Original Message

I did all my training on the civilian side. Flew lights, worked up to mediums and then onto heavy's. The company I work for transitioned me into the Chinook which we mainly use for fires with an odd ball construction job here or there. The 47 is an absolute Beast... redundant systems with tremendous power and a very clever AFCS system that can make you lazy. There is an option to turn your trim OFF which gives you the control feel of any other helicopter you've flown... and the feel is just as sensitive as any other. Despite the size she is unbelievably agile and very fast, Vne is 170kts... And No, you won't be flying IFR... the capability is there but name one job on the civilian side where you'd be flying a restricted category aircraf, IFR, with pax... Day VFR 99% of the time... good luck, you would thoroughly enjoy flying one given the opportunity.