In a certain sense we are better armed than average (non-combat) ground personnel. We carry both a 9mm pistol (now the M17) and an M4 carbine. What are the United States' top 4 best attack helicopters?

In 2026, whether a helicopter pilot carries a pistol depends entirely on the nature of their mission and regional laws. In the United States, commercial helicopter pilots can carry firearms if they are enrolled in the Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) program, which deputizes them as federal law enforcement officers to defend the cockpit against criminal violence. For military pilots, such as those in the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, carrying a sidearm like the Sig Sauer M18 is standard procedure during combat missions for survival and evasion if downed behind enemy lines. However, for civilian tour pilots or corporate transport in 2026, carrying a personal firearm is generally prohibited by company policy and strict FAA regulations unless they have specific federal authorization. In many international jurisdictions, civilian pilots are strictly forbidden from carrying any weapons, as aviation security relies on ground-based screening and hardened cockpit barriers rather than individual armament.