One of my wife's younger siblings has always been the family blacksheep or at least he thinks. He's one of eight siblings. Over a year ago he decided to enlist in the US Army to support his young family. His goal was to fly helicopters. I found out tonight that he ranked highest in his flight class and got to choose between three air frames to fly the Blackhawk, Chinook, or Apache. My wife asked me which one I'd choose, I said AH-64 Apache! That's the one he chose. So I'm sending him a DVD copy of Firebirds to congratulate. I'm proud of my brother and a little jealous.

Congratulations to him. Hope its everything he expects it to be.

As an aside, if he's of average or larger stature he might regret that decision. I'm told Apaches are kinda cramped. Woulda went blackhawk myself.

Congratulations to him! That's a huge accomplishment.

A great friend of mine spent his first eight years in the military working on Apaches (basically a mechanic) and then decided to go to flight school when he reenlisted and for the past six years has been flying them -- he absolutely loves it. And I love hearing him talk about it and the stories that go along with it.

Congratulations to him. What an incredible accomplishment.

lol at the Firebirds gift. But good on him for being the best in his class!

Good for him!

Personally I would have picked Blackhawk or Chinook. Somehow I’m thinking a military conversion to commercial instrument helicopter certificate with the FAA in those two airframes might get me a job flying a heavy lift, oil rig offshore transport, medical, etc easier than an Apache. Although Apache is nothing to sneeze at.

I especially like the turnaround story. Good on him.

HUA. Good on him! Tell him we appreciate his service.

Congrats to the new pilot!

Separate info: I want to point out that nobody piloting an Army air frame is enlisted. They either have a commission or a warrant. So they didn't enlist or re-enlist to get that job.

Yes, there is a difference. It may not mean much to the uninitiated, but it means a lot to the people who are serving.

You certainly are right to be proud!
That's a great accomplishment.

Congratulations to him! My son did 6 on the ground and is in his 10th year flying 64's. Got to pin his wings on and it was an exceptional moment!

Congrats to your BIL! The Army produces the best rotary wing pilots there are, bar none!

quote:

Originally posted by SapperSteel:
Congrats to the new pilot!

Separate info: I want to point out that nobody piloting an Army air frame is enlisted. They either have a commission or a warrant. So they didn't enlist or re-enlist to get that job.

Yes, there is a difference. It may not mean much to the uninitiated, but it means a lot to the people who are serving.

Thanks for pointing out that Army enlisted do not fly. I had heard they used to be able to, any idea when that practice was terminated?

Great for your b-i-l and the rest of his family. He has a bright future.

My niece flies Navy SH-60 Seahawks out of Guam, but she may eventually go to the new Bell V-280 Valor tilt rotor. We are so very proud of her so I have a good idea how y'all feel.