No. I won’t miss the flying that much either. To tell the truth, it’s a pain in the ass. Always struggling to meet semi-annual minimums, check rides, flight physicals, constant maintenance problems, I could go on and on.
Plus I can’t compete with senior warrant officers that retire with way more flight time than RLOs. There isn’t a ton of money in helicopter flying. All the life flight pilots that make good money are retired warrant officers. And I have no complaints, they deserve it.
What is the difference between a RLO and a CW? Control touch....now get back to that staff job at brigade and check the expiration date on that flight vest and helmet:)
I flew as a passenger in helicopters many times in Vietnam, and was always enamored of those pilot’s panache about their images. One flyer I’ll never forget sported a red handle-bar mustache and flew with a scarf about his neck that matched that shade perfectly.
Their deaths always seemed a more certain sense than mine. But I guess they knew that they were the cavalry of the sky, while my lot while not aboard as often was to be left below.
Today, every time a helicopter flies over I cannot help but take note of its type and try to visualize the man, or woman flying her. Their ship! And only wish it were me at her cyclic and collective.
You were given a great honor once, and saw it through.
Thank you for your service. And I’ll still think of you as the next one flies over.