Almost 40 years ago to the month I went in to Army aviation.
Since then I have never been out of work unless through choice.
Current salaries in the UK between £50/60000 working North Sea.
Civilian training is a minefield and standards are not high.
If you are happy in the military environment then get the training while being paid a decent wage. Get good experience and you will find yourself at the head of the queue for jobs when you get out providing you get your end game sorted out.
Employers still like ex military staff and most helicopter engineers in the UK come from one of the services. Probably as high as 80%.
By end game I mean you need to get an EASA licence before you leave or very shortly after.
Think about which trade band you want to go in to, mechanical or avionics.
At the moment in civvy street B2 (avionics) licensed engineers are like hens teeth.
Postings are better in civvy street as well, plus overtime!!!!!!
If you dont a job you just leave, its not a prison.
Remember things change and aviation has always been cyclic. At the moment the helicopter world is hitting a peak but no predictions for where we will be in six plus years from now.
Last edited by ericferret; 14th Oct 2012 at 17:22.