As warrant officer helicopter pilots, what would you say about your experiences? Would you recommend your job to someone else?

Gary Henson — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 07:45:46 -0400

A crew Cheif I spoke to told me that my idea of trying to be a helicopter pilot is not a good idea. He told me that I will "see things I don't wanna see" Id like to just speak to some pilots to see what their experiences have been.If possible I'd like to have a private discussion over email or phone. Whichever is best for you. I think I can handle the potential terrors I might see..I think. Thanks

Response by Gary Henson made Sep 7 at 2017 7:50 AM

Gary Henson — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 07:50:15 -0400

I'm looking to fly a uh-60 or maybe even a ch-47. I'd rather not fly an Apache. I'm wondering if it really is that horrifying of a job and if I can mentally handle it. I believe I am very strong mentally. I once saw a video my friend showed me of two Mexican men getting their heads cut off.... One by chainsaw and one by knife. Most horrific thing I've ever seen....I'm not mentally screwed up at all but I've heard of people freaking out. What advice do could y'all give me?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2017 7:56 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 07:56:33 -0400

My advice? Disregard what that Crew Chief said. Chances are they may be just disgruntled in their particular job. Hell, damn near every job in the Army will have you see things you really don't want to see. It's the nature of the beast. But, to get to the bread and butter of the question......If helicopters is your dream....then chase that dream down. And as for being mentally tough enough for it, only you can discover and answer that for yourself. I wish you luck in your future.

Response by Gary Henson made Sep 7 at 2017 8:08 AM

Gary Henson — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 08:08:43 -0400

Any More responses would be appreciated

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2017 8:52 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 08:52:47 -0400

As a crew chief, I'd like to know where that one got his attitude. It sounds like someone pissed in his Disney Princess cereal. I'm curious to know exactly what he meant. Is he Blackhawk or Chinook? Or is he an Apache "crew chief"? If he's an Apache crew chief then he doesn't know crap about crap when it comes to what pilots see.

As far as blackhawks and Chinooks go, most of what the pilots see is from the 9 o'clock to the 3 o'clock. The crew chiefs see everything else. The only place you might see "terrors" as a pilot is in the MEDEVAC world, and that's probably only going to be if you look over your shoulder into the cabin.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2017 9:37 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 09:37:50 -0400

I am a former Chinook crew chief with 160th SOAR(A) and a current Apache pilot. I can say that it's very difficult to "see things you don't wanna see" while flying. As a crew dog, returning fire is usually over very quickly and you are flying to bypass enemy fire, not engage. Even when firing a mini gun, it's rare to see the effects.

As a pilot, it'd be even more rare unless you're an apache pilot. Even then, you're miles away and it's more like playing a video game.

You'll bee in the army though. Stuff happens and people die. If you don't have the stomach for it, steer clear.

Response by CW3 Joseph Vishneski made Sep 7 at 2017 10:11 AM

CW3 Joseph Vishneski — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 10:11:09 -0400

As a former Blackhawk pilot and current civilian pilot, I say go for it. This "crew chief" if he really was one sounds like he's totally full of crap. You will be way too focused on the mission to sight see. Or maybe he was talking about some of the atrocious leadership you will see occasionally (<20%), or the waste of time worrying about what type of boots a soldier is wearing in combat.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Sep 7 at 2017 10:21 AM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 10:21:13 -0400

Gary, I have placed more than 161 Soldiers, NCOs and Civilians into WOCS to become aviators. Not one has ever came back and said it was a bad thing. There are a lot of comments on the reply to your query, just know that there were days I wish I was back wearing stripes and not flying, but those days were limited to the harsh times learning to fly at flight school. After that, there is no WAY I would turn around and go back to wearing stripes and I never wished to wear brass as it was encouraged by many when NCOoY. I wanted to fly and that didn't mean a desk. If you are remotely serious about becoming a pilot, it is a huge issue for recruiters at times and a frustrating process, but I di have folks who are in flight school right now who just completed the process and another that ships in January of 2018 from Dallas. Let me know is you wish to talk to any of them as they are not current members of RP.

Response by Gary Henson made Sep 7 at 2017 12:21 PM

Gary Henson — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 12:21:03 -0400

Thank you all for your responses.... You've confirmed my decision to continue pursuing army aviation. And thank y'all for your time

Response by CW5 Ranger Dave made Sep 7 at 2017 7:08 PM

CW5 Ranger Dave — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 19:08:48 -0400

For me it was a significant career change. I left from being an enlisted Airborne Ranger to being a WO flying Hueys. From jumping out of them to staying inside. I loved Aviation! Flew UH-1s, OH-58s and in fixed wing, T-42s, U-21s, C-12s, and RC-12s. It prepared me for my second career as an Aviation Safety Inspector with the FAA. ATP with 9 Type Ratings, CFI-AME, ASE, Instrument Airplane/Helicopter, Rotorcraft/Helicopter. My last FAA asignment was as a Fleet Training Program Manager for both the Gulfstream G-4 and EMB-550 Legacy 500. 40 years in aviation and two careers both with a retirement check. You only get one crack at this life-Go for it! Be all you can be!

Response by CW4 Michael Leipold made Jan 3 at 2018 2:05 PM

CW4 Michael Leipold — Wed, 03 Jan 2018 14:05:05 -0500

“Seeing things you don’t want to see,” is a part of life. I remember seeing a fat stripper at a club outside of Fort Stewart in 95’ that scarred me for life. Being a MTP on the Apache platform was a rewarding and incredible experience. I saw things that will have an everlasting effect on me. Images of my crew dawgs eating the ghost pepper, pulling each other in and out of freezers and performing daily pranks that would get a civilian put in jail were daily visuals. Yes, you’ll see things that will tear at your heart strings, but that’s life and you cannot be afraid to experience it based on fear of the unexpected. Perhaps the crew chief you spoke with was afraid you would see his reversed lock wire in the future and call him out. Put your packet in and see where it takes you, you’ll be happy you did.