Air Force Helos

J

Jimmay

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Can anyone speak to the competitiveness of getting a helicopter slot out of UPT in the Air Force? I have heard that there are only 1 or 2 slots per UPT class. I am currently an Air Force ROTC Cadet at Embry-Riddle.
 
I have a feeling that most people (not all) who go through UPT are trying to avoid helicopters. So, if you want helicopters in the Air Force, I dont think its going to be a huge challenge
 
Humey said:
I have a feeling that most people (not all) who go through UPT are trying to avoid helicopters. So, if you want helicopters in the Air Force, I dont think its going to be a huge challenge
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Not exactly true. There are plenty of people who desire helicopters.
Short answer: it depends. Sometimes the timing needs to be right. For example, if the Air Force doesn't have a strong need for helicopter pilots, there will be less slots. And again, depends on how many people in your class put it down as their #1 choice. If no one wants them, your odds obviously go up.
Overall, they can be tough to get, but that's all the more reason to perform exceptionally in UPT. Hopefully someone with the experience can speak to this as well.
 
Just depends on the preferences of your other UPT classmates. When I was going through it was 1-2 helos for each class of 20-25 students. Some classes had several folks interested in them, sometimes just one.
 
Jimmay said:
Can anyone speak to the competitiveness of getting a helicopter slot out of UPT in the Air Force? I have heard that there are only 1 or 2 slots per UPT class. I am currently an Air Force ROTC Cadet at Embry-Riddle.
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DS is currently in UPT in Del Rio and is interested in helos. He is the only one in his class that has expressed an interest and has been told that the last class had 2 students track to helos and they expect 2 to track from his class. He was given the advice to think carefully about his choice, let his preference be known, and then do his best at UPT.

Congrats on being at Embry Riddle. Are you in AZ of FLA? My son in law graduated from Prescott, very good education, and even better he has had great job opportunities!
 
It varies by class. The rescue community did a lot of work in Iraq and Afghanistan, which made people interested in them. Right now, helicopters are undermanned, but there is not much expansion available in the training program. I'd expect to see 1-2 per T-6 class for a while.
We fly one of two basic types--HH-60 or UH-1. The 60s do rescue, and the Hueys do VIP airlift, ICBM security, and SERE school support. (CV-22s for AFSOC are also trained through Ft Rucker, last I heard).
 
Than you for the replies and the info. I now feel more confident about getting a helicopter slot out of UPT. On to working towards getting to UPT.
 
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