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I’m a UH-60 Crew Chief for the NG, currently paying my way through my Instrument Helicopter rating. Watching this channel is really inspiring.

I enjoy the hell out of ur videos. So inspiring. I joined the Marines and went to Iraq in 2004. Spent my time in Ar Ramadi which was hell. It was an honor to serve this country of ours. Now I’m paralyzed from my nipples down and I married my occupational therapist from the VA Hospital. I just turned 40 and life is great. Could be better but at least I’m alive and talking to all of y’all. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

As a professional ice cream scooper, I can fully relate to what you're doing here.

One good piece of advice I would have, which I’m sure many others may have mentioned: if you want to start from square one as a pilot and eventually want to become a commercial pilot whether airlines or helicopters, try to get a first or second class medical before you start training. This lets you know if you have any conditions that would keep you from being a pilot before you pay all the money for training.

Full commitment and determination can get you to your goals. HD is fully involved when he gets into his projects. This is absolutely required when learning to fly airplanes and helicopters. There is no hitting the restart button nor pulling over to fix something in the air. Instructors always stress safety, situational awareness and to be ready for as many emergencies as possible. Even the airspace of where one flies has its own set of issues. Flying in Florida is not the same as in Alaska, California, Utah ect.. Lots to learn but as mentioned, with full commitment and determination your goals can be achieved. Good video 👍🏼

I never really had a huge following for your channel until I seen you got a Blackhawk and being a former maintainer I’ll be honest with ya the Blackhawk is a work horse of a aircraft. Once you get flying in your own your gonna be like a kid on Christmas every time those turbo shaft engines spool!!

So excited for you my man!!! It’s just AWESOME to see someone, truly on their own motivated efforts, make their dreams come alive. Seriously, it would be a far better place around here these days if more folks had the same drive to make things happen for themselves the way you’re doing it. If you want it to be, you gotta MAKE it happen by using all that’s been given on your plate. You’re absolutely killing it my friend and it’s a great thing to see happening. Thanks for sharing the experience!! 👍🏻😎👍🏻

totally impressed with your dedication

I’m an ex A-10 combat pilot and 30 yr Airline pilot instructor in the B777. Many, many days spent instructing in full motion simulators. Dave, I commend you effort and enthusiasm. These SIMS are very valuable for letting you experience malfunctions on your very worst “day”. I liked your clear concise discussion for new pilots on how to move forward in flying. Great job.

As an Army Veteran, thank you for your support and backing of our Armed Forces. You have a great channel and an even better crew of misfits.

Thank you Heavy D for all you have given to the Military and Veterans. I am a Desert Shield/Storm Air Force Veteran, I was a truck driver and a Fire Fighter in the military and now I have done Fire Fighting for 30 years in the civilian side. I get goose bumps watching the military trucks you drive and miss them. I especially love watching the helicopter clips which would be awesome to Fly . Here's to you and may you always have power to your rotors.

As an old Vietnam Huey Helicopter Pilot (actually, all of us are old 😁) I had an opportunity to fly the Blackhawk simulators with the Nevada National Guard a couple of years ago. An amazing experience. Those simulators are advanced to the point of being able to run cooperative missions with multiple Blackhawks and CH-47s, including troop insertions and extractions, sling load missions, formation flying and more. Sure made me yearn to get back in the cockpit. Thank you for all the support you give our military veterans. When you fly into VNY one of these days, I'll treat you to an amazing dinner at an exclusive club for magicians as my personal thanks.

Listening to your pilot license journey brought back memories. I got the bug after my first private airplane flight at young age and began flying lessons, like you the problem was being young doesn't equal enough money to pay for flying so it took me a while as I had the money to pay for it. Glad to see the training and black hawk coming along. Can't wait to see it in the skies here in Utah.

Being a gaurd solider and a full time technician...i have never really had a huge desire to fly but wokring on the air craft is great thing seeing you show so much love for what some one like me does

I don't have any military experience! I love your videos because of their education value, your hands on approach to the many projects, most of all your dedication to helping others absolutely inspires me. Your team is amazing, inspiring, and truly proves the best of humanity.

This video came at the right time for me. I have been long into my training and feeling a little discouraged by my progress. Life has a way of getting in the way of things we want to do instead of things we need to do. Stuck a nerve when you said you wanted to do this since your first discovery flight but things (life) changed but glad it worked out the way it did. I will get my training done and I will own my own helicopter someday. Thanks for giving the back story, my wife and I heard it and were taken back. Thank you !

Heavy D is going two be living his dream and wow he's going to have a lot of fun. You know heavy D shows themselves having fun they even make hard work look fun.but we all know he puts himself out there helping people from feeding a ranchers cattle to helping a grieving family look for a missing family member. So it's not all fun but still rewarding .my sons and I love this program.

You got my attention, I grew up in the hood I'm 34 and as a kid always talked about being a pilot . Never did any flying but this is inspiring to start any way I can.

I can tell this is going to be one of the best series on KZfaq, just by your passion and dedication, can't wait for the next instalment, not everyone can do what you are doing, just glad that you have invited me along for the ride, I bet that smile of yours is a permanent fixture on your face now👍

Many years ago at age 17, I took my first ever ride in a helicopter: 5 minute tour ride in a Bell-47 "Bubble" helicopter. I was hooked! Loved the feeling of that kind of flying. Fast forward a bunch of years while I served on active duty in the Marines (Ground Communications Equipment Repair) got married and started a family. I found a flight school very close by that taught helicopters. Convinced my wife to humor me with an introductory familiarization flight in a Sweitzer-300 with the instructor. Absolutely loved it! Signed up to begin formal training. It was slow going because I was working full-time and raising a family and paying for an hour here and there when finances and weather and availability all lined up. Then I found the AOPA Flight Training Loan program and made it work. It was still slow going because of my schedule, but I finally achieved my Private Pilot License for Helicopters! I made sure that my wife was my first "official" passenger on a Saturday morning for a short flight to another airport for breakfast. Follow that up over several months with taking my young kids for rides, plus my father and some other relatives for rides to build up time in my logbook. And then my loan funds account ran out of money. Bucket List Goal ACHIEVED!!! In a couple more years after that I had paid off the entire loan with ZERO regrets. I have to say that I'm very jealous of your experience, but love being able to see your videos of it all! THANK YOU for sharing with all of us! Fly Safe!!!

Years ago was in the Civil Air Patrol at MacDill Airforce Base. We got a decommissioned Blackhawk A. Amazing aircraft to fly only got 60hrs logged before went into active duty. You got this brother!

I'm totally impressed with your dedication. I used to work in the Maintenace division of a VAQ squadron in the Navy "72" to "76". It was definitely a learning experience.

Excellent video, lots of technical information and details. I like how excited you are about the entire process of owning, operating, and maintaining the Blackhawk. It will be interesting to see how the helicopter will aid in recovery or just having fun. Thanks again for taking us on another adventure, Heavy D!

This unique experience is something alright! Being part of it through these videos is truly special as well. Thank you for the thorough updates, many of us really appreciate the content and hype. I always wanted to be a pilot, but my ADHD is a handicap I dont feel comfortable flying with. Good luck with the finals!

I absolutely love aviation. I found your channel awhile ago watching a recovery video, then saw you were a pilot also and knew I was hooked. I was so excited for you when I saw you bought a blackhawk..dream come true man

Hats off to Heavy D, livin the dream through hard work and dedication to where he wants to go in life. I envy him cause he is doing everything that interested me as a young man. Mechanic and truck builder, driving tractor trailers, owning and operating heavy equipment, and learning to fly helicopters. This dude is a legend for all of us who gave up on our dreams to raise a family. Then again he has done an excellent job of that too. 👏

You explain this process better than most. Love helicopters and always wanted to learn,but like you said, money 💰 💰 and that's a lot of what most don't have. But you make the dream more logical to prep for.

I fast forward through ALL ads, pretty much no exceptions. This time I watched the Conflict of Nations ad in full. That's how much I appreciate anyone helping HDS with this colossal undertaking. I cannot wait to see all of the good you guys can do once the Blackhawk is once again operational.

I spent six years in Army aviation and actually had a chance to attend flight school as a newly minted WO1, and I passed it up due to the 10 year commitment. I had already been enlisted for five years at that point and had not exactly enjoyed my enlisted time, which is what swayed me. Totally regret not going.

As always super cool. Always on the edge of my seat waiting for the next Blackhawk video !!! I’m also super stoked that your bringing interest back into GA. I feel like people hardly look up anymore. Your doing a great job !!!

I am a retired 20 year Army Fixed and Rotary winged pilot. I am a Master Aviator (over 8,000 total hours)with an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) multi-engine and commercial instrument helicopter ratings. Watching your video of working with the Arizona National Guard brought back many memories of my military training experiences. I appreciated your enthusiasm and respectful overview of the professionalism and safety the training program instilled. Flying is a fantastic way to make a living but is also dangerous. I think your approach to proper ground school and flight training is tremendous example for others to follow. Thanks for shining the light on proper preparation.

A smile came across my face. Stories I could tell you. LOL. I'm a retired Army Aviator. I retired in 1990. I haven't flown since. I do miss it every now and then.

A real honor to be invited into an academy like that. You won't pass easy but when you finally fly by yourself or with your family you will understand why all the time and effort. God speed and best of luck.

i love the way you are showing everything involved in this process of your blackhawk aquisition, please show us everything involved, some folks may not like it, but a lot will thanks

The same week I had an interview for WAATS, I had one for the airline I fly for. Sometimes I wonder what surprises life would’ve had in store for me had I stayed Army rotor. No regrets. So amazing to see your story.

Was really great seeing the WATTS facility. I was assigned as an Avionic Mechanic with the 1st-285th there before they built all those facilities. The simulators are supper detailed and allow for the mistakes without anyone getting hurt or loss of equipment. I have the pleasure now working with Level D C-130J Weapon System Trainers (Simulators) and there is no equal for me. Very interesting video and thank you.

You mentioned that you got into helicopter way back when you flew on one of those intro heli flight classes. My wife purchased one of those for me years back. I wanted to get into flying but was discouraged with the fees associated with the training. However, it was definitely an awesome experience.

Awesome! I remember doing ground school around 1981 with a guy I met from Switzerland. He went on to do Mountain rescue in Alberta as a Helicopter Pilot. I did my commercial license and joy-ride every day.

Love following your adventure. I flew UH-1H's and UH-60A's for 16 years so I enjoy watching your content...I absolutely loved my time as an Army Aviator and would recommend the experience to anyone who's interested in helicopter flight

I found your youtube channel 2 years ago. I never got to watch a lot of Tv or do a lot on the computer because of work but two years ago I was inspecting a paving job for the state of Ny. when a mini van came crashing into my work zone. I looked up just in time to pull a fellow worker out of the way and then twisted real hard to get myself out of the way I herniated two discs and tore a third disc in my lower back. Since I was not able to return to work in one year at 100% I was terminated from my job and have had all kinds of time to watch youtube and thats when I started watching you guys. this is the best show I have seen in ages, you guys do some awesome recoveries. Thanks for keeping me entertained with these great videos. I just bought a 2006 f-350 6.0 truck and as soon as I am able to return to work hopefully someday I am gonna buy the parts necessary from you guys to be able to make this truck reliable and strong. It only has 50,455 miles on it and I really love the truck but I'm afraid its gonna have the common problems that all the 6.0s have. After watching your show as soon as I am able, you guys have made a new customer and thanks for the great stuff that you do.

So fun to watch you grow in this program. I was fortunate to have maintained them and flown them for a combined 17 years. You will never find the end of this aircraft. It’s amazing what I am still learning after a full career with this bird. Enjoy it!

Thank you HeavyD for explaining about how to fly a Helicopter! This is awesome to learn about and watch!!!!

it's honestly amazing how many different licenses and certifications you have. from dive certified planes helicopter's big rigs cranes it's actually impressive as hell.

That is awesome, I wish I would have known you were coming, I just started watching your videos a few weeks ago from the blackhawk videos. Really cool too see videos of our hangar and seeing some officers I know. Everything he is saying is pretty true, started working there as a mechanic a few months ago and it's cool working full time army in the guard. Attention to detail and high QC is definitely a big part of aviation.

This brought back memories, I remember going in a full motion black hawk simulator with my dad when I was young

This man is living his dream! You got this Heavy! Keep up the good work, we believe in you!

Got lots of flight hours in the UH-60 all the different variants. This is amazing you were able to get one at auction. I knew the army did it but I never saw anyone who was able to buy one. I am really looking forward to you getting this thing completely up and running. Would love to fly in one again someday. 👍🏻👍🏻

Former commercial helo pilot here. My medical has lapsed & due to my age, it's too costly to get it back. So this is a great place for me to get my kicks vicariously. Thanks for posting these. It'll be fun following your progress.

Thanks to people at WAAT for allowing us to learning about the important work you do to keep defenders of freedom flying.

As a 56 year old mom, I want to say how proud I am of you and your team, for all you do!!!!! And a shout out also for encouraging our youth!!!!

Great video Heavy An amazing journey I'm all about what you are doing Spent some time as a choker setter for a helicopter logging company years ago also a bunch of years as a Wildland firefighter and we used helicopters often while fighting those fires We used several models of Bell n a few models of the old Sikorskys Flown in planes a few times big n small but definitely am a Helicopter man at heart That Blackhawk is a gorgeous piece of equipment Wish you the best with your licensing Big Respect Dave!

My ex fiancé has been a commercial pilot for several years now, and we were together from 2002-2008 which encompassed the entirety of his college education including flight school and all his certs. It’s funny how easily one forgets that not everybody is aware of the process it takes to become a pilot and how specific the licensures are. Becoming a commercial pilot is definitely an example of the saying “it takes money to make money” I remember being blown away at how expensive it was back in 2004/2005 when he was needing flight time. I can only imagine how much that’s increased in the last 15+ years. His parents ultimately purchased a small, older Cessna 4 seater for him because it was cheaper than paying the fees through the flight school, plus their marked up fuel fees, etc., as well as fast tracking the process due to not having to compete with your whole school for scheduling flight hours and such. Plus they rented out the plane to other students who could afford to get their hours outside of the program. Ah, memories. Haven’t thought about him or all that stuff in a long time.

Wow, when I went through school in the Army to become a Crewchief man it would have been nice to have those simulators to practice working on the birds. I can't tell you how many times I was told great job looks perfect now do it again and again. I loved my entire 20+ year career in the Army and some of the best times were in the hangar or out with the guys on a mission those were priceless times. Enjoy the Blackhawk you can have fun for years to come with that bird.

Owning ANY turbine helicopter is both expensive and time consuming... best of luck to you getting through the process. I know you'll do good things with this bird!

thank you for your inspiring attitude and just being who you are without trying to be cool God Bless you and your family even more

I’m proud of you brother! Never give up. Your fellow hawk driver

My son decided at 14 that he wanted to fly Blackhawks. On his 15th birthday we got him a ride along in an R44. He has been hooked ever since. At 16, he is about halfway through his training. He pays for his own lessons. (We pay everything else..lol) I link him to your Blackhawk vids. He is now considering going to college in southern Utah because of their excellent flight programs. He is looking forward to the day that he can share the skies over Utah with you folks.

Very informative, thanks for the training, we all want a safe flight !!!!!!

So freaking awesome to see the US Army folks greeting you with open arms. They are world class there. Great video. Found out that I love rotary wing way too late in life. Retired USAF. Thanks for the video.

Awesome Heavy D, My daughter is a 1st LT in the Army and will start Helicopter Aviation Training at Fort Rucker in January 2023. Excellent video.

As a Navy CMV-22b pilot and former MH-60s NATOPS instructor, It would be super awesome to go fly this bad boy with you.

Yeah D, it's harder for a hawk due to size and rating, license than a plane. You got it, keep doing good things, love you guys... and I'm also an aircraft mechanic, did it in the ARMY for 15 yrs an still love it today 25 yrs if aircraft structures work

Wishing you the best of luck. The Blackhawk is easy to fly when all systems are working but you must know the systems and how they function together when they go sideways. Best helo for IMC that I’ve ever flown.

I am excited for you! How fortunate you are to to be in this point in your life. JT is a good man (I was his aviation Commander many years ago). Before you get to eager to fly on your own, make sure you get proper training in mountain operations and power management! The Blackhawk is indeed a powerful aircraft but even so, at these Utah altitudes and summer temps, even the Blackhawk can run into power issues! I look forward to watching you fly around our beautiful State of Utah!

Whichever O5 and/or recruiter signed off on this deserves an ARCOM. Modern recruiting at its finest - Awesome video.

Amazing training program in the National Gard. Thank you for showing ys behind the curtain. Can't wait to see you flying your Black Hawk :)

Great job in how you talk to us the viewers about who is sponsoring your videos. 👍🇺🇸

Im so Impressed by HeavyD every time this dude does anything. Honestly never thought I’d be a fan but here we are ❤

Heavy. I got my son n law to join the Army back in 1998 he went into Airborne and worked on Blackhawks and retired and now works overseas as a mechanic instructor aka Teacher. He really done well. He Loves it says they are a good helo

Army Vet ATC, Airfield Management and Flight Ops Veteran. I went from Hueys to Blackhawks (among other aircraft), just luv the Blackhawk (CH-54 Tarhe was my favorite - I was one of the last Flight Ops Spec in the Army to dispatch a Tarhe and that was in Alaska), I really do miss them. Have fun with her Heavy, she will do you right! I'm jealous! :)

You got this man!! Absolutely love this channel! My brother is getting his commercial license to fly helicoptors down at Utah State! So it’s fun to see these videos!

This is a great example for how the US department of defense can train new enlisted service members for both their role in the military but also with valuable skills for their future career. That training is ultimately priceless. How would you estimate the value saved by enlisting at a young age? You may have just inspired a few thousand new future pilots. Nicely done!

I love watching your Blackhawk vids. Reminds me of my uncle who just passed and all .his " toys". I just went home a few.weeks ago and walked through his tanks, jeeps, 1/2 tracks, cannons etc. I hope you.get your licence soon!

Pretty cool to see the flight sim actuators I build and repair in Western New York, in AZ, and in action for one of your videos. Good luck on the license! 🤘🏻

I'm jealous Bro.......you gotta have very deep pockets to realize a dream like yours! Glad life has afforded you these opportunities. Godspeed in all your endeavors Sparks. Love these videos

Thanks so much for the inspiring video. I recently got my third class medical certificate and now am in ground school. Unfortunately I wanted to fly for the military but didn't pass their medical requirements (depression when I was a teenager). Now I'm just going the civilian route.

Hey HD, I'm thoroughly enjoying the videos. I'm a military vet and a Blackhawk SME (Subject Matter Expert) based out of Redstone Arsenal where you got yours from, built more Blackhawks than I can count, even presidential ones. I highly recommend getting the TCAS system installed, it's a pretty simple installation and you'll be glad you did. Let me know if you have any questions.

I’ve flown in the exact same simulator one time, super cool experience. They didn’t have full motion turned on so as we made movements on the controls the simulator didn’t tilt, but we got to do everything else there. Lots of fun!

also props to all the mechanics making those things work. People dont think about the amount of maintenance this takes.

So proud of you Heavy D! That's the first thing I thought of with the Black Hawk..... you rescuing the environment and helping people. I recently flew into SLC, flying over the Great Salt Lake. It reminded me of all the trash you and your team have removed from state. I can't wait to see the video of your first solo flight. Prayers and best wishes for you and yours. Greetings from SoCal 💚✌

Thanks for taking time to do these videos and supplying interesting facts nonfliers wouldn't think about.

Retired from Camp Lejune, 8404 Corpsman , here. Always loved Helos, and have a few hours as Medivac corpsman under my belt. Did a little cross training with Army, on amphibious insertions, with the BlackHawk. Awesome platform!

This is awesome. I love seeing this behind the scenes stuff. Since I was a kid I always wanted to be a helicopter pilot. I fly paramotor and big RC helicopters. It's a start. Just need to make more money....

I was a crew chief in a UH-1D and I always wanted to get my civilian license to fly helicopters when I got out of the service for the same reasons You wanted to do.. Medical air, taxi service, or what have You, a hundred applications that ran through my head I wanted to do.. But..... Money was a problem, I just couldn't save enough to do it.. I was 22 when I got out of the army and ended up playing music for a career.. I'm 78 now and retired but I still have that longing for flight.. I've been up in civilian choppers a few times since 67' when I left the service and I suppose I'll never stop loving it.. Maybe in the next life, if there is a next life for me, I'll be able to accomplish my dream.. It would have been nice to be able to fly to each music venue I had scheduled to play in this vast country instead of having to drive a loaded truck to them.. Dreams..?¡¡? Thank You for sharing this adventure with us.. LvYa...

omg, can't tell how much i love your shit. would have loved to see more of the actual flying with the blackhawk, handling the manipulators and stuff. i hope there will be more, can't wait man. thanks so much for the video!

You never disappoint. Watching all that you do really inspires me to do better keep up the hard work

Sparks, you made it look easy. But really the amount of knowledge required to get to this point is huge. Congrats to you for getting it done..I can't wait to watch you flying around in your brand new to you Blackhawk..That's just too cool. My Nephew, who is really more like my Son. Went through private training and schools to first work on Helicopters and then to fly them .He became an instructor also. Then he joined the military and continued flying Helicopters. He will be coming home next month,,, [thank God,].from being down at our southern border in Texas for one year. He has been going out every day and night flying missions in a Blackhawk helicopter. It is pretty amazing to me what all the military is able to do with those beasts.I am just so so Proud of My Boy. Can't wait to see you SpudNutts. Be Safe.

Massive respect for helicopter pilots, the level of coordination is immense. I struggle to pat my head and rub my stomach at the same time 😄

I was a crew chief for F16 and F117s ... we didn't have all the sim stuff... we used old aircraft that were unserviceable to train on at first, then HOT training in Luke AFB... then move on from there... very cool to watch this... happy for you man.

Dude, so happy for you, I knew getting that Blackhawk to be in civil aviation was gonna be tough. Good on ya brother I don't know if your ever read one of my comments. I have .an A&P or as we're called today an AMT since Oct 31 1984, day my licence was issued Halloween lol. Really happy for you glad your getting so close to getting your type rating. I know your going to have a blast with it. Watching these video has inspired me to finish getting my private pilot's license. Got the medical, got my part of the paperwork done on the FAA website, looking for a flight instructor for the flight training and doing ground school on line. Kudos to you bro. Thank for the inspiration to get airborne again!!!!!!! Keep America free!!!!!

As someone who has flown the coin operated kiddy helicopter at the mall at least 5 times, I really appreciate this content.

I just came across this channel and holy hell. This is some grade A content. Good job, video editors!

This is my favorite project in the entire world right now. I love these guys.

This just popped up. Very inspiring. Thanks for all the info. I'm going to pursue my pilot's license!!!

Clear Prop! That's what I'm talkin about! Well done.

I Really enjoy the black hawk videos. Keep up the work.

great training, i've had many training hrs in the sim, great and safe way to train. great video

One of the best videos I have seen in a long time. Well done and thanks.

Brother I get it, my dad was a c-130 pilot for 20 years he started in fighter jets but he used to take me and my brothers to fly the c-130 Sim and it is on a different level man it's pretty awesome