How to Become an Army Pilot

Becoming an Army pilot is different from becoming a pilot in the other services in two major ways. First, the Army allows warrant officers, as well as commissioned officers, to fly. The warrant officers may or may not be college graduates. Second, Army pilots only fly helicopters. They transport troops and equipment, fly attack helicopters and pull wounded soldiers out of combat situations.

Instructions

1. Make sure you want to serve in the Army. Becoming an Army pilot is about serving in the Army not just flying helicopters.

2. Check eligibility requirements. Eligibility requirements differ for the warrant and commissioned officer programs. They also differ for pilots and other officers. The eyesight requirements are particularly stiff for pilots.

3. Decide if the warrant officer or commissioned officer path is right for you. Warrant officers are the technical specialists in the Army, while commissioned officers may move up to higher levels of command.

4. Apply to the program of your choice. Your options are West Point, ROTC, Officer Candidate School or the Warrant Officer Candidate School. Begin the application process online at the Army Web site.

5. Complete basic training and Warrant Officer Candidate School or your commissioning program. All of these programs will consist of mental and physical challenges.

6. Choose Army aviation as your specialty out of your commissioning source. Warrant officers can enter Warrant Officer Candidate School designated for aviation, but most officers will have to select and be chosen for aviation.

7. Attend flight training and learn to fly helicopters.

Tips & Warnings

• Entry into warrant officer programs requires good scores on the ASVAB and the Flight Aptitude Screening Test.

• Be in good physical shape no matter which path you choose.

• Aviators incur a service obligation which begins at the end of flight training.

• The Army has the last say in what you do in the Army.

• You will need to pass a background check in order to receive a security clearance.