Helicopter Questions.

[CorporateMike]

Hey guys. I just have a few quick questions.

1.) Is there an age waiver for rotary flight training? I read that the cut off age is 27.5 years. I will be close to 31 when I enlist because i need to get in shape. I am 29 now.

2.) Also, I have read about the chinook and blackhawk repairer jobs. My question is, do they ever get to ride in the helicopters or do they just work on them? I am interested in a door gunner position. I heard that this is done by the crew chiefs. How do I become a crew chief? Does it come with rank or experience?

Any info will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you and God bless,
CorporateMike

[VTguard]

Any Army Aviation MOS allows you to fly in helocopters. Crew chiefs positions are not usually given to new enlistees. You have to pick an aviation MOS, and earn rank and experience first.

[Humat]

im turning 17 next february and i want to be a UH-1 Repairer as my MOS. so if i build up some rank and expierence, i could at least ride in a helicopter at least once in my national guard career? also my friend wants to be a Blackhawk repairer for active duty. can he do the same thing?

[never falter]

I found out the filing an age waiver at the age of 33 to be a rotary wing aviator has an approval of less than 2%.... food for thought

[VTguard]

Anyone that works on helocopters gets to ride on them as part of their job. Crew cheifs have to be on board every outgoing flight. Mechanics are routinely brought out on flights to be onboard in the event of a mechanical malfuntion. They also get to ride just for the sake of riding...afterall, the pilots need to get flight time with passengers and if there are a few mechanics in the hangar, they often invite them to come along for a free ride.

[ohl_san]

if you are serious about wanting to fly start to get some time in the air and put in your waiver there are at least 4 guys in my IERW class that are 32+.
If you try hard enough and make yourself maketable youll get in

W01 Olson