To Join the Dance of the Flying Frogs

as published in Rotor Review Magazine, Fall 1994 issue

Ask the pre-nugget in HT-8 or 18 what they're going to put on their "dream sheet" for their first orders. What will their answer be based on? The biggest factor will undoubtedly be the gouge they get from their "on-wings" and other HT instructors or maybe what they saw at an NHA Fly-In. What was my decision based on? Like they say in the Real Estate business, "location, location, location". San Diego was the choice for this married man, but that's another story.

Aircraft was my second consideration. The H-53 was supposed to be the smoothest and most powerful. H-60's were equally smooth but also had air conditioning, sheepskin covered seats, and doors that opened up like a car. They looked cool too. H-3's are plain ugly and H-2's were too small (although flying with the doors off scored some points with me). 46's were old and weird according to our Aerodynamics class. When the NHA (Naval Helicopter Association) had its Fleet Fly-In, I signed up for my five minutes of flying in a 60. The H-2 list was already full (I really wanted to fly sans doors). There were slots on the H-3 list, but the SeaPig didn't interest me. The 46 was open, so I signed up. All I remember now from the brief FAM hop was this: 60's are new and have cool gadgets in them; 46's are older than I am and fly so rough you think they're about to fall apart. (Marines call them "Whistling Death Traps from Hell").

Dreamsheet day came and I put location first - San Diego. Then Aircraft type: 1. 60B; 2. 60F; 3. 46D. Of course the needs of the Navy prevailed and I got 46's in San Diego. Talking it up with some of the instructors and the X.O. of HT-18, I was assured that getting 46's was a good thing. "You can really horse 'em around" or "It'll stop on a dime and give you nine cents change" were common phrases used.

Three years, 3 ships and 1000 hours later I've come to realize that not only do I have the greatest flying job possible, but that I came upon it through sheer luck. The merits of the HC community and the venerable H-46 have been hidden from the average Navy Pilot. Three points glare out at me as I'm steaming towards the Indian Ocean: The role of Logistic Support is both vital and rewarding, the H-46 is the most widely recognized military helicopter by the general public, and VERTREP is the most exhilarating evolution in Naval Aviation.

Vertical Replenishment is used widely to transfer cargo between ships at sea or from beach heads. Our black-shoe brethren hold us in a special place because we virtually don't care where the winds are for launch, recovery and VERTREP. Deployed ships welcome flight quarters to receive 46's for passengers, mail and cargo. When your flight is over, sailors will eat better having received milk, eggs, fresh fruits and vegetables. New movies and mail are the biggest boost to morale short of liberty call being passed. You're a hero every time.

Civilian social settings (PTA/Church or pub crawl/drink-fest) inevitably bring forth the question "So what do you do?" The answer "Navy Pilot" is universally met with awe. Type/Model/Series doesn't mean much to most folks, but "the big military helicopter with the two big rotors" usually gets the point across. I have relatives who still think I fly Chinooks (H-47).

Ask anyone who has watched a VERTREP and they will describe a flying ballet of 10 ton whirly birds gracefully choreographed to deliver anything from toilet paper to ammunition at a rate of a load every 30 seconds. Ask a 46 bubba (Marines don't count, they think we're crazy) and he/she will tell you it's the best flying around - completely seat of the pants. Stick and rudder stuff. Nothing else like it. A Mexican hat dance in the air between two ships.

So, young Conan the Unrestricted Pilot, what is good in life? To crush your enemy, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of their women. Yes, but to be a Frog Jockey is what it's all about. In the immortal words of Jolly the Frog Driver, "Tell me that's not the last load!"

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