Pacific Stars and Stripes information
For date 700430
Primary service involved, US Army
South Vietnam
Description: The following is an edited version of an article titled "Army Will Train AF Copter Pilots."
Washington (S&S Washington Bureau) - The Army will start helicopter flight training for the Air force beginning in October, the Defense Department has announced. The change results from a House Appropriations Committee recommendation to consolidate helicopter training and have the Air Force end its practice of giving fixed-wing training to students before they go to helicopter school. About 225 Air Force pilots will be trained each year by the Army plus a certain number of currently rated fixed-wing pilots to meet experience requirements. The Air Force has 1,065 pilots manning its fleet of 500 helicopters. After graduation with about 190 flight hours, the Air Force pilots will undergo transition into Air Force helicopters at a centralized combat crew training school. Location of the school has not been made yet, the Pentagon said. The transition program takes another 35 to 70 flying hours depending on the type of helicopter and the mission. Most Air Force helicopter pilots are assigned to aerospace rescue and recovery service units. The Air Force now conducts helicopter training at Sheppard AFB, Tex., while the Army's two major training centers are at Fort Wolters, Tex., and Fort Rucker, Ala.
The source for this information was 7004pss.avn supplied by Les Hines 02/02/2000
Additional information is available on CD-ROM.
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Last updated
02/03/2000
Date posted on this site:
05/13/2023