I don't post often on this forum but I enjoy reading it because I want to know what the current mentality is for the next crop of SNA. I'm getting really sick of the "What do I have to do to fly fixed winged plane" type of questions as if being a helo pilot is some type of curse.
To alleviate all of the confusion, I wanted to post a few of my observations about flying as a primary IP who came from a helo community.
1) Consider yourself lucky that you are there in the first place. There are plenty of more people who want to take your place who don't care what they fly.
2) You are not in flight school to get yourself a job with the airlines (Ask some vets, money and commercial aviation is becoming a myth). If you think that, go ahead and DOR and give guys/girls the chance to excel and become officers.
3) The military is not a flying club, except for maybe the Air Force. The job, for the most part, is about breaking things and killing people. It is not about building flight time. Get all notions about Top Gun out of your heads.
4) If you get a slot for the Navy/Marine Corps, accept the fact that you will probably fly a helo. If you cannot accept that, then do not apply. Flying cargo in the Air Force is not very tactical. In the Navy/Marine Corps team, I can assure you that you will be very involved in the operations that you are participating in whether it be ass and trash, troops in zone, or bombs on target. You will not be removed from the action. For all you wannebe types learn about order of battle.
5) Just because you have 500hrs of C172 time does not mean that you know jack **** about flying. Straight and level is not hard. Learning to operate in a tactical environment while doing a specific mission is, be that CAS, SAR, VERTREP, CSAR, ASSAULT,etc. Quit thinking that ERAU taught you anything. You will get your ass handed to you in primary.
6) Flying a helicopter is the only pure stick and rudder flying that you will do in the military. In a helicopter, altitude is just more time to scream. A helicopter is the only aircraft that you will feel as one with. Having flown both for over 2200hrs, I can assure you that helicopter flying is much more challenging. No offense to my strike brothers, but in a F-18 you are a voting member in the cockpit. If the computer doesn't like it, then aren't going to do it. In a helicopter you will do what you told that machine whether it's a good idea or not. All you SNA's is Strike feel free to add you experienced rebuttals.
7) As an experienced fleet aviator, look at your FitRep. Your primary duty is your ground job, being a pilot is secondary. Your job is leading Sailors/Marines. If you have some other type of motivation, the Chiefs/Gunny's will know and make you life a living hell. That being said, earning their respect will be one of your greatest accomplishments
8) You are never done learning. Just because you have selected, doesn't mean jack ****. You are never done upgrading. There is always another qual that you need. That is even true of IP's. It's a constant learning curve, but it does get easier.
9) Air Force training is equally good for being a pilot but is lacking for being an independent thinking officer. EP's do not take a 2 hr discussion, professionally trained pilots who react the appropriate way in an instant is what we want. We are training SNA's who will one day be in charge of a crew or a flight who can make a decision without an extended discussion. EP's should be handled promptly, without extended machinations.
Naval Aviation is an unforgiving job that takes dedicated professionals. Flight School is not the Fleet. Keep your eyes and ears open and your mouth shut and you might learn something. You'll have the best of times and the lowest of low's in your career but overall it's extremely rewarding.
Dusty Dog
To alleviate all of the confusion, I wanted to post a few of my observations about flying as a primary IP who came from a helo community.
1) Consider yourself lucky that you are there in the first place. There are plenty of more people who want to take your place who don't care what they fly.
2) You are not in flight school to get yourself a job with the airlines (Ask some vets, money and commercial aviation is becoming a myth). If you think that, go ahead and DOR and give guys/girls the chance to excel and become officers.
3) The military is not a flying club, except for maybe the Air Force. The job, for the most part, is about breaking things and killing people. It is not about building flight time. Get all notions about Top Gun out of your heads.
4) If you get a slot for the Navy/Marine Corps, accept the fact that you will probably fly a helo. If you cannot accept that, then do not apply. Flying cargo in the Air Force is not very tactical. In the Navy/Marine Corps team, I can assure you that you will be very involved in the operations that you are participating in whether it be ass and trash, troops in zone, or bombs on target. You will not be removed from the action. For all you wannebe types learn about order of battle.
5) Just because you have 500hrs of C172 time does not mean that you know jack **** about flying. Straight and level is not hard. Learning to operate in a tactical environment while doing a specific mission is, be that CAS, SAR, VERTREP, CSAR, ASSAULT,etc. Quit thinking that ERAU taught you anything. You will get your ass handed to you in primary.
6) Flying a helicopter is the only pure stick and rudder flying that you will do in the military. In a helicopter, altitude is just more time to scream. A helicopter is the only aircraft that you will feel as one with. Having flown both for over 2200hrs, I can assure you that helicopter flying is much more challenging. No offense to my strike brothers, but in a F-18 you are a voting member in the cockpit. If the computer doesn't like it, then aren't going to do it. In a helicopter you will do what you told that machine whether it's a good idea or not. All you SNA's is Strike feel free to add you experienced rebuttals.
7) As an experienced fleet aviator, look at your FitRep. Your primary duty is your ground job, being a pilot is secondary. Your job is leading Sailors/Marines. If you have some other type of motivation, the Chiefs/Gunny's will know and make you life a living hell. That being said, earning their respect will be one of your greatest accomplishments
8) You are never done learning. Just because you have selected, doesn't mean jack ****. You are never done upgrading. There is always another qual that you need. That is even true of IP's. It's a constant learning curve, but it does get easier.
9) Air Force training is equally good for being a pilot but is lacking for being an independent thinking officer. EP's do not take a 2 hr discussion, professionally trained pilots who react the appropriate way in an instant is what we want. We are training SNA's who will one day be in charge of a crew or a flight who can make a decision without an extended discussion. EP's should be handled promptly, without extended machinations.
Naval Aviation is an unforgiving job that takes dedicated professionals. Flight School is not the Fleet. Keep your eyes and ears open and your mouth shut and you might learn something. You'll have the best of times and the lowest of low's in your career but overall it's extremely rewarding.
Dusty Dog
