I head to Rucker in July for WOCS/Flight School. What I can be studying or doing to help me in Flight School?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Feb 2021 00:51:36 -0500

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2021 12:53 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Feb 2021 00:53:27 -0500

Just show up ready to learn

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2021 1:11 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Feb 2021 01:11:50 -0500

Due to hold times between WOCS, WOBC, SERE and Common Core, you probably won't start flying until the end of the year, or even early 2022. Just my recommendation, don't stress about pre-learning any flight material. What you can learn on your own pales in comparison to what you'll be force fed at the flight line. There's not really anything you can get ahead on for WOBC or SERE. WOCS is pretty basic. Again, it is not uncommon for people to spend just as much time, or longer, in hold than in actual training. You'll have plenty of time to get your ducks in a row once you're here. If you plan on living off post, finding housing should be a larger priority for you than any pre-academic studying. Apartments here stay on the market for a few days before being snatched. If you're still set on jumping into academics early, get your hands on a UH-72 Lakota EP and Limits study booklet to familiarize with.

Once you're here, don't let the stress make you lose sight on how fun flight school is. Congratulations on making it into the program.

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made Feb 13 at 2021 1:58 AM

MAJ Matthew Arnold — Sat, 13 Feb 2021 01:58:20 -0500

Congratulations. Don't forget to check the drive belts, oh wait, that was the TH-55. Don't forget to check the skid shoe bands, oh wait, that's the Huey. Don't forget to check your max power, oh wait, that's the OH-58. Make sure the SCASS is on, opps, that's the Cobra. Sorry candidate, the army doesn't fly any of my birds anymore, so I can't help you. (Go guns, it's the only way to fly.)

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2021 3:36 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Feb 2021 03:36:31 -0500

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2021 10:04 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Feb 2021 10:04:07 -0500

Nothing

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Feb 13 at 2021 10:36 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Sat, 13 Feb 2021 10:36:37 -0500

Congratulations on being selected! Your profile doesn’t tell us much, so I’ll provide some general advice based on my experience as a USAF pilot training instructor.
-Don’t try to pre-learn how to fly helicopters from books, on-line programs, or simulations. The Army has a way they want to teach you and learning from a different source may require you to unlearn before you can learn the Army way to fly. I saw this with students who started pilot training with civilian flight time and a private pilot license.
-Do read Army provided information pertaining to airmanship, physiology, weather. There may be Army approved on-line courses you could take
-maintain good physical condition. Emphasize conditioning and diet that improves endurance. You will have some long days in your future.
-not sure this applies to Army WOC and pilot students, but be prepared to move down the food chain from where you are as a sergeant. Your status will be slightly better than an E1 recruit, but not much. Don’t take it personally, it’s just the way it is.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Feb 13 at 2021 11:54 AM

LT Brad McInnis — Sat, 13 Feb 2021 11:54:24 -0500

Nothing flight specific, but the advice I always told sailors going to tough schools -
1) make sure you are in the best shape you can be, mentally and physically so you don't have to worry about it during the school, and
2) make sure your family stuff is in order, so you can focus on school.

Response by SP5 Jeffrey Ludwig made Feb 13 at 2021 5:20 PM

SP5 Jeffrey Ludwig — Sat, 13 Feb 2021 17:20:09 -0500

weather, cloud formations, fog, how temperature and humidity affect an aircraft. Good luck

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2021 7:04 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Feb 2021 19:04:38 -0500

Anything you study now in regards to flying you mostly likely will not understand. Focus on the tasks as they come up. The Army has a horrible way of “teaching” and that is to memorize as many things as you can in the least amount time. For things on the UH72, yea fine just memorize what you need to get by. However, when you get to your actual advanced aircraft take the time to really understand the systems, what they do, how they work. Understand how to find information through Army or FAA regulations. It’s okay to not know it off the top of your head but know where it is. Lastly, this is going to sounds counter-productive but limit the studying. In my opinion, anything after two hours, are you really retaining it? Especially in the beginning because it will be overwhelming. Don’t forget to have a hobby and hangout with the family frequently. You will need a release. Good luck!

Response by GySgt Kenneth Pepper made Feb 15 at 2021 11:53 AM

GySgt Kenneth Pepper — Mon, 15 Feb 2021 11:53:42 -0500

Having spent 21 years in rotary wing aviation, specifically power plants, I suggest study up on how the damn helicopter actually works. Hydraulic systems, transmission, engine, avionics. Just knowing the basics will help you considerably.
I can't tell you how many pilots I encountered who had no idea how their aircraft worked.

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Feb 17 at 2021 11:15 PM

SFC Melvin Brandenburg — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 23:15:11 -0500

PT, PT, PT