Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2005 9:04 pm Post subject: Can I carry over flight time to a civilian flying job?
Hi folks,
I'm in the process of becoming a Warrant Officer in a flight program.
My question is this: I've heard conflicting information regarding logged flight time while in service, and I was wondering if any hours I accumulate while in the Army will also be valid with the FAA in a civilian flying job?
Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2005 9:57 pm Post subject: Re: Can I carry over flight time to a civilian flying job?
Yes, your time will be annotated on your MILITARY form 759. Just remember this ONE thing...that DA FORM 759 is filled out by enlisted soldiers who get pulled for other Bullshit duties, i.e., raking rocks, painting doors, changing lightbulbs, etc. I have yet to see a Unit that reflects my CORRECT flying hours!
Do yourself a favor and buy a high quality flight log and FAITHFULLY fill it out and keep it current! Every FLT OPNS office in every unit (as well as the FAA) will look at your flight log and take it as "gospel." It is invaluable as an Army Aviator!!! And all those hours will carry over.
Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2005 10:01 pm Post subject: Re: Can I carry over flight time to a civilian flying job?
Fellow Army Aviator/FAA inspector.
Flight time as you will learn is an ambigous think. PIC in the Army is not always PIC for the FAA. The sole manipulator of the controls is considered PIC for the FAA. If you are not a PIC in the Army, your 759 will indicate PI time. The FAA has no PI time. There is SIC time which you can log.
If you have any inkling of pursuing a civilian flying career, buy a log book and keep it current. You can use the DA 759 as a back up. You check your 759 regularly because flight time is lost all the time.
The time you fly the aircraft you can log PIC. The time you sit and work the radios is technically SIC for the FAA. Flight time is clear as mud. NO ONE will watch out for your flight time except you. Be persistent but tactful with flight ops, but keep the 759 accurate.
Also, get off your @#! and get your commercial helicopter instrument FAA certificate while you are at flight school. I'm sure someone there offers a cram session to take the military comp exam. All you have to do is take this military comp exam, pass IERW and go to the FSDO (FAA) and they will give you a commercial instrument helicopter certificate. Too many people say "I'm gonna..." If I had a dime for everytime I heard that I would have more money than Bill Gates.
Good Luck! Army Aviation is a thrill! After 25 years, I'm still in the game.
I agree with the fact that you should have your own personal logbook for your flight time. I have kept one with me from the beginning. And there is a company right outside of the Dothan Airport that has all the information you need to convert your flight traing into an official FAA Instrument Commercial Rotorwing license. I can't remember the name of the company, but if you ask your instructors they may know. (one of the academic instructors works part time with this company!)
If you decide down the road to get your fixed wing rating I offer this advise: Keep 2 separte logbooks. I'm currently trying to sort out all my helicopter time from my fixedwing time and it is a real headache! As far as using Army flight time as FAA flight time, Yes. Keep in mind, that if you want to look into a flight job after the army, or if you are a traditional Guardsman/Reservist, not all companies will accept all your time (specifically airlines). Many airline will not count helicopter time as total time, some will only give you a 3:1 ratio for your time (3 helicopter hour = 1 fixed wing hour).
Other than that...Have fun in flight school. It was my best year in the Army. You WILL be busy, but you'll have fun.
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