I'd love to get into commercial rotary wing pilot as a career, but the schooling is insane ($60k+)! Any rotary wing pilots on here who can give me some info?
I'd love to get into commercial rotary wing pilot as a career, but the schooling is insane ($60k+)! Any rotary wing pilots on here who can give me some info?
Most people do this through the military. $60k will only get you a ticket. No one will hire you until get some time under your belt.
This is true... I may be screwed...
Join the National Guard or Reserves and try to become a helicopter pilot. It's worth it if you really want to fly. You also get paid during the training.
I know it is pricy. I have some friends that fly rotary wing. About 1/2 of them learned in the military. Check with a local helicopter operator about rental and instruction. That is about all that I can add.
I know a few rotary wing pilots, and they all learned to fly back in Vietnam. Besides being completely crazy and full of great stories, they are all retiring now. There may be a shortage of pilots in the next few years, so the investment may be worth it.
pinchvalve wrote: I know a few rotary wing pilots, and they all learned to fly back in Vietnam. Besides being completely crazy and full of great stories, they are all retiring now. There may be a shortage of pilots in the next few years, so the investment may be worth it.
This is my thoughts exactly. Apparently there are gov't grants available for instruction and I'm supposed to have someone contact me on it. Haven't been able to find out anything and haven't heard from the guy. LOL
Yes but soon there could be an influx of rotary wing pilots hitting the market, all with lots of flight time. Draw down of the military could come soon compounded by the heavy rotation to combat zones have burned out a lot of military pilots and they will be looking for greener pastures. I'm not a pilot but very heavy in rotary wing maintenance, mainly military.
As stated, National Gaurd or Reserve is means to an end, even active duty. You only have to stay in long enough to get your commitment for training done then you're free to get out. Would take about as long as civilian training anyway and you would get paid to do it and gain experience/flight time. One hint though, make sure you meet the qualification before talking to a recruiter and make sure the training is pre-approved and you're accepted for training before you sign on the dotted line.
Go take a few hours of instruction before signing any contracts, either military or civilian. More than one person has decided that aviation is not for them after a few hours of flying.
Not a rotary pilot, but we talked to several in Alaska about how they ended up there. A bunch were civilian trained - their route was after 150 hrs, they got into logging out west running sky cranes, then after more hours - like 2,000, moved on to the glacier tours.
As you might be able to tell from my username, I have a little experience with this. I was an Army medevac pilot until being medically grounded (long story). I went the officer route through ROTC in college, but if I had it to do all over again I would have gotten my degree then gone to the recruiters and come in as a Warrant Officer -- they fly more and don't have to deal with as much BS as us normal Commissioned guys. If you do go that route you can do it through the Natl. Guard or Active Duty (active duty requires a minimum 6-year commitment). They look for guys with technical-type degrees and it helps if you have a little stick time first (just go and drop some cash on a few beginner lessons, so they know you can at least handle it without throwing up all over the inside of the cabin). Also, get the study manuals for the AFAST and study them a lot, take all of the mock-tests and take the ASVAB seriously. If you go the military route you'll get a lot more hours much more quickly than the civilian-trained guys, but be prepared to deploy (although, combat experience looks damn good on a resume).
wlkelley3 said: One hint though, make sure you meet the qualification before talking to a recruiter and make sure the training is pre-approved and you're accepted for training before you sign on the dotted line.
Quoted for truth. Don't let them sign you up as an infantryman or Helo mechanic and tell you that you can make the jump to pilot later. Don't be afraid to walk out...
Friend of mine is a helicopter pilot instructor. Locations in Oregon and Ft. Lauderdale. They train pilots, then hire them for nickles and dimes to do photography in the area. They get stick time, then go off to better pastures. Apparently it works for all concerned. If you wish, I can get you contact info. He will be more than happy to help.
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