I'm interested in becoming a 67J. How long, on average, will a MEDEVAC pilot remain on flight status?

2017-06-28T01:04:23-04:00

I've completed most of the requirements to be considered for MEDEVAC and i'm likely to receive my branch choice of MSC. I've heard that officer's flying dustoff ultimately move on to different roles within the MSC after a few years. If this is the case, about how long could I expect to fly? Are there any means to continue flying after the normal amount of time?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2017 7:19 AM

2017-06-28T07:19:28-04:00

MEDEVAC or not, commissioned officers don't fly nearly as much as warrants. Generally, once you hit MAJ you might fly enough to meet your minimums and that's about it.

Unless you're in the Guard. Then you can fly whenever your life and weather permits.

Edit: I initially read your question right after I woke up. My comment applies to rated stick wigglers. If you're talking about being in the back of the aircraft working on patients, I couldn't say. I've been in a MEDEVAC unit for a year now and the only time I've seen officers in the back is when the enlisted medics are in the back doing training and the officers are just along for the ride.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2017 7:31 AM

2017-06-28T07:31:03-04:00

If you want to fly go Warrant.
If you want to be a staff officer that gets to occasionally fly, stay on course.
//
You will obviously get flight hours at Rucker then move onto your next assignment hopefully with a CAB. Flight Hours are all determined by the number of non progressed pilots and available aircraft, that plus deployments. You'll get to a unit probably as a 1LT so you'll go into an XO position, PL if you are lucky and if your unlucky you will get to be the S1, S4, or a Battle Captain.
So your flight time depends on unit strength, available AC, and number of folks ahead of you in RL progression.
Go Warrant.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2017 11:37 AM

2017-06-28T11:37:11-04:00

What LTC Private RallyPoint Member said.
If you want to continue to fly Medevac missions, do your time in the Army, get your hours (twin turbine time is expensive on the outside), and then resign and fly for any one of the civilian LifeFlight/Medevac companies out there. The money is a lot better, and the aircraft are usually newer and (depending on the company's financial strength) have a lot swoopier gadgets in them.