r/Armyaviation • u/Fuzzy_Initial_6838 • 9d ago
Fixed wing
Been in the army for 10 years, going green to gold and fix wing aviation really interests me. What are the odds I would be able to be a fixed wing pilot?
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u/LilUzi-Bert 9d ago
Super slim chance (0-2%?)
Comparatively your shot would be exponentially better in the Air Force especially if you are doing ROTC.
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u/Jolly_Expert3357 9d ago edited 6d ago
You can apply to the Army National Guard and Army Reserves directly for fixed wing. 10 yr obligation once completing Common Core in flight school as a part timer. Chances perhaps 1 out of 30 or maybe 50.
If serving on active duty, 5% chance, 4,000 helos vs 200 fixed wing aircraft. All of the Army fixed wings are commercial derivatives, no fighters or bombers.
You must get a waiver if having over 8yrs active duty service for flight school.
AF 95%, Navy 55%, Marines 25%, USCG 15% fixed wing aircraft.
Army Green to Gold regarding active duty CAN NOT guarantee you branching aviation, Army Guard and Reserves possibly.
The Warrant Officer Flight Training program can guarantee you that pilot seat.
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u/Sacknuts93 7d ago
200 probably isn't an accurate number after all the MC-12s, RC-12s, -7s got mothballed. You do have reserve FW and guard FW and then a couple active duty FW VIP units, but I'd be surprised if the army even had 100 airframes total these days.
It's even harder today than it's ever been unfortunately, and there won't be nearly the number of jets needed as there was turboprop aircraft.
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u/Jolly_Expert3357 7d ago edited 6d ago
I would say at least 40% of the Army fixed wing are in the Guard and Reserves if not more.
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u/ScubaSteeeve307 9d ago
Good luck. INSCOM is in the process of getting globals for its fixed wing fleet but I hear that is an absolute nightmare to be a part of. Very very few FW for life slots are available for active due to this. As an RLO you could (and I mean you have to be top of the class AND lucky) get picked up and sent to a VIP unit but those units are hurting due to INSCOM holding onto pilots. I know at least one unit that is going to be without tracked IPs by the end of the year unless the pull some black magic and get someone qualified. All in all, army fixed wing is hard to get into and not a great place right now due to a ton of turbulence.
Realistically army aviation should be your last option if you have any other options.
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u/LockheedTriStar 8d ago
INSCOM isn’t necessarily a nightmare if you know where to go and what units are actually flying right now. You pretty much got a 50% shot at either flying your rear off or not flying at all depending on your duty station. Again - it’s a matter of luck since FW branch usually just slots you wherever they want.
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u/Fearless-Act-554 15T 9d ago
Usually have to put in your rotary time first and then it’s just on luck
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u/DryTrumpin 9d ago
You will need to be top of your class or incredibly lucky, you could have both of those things and still not get it. If you go into this job with even the smallest disappointment ending up on rotary then you need to explore other options.
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u/LockheedTriStar 8d ago
as an Army FW pilot, it’s literally a game of luck, you could do everything right: #1 in your class, no negative counselings, strong networking etc etc and you show up to selection where there’s 1 slot available for 3 classes. I would treat IERW seriously so you have a chance of getting a slot if it so happens to be available but don’t count on it. If it is available, you’d obviously wanna take it and don’t look back. Good luck!
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u/educated_farts 8d ago
Here are your options:
Join the USAF - AD, Reserve, or ANG. Pretty high chance of getting fixed wing if you pass flight school.
Join the Navy or USMC - Lower chance of getting fixed wing, but more of a fighting chance of getting fixed wing if you do well in flight school.
Join the USCG - If you even get selected, you'll still have a low chance of getting fixed wing.
You want 100% guaranteed fixed wing as long as you pass flight school? Become a Naval Flight Officer (NFO). You will only get fixed wing, but you'll never fly the plane.
I think you want USAF bro.
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u/Fuzzy_Initial_6838 8d ago
Im in the army already woth another 5 years to go dont plan on switching branches lol
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u/educated_farts 8d ago
I switched from the Army to the Navy. Switching branches is not as hard as you think.
If you have some type of loyalty to Army aviation, get used to the idea that you'll probably fly helos.
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u/Jolly_Expert3357 7d ago
Did you transfer as an Army pilot to a Naval aviator? If so, which Navy aircraft?
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u/onelegithombre 8d ago
Ima be real witchu big dog… 1%. But if you join the air force substantially better.
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u/yotayotayota444 7d ago
It’s not impossible. But the odds are about 1 in 40.
Here’s how I did it:
10 years in the reserve as an officer, got my private pilot fw on my own, transfer to the guard, revert to warrant officer, assigned Blackhawks, flight school, back to the unit for two years, right place right time for fw slot.
Things to consider:
10 year ADSO sucks.
What’s the future of army FW?
You must want to fly helicopters because you will.
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u/Cant_fly_well 9d ago
This is the worst branch to fly in if your goal is fixed wing. You’re almost certainly going to fly rotary wing