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How is my aircraft picked for me?
- Thread starter Dougemd
- Start date
I'm just curious, do you think it would have been different if you got a ride, a real ride mind you, in a tactical jet? I actually had never ridden in a tactical jet until my first BI flight here in Meridian. I had flown a helo a couple times though. It was damn fun, that's for sure, but I still wanted the jets.
Having never flown anything more than a Cessna or Cherokee prior to primary, I admit, I wanted jets based on the "cool" factors: go fast, drop bombs, pull g's, and go to the boat. Thus far, I've gotten to do all of that and have had a blast thankfully. But, I've always been curious as to what it's like to fly a helo. I don't think a ride in a helo would change me by any means, but I want to because it's FLYING... and a different kind, and something that'd be neat to try or say I've done. Unfortunately, I'll probably never get a chance unless a chop to a MEU and get some stick time... and then that upside is offset by having to hang around phrog guys.
phrogpilot73
Well-Known Member
Well, to answer your question - I have gotten a ride in a tactical jet, twice as a matter of fact. Both rides were in an F/A-18B. Once when I was Marine of the Quarter (and our CO's policy was that in addition to the plaque we got a ride with the CO), and once when I was a mid.
What really attracted me to helos was the total sensory experience. Having to use all your limbs at once (because the trim doesn't work nearly as well as fixed wing), the vibration, the noise, the chin bubble, the visibility, flying low and seeing people wave at you. I felt like I was a bird when I flew helos, and I felt like a man flying a machine when I flew in fixed wing. That's why I love helos, and why I'll never give them up. Plus, it still gives me a huge goofy grin every time I pull into a hover...
Now that's a man that loves his job.
phrogpilot73
Well-Known Member
And that's the reason why, when I get out, I'm going to try and fly EMS/State Police/ENG/whatever to keep flying helos. Now if only I could find a woman who makes a lot of money...
Can you get a "good deal" with police flying helos? I know some departments require you to serve a certain amount of time as a patrolman before being eligible to fly. Can you bypass that?
If you guys will let an Old Fart voice an opnion......
It seems strange to read all these posts from people concerned that they might not get their aircraft of choice. This concern is expressed without any knowledge whatsoever of;
1. The platform. What is the aircraft really like? Is it fun to fly?
2. The mission. What is the aircraft's role in the Navy/Marine Corps?
3. The community. What kind of people will I be around 24/7, for years at a time?
Your first concerns should be;
1. Graduate from high school.
2. Graduate from college, and have fun doing it.
3. Apply for selection. Good luck.
3. Get through OCS, NROTC, etc.
4. Get through API.
5. Get through Primary, while at the same time make a high enough score to give yourself a good shot at getting your choice of platforms.
6. Whatever you get, rest assured you'll love it.
Guys, no matter what you get, squadron life will be a life-long memory, especially while you're a JO. No matter what you get, you will KNOW its better than working in a cubicle in Omaha or teaching history in Sorethroat, Kansas.
I'm so damn envious of all you young guys. Quit sniveling and enjoy yourselves. Someday soon you might have to become an adult, and then the fun ends.
It seems strange to read all these posts from people concerned that they might not get their aircraft of choice. This concern is expressed without any knowledge whatsoever of;
1. The platform. What is the aircraft really like? Is it fun to fly?
2. The mission. What is the aircraft's role in the Navy/Marine Corps?
3. The community. What kind of people will I be around 24/7, for years at a time?
Your first concerns should be;
1. Graduate from high school.
2. Graduate from college, and have fun doing it.
3. Apply for selection. Good luck.
3. Get through OCS, NROTC, etc.
4. Get through API.
5. Get through Primary, while at the same time make a high enough score to give yourself a good shot at getting your choice of platforms.
6. Whatever you get, rest assured you'll love it.
Guys, no matter what you get, squadron life will be a life-long memory, especially while you're a JO. No matter what you get, you will KNOW its better than working in a cubicle in Omaha or teaching history in Sorethroat, Kansas.
I'm so damn envious of all you young guys. Quit sniveling and enjoy yourselves. Someday soon you might have to become an adult, and then the fun ends.
^ Awesome advice. Extremely well put.
I believe in the PD where I'm from the pilots are just pilots and there's on observer who's an actual officer. I think the pilot has some training, but isn't required to be an actual officer, but I could be wrong. And I would assume EMS guys get paid a pretty decent amount, having to land in confined spaces and flying in less than perfect weather. Then there's always the possibility of flying tourist helos in HI.::icon_smil
I believe in the PD where I'm from the pilots are just pilots and there's on observer who's an actual officer. I think the pilot has some training, but isn't required to be an actual officer, but I could be wrong. And I would assume EMS guys get paid a pretty decent amount, having to land in confined spaces and flying in less than perfect weather. Then there's always the possibility of flying tourist helos in HI.::icon_smil
All fun jobs.... and you know the rule for that right? Fun jobs don't pay sh!t. Most aviation jobs don't pay a lot.
@BlkPny:
Agreed, all good points. Despite being pretty new to the boards (at least registering), hopefully you realize that most of the back and forth between the pointy nose crowd and us helo dudes is just in good fun and is pretty regular between the same people. If your "sniveling" comment was referring to something else in this thread, then disregard this post.
Agreed, all good points. Despite being pretty new to the boards (at least registering), hopefully you realize that most of the back and forth between the pointy nose crowd and us helo dudes is just in good fun and is pretty regular between the same people. If your "sniveling" comment was referring to something else in this thread, then disregard this post.
Yeah. Aint that a b!tch?
Not all law enforcement agencies require a guy to be a cop on the street before getting into aviation. in fact, it is all over the map now days. I fly as a volunteer in a law enforcement agency and we have both sworn pilots and civilian. All observer/tactical flight officers are sworn as they actually do the LE mission. That is standard. Some agencies only hire civilian pilots. Others will hire a guy to be a pilot but require him to go through the academy to become a certified peace officer and then he goes straight to the aviation unit. Dual certified (FW and rotor) guys have the best chance at these jobs. Also helps if you are a CFI or FAA Designated Examiner so you can perform in house training for them. I enjoy the heck out of the LE flying I do now. It is the closest I have gotten to the satisfaction I got from flying in the Navy and it is just plain fun.
For any heo guys passing through this thread I highly recommend joining the Airborne Law Enforcement Assoc. and see what is out there.