CPL(A) to CPL(H)
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Earth
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
CPL(A) to CPL(H)
I'm looking at converting my CPL(A) over to the "other side". I currently have about 300hrs fixed wing and a little work that keeps me current. Would I be stupid to trade that in to go and spend more cash?
What are the job prospects for a helo pilot with 60 something hours and would my fixed wing experience help? Also is it worth spending the extra $$$ to do a turbine endorsement? If I did would that also cover my fixed wing turbine endorsement?
So what should I do?
P.S anyone have any Helicopter theory books they want to sell?
What are the job prospects for a helo pilot with 60 something hours and would my fixed wing experience help? Also is it worth spending the extra $$$ to do a turbine endorsement? If I did would that also cover my fixed wing turbine endorsement?
So what should I do?
P.S anyone have any Helicopter theory books they want to sell?
From what I hear the situation is as bad, if not worse than finding your first fixed wing job.. Unless you are really fixated flying heli's stick the $30-40k into an instrument rating and some other FW training. $40k buys a lot of fixed wing hours.
Bevan..
Bevan..
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Australia
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sir Wingnutt The III
Sir,
The helicopter scene at present is suffering a little basically as a direct result of the drought. As such, those jobs up-north are a bit thin but the prognosis is anything but dull and gloomy.
If helos are what you want to do; then I say DO IT! They are a heap more fun and whilst the job prospects might not be great at the moment, when you do land one they are usually for keeps with good prospects for advancement at a later stage.
I think the Jetranger endorsement straight out of a conversion CPL is a bit of a waste despite the good fun you'll have doing it.
and no, it will not cover any fixed-wing gas turbine endorsements. On the up side, your fixed-wing experience will definately help with your conversion training!!!
Big decision to make now; but good luck and fly safe whichever way you decide to go!
The helicopter scene at present is suffering a little basically as a direct result of the drought. As such, those jobs up-north are a bit thin but the prognosis is anything but dull and gloomy.
If helos are what you want to do; then I say DO IT! They are a heap more fun and whilst the job prospects might not be great at the moment, when you do land one they are usually for keeps with good prospects for advancement at a later stage.
I think the Jetranger endorsement straight out of a conversion CPL is a bit of a waste despite the good fun you'll have doing it.
and no, it will not cover any fixed-wing gas turbine endorsements. On the up side, your fixed-wing experience will definately help with your conversion training!!!Big decision to make now; but good luck and fly safe whichever way you decide to go!
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Aus
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
IMHO you'll probably need to spend about $20k to get a CPL(H).
The current demand for helicopter pilots seems pretty good.
Maybe the fact that entry into the industry via instructing is regulated (400 hr requirement) is a good thing.
The current demand for helicopter pilots seems pretty good.
Maybe the fact that entry into the industry via instructing is regulated (400 hr requirement) is a good thing.
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Melbourne
Age: 54
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you know someone who is prepared to give you a job after your conversion then go for it, However if you dont have that job offer or even the hint of a job I would not bother wasting your money on the conversion. If you want to convert just for the fun of flying Helicopters and have 20k of spare cash lying around again i would say go for it, its great fun learning to fly a helicopter but the down side is the expense of Private hire to keep current (350ish) an hour for a R22 and you can only carry one PAX. You cant really fly cross country due to the expense caused by the 80kts cruise speed or less of most piston machines. At that sort of speed it takes a long time to get anywhere!
LLoyd what makes you think its a good time for a low timer to find work in the Heli industry? If its the recent ads in the australian then most are for High time IFR/multi/night/winch rated (read ex Military pilots). I did see that job for the tourist stuff in the Sunshine coast-I would love to know how many calls they received for that one but i bet it would be in the hundreds. I do hope i dont sound bitter but the fact is we only have 850 helicopters in Australia and must have 4000ish qualified helicopter pilots out there maybe even more and the schools are still pumping them out at high rates.
I admit i dont have my finger on the pulse in the industry anymore but i dont suspect it has changed that much since I moved on.
LLoyd what makes you think its a good time for a low timer to find work in the Heli industry? If its the recent ads in the australian then most are for High time IFR/multi/night/winch rated (read ex Military pilots). I did see that job for the tourist stuff in the Sunshine coast-I would love to know how many calls they received for that one but i bet it would be in the hundreds. I do hope i dont sound bitter but the fact is we only have 850 helicopters in Australia and must have 4000ish qualified helicopter pilots out there maybe even more and the schools are still pumping them out at high rates.
I admit i dont have my finger on the pulse in the industry anymore but i dont suspect it has changed that much since I moved on.
