Rotary to Fixed Wing - wise move?

[whifferdill]

Hello Ladies / Gents

I posted this question initially in the wannanbe section but have been advised to post here.

I will be 40 in 2013 and have been Rotary since 2000. I'm a P1 with around 4000 hours multi crew IFR experience and have a PPL/A with around 500 hours and lapsed IMC / Night ratings.

Ready for a change but wondering if the expense of converting the licence and the inevitable drop in salary making the jump will entail, will be worth it at my age? Wouldn't be able to consider a jump until 2013 but could start training before hand.

Is the industry healthy enough for someone like me to find a job and crawl my way back to Command before I'm too old, or would I be better to stay put and fly planks in my spare time http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:www.pprune.org/get/images/smilies/smile.gif

Many thanks

[dcsagcs]

In Brazil we are doing the opposite movement... About same money for both positions but much better rosters for helicopters pilots!:=:=

[whifferdill]

Yes, us rotary guys have it good just now - the rosters have been great for the last few years and the pay is good, too - more about a change for me than looking for better ts and cs ( within reason! ).

[sudden twang]

Its all down to lifestyle. I much prefer flying longhaul than the N Sea. Once you've cracked descent planning and the flare your multi crew IFR H will stand you in good stead.

Retirement age is now 65 so you could have 25 years to go. Be careful which airline you join some of the Ts and Cs are dreadful.

[Wirbelsturm]

I jumped age 38 into the plank world and don't regret it at all.

With your experience the step backwards to flying large, comfy, coffee machine and toilet equipped airliners will be easy.

The descent planning and energy management equate to divide your height by 3 to get your track miles required e.g. 36000' needs about 120 miles. Not rocket science. Even after years on airliners I still mess the flare up occasionally! :eek:

Also the Staff Travel benefits, dependant upon company, are far better than holidaying with the bears on the rigs!!!!!!

Good luck.

:ok: