Becoming a professional pilot, and finding a job
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: Canada/around
Applied to Canadian Military:
18 months waiting and trying to get in.
Wings traing:
took 3 1/2 years to get to wings.
Operational:
5 years of flying and desk work to get about 1250 total hours (included the wings training)
Commercial licence:
used holidays to get it and get a little contract work
took 6 months to find 1st civil job
Nothing but work and fun ince then, now in Africa...
18 months waiting and trying to get in.
Wings traing:
took 3 1/2 years to get to wings.
Operational:
5 years of flying and desk work to get about 1250 total hours (included the wings training)
Commercial licence:
used holidays to get it and get a little contract work
took 6 months to find 1st civil job
Nothing but work and fun ince then, now in Africa...
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 943
Likes: 0
From: Gold Coast, Queensland
Good question. I learnt to fly helicopters in the Royal Navy in 1962 as I wanted to be paid well while gaining good experience. Also in those days there were very few civil trained pilots or schools. After 5 great years I left the RN with 1500 hours, 1100 on twins, IR, night time and one year instructing in the UK, Middle and Far East on 2 carriers. I got my first job in Australia by sending a telegram ( sounds very old!! ) Since then I have picked up 9 country's licences or validations and flown all over, between the Shetlands and the Antarctic in 20 different types and even had 5 years in ATC!! Jobs used to be easy in the 60s and 70s but now there only seems to be jobs for experienced pilots as I still get offered work. Unfortunately except in Australia, most countries think you have one foot in the grave when over 60, so these days in semi retirement I just fly a Squirrel on beach patrols a few days per month.
For wannabees I strongly recommend learning in one of the services as borrowing money to pay someone else with not much more experience than yourself is really doing it tough. If you have no choice for whatever reason, go for it but make sure you don't end up with 3000+ hours P2 and only 30 hours P1.
For wannabees I strongly recommend learning in one of the services as borrowing money to pay someone else with not much more experience than yourself is really doing it tough. If you have no choice for whatever reason, go for it but make sure you don't end up with 3000+ hours P2 and only 30 hours P1.
Guest
Posts: n/a
hey,
took about a year to get my instructor rating after i got my PPL (the old self improver route) spent almost 3 years instructing,
(got my CPL after 2 years of instructing) before I got my big break on the north sea last year, a lot of the old instructors seemed to get hoovered up at the same time as I did and luckily we got our IR's sponsored.
now that I am there it is nice to have a regular job with proper time off and good pay, whereas the instructing world was very hard work for at best moderate earnings.
I know where I would rather be !, but as Woolf said things can change v.fast.
took about a year to get my instructor rating after i got my PPL (the old self improver route) spent almost 3 years instructing,
(got my CPL after 2 years of instructing) before I got my big break on the north sea last year, a lot of the old instructors seemed to get hoovered up at the same time as I did and luckily we got our IR's sponsored.
now that I am there it is nice to have a regular job with proper time off and good pay, whereas the instructing world was very hard work for at best moderate earnings.
I know where I would rather be !, but as Woolf said things can change v.fast.
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: 50 deg Nth.
Fellow rotorheads,
I have counted 8 replies sofar.
There surely must be ( I hope anyway) more than 8 pilots on this forum????
Or are the remaining flyers all military or were they all extremely lucky in getting a position as soon as they got there CPL(H) papers or possibly still hunting for that first full time position?
Best regards
Off road
I have counted 8 replies sofar.
There surely must be ( I hope anyway) more than 8 pilots on this forum????
Or are the remaining flyers all military or were they all extremely lucky in getting a position as soon as they got there CPL(H) papers or possibly still hunting for that first full time position?
Best regards
Off road
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Australia
I'm one of the unfortunate helo drivers who has never yet seen the "light at the end of the tunnel". Holding a (AUS) CPLH (and frozen ATPH) for the last 5 years. Knocked on doors all around Oz for 18 months refusals galore (not enough experience), picked up some slave work (unpaid) sweeping a hangar floor for 12 months, time to move into that seat position ....... screwed by the operator!!!Whoever says "Australia is the land of opportunity" get a closer look.
Hugh investment wasted, Australian outlook bleek.....
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Miami
Want to Fly
I am 24 years old and really want to start flying helis as soon as I get a Student Loan. I am also looking for some answers and advice. Like I have learned at other forums some of you pilots sound a little oh 
. I assure you this letter that I am posting is legit. I know the market for heli pilots isn't the best right now but I hope the Unions in the near future will change that. I am looking at two schools Volar and Heliflight both in Ft. Lauderdale. I currently live in Miami. Any insights on these schools or suggestions on others is greatly appreciated. I also would like to know what the physical that you have to pass for the FAA consists of? I would like any replies to this post Positive or Negative. You pilots are the ones that have gone through it and are going through it. I believe that any answers and advice that you give will be much more valuable than what the flight schools tell me. Thanks in advance. Herby
. I assure you this letter that I am posting is legit. I know the market for heli pilots isn't the best right now but I hope the Unions in the near future will change that. I am looking at two schools Volar and Heliflight both in Ft. Lauderdale. I currently live in Miami. Any insights on these schools or suggestions on others is greatly appreciated. I also would like to know what the physical that you have to pass for the FAA consists of? I would like any replies to this post Positive or Negative. You pilots are the ones that have gone through it and are going through it. I believe that any answers and advice that you give will be much more valuable than what the flight schools tell me. Thanks in advance. Herby
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Washington
Well I really cant help with all of your questions because I am just starting out myself. But as for the physical, its quite easy. I got my Second Class med certificate which consists of:
eye check (eye sight must be correctable to 20/20),
hearing check (a joke...the lady talked quietly to me for that test)
pee in a cup (only tests to see if your a diabetic or not..If you are, you cant be a pilot), and turn your head and cough. Pretty simple...Well anyways..I am the one who replied to you on JustHelicopters. Youll find there isnt much for bickering on here. Just happy pilots who will give you good info. Anyways..talk to you later
Scott
eye check (eye sight must be correctable to 20/20),
hearing check (a joke...the lady talked quietly to me for that test)
pee in a cup (only tests to see if your a diabetic or not..If you are, you cant be a pilot), and turn your head and cough. Pretty simple...Well anyways..I am the one who replied to you on JustHelicopters. Youll find there isnt much for bickering on here. Just happy pilots who will give you good info. Anyways..talk to you later
Scott
Gatvol
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,197
Likes: 1
From: KLAS/TIST/FAJS/KFAI
Another school near you www.heli.com
And Now you asked for it.....OK, 24 years Old, heres a suggestion. Get your College degree in a field that pays a lot of money.
Get a job with a big company that has an aviation department. Then fly around with the company pilot who will be busting his ass all day long making one third of what you are. Then if you like it, get back to me.
Some will ,no doubt, jump on me saying money is not everything, but they are also the ones I see daily, who are working seasonal jobs, no retirement in site, and nothing to fund them if they do retire. Its not an easy world for sure and certainly not all the glamour you may think.
Back to your original question. I would suggest you get your fixed wing ratings first and then get a helicopter add-on. (Much Cheaper) If you enjoy that, then you can get your CFI and starve a few years until you have enough flight time to starve a little better on the job...
Im not painting a bright picture for sure, but as I have been doing this for over 32 years I think I have seen the dark side. Yes some out there are successful, but not the majority. Im hoping that after you get your ratings you will stick with fixed wing, your chances for financial stability are better.
After reading this, if you have a degree, your single and still are frothing to fly helicopters...I would strongly suggest the Military. Training is excellent, the price is right and they pay you. They also own you for a few years, but at 24 it wont matter...
Good Luck
And Now you asked for it.....OK, 24 years Old, heres a suggestion. Get your College degree in a field that pays a lot of money.
Get a job with a big company that has an aviation department. Then fly around with the company pilot who will be busting his ass all day long making one third of what you are. Then if you like it, get back to me.
Some will ,no doubt, jump on me saying money is not everything, but they are also the ones I see daily, who are working seasonal jobs, no retirement in site, and nothing to fund them if they do retire. Its not an easy world for sure and certainly not all the glamour you may think.
Back to your original question. I would suggest you get your fixed wing ratings first and then get a helicopter add-on. (Much Cheaper) If you enjoy that, then you can get your CFI and starve a few years until you have enough flight time to starve a little better on the job...
Im not painting a bright picture for sure, but as I have been doing this for over 32 years I think I have seen the dark side. Yes some out there are successful, but not the majority. Im hoping that after you get your ratings you will stick with fixed wing, your chances for financial stability are better.
After reading this, if you have a degree, your single and still are frothing to fly helicopters...I would strongly suggest the Military. Training is excellent, the price is right and they pay you. They also own you for a few years, but at 24 it wont matter...
Good Luck
Last edited by B Sousa; 28th May 2002 at 02:55.
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: New York
Garcia I'm at the same age and also have experience in the tech industry which is hit pretty hard now. Thankfully I have family that will support me with either furthering my education and going through the helicopter training process if I become convinced of it. I ran my own business for a few years and cut my college education short temporarily because of that but I may return to the tech industry in the future or pursue helicopters as a possible profession.. at the moment helicopters seem like the one area where I can essentially be guaranteed employment as an instructor in the coming years doing something I would love, which can't really be said about most other jobs out there
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
Hey,
I took my training at volar and enjoyed it alot. I consider taking my training at heliflight but after talking with them on the phone a few times I felt my dollar would be better spent at volar.
I felt that I was going to be just a another sucker helping to pay heliflights rent. If your going to pay a ton of cash for training you should be getting great service and as well as training. I didn't feel I would be getting that at heliflight.
Keep in mind that this was just my experience/feeling from a few phone calls. I'm sure they are a quality outfit.
I just chose the not to go there and chose to help volar pay their rent instead.
good luck to you.
I took my training at volar and enjoyed it alot. I consider taking my training at heliflight but after talking with them on the phone a few times I felt my dollar would be better spent at volar.
I felt that I was going to be just a another sucker helping to pay heliflights rent. If your going to pay a ton of cash for training you should be getting great service and as well as training. I didn't feel I would be getting that at heliflight.
Keep in mind that this was just my experience/feeling from a few phone calls. I'm sure they are a quality outfit.
I just chose the not to go there and chose to help volar pay their rent instead.
good luck to you.
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Miami
Well you failed to mention how was your training? Are you working now as a pilot? What type of training did you get?
Thanks for your reply and I visted both schools today. The problem that I saw with Volar was that I could not get a Student Loan thru Sallie Mae w/ them. Only with Heliflight.
Thanks for your reply and I visted both schools today. The problem that I saw with Volar was that I could not get a Student Loan thru Sallie Mae w/ them. Only with Heliflight.
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,331
Likes: 74
From: White Waltham, Prestwick & Calgary
Good luck, but Unions won't change anything. As long as there are people willing to work for nothing to gain experience, nobody wins. I'm not blaming them, I went the other way to go writing, but it's the truth, nonetheless.
Again, good luck - if it's really what you want to do, but BSousa got it about right.
Phil
Again, good luck - if it's really what you want to do, but BSousa got it about right.
Phil
"Just a pilot"
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 633
Likes: 8
From: Jefferson GA USA
Getting your ratings is only the first and a small step on a long path (Get the best training you can find, anywhere-survival counts too). The next step is the killer-the first flying job. Plan and expect to spend YEARS chasing hours, before you're widely employable. You crack that nut with somewhere between one thousand and fifteen hundred hours...
Good bet-get your CFI at a school that hires it's own graduates.
Better bet-have your first position staked out and sold on you in particular, now.
Sure winner-never quit giving a 100 per cent, and you can't even spell "discouraged".
Good bet-get your CFI at a school that hires it's own graduates.
Better bet-have your first position staked out and sold on you in particular, now.
Sure winner-never quit giving a 100 per cent, and you can't even spell "discouraged".
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Swansea, UK
Becoming a Helicopter Pilot
I'm not entirely sure if this is the right forum to place this message, but I feel this forum is more relevant considering I am seriously interested in becoming a helicopter pilot.
I'm 16 years old and having just sat and hopefully (don't want to take anything for granted just yet ) passed my A/S exams I now have to consider my next step post A-levels.
I went solo in a glider last December and I have accumulated 12 solo flights to date (the weather being so miserable and changeable, I've been severely restricted). What I'd like to know is what is best option for becoming a helo pilot, is the military the way forward (I understand you have to be an officer first) or is it best to self-fund my pilot training, although I imagine this would be significantly more than fixed wing training.
If the latter is the case, what qualification/license would I need to attain and what is the score on the job-market in this field of aviation - its pretty grim for airlines?
Also - would if be best for me to get a degree first?
All the best
Meurig
I'm 16 years old and having just sat and hopefully (don't want to take anything for granted just yet
) passed my A/S exams I now have to consider my next step post A-levels.I went solo in a glider last December and I have accumulated 12 solo flights to date (the weather being so miserable and changeable, I've been severely restricted). What I'd like to know is what is best option for becoming a helo pilot, is the military the way forward (I understand you have to be an officer first) or is it best to self-fund my pilot training, although I imagine this would be significantly more than fixed wing training.
If the latter is the case, what qualification/license would I need to attain and what is the score on the job-market in this field of aviation - its pretty grim for airlines?
Also - would if be best for me to get a degree first?
All the best
Meurig
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 5,197
Likes: 1
From: UK
Meurig
It is the right forum. This question is asked quite frequently and, if you use the 'Search' function at the top of the page, you'll find some useful information.
I've done a quick search to start you off, and found the following threads which I think will help you.
Just click on the title, and you'll be taken straight to the topic.
Becoming a helicopter pilot
Helicopter Pilot?
British v American approach to Flying Training
I suggest you continue searching on 'Rotorheads', and then try the same exercise in the 'Wanabees' forum.
You're very welcome to come back with any questions you still have when you've finished searching.
It is the right forum. This question is asked quite frequently and, if you use the 'Search' function at the top of the page, you'll find some useful information.
I've done a quick search to start you off, and found the following threads which I think will help you.
Just click on the title, and you'll be taken straight to the topic.
Becoming a helicopter pilot
Helicopter Pilot?
British v American approach to Flying Training
I suggest you continue searching on 'Rotorheads', and then try the same exercise in the 'Wanabees' forum.
You're very welcome to come back with any questions you still have when you've finished searching.
Last edited by Heliport; 11th June 2002 at 14:21.
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: Dun Laoghaire
Hi Meurig,
I'm not too familiar with this website yet, but at first glance I think the 'Wannabes' forum might get you some answers but I'm open to correction on that.
I can give you a little advice but bear in mind that I'm still working on my own CPL (H) so I don't know this business very well yet. Getting into the helicopter business is not easy. It takes blind faith, determination, lots of money, and no small amount of luck. My experience in life is that if you have determination covered, everything else will fall into place. A lot depends on just how badly you want it.
Obviously, getting somebody else to pay for your training is the best bet. If you're not ideologically opposed to a military lifestyle, then get in touch with them for information on that avenue. A degree is not a prerequisite for flying helicopters but you'll find that a lot of people who fund their own training have come from other professions first, in order to make that necessary money. Often they've decided later on in life that they wanted to hand-in the mouse for a cyclic. Since I've started training, I've met tons of helicopter pilots (no girls yet unfortunately ) and they all come from different backgrounds whether it be engineers, police, bus drivers, plumbers, mechanics, or just straight in.
I won't go into much more detail as I'm sure there are people far more qualified to advise you than I. All I will say is though, if you have a dream, go for it. Dreams have a funny way of becoming reality when you put your mind to it.
And I'll finish with an anecdote. There was this helicopter pilot who on being asked for advice by hopeful youngsters on whether or not they should become pilots, he advised them not to, saying (quite truthfully) that it was very expensive, difficult to find work etc etc knowing full well that those who were really determined to become pilots weren't going to listen to him anyway.
Where there's a will (and a class 1 medical), there's a way.
Best of luck!
Irlandés
P.S. If you haven't already read them try reading Richard Bach's 'A Gift of Wings' and 'Jonathan Livingston Seagull'. If you have a love for flying, you'll get a lot out of them.
I'm not too familiar with this website yet, but at first glance I think the 'Wannabes' forum might get you some answers but I'm open to correction on that.
I can give you a little advice but bear in mind that I'm still working on my own CPL (H) so I don't know this business very well yet. Getting into the helicopter business is not easy. It takes blind faith, determination, lots of money, and no small amount of luck. My experience in life is that if you have determination covered, everything else will fall into place. A lot depends on just how badly you want it.
Obviously, getting somebody else to pay for your training is the best bet. If you're not ideologically opposed to a military lifestyle, then get in touch with them for information on that avenue. A degree is not a prerequisite for flying helicopters but you'll find that a lot of people who fund their own training have come from other professions first, in order to make that necessary money. Often they've decided later on in life that they wanted to hand-in the mouse for a cyclic. Since I've started training, I've met tons of helicopter pilots (no girls yet unfortunately
) and they all come from different backgrounds whether it be engineers, police, bus drivers, plumbers, mechanics, or just straight in.I won't go into much more detail as I'm sure there are people far more qualified to advise you than I. All I will say is though, if you have a dream, go for it. Dreams have a funny way of becoming reality when you put your mind to it.
And I'll finish with an anecdote. There was this helicopter pilot who on being asked for advice by hopeful youngsters on whether or not they should become pilots, he advised them not to, saying (quite truthfully) that it was very expensive, difficult to find work etc etc knowing full well that those who were really determined to become pilots weren't going to listen to him anyway.
Where there's a will (and a class 1 medical), there's a way.
Best of luck!
Irlandés
P.S. If you haven't already read them try reading Richard Bach's 'A Gift of Wings' and 'Jonathan Livingston Seagull'. If you have a love for flying, you'll get a lot out of them.