Hi, I wanna become a helicopter pilot...
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Norway
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Hey all. Time for the next episode in this long running story.
In June 2015, after a year as an instructor at Bristow Academy, the chances of finding myself in an S92 any time soon appeared rather slim considering the downturn in oil and gas. Fortunately something else that look very interesting popped up and from a little shed in the Indonesian jungle where I spent what felt like a well deserved holiday, there was some frantic emailing back and forth.
And now, as of today, I'm delighted to be an AS350 pilot working for a company based in Harstad in the very north of Norway. The learning curve will be steep but step by step I will do pax, inspection, construction/longlining, filming etc. The scenery up here is spectacular and the weather so far is sunny, calm, clear and warm. They say it might change...
In June 2015, after a year as an instructor at Bristow Academy, the chances of finding myself in an S92 any time soon appeared rather slim considering the downturn in oil and gas. Fortunately something else that look very interesting popped up and from a little shed in the Indonesian jungle where I spent what felt like a well deserved holiday, there was some frantic emailing back and forth.
And now, as of today, I'm delighted to be an AS350 pilot working for a company based in Harstad in the very north of Norway. The learning curve will be steep but step by step I will do pax, inspection, construction/longlining, filming etc. The scenery up here is spectacular and the weather so far is sunny, calm, clear and warm. They say it might change...
Bloody well done! I fly the S92 and its a great job (albeit with a lot of uncertainty at the moment pretty much everywhere offshore) but it's pretty routine a lot of the time....your job sounds fascinating and you'll love the 350. I flew it in the military and its a superb aircraft, very forgiving and reliable (touch wood!)....enjoy. You've done very well getting a job in this climate.....
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Italy
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Dreams..
I was a manager for many years in an Equestrian Center in Italy that I built and launched. I decided to sell my center because of the economic crisis in Italy was impacting on my business and I thought that it was the right time to change my life, at 45 years old, start a new carreer/challenge and follow my other dreams, obtaining the helicopter pilot license.
I got a loan and I lived my last two years in Oregon USA to do it.
Now I have my HCPL but I run out of money, so I am In Italy again to find a way to save more money to finish my CFI... well...is a dream and it is true..you have only a life...It will take more time that I expected but never give up
Too old ? maybe... but when I see back in my life I want to have more memories than regrets..
Welcome on board and fly safe man
I got a loan and I lived my last two years in Oregon USA to do it.
Now I have my HCPL but I run out of money, so I am In Italy again to find a way to save more money to finish my CFI... well...is a dream and it is true..you have only a life...It will take more time that I expected but never give up
Too old ? maybe... but when I see back in my life I want to have more memories than regrets..
Welcome on board and fly safe man
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: USA
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I joined the U.S. Army at 17 and turned wrenches on AH-1S Cobras until I got into Warrant Officer Flight School about 18 months later.
Best period of my life flying the Huey and -58 in a West Germany with the Russians just a couple of km behind the fence.
But in hindsight, no one should give a helicopter to a 19 year old, there are way too many opportunities to do silly things and have all kinds of unauthorized fun.
I only flew helos for 5 years as I entered the USAF and flew jets until I had my 20. After another 13 years of flying the Gulfstream 550, I have a chance to change jobs where I can fly a Bell 407 in addition to the 550.
I am going to give it serious thought as I have always missed the real flying that only helicopters can give you.
I agree 1000%, go for your dreams. I also didn't want to be that guy who is in his rocking chair and regretted a career choice.
Best period of my life flying the Huey and -58 in a West Germany with the Russians just a couple of km behind the fence.
But in hindsight, no one should give a helicopter to a 19 year old, there are way too many opportunities to do silly things and have all kinds of unauthorized fun.
I only flew helos for 5 years as I entered the USAF and flew jets until I had my 20. After another 13 years of flying the Gulfstream 550, I have a chance to change jobs where I can fly a Bell 407 in addition to the 550.
I am going to give it serious thought as I have always missed the real flying that only helicopters can give you.
I agree 1000%, go for your dreams. I also didn't want to be that guy who is in his rocking chair and regretted a career choice.
I don't want to live my dreams!!!
They usually involve flying at low level under massive sets of wires, with no gap to get up through them, or else I am inside controlled airspace without a clearance, cannot decide whether to try to sneak back out and then request clearance, or pop up and tell the tower where I am and accept the consequences. And sometimes I am naked in the cockpit. Wouldn't want to live that one.
And anyway, having had a full flying career over 45 years, am now out to stud.
They usually involve flying at low level under massive sets of wires, with no gap to get up through them, or else I am inside controlled airspace without a clearance, cannot decide whether to try to sneak back out and then request clearance, or pop up and tell the tower where I am and accept the consequences. And sometimes I am naked in the cockpit. Wouldn't want to live that one.
And anyway, having had a full flying career over 45 years, am now out to stud.
Ascend Charlie - strange how we had the same dreams (and others report same re wires and ATC violations). Not tried the naked in cockpit bit tho - just wouldn't be right not to wear flying gloves!
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Another few years have gone by. I left the onshore/as350 job last summer as it was very difficult to combine with having a family (our daughter was born in 2016). To much time away and you never knew when/if you were going to come home the same day when you left for work in the morning.
Got married, took a few months of daddy leave while getting the EASA IR. Some time unemployed and miserable and then, horray, passed the interview and sim tests and got hired by Bristow Norway. I passed the S92 skills test last week and completed the aircraft training today.
VERY happy to have been given this opportunity! We’ve bought a house in Stavanger, family is here and next baby due any day now. Can’t say its boring...
Attached are some of the best pictures from the last three years. Fewer mountains and more sea in the future.
Got married, took a few months of daddy leave while getting the EASA IR. Some time unemployed and miserable and then, horray, passed the interview and sim tests and got hired by Bristow Norway. I passed the S92 skills test last week and completed the aircraft training today.
VERY happy to have been given this opportunity! We’ve bought a house in Stavanger, family is here and next baby due any day now. Can’t say its boring...
Attached are some of the best pictures from the last three years. Fewer mountains and more sea in the future.
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Canada
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I don't want to live my dreams!!!
They usually involve flying at low level under massive sets of wires, with no gap to get up through them, ... .
And sometimes I am naked in the cockpit. Wouldn't want to live that one.
And anyway, having had a full flying career over 45 years, am now out to stud.
They usually involve flying at low level under massive sets of wires, with no gap to get up through them, ... .
And sometimes I am naked in the cockpit. Wouldn't want to live that one.
And anyway, having had a full flying career over 45 years, am now out to stud.
I kept my clothes on, though. 😁
