Are helicopter pilots different?
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 25
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From: Everywhere
I've lived in both camps. Rotary first and now the fixed side. And let me tell you: I far more enjoy the job I'm in now. I flew the S76 for almost 8 years. And in interesting places! Thailand, Philippines to mention a couple and oh Karratha. W.A. And, I'm sure that's where I met and flew with Gordy (Ne). Karatha.. out and back 99% VMC very very boring! But the social life was a laugh. Songkhla, Thailand. Again out and back same old. Doing the shuttles first thing from rig to rig was the fun side. Could do up to 20 or so landings in a hour! If I remember right. The food on the BQP (Initially French) was beautiful. Until nationalised then not so good. Then came the joining of Lloyd and CHC. Time to move on. Manila.. Now this was fun and very interesting flying especially when the Monsoon season was on. IFR in and out of Manila using the ILS. Full speed 130kts down to about 2 miles. Refueling in Busuanga Island was a challange when the weather was down. And flying with really really nice guys.... This was my exit and over to the the Fixed Wing World.
After obtaining an Jar A licence. I was lucky enough to secure a First Officer position straight onto the Boeing 767. I thought, Being an experience 5000 hrs Heli pilot I would have little difficulty in making the mark!! So wrong was I!! I had to work my arse off just to keep up! Flying from A to B: boring!! Absolutely no way!! There were times I didn't even get chance to look out of the window (In the cruise). Doing an NDB approach in Mexico in CB conditions!! In my opinion is much more challenging than getting onto a rig in the monsoon conditions.
Now, I'm in the left seat of my B767 (Capt) and really still enjoy the job. So, In retrospect. I would not change a thing. I really enjoyed the rotary world (at the time) and enjoy the Airline flying more.
There are MANY Airline pilots who used to fly helicopters BUT not many, if any, Helicopter pilots whom used to be Airline pilots!!!
After obtaining an Jar A licence. I was lucky enough to secure a First Officer position straight onto the Boeing 767. I thought, Being an experience 5000 hrs Heli pilot I would have little difficulty in making the mark!! So wrong was I!! I had to work my arse off just to keep up! Flying from A to B: boring!! Absolutely no way!! There were times I didn't even get chance to look out of the window (In the cruise). Doing an NDB approach in Mexico in CB conditions!! In my opinion is much more challenging than getting onto a rig in the monsoon conditions.
Now, I'm in the left seat of my B767 (Capt) and really still enjoy the job. So, In retrospect. I would not change a thing. I really enjoyed the rotary world (at the time) and enjoy the Airline flying more.
There are MANY Airline pilots who used to fly helicopters BUT not many, if any, Helicopter pilots whom used to be Airline pilots!!!
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 250
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From: all over?
There are MANY Airline pilots who used to fly helicopters BUT not many, if any, Helicopter pilots whom used to be Airline pilots!!!
Hovering AND talking
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,711
Likes: 1
From: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
BUT not many, if any, Helicopter pilots whom (sic) used to be Airline pilots!!!
Just by reading Pprune, I hear of enough disaffected airline pilots who want to switch allegiances
Cheers
Whirls
Joined: Dec 2001
Aviation Qualifications: Military
Posts: 1,286
Likes: 20
From: I have no idea but the view's great.
I know a helicopter pilot, he has a sign in his office which says "You don't have to be mad to work here, but it helps".
And it's scrawled on a gnawed plank in his own sh!t.
Hope that helps.
And it's scrawled on a gnawed plank in his own sh!t.
Hope that helps.
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,103
Likes: 5
From: Chabanais, France
I switched after six years of rotary to fixed wing, great as a career move but I found nothing like the camaraderie in the fixed wing world that exists in the rotary world.
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,081
Likes: 189
From: Redding CA, or on a fire somewhere
as a heli pilot you generally end up landing on the same landmass you happen to live on each evening. With planes you are always living in hotels, out of suitcases etc?
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,081
Likes: 189
From: Redding CA, or on a fire somewhere
Probably should be on a joke thread, but they do relate to why we are different.....
How do you know if you're talking to a Helicopter Pilot?
He'll tell you....
How do you know if you're talking to an Airline Pilot?
His trophy wife will tell you..
what's the difference between god and a helicopter pilot?
God won't tell you he is a helicopter pilot!!!
What does a helicopter pilot use for contraception?
His personality.
And what does an Airline pilot use for a personality?
His Income!
And finally for this iteration:
A woman runs into a Police station Yelling and screaming!!
The desk sergeant asks whats the Problem? She says I've just been raped by an helicopter Pilot!!!
Police say, How do you know he was an helicopter Pilot ?
She says well! he had a Big watch, a small Dick and he wouldn't stop talking about himself.....
And who says we cant laugh at ourselves---why not--everyone else is..
How do you know if you're talking to a Helicopter Pilot?
He'll tell you....
How do you know if you're talking to an Airline Pilot?
His trophy wife will tell you..
what's the difference between god and a helicopter pilot?
God won't tell you he is a helicopter pilot!!!
What does a helicopter pilot use for contraception?
His personality.
And what does an Airline pilot use for a personality?
His Income!
And finally for this iteration:
A woman runs into a Police station Yelling and screaming!!
The desk sergeant asks whats the Problem? She says I've just been raped by an helicopter Pilot!!!
Police say, How do you know he was an helicopter Pilot ?
She says well! he had a Big watch, a small Dick and he wouldn't stop talking about himself.....
And who says we cant laugh at ourselves---why not--everyone else is..
Hovering AND talking
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,711
Likes: 1
From: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
And who says we cant laugh at ourselves---why not--everyone else is..
Cheers
Whirls
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 643
Likes: 30
From: Global Vagabond
As someone who was lumbered by his previous employer with operating both fixed wing & rotary operations, I have to confess that the rotary guys were easier to deal with, they seemed to me to be more "mission" focussed. They were also more inclined to mix socially. 
Not that all the plank drivers were wooden.
Not that all the plank drivers were wooden.
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 509
Likes: 0
From: Iceland
Well I don't know, but I like to look at it the same way as maestro Forest Gump did "...life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get"
Maybe thats why some of us try and smile at life.
Maybe thats why some of us try and smile at life.
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,957
Likes: 0
From: Australia
They say that Helicopter Pilots oft' live dangerously, well people reckon that I 'push it a bit' at times, - but - this example below is further than I would ever go!
As to being a big butt of numerous jokes.....I shall not speak to that out of courtesy
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: USA
Girls vs Boys
One way helicopter pilots certainly seem to be different is in their families.
Most of the guys I know with kids have far more female children than male. Anyone else noticed this? Something in the vibrations through the seat affecting a heli pilot's little swimmers?
Most of the guys I know with kids have far more female children than male. Anyone else noticed this? Something in the vibrations through the seat affecting a heli pilot's little swimmers?
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 509
Likes: 0
From: Iceland
highfinal
This has little to do with vibrating seats me thinks, even though I am no expert on the matter. It seems that it has something to do with these pilots not being that much at home. The same applies to fishermen on longer haul fishing trips.
The girly swimmers are stronger (hardheaded) and live longer in the humid conditions down under.
This has little to do with vibrating seats me thinks, even though I am no expert on the matter. It seems that it has something to do with these pilots not being that much at home. The same applies to fishermen on longer haul fishing trips.
The girly swimmers are stronger (hardheaded) and live longer in the humid conditions down under.