When we think of military aviation, the Air Force is usually the first thought that comes to mind, but the Army also has aviation units too. As a matter of fact, the United States Air Force began as a unit of the United States Army.
In today’s post, we are going to examine Army Aviation Flight School and some cool things you should know about it. If you have considered becoming an aviator in the United States Army, or know someone who is considering it, this post can explain some of what you would want to know.
1: The Name and Location of the School
The name of the school is the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence. This school is located at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
2: The Start
Army aviation began for the most part during World War II. The small Piper Cub planes, known as L-4 Grasshoppers were used for various functions in North Africa and parts of Europe. Training for pilots and mechanics was given at the Field Artillery School at Henry Post Army Field in Oklahoma during the war.
During the Korean War, Army Aviation expanded even further, and with that expansion, training also had to expand. Post Field was too small, so a different location had to be found. Camp Rucker, Alabama was chosen as a temporary Army Aviation post. The first class was held there in 1954. Before that time, Air Force personnel were the trainers of Army aviators. In early 1955, Camp Rucker was changed to Fort Rucker, and the Army Aviation School became permanent. The Department of Defense also gave complete training control over to the Army.
3: Officer or Warrant Officer
For any soldier to take Army Aviation School, they must be either a commissioned officer or a warrant officer.
4: Requirements
The basic requirements to take Army Aviation School are:
Within Army regulations for height and weight
United States citizen
Uncorrected vision of 20/50 or better that can be corrected to 20/20
18 to 32 years old
Meet Class 1A Flight Physical standards
A minimum score of 40 on the Selection Instrument for Flight Training (SIFT)
High school graduate
5: Various Air Frames
Depending on choices of both you and the Army, there are various air frames that require different training. There is no way to say how long an aviator’s training will last, because it can depend on the air frame they are assigned to. Some of the air frames and MOS positions used in Army service are:
Jet Aircraft Pilot 155F
OH-58D Pilot 152D
C-12 Pilot 155E
AH-64A Attack Pilot 152F
Fixed Wing Aviator 155A
AH-64D Attack Pilot 152H
CH-47D Pilot 154C
Rotary Wing Aviator 153A
UH-60M Pilot 153M
UH-60 Pilot 153D
6: Steps Involved
The Army Aviation Flight School is the same for commissioned and warrant officers. Officers must first complete BOLC (Basic Officers Leadership Course). Before flight school, the candidate must complete Helicopter Over-water Survival Training (HOST), which teaches survival measures in water ditching events. The candidate must then take 3 weeks of SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape). Once that is complete, you are ready to take flight training. This consists of:
2 weeks of aeromed
8 weeks of primary flight training
8 weeks of flight instruments
4 weeks of basic air war fighting skills
After that, the candidate will move into training for the air frame they are assigned to. Depending on the air frame, these training times vary.
7: Commanding General
The Commanding General of both Fort Rucker and the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence is Major General Michael Lundy.
8: Aviation School’s Brigades
There are 3 Aviation Brigades attached to the United States Army Aviation Center of Excellence. They are:
The 1st Aviation Brigade
The 110th Aviation Brigade
The 128th Aviation Brigade
There are various regiments under each of these brigades.
In Essence
Soldiers in infantry and artillery situations put heavy reliance on Army Aviators. It is aviators who bomb and locate enemy positions. It is Army aviators who rescue ground soldiers who are in dangerous situations and circumstances. Army aviators are needed greatly.
I highly commend those who have attended and passed Army Aviation School. We know that those men and women who have passed the United States Army Aviator’s School of Excellence will help defend and protect our country to the utmost standards.
We would love to hear from and of you who have completed Army Aviation Flight School. When did you complete it, and what air frame do you fly? Tell us all you will about the school and the education you receive.
If any of you have any comments or questions, please post them in the comments area below. Thank you for visiting, and have a great day.
Chuck Holmes
Former Army Major (resigned)
Publisher, Part-Time-Commander.com
Email: mrchuckholmes@gmail.com
Suggested Resources
Our Books & Training Courses
Recommended Reading List