Is an IR(H) for me?

[karlpayn]

Hey!
Currently half way through my PPL and planning on moving on to a CPL. I'm just weighing up the options afterwards, what's the crack onshore/ offshore? I'm considering doing a IR and going offshore, but how's the market? It'costs a lot of money, will it get me a job, and what would working life be like?

Thanks!

[RyRy]

For now, don't bother with an IR. I'd even bench the idea of getting your CPL for the time being.

The offshore aviation world is in a total free-fall along with the prices of oil. I've only been flying offshore for 6 years and even then, close to 1/2 of all the offshore pilots I know have been laid off... myself included. Hell, I got laid off twice in 6 months by the same damned company lol. If I can't find an offshore job right now... you're not going to either.

Onshore IR work will be getting flooded with hundreds of offshore pilots ready and willing to start tomorrow. So again.... you're last in line.

[haihio]

I agree with ryry. I have an easa ir multiengine and experience and like many others cannot find employment in Europe.
I am living and flying abroad.
I think if you are very determined on becoming a helicopter pilot you will succeed but You will probably have to leave Europe for some time.... ( years) !!

[ersa]

If your ca$hed up , then go for it .But as always don't take any loans out ......

[HeliComparator]

However it is worth mentioning that it is better to be primed and ready for the upturn, than to only start thinking about the upturn once things are cooking. In the depths of an oil recession such as we have now it is hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel but history shows the end does come, often quite quickly, and the industry always lags behind.

So I'm not saying that you should push on with your IR right now (unless you have the money to spare) but do keep an eye on the oil industry and react early when the upturn starts.

[karlpayn]

Thanks for your answers, very appreciated!

Part of the funding would be a loan, so I guess that's a no go from what you've all said.

If I was to work outside the EU would I not need to convert my licence? And why is the market so much better, are the jobs similar?

[jeepys]

You don't need to think about the IR until you have your CPL. This could be another 12 months or so away in which time the industry may be different.

[GoodGrief]

You don't need to think about the IR until you have your CPL. This could be another 12 months or so away in which time the industry may be different.
Not entirely correct. The IR counts towards his necessary total time for the CPL.
Doing PPL-IR-CPL is cheaper than doing PPL-CPL-IR.

[Mustapha Cuppa]

Not entirely correct. The IR counts towards his necessary total time for the CPL.
Doing PPL-IR-CPL is cheaper than doing PPL-CPL-IR.

Not forgetting, of course, that to obtain an IR(H), one has to have at least 50 hours PIC cross country flight time of which at least 10 hours must be in helicopters.

Additionally, the applicant must hold a night rating. To obtain a night rating on helicopters, the applicant must have completed at least 100 hours of flight time as pilot of helicopters after the issue of the PPL, including at least 60 hours PIC on helicopters and 20 hours of cross country flight.

[ersa]

If you work outside the EU , yes you will need to convert your licence , but you will face the same problems as 100's of others - hours required , be it turbine hours single or multi , IR hours , time on type .

The whole helicopter industry world wide is facing a difficult time ahead .

As I previously stated and has been mentioned , don't take any loans out.

Do your PPL and see how you feel from there

[haihio]

Have you looked in to the United States option ? It has worked well for many, including me!

[gulliBell]

I think anybody with a basic helicopter licence contemplating breaking into the O&G sector any time in the next few years is dreaming. The reality is, the pilot tree is full of recently unemployed pilots with thousands of hours experience. If there is an upswing in demand for pilots it is unlikely to be any time soon, and when it comes, the first to fall out of the tree will be those guys with the experience. Who I expect will accept any salary on offer. Taking out a loan to complete a pilot license would not result in work as a pilot to pay back that loan. Only spend the money if you could afford to blow it all at the casino, because your odds at the casino are much better.