Advice on licences
 

I am currently an Army Air Corps Officer who has become disillusioned in the military. Looking at the option of going commercial fixed wing flying but don't really have a clue where to start. I have 1050 hours on Gazelle and about 60 fixed wing (Chipmunk). Not flown for 2.5 years. Aged 32 now and 33 just when I leave the Army. I would be so grateful if anyone could point me in the right direction as to how best get licences, who I need to talk to and whether at this age there are good prospects in the industry long term, and how the career ladder may go if I opted in and did well. Education background not a problem. Would be interested in the rough total costs of the whole project and where to start. Any replies would be very much appreciated.

There is alot of info on these forums, you can get an idea of what is required from the A question to the professionals thread.

Check the PPJN website for who is hiring and what you can expect to earn with various airlines.

To get an idea of what the ATPL questions are like there are various websites that host feedback questions such as bigredjumbo and iwannabeapilot

As a military pilot I suggest you check what possible exemptions you MIGHT have. Read the TGDA site before doing ANYTHING. Lays out requirements for military to civil conversions and possible short-cuts.

I'm pretty sure that I'm not qualified to give an answer, but it's my feeling that a helo pilot with military exp. and your time on the Gazelle should have a wide range of options, especially if you are prepared to relocate; I have been looking into it in Aus., and there are posts from pilots spraying, flying tourists, slingloading, mustering, firefighting,etc; in SA helos are used to track stolen vehicles, shadow bank vans etc your military exp. would be a big plus here. Today in a valley in rural NSW I saw a Squirrel spraying trees and farmland impossible for a fixed-wing. I have been in the S. USA and they use helos there as well, for sugar cane, for example. I don't know if its hype, but a school I have been looking into here in Aus reckons its a good time to get into professional flying. Also, the US authorities eg Coastguard will consider "foreigners" esp. those in your position. I would hazard a guess that you have a lot going for you. I was born and grew up in Belfast, and so the AAC were a daily item (eg Gazelles on station 24/7!) best of luck, the freewheeler.