This is a awesome experience for all the family's. An it's just the beginning. U have a great opportunity to see your young man or women grow an learn to fly like an eagle. An u are a big part of their training an education from start to finish. I know I watched my daughter go through this . From start to graduation were her mom an I pinned her wings on her. Wat an adventure. An it's just the beginning
My God I'm old when I was in the service they still used the Hughes trainer the 300. For new pilots wow now they fly these nice. Quite the up grade. If course I have no idea when they made the change but it's nice they are flying multi blade helicopters now. Something they took their time with. I was a 58 and a huey crew chief way long ago.
I seem to recall that the TH-55 had more than one blade, more than two most of the time. Even the ancient OH-23 that went to the boneyard after failing to kill us on short final at Ft. Hood had two of those whirly things on top. : )
@@umami0247 sorry, I was making feeble fun of "flying multi blade helicopters now", They all had two or more blades, barring something unfortunate. As much fun as the TH-55 was, I too think that the current trainer is a big step up and forward for Army aviation. I cringe even now when I think about the "flight simulators" of the time. Those WW2 toys with the dinky wings and at Ft Hood, a cheap kitchen chair pulled up to a table, a fixed wing twin simulator for chopper pilots. it was humiliating to crash on takeoff. It was if the Army needed us, and resented us at the same time. We had to brace enlisted men if they did not salute on the flight line. We could not wear flight suits or jackets off the field. I was waiting for an order to put on camouflage paint before a flight, if and when we could get hours at all. The two division COs clearly preferred armor and arty to Huey's. Our air cav troop had 37 pilots and from zero to three flyable airplanes, including that 1950s 23 that quit on final. Boy it makes me angry even now. In nam it was a different story of course, the 11th ACR was not the 2nd AD.
Wow! I was 22yrs old in 1999 when I went through flight training at Fort Rucker. Family day is EXACTLY the same as I remember... On that day, they had us practicing hydraulics OFF landings for the first time ever! Even for the best pilot, the best you can hope for is looking like a stumbling drunk in a bar at 1:55am. We looked like the WORST pilots EVER in front of our families LOL! And I swear... every single time that the instructor took the controls, they flew like SHIT. Thus making us look even worse in front of our families. Were they F'kn with us LOL!!!??? EDIT... Back then we flew the TH67 which were some Magum PI looking things lol
May I ask how long is each phase of Flight Training? Also, at what point do you take WOBC and then the advanced course and how long is each? Thanks so much!
Well its been a long time but by WOBC i think you mean officer school? If so, its the very first thing you do. And if you graduate then you start initial flight training they really throw you right into the water.. we were on the controls and flying before we even really started the academic classes. You have a VERY short time to learn how to hover btw. Academics take up half the day and flying the other half. It is an EXTREMELY fast pace and you will spend every waking hour studying. Also, prepare to not sleep for about a year lol. So in terms of the flying, each section is about a couple months (if memory serves me). First is basic flight, hovering, traffic patterns etc. Next is instrument simulators. Then instrument flying. I think after that is night flying. Tactics is before or after instruments I think (hard to remember exactly). If you make it that far you have specific training in the helicopter that you are assigned to. I got OH-58D Kiowa Warrior:)! Scout is a SUPER fun mission..... low and fast! But be warned..... STUDY HARD! TRY HARD! And FOCUS, because your ranking in the class determines if you get the helicopter of your choice. Bottom of the class usually gets Apaches. And trust me you don't want them. They are always broken and are pieces of shit, so not so much flight time. Hope I'm remembering correctly and hope this helps. Good luck! Edit: take all this with a grain of salt because I'm trying to remember 20years ago.
@@sacha4566 Oh boy, If i know anything about the army (and I don't really) is that they never seem to change their old, outdated ways. So as a future army aviator, this is intimidating to hear (especially sense I would ideally want to chose Apaches haha)
@@MrWarmaster15 LOL!, so true about the Army... But don't worry, just literally take it one day at a time. Each day requires its own total focus. If you start getting distracted by the big picture and the whole task ahead of you, you will just freak yourself out. Trust me I know lol. Just focus on being perfect for each day, and the next day will be ok. You can do it!!! Also, Apaches are pretty badass! My friends that flew them absolutely LOVED them:) EDIT: Here's some invaluable advice for the beginning of flight training... The trick to hovering is to NOT grip/squeeze the shit out of the cyclic, and to NOT make big ass adjustments/movements due to over grip and nervousness. Very loose grip, tiny but constant adjustments. Same goes for the collective and pedals tiny but constant adjustments. Although, hovering in a tailwind or gusts will occasionally require some bigger movements. And of course bigger left or right pedal pushes to turn the heli left or right at a hover. P.S. Chew gum when you fly. I swear by it. I have chewed gum EVERY single time that I have flown a helicopter or airplane. 3 reasons... #1) its calming, #2) keeps the ears from getting too much pressure, and #3) you can't grab a drink when your on the controls... ever. So its helps keep the mouth from feeling all dusty and dry. Especially if your nervous in the beginning lol.
@@enigmascharm7573 I do kneel before the wing wipers from time to time....HOWEVER it breaks my heart to see my old UH-1 being rigged for thistle spraying in New Zealand! Never get old I say! Ha Ha. I do love the Huey traditionally and we all know that when the last Blackhawk is flown to Davis Monthan for disposal...it will be an old Huey crew that flies them home.
When the TH 55 , TH 13 and Hillers were being used you had better trained pilots (mostly power management.) TH 57 & these Airbus turn out a lower quality pilot, Had a bunch of Army aviators lose rotor RPM in civilian helicopters and screw the pooch more then once...Not their faults - Rucker grad 1979, 67V10 , Had my civil helo ticket already
Ummm.... what happened to my TH-67's? Since when do students start with a Lakota? Thats almost cheating. Those things practically hover and fly themselves.
@@regulator5521 nope... I recently spoke to a friend still working at Ft. Rucker and primary students start on the Lakota now. TH-67's have been phased out.
@@regulator5521 thats awesome dude. Do you have any ideas as to what airframe you want to fly? Are you going active, guard, reserve? I went through WOCS and flight school in 2011-2012. If you have any questions let me know, I'll help you as much as I can.
@@MD-on9fi That’s so cool! I’m thinking medevac so UH-60 but if given the choice I would go for CH-47. Do you have any advice on what airframe has the most responsibility? I want to play a supportive role as much as possible on active duty.
There are 2 paths to Army flight school... #1) Highschool to flight school program (if they still have that). And bear in mind that your chances of getting in that way are near impossible. But always worth a shot. #2) Join active duty army and submit a flight packet. I highly recommend insisting on a job that puts you working in a hanger around helicopters and pilots. Example: crew chief, avionics (what I did before becoming a pilot), or helicopter mechanic. It also gives you a greater chance to get to know some pilots and get good recommendations for you flight packet which are extremely important. I also made sure that I got airborne school and air assault school guaranteed in my initial contract because your resume is also VERY IMPORTANT in your flight packet. I also did things like combat life saver school, leadership positions, soldier of the month board etc. It all helps. Generally flight applicants are E5 and above. But I didn't see anywhere that said you could not apply earlier, so I went for it. I applied as a private E3. I also hand delivered my flight packet to the president of the flight board rather than mailing it. Again, it didn't say anywhere that I couldn't do that. The president of the flight board told me that he had never had anyone do that before. I told him that I wanted to meet him in person so that he understood how serious I was about becoming am Army Aviator. It worked. I got accepted that day, was promoted emmediately to E5 (skipped E4) and left for WOBC/flight school 3months later. Go for it! And good luck! Edit: we also had some west point graduates in our class, so that is another way in. However, I'm not sure how that works.
@@justgeo3879 Wow cool! That's really good news. Everyone back in the 90's told me it was next to impossible. If I was a young kid trying to fly these days, I would definitely try for the HS to FS program! Option #2 is a BIG gamble lol.
Sacha yea they are hurting right now if I’m not mistaken fy2020 2nd quarter they had 30 applicants 25 selected right now is the time to try out for the job if you can meet the prerequisites
I’m pretty sure Fort Rucker has been there longer than any lived in resident has been there. Kind of like moving to an extra train track. You get used to it.
Boy howdy! We lived for 6 years next to a base field. Before COVID, the pilots were respectful and kept away from our houses. AFTER COVID, these idiot pilots started targeting our houses. They would fly directly over our houses and lower than 500 feet. They would start at 8:00 a.m. and go til after midnight. It was f@cking torture. I called the noise mitigation guy at Rucker and told him to come to my house and see what I was talking about. We both stood out in my front yard and had to stop talking when the Blackhawks came over head. He said "I see what you're talking about now, that's loud!" Three days later I get a call saying there's nothing they can do, and that these flight pattern were the ones they've always used. B@LLSh@T! There's a lot of fine people that work at Rucker, I knew a bunch of them. But these a@@holes that target people's homes and peaceful enjoyment of there property are b@stards. A lot of people don't enjoy being buzzed night and day.
This is a awesome experience for all the family's. An it's just the beginning. U have a great opportunity to see your young man or women grow an learn to fly like an eagle. An u are a big part of their training an education from start to finish. I know I watched my daughter go through this . From start to graduation were her mom an I pinned her wings on her. Wat an adventure. An it's just the beginning
That's awesome that they have a parents weekend. Hopefully I will be there soon and my parents can come and see.
did you end u getting to go?
Good luck! You can do it!
Did you go after all? Is so can you tell me your experience?
I live 1 or 2 cities away from Ft. Rucker, we have helicopters flying around everyday
buzz buzz buzz
That’s a good thing
These birds fly over my house on their way to Marianna,Fl. airport several times weekly. So do the Blackhawks and Chinooks. Music to my ears.
My God I'm old when I was in the service they still used the Hughes trainer the 300. For new pilots wow now they fly these nice. Quite the up grade. If course I have no idea when they made the change but it's nice they are flying multi blade helicopters now. Something they took their time with. I was a 58 and a huey crew chief way long ago.
I seem to recall that the TH-55 had more than one blade, more than two most of the time. Even the ancient OH-23 that went to the boneyard after failing to kill us on short final at Ft. Hood had two of those whirly things on top. : )
@@fred1barb I believe the 300 had a three blade main rotor configuration.
@@umami0247 sorry, I was making feeble fun of "flying multi blade helicopters now", They all had two or more blades, barring something unfortunate. As much fun as the TH-55 was, I too think that the current trainer is a big step up and forward for Army aviation. I cringe even now when I think about the "flight simulators" of the time. Those WW2 toys with the dinky wings and at Ft Hood, a cheap kitchen chair pulled up to a table, a fixed wing twin simulator for chopper pilots. it was humiliating to crash on takeoff. It was if the Army needed us, and resented us at the same time. We had to brace enlisted men if they did not salute on the flight line. We could not wear flight suits or jackets off the field. I was waiting for an order to put on camouflage paint before a flight, if and when we could get hours at all. The two division COs clearly preferred armor and arty to Huey's. Our air cav troop had 37 pilots and from zero to three flyable airplanes, including that 1950s 23 that quit on final. Boy it makes me angry even now. In nam it was a different story of course, the 11th ACR was not the 2nd AD.
The TH55 " Mattel Messerschmidt" had three blades- I still have one from flight school
Wow! I was 22yrs old in 1999 when I went through flight training at Fort Rucker. Family day is EXACTLY the same as I remember... On that day, they had us practicing hydraulics OFF landings for the first time ever! Even for the best pilot, the best you can hope for is looking like a stumbling drunk in a bar at 1:55am. We looked like the WORST pilots EVER in front of our families LOL! And I swear... every single time that the instructor took the controls, they flew like SHIT. Thus making us look even worse in front of our families. Were they F'kn with us LOL!!!???
EDIT... Back then we flew the TH67 which were some Magum PI looking things lol
lmfao
My dad was medevac pilot and was there around the same time for flight school I was 7 or so when we lived down there lol 31 now lol
May I ask how long is each phase of Flight Training? Also, at what point do you take WOBC and then the advanced course and how long is each? Thanks so much!
Well its been a long time but by WOBC i think you mean officer school? If so, its the very first thing you do. And if you graduate then you start initial flight training they really throw you right into the water.. we were on the controls and flying before we even really started the academic classes. You have a VERY short time to learn how to hover btw. Academics take up half the day and flying the other half. It is an EXTREMELY fast pace and you will spend every waking hour studying. Also, prepare to not sleep for about a year lol. So in terms of the flying, each section is about a couple months (if memory serves me). First is basic flight, hovering, traffic patterns etc. Next is instrument simulators. Then instrument flying. I think after that is night flying. Tactics is before or after instruments I think (hard to remember exactly). If you make it that far you have specific training in the helicopter that you are assigned to. I got OH-58D Kiowa Warrior:)! Scout is a SUPER fun mission..... low and fast! But be warned..... STUDY HARD! TRY HARD! And FOCUS, because your ranking in the class determines if you get the helicopter of your choice. Bottom of the class usually gets Apaches. And trust me you don't want them. They are always broken and are pieces of shit, so not so much flight time. Hope I'm remembering correctly and hope this helps. Good luck!
Edit: take all this with a grain of salt because I'm trying to remember 20years ago.
@@sacha4566 Thanks!
@@sacha4566 Oh boy, If i know anything about the army (and I don't really) is that they never seem to change their old, outdated ways. So as a future army aviator, this is intimidating to hear (especially sense I would ideally want to chose Apaches haha)
@@MrWarmaster15 LOL!, so true about the Army...
But don't worry, just literally take it one day at a time. Each day requires its own total focus. If you start getting distracted by the big picture and the whole task ahead of you, you will just freak yourself out. Trust me I know lol. Just focus on being perfect for each day, and the next day will be ok. You can do it!!!
Also, Apaches are pretty badass! My friends that flew them absolutely LOVED them:)
EDIT: Here's some invaluable advice for the beginning of flight training... The trick to hovering is to NOT grip/squeeze the shit out of the cyclic, and to NOT make big ass adjustments/movements due to over grip and nervousness. Very loose grip, tiny but constant adjustments. Same goes for the collective and pedals tiny but constant adjustments. Although, hovering in a tailwind or gusts will occasionally require some bigger movements. And of course bigger left or right pedal pushes to turn the heli left or right at a hover.
P.S. Chew gum when you fly. I swear by it. I have chewed gum EVERY single time that I have flown a helicopter or airplane. 3 reasons... #1) its calming, #2) keeps the ears from getting too much pressure, and #3) you can't grab a drink when your on the controls... ever. So its helps keep the mouth from feeling all dusty and dry. Especially if your nervous in the beginning lol.
@@huskyaonecee7568 I gave @AAtank some advice in the comments that you may find useful. Check it out and I hope that it helps:)
the Lakota looks nice.
Nice vid, brings back memories of "Family Day" 78-22 Goldhats. Which stagefield Bob?
Appears to be Allen Stagefield.
@@enigmascharm7573 Thanks....we did Primary there in the TH-55 so very long ago. That Lakota will never replace a Huey...ha ha.
@@nvdwarriorLtc it never will. USAF is keeping that tradition alive though.
@@enigmascharm7573 I do kneel before the wing wipers from time to time....HOWEVER it breaks my heart to see my old UH-1 being rigged for thistle spraying in New Zealand! Never get old I say! Ha Ha. I do love the Huey traditionally and we all know that when the last Blackhawk is flown to Davis Monthan for disposal...it will be an old Huey crew that flies them home.
Gold Flight 77-17 myself
Is this during phase 2 of basic flight school?
When the TH 55 , TH 13 and Hillers were being used you had better trained pilots (mostly power management.)
TH 57 & these Airbus turn out a lower quality pilot, Had a bunch of Army aviators lose rotor RPM in civilian helicopters and screw the pooch more then once...Not their faults - Rucker grad 1979, 67V10 , Had my civil helo ticket already
What stage field is this?
Ummm.... what happened to my TH-67's? Since when do students start with a Lakota? Thats almost cheating. Those things practically hover and fly themselves.
They probably transferred after learning in the TH-67 and went into training for advanced avionics in the Lakota
@@regulator5521 nope... I recently spoke to a friend still working at Ft. Rucker and primary students start on the Lakota now. TH-67's have been phased out.
@@MD-on9fi Dang that sucks. I’m working on my WOFT packet and I was actually looking forward to learning in a TH-67
@@regulator5521 thats awesome dude. Do you have any ideas as to what airframe you want to fly? Are you going active, guard, reserve? I went through WOCS and flight school in 2011-2012. If you have any questions let me know, I'll help you as much as I can.
@@MD-on9fi That’s so cool! I’m thinking medevac so UH-60 but if given the choice I would go for CH-47. Do you have any advice on what airframe has the most responsibility? I want to play a supportive role as much as possible on active duty.
That’s our girl, lol
If you are ROTC can you be pilot???
There are 2 paths to Army flight school...
#1) Highschool to flight school program (if they still have that). And bear in mind that your chances of getting in that way are near impossible. But always worth a shot.
#2) Join active duty army and submit a flight packet. I highly recommend insisting on a job that puts you working in a hanger around helicopters and pilots. Example: crew chief, avionics (what I did before becoming a pilot), or helicopter mechanic. It also gives you a greater chance to get to know some pilots and get good recommendations for you flight packet which are extremely important. I also made sure that I got airborne school and air assault school guaranteed in my initial contract because your resume is also VERY IMPORTANT in your flight packet. I also did things like combat life saver school, leadership positions, soldier of the month board etc. It all helps. Generally flight applicants are E5 and above. But I didn't see anywhere that said you could not apply earlier, so I went for it. I applied as a private E3. I also hand delivered my flight packet to the president of the flight board rather than mailing it. Again, it didn't say anywhere that I couldn't do that. The president of the flight board told me that he had never had anyone do that before. I told him that I wanted to meet him in person so that he understood how serious I was about becoming am Army Aviator. It worked. I got accepted that day, was promoted emmediately to E5 (skipped E4) and left for WOBC/flight school 3months later. Go for it! And good luck!
Edit: we also had some west point graduates in our class, so that is another way in. However, I'm not sure how that works.
Sacha option #1 actually has a pretty high success rate if I’m not mistaken 90 something percentile
@@justgeo3879 Wow cool!
That's really good news. Everyone back in the 90's told me it was next to impossible. If I was a young kid trying to fly these days, I would definitely try for the HS to FS program! Option #2 is a BIG gamble lol.
Sacha yea they are hurting right now if I’m not mistaken fy2020 2nd quarter they had 30 applicants 25 selected right now is the time to try out for the job if you can meet the prerequisites
must suck being the neighborhood homes near
I’m pretty sure Fort Rucker has been there longer than any lived in resident has been there. Kind of like moving to an extra train track. You get used to it.
@@markthomas4083 TRUE
I kind of want to move over there to Ozark Alabama.
for a lot of the homes it is the sound of money given all the civilian workers on base
Boy howdy! We lived for 6 years next to a base field. Before COVID, the pilots were respectful and kept away from our houses. AFTER COVID, these idiot pilots started targeting our houses. They would fly directly over our houses and lower than 500 feet. They would start at 8:00 a.m. and go til after midnight. It was f@cking torture. I called the noise mitigation guy at Rucker and told him to come to my house and see what I was talking about. We both stood out in my front yard and had to stop talking when the Blackhawks came over head. He said "I see what you're talking about now, that's loud!" Three days later I get a call saying there's nothing they can do, and that these flight pattern were the ones they've always used. B@LLSh@T! There's a lot of fine people that work at Rucker, I knew a bunch of them. But these a@@holes that target people's homes and peaceful enjoyment of there property are b@stards. A lot of people don't enjoy being buzzed night and day.