How much would a Helicopter Private Pilot Cert help my 153A Warrant Packet?

2018-03-19T02:45:55-04:00

I have recently enlisted to active duty from the National Guard with the intent of becoming a Rotary Warrant officer. Currently I am 29yo and a 13B Artilleryman E5 that’s always been in good standing, but haven’t been afforded much to print onto my service record. I have some college which started out in aviation (Pro Pilot) from some years back, grades were mediocre due to life circumstances. I would like to and intend to finish a degree in something someday in the near future. I am soon to start building my packet and feel that I may not have much there to stand out in the competition. I believe I will do pretty well on the SIFT (need to get refreshed on my math skills), so I could have that. PT will be good as well.

My question to those with experience is: How much would me holding a helicopter private certificate help my packet? My dream and life goals have always been to be a professional aviator and if investing 20-25$ to get there could help make that happen, I’m in.

Thoughts? And of course, thanks much in advance.

-CH

Response by A1C Ian Williams made Mar 19 at 2018 3:27 AM

2018-03-19T03:27:07-04:00

Good luck to you SGT Private RallyPoint Member I will always support a fellow serviceman who is willing to work hard to support us from a cockpit.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2018 3:33 AM

2018-03-19T03:33:13-04:00

From what I understood, very little. If may give you some advantages later if you make it through WOCS.

Selection into WOCS is largely based on leadership potential. That is why they want to see the best NCOERS, APFT scores, how well you present yourself on paper through your writing, especially the career summary.

I tried 3 times to get selected for a walking warrant shot, but little things stopped me before I became injured and pulled out of the selection process the last time.

Have you talked to a wing warrant yet?

I hope one will jump in and verify what I said.

Response by CW5 John M. made Mar 19 at 2018 6:30 AM

2018-03-19T06:30:52-04:00

I come from a different era, but in my time, it didn’t much matter b/c they were looking for “warm bodies”. After ‘Nam, however, I wanted to go to fixed-wing school, but the emphasis seemed to be on folk who already had a civilian rating - or a minority status :/ My wish was “laughed at” in my circles. Of course, back then my MOS was 100E (guns), and I was told time and time again that “guns” was my track, and there was nothing in H-LL that was going to get me out of that. Well, I eventually showed THEM! Unfortunately, it did not get me fixed wing school. I had to get THAT on my own dime. Concerning getting civil aviation training; probably helicopter training would be better than fixed-wing, but Ultimately, you will be selected on the “NEED” of the service, not your wishes. Probably not smart to spend your own money if you can use govt. assistance, GI Bill, etc. unless you plan on fully committing to an aviation career come H-LL or high water.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Mar 19 at 2018 6:53 AM

2018-03-19T06:53:23-04:00

Talk with a Warrant Officer recruiter and let te system work. For what I recall the aviation branch had way too many applicants than what they needed therefore they had the luxury of picking as they pleased. They racked and stacked based on SIFT scores (or the FAST back then) and then all of the other requirements came into effect!

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2018 6:57 AM

2018-03-19T06:57:13-04:00

It can’t hurt. But really very little. You could have a private license but if the rest of your packet isn’t strong enough it won’t matter a bit. They look at the whole Soldier.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Mar 19 at 2018 10:30 AM

2018-03-19T10:30:26-04:00

I don’t know about the Army side, but the Air Force is roughly 2000 pilots short. There is a huge push to hire pilots. However, you would need a bachelors degree. But it’s something you might consider. Since they are so desperate for pilots anything you could bring to the table would be a bonus.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Mar 19 at 2018 10:42 AM

2018-03-19T10:42:47-04:00

I would suggest talking to a WO in the field you want to go. I (many years ago) wanted to be a Navy pilot. Top Gun was the big movie out at the time, go figure. Anyway, I thought that getting my Private Pilot's license would help. When I talked to an actual Navy pilot that sits on selection boards, his comments were enlightening. They would rather take an outstanding candidate and teach them what they need to know to fly the way they want, then re-train someone who has learned civilian methods that are different. But, that is out of date info, better to talk to someone in the know about it. FWIW, I never became a pilot. Went Surface Navy and loved every single minute of it...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2018 11:44 AM

2018-03-19T11:44:56-04:00

I currently have a warrant packet in for 153A and I do not have any kind of experience in aviation. That being said it would make you much more competitive then me. From what I understand the Army is short some 600+ pilots right now so apply sooner then later. Having the experience you do will make you very competitive. Make sure you have good letters of recommendation and you should have a very strong packet. Let me know if you have any questions about putting your packet together.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Mar 19 at 2018 12:50 PM

2018-03-19T12:50:55-04:00

Have to see what the board thinks.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2018 11:46 AM

2018-04-07T11:46:36-04:00

I wouldn’t advise spending thousands of dollars on your PPL(especially since rotary is so expensive compared to fixed wing flight training).

Right now you have a pretty high chance of getting selected without having to pay anything to prove you’re worthy. I didn’t get selected my first year and had to wait another year before resubmitting. So I took that year to beef up my resume, get some more college credits and get promoted. I also did what you are thinking about and had some flight training, but at the time the GI bill was paying for my PPL so nothing came out of my pocket. I had about 6 years in as an Avionics mechanic which gave some time to develop and prove my leadership abilities. And finally got selected on the second year.

On the flip side, my buddies who were further along in their careers than me didn’t get selected until their second look. Also there are quite a few students I know that are “street-to-seat” with no prior aviation experience. So although experience is definitely a factor I don’t think it’s everything.

At the end of the day I think it has to do with the needs of the Army and your willingness to continue applying and proving that you are the right candidate for the job.

I don’t think you need to break the bank to get selected. You’ll have a high chance of making it without doing so.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 21 at 2018 8:22 PM

2018-11-21T20:22:48-05:00

I would agree with the general advice that it won’t hurt but is probably unnecessary. I have 35 hours in fixed wing. I would say doing a few hours proves you like flying and feel comfortable in a small cockpit. Two candidates that boarded with me one was a commercial pilot, and a ROTC with no flight time. Both were selected.