Favorite helicopter to get a lift in?

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 21:46:18 -0400

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

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 21:48:32 -0400

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

SSG Adam Fisher — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 22:00:13 -0400

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

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 22:09:43 -0400

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

SSG Oliver Mathews — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 22:32:50 -0400

Blackhawk...

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

MSG Gene Potocki — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 23:26:15 -0400

#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

1SG Shane Hansen — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 23:55:47 -0400

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

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 00:07:06 -0400

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

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 08:39:51 -0400

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

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 18:07:18 -0400

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

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 22:30:17 -0400

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

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 03:38:21 -0400

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

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 04:43:57 -0400

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

LTC Paul Mullins — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 21:51:06 -0400

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

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 22:08:30 -0400

<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

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 13:48:43 -0400

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

SGT Richard H. — Thu, 28 Aug 2014 18:59:15 -0400

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

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 11:29:01 -0400

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

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 11:34:56 -0400

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

SFC Mark Merino — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 03:02:04 -0400

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

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 13:34:38 -0400

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

SGT Bryon Sergent — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 15:46:37 -0400

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

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 17:36:59 -0400

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

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 17:58:25 -0400

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

CPT Ahmed Faried — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 18:13:09 -0400

Chinook. Oddly comfortable for such an unwieldy looking platform.

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

CPT Ahmed Faried — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 18:13:36 -0400

Chinook. Oddly comfortable for such an unwieldy looking platform.

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

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 18:14:55 -0400

Dat view!

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

CPT Jacob Swartout — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 22:08:29 -0400

Riding the Blackhawk last year in Afghanistan

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

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Sep 2014 13:21:27 -0400

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

SFC Mark Merino — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 01:11:15 -0400

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

SPC David S. — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 02:09:12 -0400

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

1LT Nick Kidwell — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 14:53:35 -0500

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

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 14:56:13 -0500

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

MSgt Keith Hebert — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 20:55:11 -0500

CH-53E anytime any where

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

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 21:36:41 -0500

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

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 21:39:59 -0500

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

1LT David Moeglein — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 21:41:49 -0500

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

Sgt Jennifer Mohler — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 12:33:43 -0500

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

SFC Mark Merino — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 15:36:01 -0500

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

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 16:13:10 -0500

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

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 14:09:22 -0500

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

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 16:02:55 -0400

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

SPC Sheila Lewis — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 13:10:23 -0400

oh, Blackhawk, no doubt!

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

Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 13:03:53 -0500

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

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Mon, 24 Oct 2016 17:49:40 -0400

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

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 18:16:50 -0500

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

Cpl Brian Johnston — Fri, 25 Nov 2016 03:17:30 -0500

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!