program. I would be doing a non-scholarship ROTC at all. My question is, what is the most sensible way to become a Army helicopter pilot? Warrent Officer school after college? ROTC, then apply for flight school?
Does anyone have any experience with the University of North Dakota's helicopter program for non-scholarship ROTC students? Is Embry-Riddle's Helicopter Pilot program worth it? How is placement in flight school upon graduation from any above listed university? Would getting all of my ratings before graduation help with selection?
FYI, I already have my PPL fixed and I should have my PPL rotor add-on by the spring.
Thank You,
Brady
I have searched the forums, but no thread seems to hit the nail on the head for what I want to know about.
I am a senior in High School and my dream is to be a army helicopter pilot and eventually a civilian chopper pilot. I am considering the University of Montana, University of Colorado at Boulder, University of North Dakota and possibly Embry-Riddle Prescott for their Helicopter Pilot program. I would be doing a non-scholarship ROTC at all. My question is, what is the most sensible way to become a Army helicopter pilot? Warrent Officer school after college? ROTC, then apply for flight school?
Does anyone have any experience with the University of North Dakota's helicopter program for non-scholarship ROTC students? Is Embry-Riddle's Helicopter Pilot program worth it? How is placement in flight school upon graduation from any above listed university? Would getting all of my ratings before graduation help with selection?
FYI, I already have my PPL fixed and I should have my PPL rotor add-on by the spring.
Thank You,
Brady
Brady,
I went through the WOC program in the Army. Probably the best training in the world regarding helicopters. I went because I couldn't afford college and the Army is the only branch of service where a college education is not necessary for flight school. There is a need for pilots in all fields. Forced retirement, age 65, is a factor creating new jobs. Good luck, I am one of the young captains at age 59.
I went through the WOC program in the Army. Probably the best training in the world regarding helicopters. I went because I couldn't afford college and the Army is the only branch of service where a college education is not necessary for flight school. There is a need for pilots in all fields. Forced retirement, age 65, is a factor creating new jobs. Good luck, I am one of the young captains at age 59.
Brady,
Save your money....study guides for the FAST test are cheap....get as good an education as you can heavy in Math, Physics, English, and Science.
Create relationships with people who will provide references for you that show you to be capable, reliable, resourceful, honest, and dedicated to becoming an Army Officer.
Take the FAST test and the other tests required for meeting the entrance requirements and do well on the tests. The next step would be a Flight Physical...make sure you pass that requirement.
You do not need to spend money on helicopter flying to qualify for the WOFT.
Also...consider getting a four year degree...do the ROTC program...then upon entering active duty request Flight School and assignment to the Aviation Branch.
Save your money....study guides for the FAST test are cheap....get as good an education as you can heavy in Math, Physics, English, and Science.
Create relationships with people who will provide references for you that show you to be capable, reliable, resourceful, honest, and dedicated to becoming an Army Officer.
Take the FAST test and the other tests required for meeting the entrance requirements and do well on the tests. The next step would be a Flight Physical...make sure you pass that requirement.
You do not need to spend money on helicopter flying to qualify for the WOFT.
Also...consider getting a four year degree...do the ROTC program...then upon entering active duty request Flight School and assignment to the Aviation Branch.
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If you want to be an army pilot do not join ROTC, especially if you dont have a scholarship. After your second year of ROTC, you will be contracted in the army, no turning back. It is true that you can request aviation, but it is extremely unlikely that you will get it. Only the cadets that have perfect grades on top of a near perfect "accessions" score, which is basically a grade that you get after your four years of ROTC, will get aviation. There are very few aviation slots for cadets because the army does not require a four year degree, and it has civilians and other prior service soldiers lining up for the Warrant Officer Flight Training program. Why would they send a cadet that can be forced to do anything the army needs, to go do the one thing that everyone wants to do?
Your best bet is to get at least an associates, and if you have the money, getting your commercial certificate in helicopters would be a great idea. Then apply for Warrant Officer Flight Training. Study for the ASVAB and AFAST tests and knock them out of the park, and you will be very likely to get accepted. If you dont, the National Guard desperately needs pilots, but they won't accept you into flight school right away like the army will. You will have to enlist, then request flight school, and you a nearly guaranteed a slot as long as you work with your recruiter and pass the tests and physicals. DO NOT DO THIS WITH THE ARMY!!! only the National Guard. the very first thing an army recruiter will tell you will be "WOFT is a great program, but it would be much better for you to enlist and then request flight school". this is a load of crap, and they are only saying it because enlisting someone takes about an hours worth of paperwork while the WOFT application can take longer than a year in some cases, and might not even get them anything if you dont get accepted. The national guard is actually very good about moving you along if you enlist, because they need pilots. you will probably be enlisted in the NG for less then a year before going to flight school if you do it that way.
As for the schools, I attended Embry-Riddle Prescott for a year. It would be a great school to go to if you enjoy 90% male students. of that 90%, most if not all are your typical dungeons and dragons/WOW players that hardly see sunlight. Plus its in the middle of a retirement community so its not exactly a fun place to live. Also if you can stomach the 17,000 per semester tuition (dont forget all the hidden fees like required dorms and meal plans on top of that) then go for it. it looks great on a resume, mostly because the person hiring you is likely to have come from there or at least know someone who did.
I dont know much about the others, but i do know that UND has an ROTC scholarship program where they will guarantee you a slot in aviation, and pay for your flight training while you are in school. I forget what its called now, but give their ROTC office a call and im sure they will fill you in.
Your best bet is to get at least an associates, and if you have the money, getting your commercial certificate in helicopters would be a great idea. Then apply for Warrant Officer Flight Training. Study for the ASVAB and AFAST tests and knock them out of the park, and you will be very likely to get accepted. If you dont, the National Guard desperately needs pilots, but they won't accept you into flight school right away like the army will. You will have to enlist, then request flight school, and you a nearly guaranteed a slot as long as you work with your recruiter and pass the tests and physicals. DO NOT DO THIS WITH THE ARMY!!! only the National Guard. the very first thing an army recruiter will tell you will be "WOFT is a great program, but it would be much better for you to enlist and then request flight school". this is a load of crap, and they are only saying it because enlisting someone takes about an hours worth of paperwork while the WOFT application can take longer than a year in some cases, and might not even get them anything if you dont get accepted. The national guard is actually very good about moving you along if you enlist, because they need pilots. you will probably be enlisted in the NG for less then a year before going to flight school if you do it that way.
As for the schools, I attended Embry-Riddle Prescott for a year. It would be a great school to go to if you enjoy 90% male students. of that 90%, most if not all are your typical dungeons and dragons/WOW players that hardly see sunlight. Plus its in the middle of a retirement community so its not exactly a fun place to live. Also if you can stomach the 17,000 per semester tuition (dont forget all the hidden fees like required dorms and meal plans on top of that) then go for it. it looks great on a resume, mostly because the person hiring you is likely to have come from there or at least know someone who did.
I dont know much about the others, but i do know that UND has an ROTC scholarship program where they will guarantee you a slot in aviation, and pay for your flight training while you are in school. I forget what its called now, but give their ROTC office a call and im sure they will fill you in.
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^^^
and thats just for the school portion, dont forget if you are an aeronautical science major (pilot), you have to pay for flight fees to, which makes it the most expensive school in the U.S.
and thats just for the school portion, dont forget if you are an aeronautical science major (pilot), you have to pay for flight fees to, which makes it the most expensive school in the U.S.
