Navy Pilots

General stuff that gets thrown about when Helicopter Pilots shoot the Breeze.
MaccaM
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Navy Pilots

Postby MaccaM » Thu Apr 4 2013, 01:19

Hi all,

I'm looking into a career in the Navy as a pilot, and would be interested to hear for any ex or currently serving members about their experiences, and would be greatful for any advice.

By way of background, I spent 4 years in the Army reserves as an armoured crewman, and left to pursue a career in aviation (nearly 2 years ago now). I now hold by CPL(H), and anticipate having over 500 hours by the time I get into the nitty gritty of the selection process (of which I know fairly well after a previous attempt at a corps transfer into Army aviation, however was rejected due to my seated height being 1 cm too tall).

Once again I would be greatful for any coments about experiences, lifestyle, pros and cons, etc...

Thanks

MaccaM

P.S. I've already searched through the forum
pavlov's dog
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Re: Navy Pilots

Postby pavlov's dog » Thu Apr 4 2013, 03:47

Hi Macca,

Don't want to sound too negative but you might find the Navy seating height requirements may be more restrictive than Army due to the ejection seat considerations for PC9 training. Maybe chase that info down via recruiting first? How tall are you? Someone may be able to offer a more qualified comment based on that.

Best of luck.

PD
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Queestce
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Re: Navy Pilots

Postby Queestce » Thu Apr 4 2013, 05:47

PD, that would make sense but is not actually the case. Both Navy and RAAF have the same height requirements, they are as follows:

Height - minimum 163 and maximum 193cm.
Sitting Height - maximum 100cm.
Buttock to knee length - maximum 67cm.
Buttock to heel length - maximum 122cm.


Army sitting heights are slightly reduced - I was told it's due to the Kiowa but who knows?

Height - minimum 163 and maximum 193cm;
Sitting Height - maximum 95cm;
Buttock to knee length - maximum 67cm; and
Buttock to heel length - maximum 122cm.


I have heard of a few people taller than the 95cm sitting height getting through as Army pilots though, that limit seems to be somewhat arbitrary depending on who measures you...

Can't help in regards to the Navy Pilot role unfortunately, but wonder the exact same thing myself. Apologies for jumping in on the thread, but if anyone happens to know whether Navy Pilots work in a generic officer capacity like Army GSO's when not flying I'd love some insight. I had heard the role was much more specific to flying when compared to that of a GSO, but word from the horses mouth is always the most valuable...

Cheers
MaccaM
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Re: Navy Pilots

Postby MaccaM » Thu Apr 4 2013, 05:49

Hi PD,

I believe the seating height requirement for the Army is based around fitting into the Kiowa with a helmet on. I was told at the time that no such restriction was in place for the Navy . About 1 month after I withdrew my application, I was informed that the height restriction had been changed and I would now just squeek in. To answer your question though, I am 183 cm tall.

MaccaM
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Re: Navy Pilots

Postby FatBoy1971 » Thu Apr 4 2013, 12:10

Macca,

PM sent.

FatBoy
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pavlov's dog
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Re: Navy Pilots

Postby pavlov's dog » Fri Apr 5 2013, 01:16

MaccaM wrote:Hi PD,

I believe the seating height requirement for the Army is based around fitting into the Kiowa with a helmet on. I was told at the time that no such restriction was in place for the Navy . About 1 month after I withdrew my application, I was informed that the height restriction had been changed and I would now just squeek in. To answer your question though, I am 183 cm tall.

MaccaM




Hi Macca,

No restriction would've existed for Navy as they don't train on Kiowa (with the exception of some Navy pilots doing their instructor course later in their careers). Queestce has provided some data for PC9 restrictions so hopefully you fit within those if you are keen on Navy. When I was instructing at Oakey the sitting height thing raised its head with some tall trainees, but I'm not sure how formally implemented it was. I can recall some quite tall trainees going through (taller than you). I think we switched from Alpha to Gentex helmets about the same time, which I think were lower(?) This would've been back in 2007/2008(?) Were you rejected in writing due to height? I ask that as some times people get verbal advice and it's incorrect. If you are really keen on Army I would try again and see if the height thing is a formal restriction or a passing phase that is no longer a requirement.

PD
MaccaM
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Re: Navy Pilots

Postby MaccaM » Fri Apr 5 2013, 04:55

Thanks for all the information Queestce. It's good to have all thant in hand before I start the process this time.

PD

My application was never actually rejected. Its a bit of a long story, but when I withdrew my application I had passed all my aptitude tests and interviews and was waiting for a possition at flight screening. I had my medical done at RAAF Williamstown and approved class 1, but later found out that I didn't have the right one and at this stage was informed about the seating height restriction. The plan was to get a new medical done (the right one this time) and get remesured (after all, whats 1 cm?). While this was going on, I hit a few bureaucratic walls with my application (which had been going on for over 18 months by this stage) which, to put it politely, didn't sit to well with me, and I withdrew the application.

It seems a bit funny after all that I went through with my transfer (and believe me what I just mentioned was only they very last bit), I'm keen to give it another go. But I now know, without a shadow of a doubt that I want to fly, my circumstances at home and work are now a very different story, and at the end of the day I'm keen to get back into the ADF.

And a quick thanks for the replies and PM's that have been sent so far, It's been a big help.

MaccaM
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haroldthehelicopter
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Re: Navy Pilots

Postby haroldthehelicopter » Fri Apr 5 2013, 09:07

Howdy All,

The 95cm seated height is a firm restriction for Army whilst Kiowa is in play or the foreseeable future of disappointing Army decisions and ill derived bureaucratic restrictions. Only those who are already in the system under 'cadetships' at ADFA/RMC are given waivers. Those who come close to the height in testing generally get checked out by AVMED.

Did know an Army pilot who trained with Navy on Squirrel due height, then came across. Was a one off I think.

Here's hoping HATS produces some common sense.

HtH
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Re: Navy Pilots

Postby rocketman » Sat Apr 6 2013, 00:40

The Kiowas are getting a seat mod, first one has been done and is being evaluated. along with removing the stretcher capability, ie a permanent B post on L/h side rather than the removable post...ultimately the height of the seat is lower and meets all energy absorbing requirements....stay tuned
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haroldthehelicopter
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Re: Navy Pilots

Postby haroldthehelicopter » Sat Apr 6 2013, 03:56

8 years ago the army was also getting an attack helicopter that's functional/deployable and black hawk replacement that didn't go U/S at the first sight if gravel, grass, boots, sky.....I chose to tune out. :wink:

Stick with your navy plan Macca.
pavlov's dog
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Re: Navy Pilots

Postby pavlov's dog » Sat Apr 6 2013, 04:17

haroldthehelicopter wrote:8 years ago the army was also getting an attack helicopter that's functional/deployable and black hawk replacement that didn't go U/S at the first sight if gravel, grass, boots, sky.....I chose to tune out. :wink:

Stick with your navy plan Macca.



8 years ago? The project was originally called "Air 87"... :D

Maybe it meant 2087? Might still get there... In any event it's meeting its real purpose of creating jobs and keeping people in jobs as we try to make that particular square wheel work.
Big Green Arrow
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Re: Navy Pilots

Postby Big Green Arrow » Sat Apr 6 2013, 10:44

Macca, check your PMs.

As for whether Navy pilots are all "GSOs", think more along Air Force lines as Navy Sqn and pers structures are modelled more closely to those. Army structure seems to be an aberration within the aviation community in that regard.
Amac179
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Re: Navy Pilots

Postby Amac179 » Mon Apr 29 2013, 01:36

MaccaM, check your PMs

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