Military to Civilian

[rich49]

Hi all,
I started a thread in the professional pilot wannabes forum but got told to post here so...
I have not decided yet if a career as a civilian pilot or FAA pilot is for me, and I am trying to keep all my options open (I'm at Uni, and trying to get as much info as possible). Let me first say that I do not agree in any way with using the military as a vehicle to other jobs, I would not join for the training knowing that I wanted a civilian career.
What I would like to know however, is that if after my four years of ROS, I did decide on an airline career, what is the procedure for gaining civilian flying licences? If I was a Helo pilot, and I wanted to fly for say, Virgin, how would I get the necessary licences, baring in mind I would be rotery not fixed wing? Do I start from scratch or convert?
Also when airlines ask for flying hours would my helo experience count?
Thanks for your advice.
Richard

[BEagle]

You will need at least 2000 hrs TT before you will gain full military accreditation. Even then, if that's rotary time it won't count for much FW credit, if at all..........

See http://www.tgda.gov.uk/CAA_Accreditation/CAAAccreditation.htm for further details.

[Boy_From_Brazil]

Rich49
If you aren't 100% commited to flying military, I suggest you don't bother. It is doubtful whether you would make it past the first cut. You would be wasting a lot of tax payers (my) money and more importantly the chance of a slot for a more military focused individual.

BFB