How to Become a Helicopter Pilot in the Air Force
Piloting a helicopter in the Air Force is a specialized career that offers you excitement, advancement, and a chance to do something you love. Getting into the Air Force isn't easy, though, and becoming a helicopter pilot takes even more education, training and hard work. Once you have met all the requirements to become an Air Force helicopter pilot, you will be on your way to a rewarding career.
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Instructions
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Begin flight training as soon as you are old enough. Different states have different requirements, but you should be able to start flying in high school. Take helicopter courses if you live close enough to a helicopter pilot school; if you don't, take basic flying lessons. The Air Force prefers candidates with a record of flying experience.
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Attend college and earn a degree. Apply to the Air Force Academy or another military college. You should consider degrees in physics, aviation, chemistry or engineering to appeal to the Air Force. While you are in classes, join your university's ROTC program.
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Join the Air Force. Visit an Air Force recruiter to sign up and go through the joining process. You can find a recruiter near you by using the Recruiter Locator at airforce.com, linked in Resources.
Attend an officer training program. When you finish, you will have attained the rank of second lieutenant, which is the rank you must be at to specialize as a pilot. If you attended a civilian college, you'll have to attend an officer training school. You can attempt to finish an officer training program while you are attending a civilian college if you have the summer free. Links to qualifying programs are located in Resources at the end of the article.
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Take the required physical exams. You must have good vision and health to be a helicopter pilot. You should also be under age 30 when you complete the training and commissioning, though you can request an age waiver if you are under 35.
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Attend flight school through the Air Force. You will learn helicopter piloting skills and how you can use your piloting abilities to best assist the Air Force.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit helicopter image by Irina Kodentseva from Fotolia.com
