Learning to operate a military helicopter entails mastering the art of multitasking at an extraordinary level. Pilots must engage both hands and feet to maneuver the aircraft while simultaneously monitoring altitude and the horizon. When flying low at night, they may depend on night-vision goggles for identifying landmarks on the ground and progressively check GPS instruments.
Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Darin Gaub, who has two decades of experience flying Black Hawk helicopters, notes that the complexity is compounded by the need to manage multiple communication devices. “You have six to seven radios to mess with,” he explained. “You’re using everything, all while being expected to pilot the aircraft. This is why military helicopters usually require at least two pilots.”
The recent midair collision involving an Army Black Hawk helicopter and a passenger jet over Washington has brought increased scrutiny to the training of U.S. military helicopter pilots. This incident adds to a troubling trend, as there have been twelve fatal helicopter crashes during training since January 2014, resulting in the deaths of 47 military personnel.
However, former pilots and military aviation experts assert the high standards of military training systems. Mark Miller, an associate professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, emphasizes the amazing capabilities pilots can achieve through rigorous training. “Once you get it down and get proficient at it, it’s incredible what you can do,” he stated, highlighting the unity between the pilot and the helicopter that develops through training.
The training process is exhaustive, covering detailed classroom lessons on aerodynamics, aircraft systems, and emergency protocols. Miller describes the potential hazards of landing a helicopter, saying, “You can actually flip over a helicopter really easily if you don’t know what you’re doing.” Through extensive practice and real-time learning, pilots gain the knowledge needed to handle various challenging scenarios.
Military pilots are trained to fly both visually and instrumentally, particularly during adverse weather conditions and at night. Instruments such as attitude indicators and GPS systems play crucial roles in navigation, and the use of night vision goggles is essential in dark environments. “You master your instrument scan quite rigorously,” Miller commented, “and then it becomes second nature.”
Despite the thorough training, challenges persist. For instance, artificial light from urban areas can be disorienting when seen through night-vision equipment. Professors like Nickolas Macchiarella explain that pilots must also utilize “pilotage” to identify notable locations on the ground for navigation, particularly when flying at low altitudes near restricted airspace.
For pilots operating around Ronald Reagan National Airport, located in a densely populated area, the stakes are even higher. According to Clint Balog, an associate professor at Embry-Riddle, the airport’s light pollution creates a need for heightened situational awareness. “Whenever I’ve flown in there, I found that the light pollution is among the worst I’ve flown into,” he said, emphasizing the increased difficulty in distinguishing surroundings when approaching for landing.
Gaub further noted that all military flights in that busy airspace should be approached with caution. “This is one of those incidents that went wrong among thousands of safe flights. It demonstrates the effectiveness of safety procedures and how well the pilots train to operate in these complex environments,” he added.
Last year raised alarms for Army officials following a surge in helicopter accidents. In response, the Army mandated enhanced training protocols. Following Thursday’s crash, Army aviation chief Jonathan Koziol remarked on the significant “spike in incidents” that prompted a safety stand-down to carefully evaluate and improve safety measures.
The previous year saw around a dozen Army helicopter accidents that resulted in 14 fatalities, markedly increasing the accident rate. The Black Hawk helicopter involved in the recent tragedy is one of several aircraft utilized by the military. Major General Walter Rugen noted that “spatial disorientation” has been a recurring issue linked to these accidents, stressing the importance of ensuring pilots maintain a clear understanding of their aircraft’s positioning relative to the ground.
In summary, the data reflect a sobering reality, as twelve separate crashes involving Black Hawk helicopters since 2014 have claimed the lives of 47 service members. Notably, a midair collision between two Black Hawk helicopters during a training exercise near Fort Campbell, Kentucky, in 2023 led to the deaths of nine personnel. Just recently, on November 10, 2023, five Army soldiers lost their lives during aerial refueling training in the Mediterranean Sea. The responsibility of piloting military helicopters remains a task fraught with challenges and risks, underscoring the significance of thorough training and safety protocols in aviation.
