Favorite helicopter to get a lift in?

2014-03-10T21:46:18-04:00

I remember my first helicopter ride in a UH-1. I had my second in PLDC in Hawaii where they lifted us with 18 of them at one time. Was grand and gave me the push to apply warrant and go to flight school. <div><br></div><div>Old timers and new folks, share your favorite lift whether it was combat or training and maybe a little share as to why. I am a lift guy and really enjoy the mission, share with your friends here in Rally!</div>

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2014 9:48 PM

2014-03-10T21:48:32-04:00

I'm a fan of the blackhawk. It gives you a nice view of the land as your flying over it, and it's not as deafening as a chinook. At least I don't remember it being so. <br>

Response by SSG Adam Fisher made Mar 10 at 2014 10:00 PM

2014-03-10T22:00:13-04:00

Without a doubt, the CH-47 Chinook. I spent 18 months being a non-MOS crewmember (door gunner), and it was the most satisfying time I've had in the Army. 12 months in RC-E and 6 months in garrison. I hitched a ride many a times in the UH-60's, and both are acceptable modes of transport, but my loyalty will always fall with the 47's.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2014 10:09 PM

2014-03-10T22:09:43-04:00

Chinook.. loved the space inside and enjoyed being the last guy to get on during my last R&R flight out of Iraq. Nothing like flying over the city of Baghdad with the ramp down feeling that 90 some degree weather knowing that in a couple days you would be back home, and not on those roads looking for I.E.D's. I had a great view of the city out the back of that helicopter and it always brings back that memory.

Response by SSG Oliver Mathews made Mar 10 at 2014 10:32 PM

2014-03-10T22:32:50-04:00

Blackhawk...

Response by MSG Gene Potocki made Mar 10 at 2014 11:26 PM

2014-03-10T23:26:15-04:00

#1 Chinook many a jump and was the primary insertion platform for the weapons platoon in the 75th Regiment mainly fast roping. Actually used this platform to insert platoon into a town in Panama during one op.

#2 UH-1H many a days riding and jumping from. Primary insertion platform back in the day while serving in Italy with the 509th

Response by 1SG Shane Hansen made Mar 10 at 2014 11:55 PM

2014-03-10T23:55:47-04:00

I prefer the Huey over all others.  I was  crew chief on them for 8 years before the army forced me to transition to the blackhawk, which is my 2nd favorite.  

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2014 12:07 AM

2014-03-11T00:07:06-04:00

CH-47 is without a doubt my favorite lift. I do love the UH-60's though! I submitted an Aviator packet for the May WOC board! Fingers crossed!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2014 8:39 AM

2014-03-11T08:39:51-04:00

UH-1 "Huey"! Many fond memories of being a door gunner in that aircraft. And it had that unique sound the rotors made, unlike any other helicopter I've flown in.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2014 6:07 PM

2014-03-11T18:07:18-04:00

Now we are talking my language! Big birds, little birds, bug smashers! I love them all. You can take me up in a 47 blowing oil out the back and dripping down the sides, and I'll feel right at home. I aint skert! I guess it really depends on what kind of day it is, as to which aircraft I like best. I have had some serious fun in a little OH-58 and then again the larger air frame of the UH-60 packs some powerful perks. I had one of the most thrilling rides ever in a 60. I think I would have actually thrown up on that ride but I couldn't really figure out which way was up. "Thanks for the ride Mr BeeBee!!"

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2014 10:30 PM

2014-03-11T22:30:17-04:00

Plushest and most comfortable would be the VH-60 from the AAOG. Must exciting though was in the plain old Blackhawk.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2014 3:38 AM

2014-03-12T03:38:21-04:00

V-22 Ospreys are pretty amazing, they are fast! I found foreign birds like the British Merlins were fun too, mainly because their pilots are a little crazy. If I could ride in a Pave Hawk piloted by Pedro, that would be my dream because every medevac I called in, it seemed like those birds were about to crash, that's how crazy they fly.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2014 4:43 AM

2014-03-12T04:43:57-04:00

Cross between the -47 and the -60. 47 is big loud, and fast. The -60 is just well, more fun!

Response by LTC Paul Mullins made Mar 12 at 2014 9:51 PM

2014-03-12T21:51:06-04:00

That is tough.  I think I enjoyed flying the venerable Huey the most.  But, I have to admit I just love flying or riding in helos period.  I have had a great ride in a Blackhawk doing negative gee drops over ridges in Korea during NOE, the same in a Huey, scouting under NVGs with Kiowas on top of the trees, riding the tailgate of a Chinook or a Hip hunting insurgents.  All are great rides, but you never forget your first love, and I learned to fly in a Huey!

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2014 10:08 PM

2014-03-12T22:08:30-04:00

<p>I'm a Chinook mechanic, so I have to say the Hook!</p><p><br></p><p>However, during ROTC, I did get a ride in an honest to goodness UH-1 Veitnam War veteran.  While we were flying, I was looking around the interior of the cabin and wondered why there were so many squares of metal riveted all over the place in seemingly random places.  It was only after the ride did I figure out that those were bullethole patches!</p><p><br></p><p>But back to my Chinooks...  Fastest, most maneuverable rotary-winged aircraft in the Army inventory.  Nothing like them!</p>

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2014 1:48 PM

2014-06-25T13:48:43-04:00

VH-3, best Helo ride I have had, second best VH-60.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Aug 28 at 2014 6:59 PM

2014-08-28T18:59:15-04:00

My favorite was and forever will be the Huey. Somehow nothing ever compares to your first.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Sep 15 at 2014 11:29 AM

2014-09-15T11:29:01-04:00

It would be nice if someone could compare the V-22 OSPREY with Helicopters whose ridden in both. Any takers?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2014 11:34 AM

2014-09-15T11:34:56-04:00

Big Windy for me, then the UH-1 and UH-60, and UH-60 simulator

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 23 at 2014 3:02 AM

2014-09-23T03:02:04-04:00

Loved them all CW5 Sam R. Baker. Flying an OH-58D was like hearing Ride of the Valkyries in your head 24/7. Being away from helicopters is like losing a part of yourself. Retiring your aircraft is like spitting in your face.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2014 1:34 PM

2014-09-23T13:34:38-04:00

I like the Hawk.... I may or may not be a little biased though....

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Sep 23 at 2014 3:46 PM

2014-09-23T15:46:37-04:00

Doesn't matter as long as it's giving me a ride home!!!!!
Have only been in two types. Chinook, Black hawk. They phased the Huey out before I could get a ride in one.
Was Infantry in my former life and with the 2-187th INF at Ft. Campbell in the late 80's and early 90's. Got a ride all over Iraq in the pair of them numerous times. Love the Chinook.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Sep 23 at 2014 5:36 PM

2014-09-23T17:36:59-04:00

I've ridden in all 3 CW5 Sam R. Baker, and while the're all fun to ride in, That Sea Stallion we rode to Bucca and back was a bit more cumfy.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2014 5:58 PM

2014-09-23T17:58:25-04:00

My favorite Helicoptor is a CH-47, due to the Dual-rotars providing 100% of its power into Lift, creating capabilities for flying higher & faster and lifting/slinging great loads for great distances. My entire Engineer Platoon including equipment could fit into just One CH-47 and Four for a Company. It also acts a great Gun-ship, AMAZING!!!

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made Sep 23 at 2014 6:13 PM

2014-09-23T18:13:09-04:00

Chinook. Oddly comfortable for such an unwieldy looking platform.

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made Sep 23 at 2014 6:13 PM

2014-09-23T18:13:36-04:00

Chinook. Oddly comfortable for such an unwieldy looking platform.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2014 6:14 PM

2014-09-23T18:14:55-04:00

Dat view!

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made Sep 23 at 2014 10:08 PM

2014-09-23T22:08:29-04:00

Riding the Blackhawk last year in Afghanistan

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2014 1:21 PM

2014-09-24T13:21:27-04:00

One that I haven't operated myself? Bell 47 - Just a little joy ride down here at Fort Rucker. MD 500 in Hawaii was legit, too. The best, however, the AH-64D/E.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 25 at 2014 1:11 AM

2014-09-25T01:11:15-04:00

CW5 Sam R. Baker Best thing about Army aviation is................there is NO bad choice!

Response by SPC David S. made Sep 25 at 2014 2:09 AM

2014-09-25T02:09:12-04:00

Ride: MH-6 Little Bird, Rope: UH-1 Huey because of the skid

Response by 1LT Nick Kidwell made Nov 19 at 2014 2:53 PM

2014-11-19T14:53:35-05:00

Tossup between the CH-47 Chinook and the UH-60 Blackhawk.

It was fun in OCS when we did a simulated insertion at Fort Lewis and the WO piloting the Chinook was flying nap-of-the-Earth. It was a roller coaster ride courtesy of Uncle Sam.

Then again, it was AWESOME flying "Catfish Air" to get places in Iraq.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 19 at 2014 2:56 PM

2014-11-19T14:56:13-05:00

I've worked on the 46 and the 60, but only ever rode in the 60. I'd hop back in one any day.

Response by MSgt Keith Hebert made Nov 19 at 2014 8:55 PM

2014-11-19T20:55:11-05:00

CH-53E anytime any where

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 19 at 2014 9:36 PM

2014-11-19T21:36:41-05:00

I remember the UH-1 Huey at Ramstein, AB. Most pilots were LTs/Capts/WO. Nicest people I ever met. And then the T-39s with the VIP crews. One Major that I will never forget was sharp but kind of a Hawkeye kind of SM. Also one of my favorite pilots. He was complaining about East German MIGs buzzing them on a continual basis.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 19 at 2014 9:39 PM

2014-11-19T21:39:59-05:00

UH-60 during training. I knew the pilot gave us the ride of our lives lol.

Response by 1LT David Moeglein made Nov 19 at 2014 9:41 PM

2014-11-19T21:41:49-05:00

I enjoyed flying in Blackhawks in Korea. I had the great fortune of living with a bunch of aviators. Whenever I wanted to go somewhere, I would call and ask if they had any flights going to Seoul or another location. They would call me back 5 minutes later to inform me that a flight had been rerouted. It was good fun.

I also arranged for an aerial recon for my platoon. The aviators had a good time with us, executing various maneuvers that turned some of our faces that same color as our BDUs. One of my section chiefs was so scared that he went to grab his leg and grabbed another section chief's leg instead. We all got a good laugh on that one.

Response by Sgt Jennifer Mohler made Nov 20 at 2014 12:33 PM

2014-11-20T12:33:43-05:00

My favorite was the then brand new osprey. It took us across the AO to where I did my stint in Lioness in Iraq in 2007. Only bird I didn't get severely queasy in, or at all!

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Nov 20 at 2014 3:36 PM

2014-11-20T15:36:01-05:00

My beloved Kiowa. This was us in early 2003 with O Trp 4/3 ACR at TQ (Al Taquaddum)

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2014 4:13 PM

2014-11-20T16:13:10-05:00

I always enjoy riding in UH-60s and Chinooks! Especially if I get a seat with an awesome view!

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 21 at 2014 2:09 PM

2014-11-21T14:09:22-05:00

Have not been up in a helicopter yet. My unit is now assigned to an aviation brigade and some of the pilots I have talked to are going to try and get us in on a few training flights. Fingers crossed.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2015 4:02 PM

2015-09-02T16:02:55-04:00

As a Marine in Viet Nam it was mostly the CH-34, hence the term "give me a Hus". Last of the piston operators. With a large supply of engines for B-17s and others, they found a home for all those radial engines. Not a bad ride.......except they took me places I didn't want to go and left me there!

Response by SPC Sheila Lewis made Sep 11 at 2015 1:10 PM

2015-09-11T13:10:23-04:00

oh, Blackhawk, no doubt!

Response by Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 11 at 2015 1:03 PM

2015-11-11T13:03:53-05:00

All Helos... as long as flying to/back from where soldiers need to go and accomplished the mission...I love the CHINOOKs though.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Oct 24 at 2016 5:49 PM

2016-10-24T17:49:40-04:00

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 22 at 2016 6:16 PM

2016-11-22T18:16:50-05:00

I love the UH-60A/L. Favorite hands down. Chinook is second. I love flying a 60 but I cant find a job in the civilian world as a 60 pilot. Know any companies that need a decent pilot?

Response by Cpl Brian Johnston made Nov 25 at 2016 3:17 AM

2016-11-25T03:17:30-05:00

Definitely the CH-46 Sea Knight "Phrog"!
CH-53 Sea Stallion "Shitter" made me nervous.
Once got a ride in a UH-1 Iroquois "Huey". It was like a taxi!