I like the answer John Travolta gave in Urban Cowboy about riding bulls.  It fits here too.

Fill your mouth with marbles.  Take lots of lessons and try to hover.  Every time you hover successfully, spit out a marble.

When you can hover AND you have lost all your marbles - You're a helicopter Pilot !

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But seriously, if you have an agency close that has an Air Support unit, go talk to them. They can get you started in the right direction.

Most departments across the country are very similar.

Get your ground school done.

Get your private fixed wing license.

get 3 to 5 years on the street as a patrol cop (most don't realize that just because we fly, doesn't mean we aren't cops first.  You need a better understanding on tactics and general police wotk than most supervisors.  Once you arrive on-scene, you can bet that everyone "looks up" to you for help and advice.  Hence, the 3 to 5 years on the street rule.

Get a good understanding on the unit's core principles and operating procedures.  Most boards and tests to get into air support are no walk in the park.

Know the geographics of the area you plan to work better than any firefighter, ambulance driver or pizza delivery driver. You are going 130+ MPH and you need to know how to get there NOW.

Do some ride-a-longs - make sure this is what you want.  A lot think they want to fly, until they see how much work it can be and make sure you don't have your head in the sic-sack the whole flight.

And - have fun - Good Luck!

thegig says ...

IJust have a quick question.  I always thought that  helicopters were smooth riding with open windows, fresh air.  But when you mentioned sicksack, i wondered that because i get seasick on a boat, do you think i would also in a helicopter.

is it like the rocking of a boat or smooth?

i just love them and really wanted to fly in one one day

Thanks for your time.

and for keeping us safe. Debbie

Debbie, the person that started this thread probably hasn't been here in the last 4 years. But I can answer your question for you.

"Smoothness" of the aircraft depends entirely on the control of the Pilot. If the pilot flies "Nap of the Earth", and you're prone to seasickness or motion sickness, this is not for you. Nap of the Earth is basically flying with a varying altitude and following the  terrain.

2-1-13

It's a 4-year old topic but it's the first time I've seen it.

This will continue on to be an informative topic for current events. Even thought the original poster is long gone, we can still talk about it.

Flying in a helicopter is a wonderful experience.  I have been in lots of airships from a Chinook Ch-47 to various configurations of Search and Rescue helicopters to different models of law enforcement-type helicopters. Here are a few things that they have in common.

1. They are noisy.

2. They shake a lot.

I've been in them while the pilot rotated it on it's axis 45 degrees. I've been on them when they've dropped altitude quickly...like a rock. Been on them at night and during daylight.

I have never had a difficult event nor have I ever been sick.

My buddy went through flight school. It only took him 30 days to get up and running to be a helicopter pilot for our local sheriff's department. He was a veteran cop prior.

Thankyou for answering my question, i appreciate your time. I doubt i would be able to hang, but gosh i sure wish i could.

I LOVE HELICOPTERS, so for now i think ill just admire them from the ground. thanks again and may the Angels watch over you all always....deb