U.S. Army Ft Rucker - Another day at Work Flying Helicopters, From an Outside Perspective

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Because I'm always flying my little Bell 206B3 / Jet Ranger / TH67 Creek, I never have the opportunity to video what I actually do. So, I went and filmed at one of the family days on the opposite shift.
The video takes place at Allen Stage Field, which is associated with Ft. Rucker, in AL. The stage field has 6 lanes, all of which are controlled from a control tower. This is the first stage field for most students where radios are introduced to the full workload they will have for their final check ride during primary.
At this hour level, approx 30-35 hours the students are practicing max performance takeoffs, touchdown autorotations, run on type landings, takeoff from the ground, steep approaches, and some other maneuvers which are not graded which include 180 autos, hydraulics off, stuck pedal procedures.
It is a very controlled environment, so the risk is relatively low compared to other army missions.

[@Matt-dg6ue]

Oh man this was nostalgic. Primary was absolutely miserable but man nothing compared to doing that first solo. I knew I'd found my calling. The TH-67 was a phenomenal training aircraft

[@saburusakai]

Great cam work. I grew up at Rucker, my Dad was a contract instructor from 62 to 74, all thru Nam. The skies were alwys full of Hueys, Cobras, OH-6s etc. The TH-67 sur4e is a long way from the TH-13s and TH-55s my Dad flew. When he first got there the Army still had fixed wing, and he instructed in the L-19 Birddog. He and his friends flew RC models out of one of the stage fields on sundays. He flew out of Shell and Cairns most of the time. So many memories.

[@danielvining]

Proud to say that I am one of the sheet metal workers that overalls these little demons at Heliworks in Pensacola, FL. Interesting to see them in action. Thanks for this video.

[@Delatta1961]

I soloed at Allen Stagefield in 1981. It was literally a one-man flight that was very unexpected. I don’t remember much of the flight, but what I do recall was me pulling up on the cyclic trying to slow down, and the tense feeling left me with a slight backache. Crazy that I’d find myself there as an IP in Combat Skills just a few years later. Great memories of my classmates and awesome TAC Officers

[@gordonmccoy4537]

Thanks for the memories. .! Brings me back to 4th WOC (Yellow Hats) @ Ft Wolters back in the spring of '68 in the OH23...... GO ARMY!!!! G McCoy....

[@darkglass1]

Wow, brought back the memories. I was an IP at Rucker in the late 1990s, flying in and out of Lowe AHP with students each day, mostly in Hueys and 58s. Full touch-down autos, 180 autos, low-level autos were a blast with students. I also remember going through IERW as a student myself in 1992. I'm old and retired now, but I miss flying so much!

[@Mrsmith42e]

Super cool... I am a flight student at Fort Rucker right now. I shared this video with my family and friends to show them what we are doing out here. Well done!

[@XIAN-NYC]

Very interesting. Mastering directional control during a running landing is clearly more important than the replacement cost of ski shoes.

[@unapro3]

Ha, those kids opening and shutting doors at the beginning brought back memories. When I was in the Airforce as ground crew with an aerobatic team, we would allow the public to jump in the cockpit and have a play (seats made safe), the kids would just push, press, pull, twist every fucking button, switch they could find, it always cracked me up. After the show we would spend ages going over the cockpit trying to ensure it was setup for the next flight, then the pilot would do the same on his preflight, he usually found something we missed :0)

[@SilverHamer]

My first days as an Army Instructor Pilot were spent at Allen Stagefield...that has been a very long time ago but it seems like it was yesterday sometimes. In 1981, however, the air around Allen was filled with the thunderous sound of about 8 to 10 UH-1s because the TH-67 had not been introduced into the program yet. I'm sure the local residents around the stagefield welcomed the change in noise levels, but I'll bet they still complain. LOL. I was seriously looking to buy a house until I realized it was located right at ACP Smith to the WNW of Lowe Field and would have been absolutely ridiculous during peak launch and recovery times 4 times per day. The realtor made it a point only to show this house during the lulls and almost got me. LOL. Salute to the guys and gals who make the cut to become Army Aviators. It is a very fulfilling career and I wouldn't take anything for mine! Larry Curtis, CW4, USA, (ret)

[@wolfgangsnitsar4739]

My dad was an IP and an IIP at Rucker.. Was flying for the test board, was a UH-1 pilot in Vietnam then came back and was with Flight Safety until he retired... He passed away on Aug 1-2000...

[@brian32harris]

I just happen to run across your KZbin channel. This video caught my attention. I’ve lived in Enterprise, Al my whole life. Always love to hear the helicopters flying and occasionally seeing the chinooks. Be safe and thanks for sharing your journey.

[@morlthree]

Thanks for NOT adding music. The sound of the rotors is music enough.

[@jesterd14]

My teacher was a helo pilot in Nam and he told me that he was amazed at how fast the training pace was back in 69, basically it came down to if you couldn't hover by the end of the first day, then they got rid of you. He said that one of the instructor pilots jokingly told him that "We try not to spend too much time on training, seeing as you'll probably get shot down on your first mission." When he got to Vietnam his first mission he was flying and they got hit and barely made it to a clearing. He said he really learned to fly when he was in country,

[@randomhero3268]

that is crazy lol. That's pretty hard core.

[@robertkerr3059]

thanks for sharing, never saw a 206 do real power off auto with full conning angle upon completion. that is the edge of the envelope

[@ebeauwilkerson]

TH-67 is such a fun helicopter to fly. I feel lucky I got to fly this beauty instead of the 72.

[@Monkmaster1969]

Spent 41/2 years at Mother Rucker as an IP, Flight Commander, never flew at Allen. Knox, Hanchey, Lowe back in the UH-1 days. Still dream about that forty second sound. Only A/C better than a UH-1, but of course LOH.

[@FtRuckerFlightsim]

One of the best Rucker Aviation videos I've seen. Great eye for the action and great work with the camera, and... great work showing off the TH 67. I'm just south of the high school in Daleville. You probably fly over my house all the time. Thanks for sharing and thank you for your service.

[@michaelmiller85]

I actually instructed in Primary Division, but now am working helicopter EMS in TN.

[@hansjurgen]

We are ranked on order of merit list based on checkrides, tests from academics, APFT score, etc and then from there based on your rank you choose from what is available at the time.

[@donjohnson8627]

Pretty neat vid. I went through Ft. Rucker in the mid seventies as a student and was back there multilple times in the following decades---IP at Lowe, Refresher course after IOAC at Benning, Blackhawk transition, FWMEQ, C-12 transition (though that was mostly mostly at Flight Safety in Daleville). Things have sure changed over the years, though!

[@michaelmiller85]

They have full welded slid plates that run the entire length of the skid tube compared to the traditional skid shoes.

[@javacup912]

Nice video, thanks for sharing. I spent some time in Ft. Rucker in the late 70's with the TH-55, then the Huey. I went twice, once to be a crewchief and the second to switch my wings for aviator wings. So many memories..

[@jerrodcorey25]

Michael, you have awesome videos. I am so excited to be just entering this arena of helicopter flying. My next flight is a stage check and then solo in a R-22.

[@miGsKills]

Thanks for sharing.

[@foxtrot789]

I believe at some point, or every so often; helicopter pilots have to demonstrate certain procedures (this being one of them) in order to maintain current status of 'airworthiness'.

[@michaelmiller85]

They perform 180 autos, straight in autos, low-level autos (50ft @ 90KIAS). They may do the minimum&max glide speed that would be out of the PTS/ maneuver guide limitations. If my memory is correct.

[@jakeadams101]

All the bells bells bells bells... Edgar Allen poe/helicopter pun

[@Nom_D_Guerre]

Very interesting stuff here, thanks for sharing!

[@whymecaptain]

When I was sent on my first solo on a Bell 47 G, I came to flare unable to as the cyclic was all the way forward but nose would not come forward because I was only 125kg. Bell 47 has a minimum weight in the pilot seat. Luckily I had the training on running landing, I aborted my first landing came back and did a running landing and that saved a disaster. Then I always carried a concrete block in the slings to compensate my weight. Just for the rookies. I have fixed wing, Floats but nothing beats helicopter flying. Good flying

[@brav989]

You weigh 275 pounds and need to add more weight to the pilot's seat? Orly?

[@LukeSportsGear]

Actually it's in Wickburg , AL. which is east of Daleville, AL where Ft. Rucker is. Intro flight school

[@ibtm]

Great video Michael!

[@Ronplucksstrings]

Great vid...thanks...7:00> four birds in the frame...busy place!... 8:00...I guess that's why they call' em skids...you must wear off a lot of them practicing those shallow approaches... Greets from Connecticut...home of Sikorsky!

[@michaelmiller85]

In my experience dealing with the U.S. Army / Guard, all the students which I trained while at Ft. Rucker had a college education. Don't quote me on it but if you don't have a college degree than I think you can go through OCS (officer cadet school) which is equivalent. I think with your background it should help you get into the aviation program, but just like anything in life, much is who you know and timing.

[@whirl08]

Thanks for the cool videos...you look familiar from when I was in primary

[@FlamingP1stons]

Great video, thanks for sharing. Very busy place :-)

[@stephco63]

the TH 55 was fun after you knew what you were doing. At the stage fields my I.P. use to say to me "White line don't mean nothing does it!"

[@SandraKotzambasis]

Hi Michael- thank you for sharing this video and the others from training- would love to use this in an upcoming video- I emailed you- hoping we can connect!

[@FooTech1976]

Very cool video. Wow that environment must be a nightmare for ATC. lol Thanks for the vid!

[@dogshmog]

Hope to see you there in the next year or so.

[@TamakoAkai]

Good Jobs Guys.Fly Safe!!!!

[@flyingjeep911]

So this place is basically only for student helicopter pilots to come and have their lessons? I wish I could of had the opportunity to learn in a jet ranger.... Still love the r22 tho

[@TheProPilot]

Nice video Mr Miller :)

[@vcluff2949]

Go Raven Flight and snake22 from back in the day! Ft Rucker home of Cobra Hall HOORAH!!!!

[@kmg501]

Hmm, interesting thanks. Yeah I would be curious if that is what it actually is and what the point is of such an exercise. I imagine that it is probably a demonstration of control of a type. -

[@chivis19771]

MY BROTHER WILL BE THERE SOON :)

[@patwoods226]

I use to work the OH-58A when i was in the Army and TH67 looks just like the 58. what is the difference and what kind of Bird are they using now in it's place.

[@aliaucky]

i'd be interested to hear why the army's auto technique appears to be to maintain quite a lot of speed for the run on, when it's so easy to bring them to a complete stop with a bit more flare and check up on the lever. Is this just the early stages, or is it considered safer etc? Nice vids :)

[@zzodr]

Not a time to have a nap.

[@keithnorris318]

I don't see how people living close to that field can stand the noise every day.

[@alexabadi7458]

They forgot the put the wheels on ?

[@tonysimmons9473]

How did you ever get a job at FT Rucker as a civilian? I'd really like to know more about your background.

[@LukeSportsGear]

Wicksburg, AL

[@michaelmiller85]

yep

[@flyc2a]

I have about 100 college credits and have 5 yrs active prior service....im about to take the SIFT test, but now i have been hearing all sorts of stuff about the army wanting people with college degree now. What do you think since your in flight school right now. Does everyone have a degree? most? 50/50? Last thing.... i have a strong aviation background from my prior service as a mechanic and aircrew man, will this help? i also had PRK done by the navy

[@kmg501]

When they come in fast & sharp and then skid along the run way, is that auto-rotation being practiced or something different? Like a powered descent in practice for auto-rotation? -

[@sacha4566]

Yes that is a full autorotation no power

[@kmg501]

@@sacha4566 Thank you.

[@pilotman322]

Hi, i was just wondering, how much a bell like this is worth? And also, How old do you have to be to learn to fly helicopters?

[@tannerevans2584]

So this is like a training base?

[@ebeauwilkerson]

Yes. Fort Rucker is the place where all Army pilots receive their flight training.

[@constionsti]

the engine fires pretty early? How much percent GasProducer was that?

[@himmler251]

FT Rucker?

[@outthere09]

SPY COPTERS OF ALABAMA

[@ChuckMahon]

You guys insist on doing full autos and running landings to the asphalt instead of properly to the sod.

[@C0nej0256]

The aircraft have skids designed for the asphalt.

[@ChuckMahon]

Not good to teach to asphalt - teach the maneuver on grass and the aircraft, and skid shoes will last longer.

[@marine05862000]

i'm finally glad that someone can sit behind their computer and tell others what to do! Solid work from your office chair!!!!

[@SuperNikki500]

Ehehrugyu

[@herben9608]

High heb hu