To be fair, it IS meant to be AV for a reason, it would be a waste to focus on AV if it was not effective against vehicles.
Not to mention it'd be a bit OP if even what's meant to take them down didn't do well against it.

Remember, its not just about learning to be a good pilot, good strategy is needed for flying as well.

Some stuff to keep in mind for Dropship pilots:
- Remember, piloting a Dropship does not mean you can just go solo and win, Dropships need a team as much as ground units.
- Basic warfare rule: The higher you fly, the more vulnerable you are, the more of the ground you can see, the better and easier the ground units can see you, don't try to just fly above everything and expect to be safe, Dropships need to use cover as much as ground units do.
- AV weapons work against ground units too, not just ships, having an AV player in your squad can increase your chances to keep your ship the entire match.
If there are blasters/ tanks trying to shoot you down, get your teammates to take them down, Attack Installations usually take 3 militia Swarm shots, even with a reload after the 2nd. (4 if you give them some time to regen shields.)
Tanks will usually run away when hit by them, if not at least will take the attention away form you as they try to get them instead.
- If no teammates/ squad available you may want to create an AV fit, when under attack reach a rooftop if possible or some other safe point to recall your ship until the threat is taken care of.
- As the match starts, try to get your team to destroy as many non-CRU Installations, no/ less installations means less chance of a red hacking them to use against you or quickly switch to an AV fit to take you out, especially the enemy red-line ones if in Skirm/ Dom.
- Dropship side turrets are extremely useful, getting a teammate to shoot at an AV red can buy you enough time to escape, if you're luck he might even take him out.
Not not mention it makes it extra easy to take out enemy Dropships.
- No risks, if you've got 2 swarms and a FG shooting you, get your gunners on them and escape/ go behind cover or out of range until someone takes care of them, don't try to risk some crazy maneuver unless you're fully ready to give up that ship.
If no one's available, go hide and recall your ship.
- Study your enemy, BE your enemy, you'll learn how to best counter AV attacks if you try them yourself.
I highly encourage any pilot to have an alt that specializes as an AV unit, that way you'll learn how to take down ships, and thus how to avoid/ counter such.

I'm claiming to be a "Dropship pro" tho not a newbie either, just sharing some stuff I've been taught by others and learned as I've flown, crashed, been shot down, have shot down, and studied others fly and shoot down plenty Dropship, all which have helped me survive a lot better while piloting, you'd be surprised how many just ignore everything after they learn how to control the ship well enough.

Mind you, even with all the precautions, one's still going to get shot down here and there, no build really is (or should be) invincible, but it should help somewhat.

Hopefully this helps some pilots out there.
(Or hopefully I'm corrected if I've made any mistakes, don't want to be spreading bad tips.)

Hah, I almost never have to scream it.

The last 20 matches, only lost 2, one to an RDV spawn, and the other to that weird glitch tile that floats above the ground.
I've been hit by every type of AV, and while they hurt, they won't kill me easily.

Newbs, yes, you will up. Not myself.