How to Become an Army Pilot
Becoming an army pilot is a challenging and rewarding career that requires a combination of physical and mental toughness, technical skills, and dedication. If you’re interested in pursuing a career as an army pilot, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started.
Step 1: Meet the Basic Requirements
- Age: You must be between 17 and 35 years old (with some exceptions for older candidates)
- Citizenship: You must be a U.S. citizen
- Education: You must have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Physical Fitness: You must meet the Army’s physical fitness standards
Step 2: Meet the Educational Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree: You must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Majors: You can major in any field, but aviation, aeronautical science, or a related field is recommended
- GPA: You must have a minimum GPA of 2.5
Step 3: Join the Army
- Enlistment: You can enlist in the Army as an aviation operations specialist or aviation maintenance technician
- Officer Candidate School (OCS): You can attend OCS to become an officer
- West Point: You can attend the United States Military Academy (West Point) to earn a commission
Step 4: Attend Flight School
- Flight School: You’ll attend flight school at Fort Rucker, Alabama, or Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas
- Flight Training: You’ll receive flight training in a T-6 Texan II or T-1 Jayhawk aircraft
- Flight Hours: You’ll accumulate a minimum of 40 hours of flight time
Step 5: Earn Your Pilot Wings
- Wing Ceremony: You’ll participate in a wing ceremony to receive your pilot wings
- Rating: You’ll receive a rotary wing or fixed-wing rating, depending on your aircraft
Step 6: Complete Additional Training
- Combat Training: You’ll receive combat training at Fort Rucker or Fort Benning, Georgia
- Instrument Rating: You’ll receive an instrument rating to fly in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC)
- Night Vision Goggles (NVG) Training: You’ll receive training on the use of NVGs
Step 7: Assignments and Deployment
- Assignments: You’ll be assigned to a unit and aircraft type
- Deployments: You may be deployed to a combat zone or other locations
Tips and Considerations
- Physical and Mental Toughness: You must be physically and mentally tough to become an army pilot
- Cost: Flight training is expensive, so you may need to consider scholarships or financial aid
- Time Commitment: Flight training requires a significant time commitment, so you’ll need to be prepared to dedicate several years to your training
- Teamwork: As an army pilot, you’ll be part of a team, so you’ll need to be able to work well with others
Types of Army Pilots
- Attack Helicopter Pilot: You’ll fly an AH-64 Apache or UH-60 Black Hawk attack helicopter
- Transport Helicopter Pilot: You’ll fly a CH-47 Chinook or UH-60 Black Hawk transport helicopter
- Fixed-Wing Pilot: You’ll fly a C-12 Huron or C-26 Metroliner fixed-wing aircraft
- Flight Instructor: You’ll teach flight skills to other pilots
Conclusion
Becoming an army pilot requires a significant amount of time, effort, and dedication. However, the rewards of serving as an army pilot are numerous, including the opportunity to serve your country, fly advanced aircraft, and work as part of a team. If you’re interested in pursuing a career as an army pilot, follow the steps outlined above and consider the tips and considerations provided.
