The pilot that was explaining everything was a very cool humble guy. The people they pick to fly that thing are some of the smartest people you will meet, people drop out of training before ever even getting to sit in the AH-64
@@ah64longbow In general people tend to overblow the difficulty of Army schools. I did DLI for linguist training and while it isn't easy, we're far from "the best and brightest linguists you'll ever meet." How is WOCS and Flight School anyway? Thinking of dropping a packet next contract.
@@sickcallranger2590 WOCS is pretty much a joke. Just a check the box course (even though they're going to stress it's not). It's just a little annoying because it's like going to basic again for the first few weeks, then the TACs ease up. I went from an E4 19D to this, so in terms of treatment of junior enlisted vs. WO, it's night and day. So that part is nice. Flight school itself is intense. It's a lot coming at you in a short amount of time. Before the army I did a couple years of flight school at ERAU and while I will say that academically army flight school is not harder than say maybe 300 level college courses, you're completing what would normally take 4 years at other places in 1 year or less. So yeah, pretty stressful and exhausting. Unfortunately the whole 10 year ADSO and TIG reset came about right after my packet was accepted and then while I was in WOCS, respectively. So is it worth it now? Ehhhh. Still, flying an Apache is pretty fucking cool. Would I do it again if I knew I'd be flying a blackhawk, chinook, or C-12? Hell no.
@@ah64longbow Good shit. Thanks. Yeah, DLI was definitely a 4 year language course compressed into nothing. Got me used to the firehose treatment. 10 year ADSO is some bullshit for sure, but it makes sense considering all the aviators leaving for better, more lucrative options with civie airlines. I understand there's basically no way to guarantee your airframe, right? Not even as a re-enlistment incentive (I'll be finishing out my 35P before switching)? I think all 3 look pretty fucking cool to fly but the Apache is definitely the coolest.
@@sickcallranger2590 You can guarantee your airframe if you are number 1 in the OML in your common core class. Then it goes from there. Your position in the OML also affects your duty station assignment
Air Cav has a motto - "Above The Best!" As a US Army Ranger who has called for air support many a times from these guys, to know and see the fire power of these birds is awe inspiring and we are truly grateful for them being on station and covering our asses on a regular!!! Army Aviation is absolutely amazing!!! Carry On!!!
I personally worked with Chief Kuth at Fort Riley Kansas as I am a 15B (Aircraft Engine Repairer) and was assigned to 1-1ARB from 2014 - 2019 . Very humble person!
Probably in May-ish this year actually. The viper was revealed in the same way at the same time of year and it came out in May so we should expect the AH-64D around the same time, give of take a month or two.
AMAZING! Cant believe they let you sit in it and gave you a quick tour. Janes Longbow was one of my favorite PC games of all time and I probably put hundreds of hours into it. Thanks for sharing this.
Great video, Erik. Thank you. I have a soft spot in my heart for Ft. Hood: it was where I did my last year of active duty after returning from my year in Vietnam as crew chief/gunner in a Huey assault helicopter company. I was in the HHC, 2nd Armored Div. at Hood. We had about 16 D and H-model Hueys, as well as a Cessna/Reims T-41 and a DeHavilland U-6 Beaver. I was a fixed-wing pilot, and had worked on light aircraft before Army days, so I talked my boss into letting me be the crew chief on both those aircraft. And I got to do a lot of flying in each of them. I figured that the Army owed me that much, at least. Looks as if a few things have changed at Ft. Hood since 1969. 😆🇺🇸
ErikJohnston Thanks. I knew it was a fuel stop for them on the way to Hood. I remember landing at McKinney for fuel once I the '90s when I was flying for Air Combat USA out of California.
Damn... this is awesome!! When I was 17 I wanted to be a helicopter pilot, but I didn't finish high school and ended up serving as a Infantry grunt instead darn it... I even had a high enough ASVAB score to become a pilot but I was bullshitted by my recruiters!!! I've always loved helicopters and now I'm kinda remorseful that I didn't get the chance to go for it... Bummers...
Great stuff. Asking some interesting questions and not gobbing off about what you think know. Really enjoyed it and what an amazing experience for you.
I am so jealous of you ! I wish I can just be near an apache, let alone get guided on one inside.... Thanks for the video ! I come from DCS and I just got the Apache which is going to be released... My favorite Aviation aircraft hands down
3:36 There used to be an analog 3" Airspeed and 3" VSI both front and back cockpits. The company I worked for mfg'd them for many years. Three were designed out as the glass displays took over. I helped engineer that little 2" Airspeed that he's touching (don't smudge that anti reflective coating young man!).
That is something I do not wish to be on the wrong end of. I think you'll find a lot of cool guys that have no problem talking about their gear. I spent an hour telling Joe why I needed a flashlight, cell phone, multitool and radio on a day shift. Now, if I could just have those weapons at my disposal when people go absolutely bonkers in traffic that would be lovely.
Don't know who these guys are, but I see that Big Red One patch. I was a crewmember for 1-1 Gunfighters, part of 1st Infantry Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team back when they were still stationed in Germany.
Ha ha ha, a “busier” cockpit..WHOOO. Looks preeeetty busy to me and I have a private helo cert. These guys, also Blackhawk, Chinooks, etc fly over us quite a bit between Ft Hood & Brownwood, Dyess AFB I suppose although NOT NEAR ENOUGH as “I’d” like! Funny, the other day, probably 3 weeks ago now, an APACHE flew LITERALLY OVER THE HOUSE & I ABSOLUTELY KNOW HE WASN’T 100’ AGL...probably doing 100-110 knots. It was awesome..!
It's actually kinda the other way around. The CPG controls all the weapons generally, but primarily the hellfires. It really just depends on how they are operating and what the conditions are they are in, but the pilot will have command of the gun so that he can quickly return fire against a near threat. The CPG would be scanning with the TADS looking for a target to engage with the HFMs. Either of them can WAZ and fire the Hydras.
Typically yes. Front seat typically is your gunner and back pilot. Either crewstation can do either role. Back seat or PC is usually senior pilot on live fire missions
Flying a helicopter is like trying to perform a ballet on a dingy. Toss in a bit of wind and turbulence, and it’s like trying to perform a ballet on a dingy in sea state 5. Flying an Apache is like all the above, plus performing a tough dissertation defense in front of a skeptical committee, all while some rather unseemly folks are shooting at you.
Hey Erik, do you know of any references for the engines for the Black Hawk and Apache helicopters?? I'm going to be working on a 1/35th scale MH-60L Black Hawk Helicopter and I need as many references as possible to build up the engine compartment as well as the engines too...
Re the drag slow down penalty. Not the same but similar, my A109, if you set up a stable cruise at 120 knots, then put the wheels down, same power, S/L you are now doing 108 knots. Conversely, set up a 115 knot cruise wheels down S/L then raise the wheels, you are now doing 125 knots plus. Normal cruise is 160 knots by the way.
How the hell do they not even have a VOR or TACAN onboard the aircraft? I suppose they likely have GPS guidance but it seems to be such a trivial add-on to make these things IFR capable. Then again, in today's modern battlefield for the Apache, these guys and gals are flying around in the desert and IMC isn't much of an issue.
@@robgeenen79 so it can heat up and send an incoming missle into confusion, it’s heat seeking, and the countermeasures is putting out unbelievable heat
Though I didn't have anything to do with the Army or the Apache (except a life long love interest since the mid 80s when it first flew), I would probably assume that the reason behind the lack of IFR capabilities were due to the JTACs and other guidance systems to get them around such as moving map displays, etc.
OMG you happier! 😲 Sitting in the Apache Pilot Seat ! 😁👍 That would be a dream for me. The video is very good! Would like to recreate the Apache cockpit in Cinema 4d
Please don't use electronic shutters when shooting rotorcraft on video. Just shoot at 1/60th and the rotors will look on video like your eyes see them. Much more realistic. I used to do video production at the Boeing Apache plant.
I'm here "studying" for DCS World. =)
Awesome video. Thanks for sharing!
The pilot that was explaining everything was a very cool humble guy. The people they pick to fly that thing are some of the smartest people you will meet, people drop out of training before ever even getting to sit in the AH-64
Ehh, I'm currently about halfway through the Apache course at Rucker. You don't have to be a genius, that's for sure lol
@@ah64longbow In general people tend to overblow the difficulty of Army schools. I did DLI for linguist training and while it isn't easy, we're far from "the best and brightest linguists you'll ever meet."
How is WOCS and Flight School anyway? Thinking of dropping a packet next contract.
@@sickcallranger2590 WOCS is pretty much a joke. Just a check the box course (even though they're going to stress it's not). It's just a little annoying because it's like going to basic again for the first few weeks, then the TACs ease up. I went from an E4 19D to this, so in terms of treatment of junior enlisted vs. WO, it's night and day. So that part is nice. Flight school itself is intense. It's a lot coming at you in a short amount of time. Before the army I did a couple years of flight school at ERAU and while I will say that academically army flight school is not harder than say maybe 300 level college courses, you're completing what would normally take 4 years at other places in 1 year or less. So yeah, pretty stressful and exhausting. Unfortunately the whole 10 year ADSO and TIG reset came about right after my packet was accepted and then while I was in WOCS, respectively. So is it worth it now? Ehhhh. Still, flying an Apache is pretty fucking cool. Would I do it again if I knew I'd be flying a blackhawk, chinook, or C-12? Hell no.
@@ah64longbow Good shit. Thanks. Yeah, DLI was definitely a 4 year language course compressed into nothing. Got me used to the firehose treatment. 10 year ADSO is some bullshit for sure, but it makes sense considering all the aviators leaving for better, more lucrative options with civie airlines.
I understand there's basically no way to guarantee your airframe, right? Not even as a re-enlistment incentive (I'll be finishing out my 35P before switching)? I think all 3 look pretty fucking cool to fly but the Apache is definitely the coolest.
@@sickcallranger2590 You can guarantee your airframe if you are number 1 in the OML in your common core class. Then it goes from there. Your position in the OML also affects your duty station assignment
That back seat tour was mind-boggling! To this old (literally!) A-model guy, it seems like a completely different aircraft. Great video!
he let you turn the battery on? that's awesome.
☺️
Should have asked if you could have turned on the APU also.
I'm amazed how I know most of the stuff he's talking about after a few days of DCS ;)
Air Cav has a motto - "Above The Best!"
As a US Army Ranger who has called for air support many a times from these guys, to know and see the fire power of these birds is awe inspiring and we are truly grateful for them being on station and covering our asses on a regular!!!
Army Aviation is absolutely amazing!!!
Carry On!!!
I personally worked with Chief Kuth at Fort Riley Kansas as I am a 15B (Aircraft Engine Repairer) and was assigned to 1-1ARB from 2014 - 2019 . Very humble person!
She will be so awesome when she comes to DCS next year! :O
hell yeah!
next year hahahahahaah. It will work in next DECADE !!!!!
This year, actually!
Probably in May-ish this year actually. The viper was revealed in the same way at the same time of year and it came out in May so we should expect the AH-64D around the same time, give of take a month or two.
But why a girl
AMAZING! Cant believe they let you sit in it and gave you a quick tour. Janes Longbow was one of my favorite PC games of all time and I probably put hundreds of hours into it. Thanks for sharing this.
Hands down favourite heli ever!!
Fantastic insight to the controls and loved the mission card 👍❤️🇬🇧
That really surprised me. I was like, "Where'd all the chip lights go?!"
Great video, Erik. Thank you. I have a soft spot in my heart for Ft. Hood: it was where I did my last year of active duty after returning from my year in Vietnam as crew chief/gunner in a Huey assault helicopter company. I was in the HHC, 2nd Armored Div. at Hood. We had about 16 D and H-model Hueys, as well as a Cessna/Reims T-41 and a DeHavilland U-6 Beaver. I was a fixed-wing pilot, and had worked on light aircraft before Army days, so I talked my boss into letting me be the crew chief on both those aircraft. And I got to do a lot of flying in each of them. I figured that the Army owed me that much, at least.
Looks as if a few things have changed at Ft. Hood since 1969. 😆🇺🇸
ConradInHawaii Thank you very much for your service!!
This was actually at the McKinney airport in Texas. They were in their way to Ft Hood.
ErikJohnston
Thanks. I knew it was a fuel stop for them on the way to Hood. I remember landing at McKinney for fuel once I the '90s when I was flying for Air Combat USA out of California.
Thank you for this amazing adventure
Lucky dude. Getting to turn the key on Apache!
Yea I wish I could do that
Damn... this is awesome!! When I was 17 I wanted to be a helicopter pilot, but I didn't finish high school and ended up serving as a Infantry grunt instead darn it... I even had a high enough ASVAB score to become a pilot but I was bullshitted by my recruiters!!! I've always loved helicopters and now I'm kinda remorseful that I didn't get the chance to go for it... Bummers...
Great stuff. Asking some interesting questions and not gobbing off about what you think know. Really enjoyed it and what an amazing experience for you.
"Aft deck fire"
Ahhhh memories.
Good for modellers ...working on Revell 1:48 WAH-64D Apache now.
That cockpit is so clean!
cool video! I can't wait to try all the controls in DCS when they release it.
Cool! Looking forward to flying this bird in DCS 🙂
After the new release of the AH-64D on DCS, seeing the cockpit here makes a lot of sense to me now.
same lol its crazy that a game can teach an average civilian the inner workings of military aircraft
Right? Now I'm like... dear Lord don't set me in that seat because I sure as shit know how to fire it up. lol
@@GTRNights for real lol
I was sitting in Ka-50 once and thinking the same
The Apache is the great helicopter !!
I am so jealous of you !
I wish I can just be near an apache, let alone get guided on one inside....
Thanks for the video ! I come from DCS and I just got the Apache which is going to be released... My favorite Aviation aircraft hands down
3:36 There used to be an analog 3" Airspeed and 3" VSI both front and back cockpits. The company I worked for mfg'd them for many years. Three were designed out as the glass displays took over. I helped engineer that little 2" Airspeed that he's touching (don't smudge that anti reflective coating young man!).
I was in the 8/229th Attack Helicopter Regiment. We had AH-64s.
Great video brother. Keep up the great work.
That is something I do not wish to be on the wrong end of. I think you'll find a lot of cool guys that have no problem talking about their gear. I spent an hour telling Joe why I needed a flashlight, cell phone, multitool and radio on a day shift. Now, if I could just have those weapons at my disposal when people go absolutely bonkers in traffic that would be lovely.
Another great video!
your making my dreams come true
Don't know who these guys are, but I see that Big Red One patch. I was a crewmember for 1-1 Gunfighters, part of 1st Infantry Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team back when they were still stationed in Germany.
Even fighter (jet) pilots need heroes. #GoArmy
For some reason I've been craving to get into the flight deck of her. I think it's the sound note. Anyways thanks for the view.
Ha ha ha, a “busier” cockpit..WHOOO. Looks preeeetty busy to me and I have a private helo cert. These guys, also Blackhawk, Chinooks, etc fly over us quite a bit between Ft Hood & Brownwood, Dyess AFB I suppose although NOT NEAR ENOUGH as “I’d” like! Funny, the other day, probably 3 weeks ago now, an APACHE flew LITERALLY OVER THE HOUSE & I ABSOLUTELY KNOW HE WASN’T 100’ AGL...probably doing 100-110 knots. It was awesome..!
Fully functional units are available from Eagle Dynamics Inc. for just $39.95 USD. Sale ends today.
Is the front (gunner) still the primary gun shooter with the backseat the pilot and responsible for the missiles?
It's actually kinda the other way around. The CPG controls all the weapons generally, but primarily the hellfires. It really just depends on how they are operating and what the conditions are they are in, but the pilot will have command of the gun so that he can quickly return fire against a near threat. The CPG would be scanning with the TADS looking for a target to engage with the HFMs. Either of them can WAZ and fire the Hydras.
Typically yes. Front seat typically is your gunner and back pilot. Either crewstation can do either role. Back seat or PC is usually senior pilot on live fire missions
Flying a helicopter is like trying to perform a ballet on a dingy.
Toss in a bit of wind and turbulence, and it’s like trying to perform a ballet on a dingy in sea state 5.
Flying an Apache is like all the above, plus performing a tough dissertation defense in front of a skeptical committee, all while some rather unseemly folks are shooting at you.
It's still fun though ;)
Here after the DCS apache trailer
Meanwhile I struggle to remember what the things on my phone do!
Haha
Perfeito parabéns!
Awesome! 👍
Hey Erik, do you know of any references for the engines for the Black Hawk and Apache helicopters?? I'm going to be working on a 1/35th scale MH-60L Black Hawk Helicopter and I need as many references as possible to build up the engine compartment as well as the engines too...
Every guys dream to get into one of these bad boys
That sentence, in another context, could mean something very different. Unless that's what you meant.....
True
Re the drag slow down penalty. Not the same but similar, my A109, if you set up a stable cruise at 120 knots, then put the wheels down, same power, S/L you are now doing 108 knots. Conversely, set up a 115 knot cruise wheels down S/L then raise the wheels, you are now doing 125 knots plus. Normal cruise is 160 knots by the way.
It was Good Conversation in Exhibition.
Nice.
How the hell do they not even have a VOR or TACAN onboard the aircraft? I suppose they likely have GPS guidance but it seems to be such a trivial add-on to make these things IFR capable. Then again, in today's modern battlefield for the Apache, these guys and gals are flying around in the desert and IMC isn't much of an issue.
They fly around in the desert, I fix the avionics 2 tours in Iraq
Why would it need to be IFR capable?
@@robgeenen79 so it can heat up and send an incoming missle into confusion, it’s heat seeking, and the countermeasures is putting out unbelievable heat
@@thinktankt.v.podcast6351 I have no idea how your comment is related to my question...
Though I didn't have anything to do with the Army or the Apache (except a life long love interest since the mid 80s when it first flew), I would probably assume that the reason behind the lack of IFR capabilities were due to the JTACs and other guidance systems to get them around such as moving map displays, etc.
Is have air conditioner ?
Yes, two full ACs
Enemy chopper gunner in the A.O
This kills killstreak is game changer in COD 😂
Cool!
what unit were they from?
1-1 out of Fort Riley
Can't wait to crash the hell outta this in DCS!!!
I still haven't been able to land without damaging something and never mind hovering in place.
Is Apache harder to fly than a F-35?
Yes
ARMY AVIATION
thanks youtube
Too bad you couldn't get the measurements on the panels.
OMG you happier! 😲 Sitting in the Apache Pilot Seat ! 😁👍 That would be a dream for me. The video is very good! Would like to recreate the Apache cockpit in Cinema 4d
Why no insignia?
Insignia are unit specific, some units don't bother. It is frowned upon by the army.
Aircraft are often traded from unit to unit as deployments happen as well.
Why is the keyboard not in QWERTY order?
@dsd gds 😂 good answer
That was the common complaint when the D models rolled out. If your in a hurry, it can be maddening
Even antiquated ATC keyboards were alphabetic and not QWERTY. Keep in mind it’s 70s tech.
I want one, in pink
Kentucky Windage.
It's still red x 😂
Please don't use electronic shutters when shooting rotorcraft on video. Just shoot at 1/60th and the rotors will look on video like your eyes see them. Much more realistic.
I used to do video production at the Boeing Apache plant.
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸✊✊✊👍👍👍👌👌👌🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️☺️☺️☺️☺️