Would you become a professional helicopter pilot again?
The Original Whirly
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Rotordog,
To add one other small point ot Whirlygig's very valid comments...
I raised many of the negative aspects of flying for a living in my earlier posts; if you'd read them you'd see that. I went into this with my eyes open. I decided to keep on my current work, which is freelance and flexible. I decided to get the helicopter qualifications because I wanted to; I had the money and wasn't going to go into debt. I decided I wouldn't give up anything I had except some inherited savings, and would instruct parttime unless I was made a helicopter job related offer I couldn't refuse. And yes, I'm at the start. And yes, it's tough. And I don't have much work, and barely cover expenses. And I had to find my own students at the first school I was at, and the CFI hated my guts and let me know it at every opportunity...mainly because I'd had the sense to keep on another job and he hadn't and he was jealous. And it's got me nowhere in the normally accepted world view of success, and I know it. And I have no regrets whatsoever. Because I don't care that much about money and big houses and fast cars and so on, and I have no family so can do what I damn well please.
Right, is that clear? If you'd read any of my posts, you'd know all that. I'm a pretty prolific poster; I virtually live my life on PPRuNe.
So criticise me if you like, but do it accurately, and DON'T CALL ME AN OVER-ENTHUSIASTIC WANNABE WHO DOESN'T TELL IT LIKE IT IS!!!!!!!!
To add one other small point ot Whirlygig's very valid comments...
I raised many of the negative aspects of flying for a living in my earlier posts; if you'd read them you'd see that. I went into this with my eyes open. I decided to keep on my current work, which is freelance and flexible. I decided to get the helicopter qualifications because I wanted to; I had the money and wasn't going to go into debt. I decided I wouldn't give up anything I had except some inherited savings, and would instruct parttime unless I was made a helicopter job related offer I couldn't refuse. And yes, I'm at the start. And yes, it's tough. And I don't have much work, and barely cover expenses. And I had to find my own students at the first school I was at, and the CFI hated my guts and let me know it at every opportunity...mainly because I'd had the sense to keep on another job and he hadn't and he was jealous. And it's got me nowhere in the normally accepted world view of success, and I know it. And I have no regrets whatsoever. Because I don't care that much about money and big houses and fast cars and so on, and I have no family so can do what I damn well please.
Right, is that clear? If you'd read any of my posts, you'd know all that. I'm a pretty prolific poster; I virtually live my life on PPRuNe.
So criticise me if you like, but do it accurately, and DON'T CALL ME AN OVER-ENTHUSIASTIC WANNABE WHO DOESN'T TELL IT LIKE IT IS!!!!!!!!
Gatvol
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Rotordog made a point that lots of folks miss. that is "Life is short, so very short".
You have to weigh what you want to do along with whats going to be there at the other end if you want to someday retire.
I can get into these threads knowing Im covered. I have been flying for 35 years without a miss, BUT most of those years flying was secondary to my occupation. That allowed me to retire at 52 and then pursue flying as a new occupation or a good way to make Beer money. Many of my friends from my previous occupation have no hobbies etc. and quite frankly sit around waiting to be recycled. I have had some fun years and made money flying and still do so. It also allows me the freedom to say no to conditions that many youngsters who depend on flying would have to sheepishly accept. I see it all the time. Questionable Maintenance, Marginal Weather etc., and yes I have seen more than my share of these guys buy the farm...
So with Life so short, give things a good thought, but do remember the other end as it comes very quickly.....
You have to weigh what you want to do along with whats going to be there at the other end if you want to someday retire.
I can get into these threads knowing Im covered. I have been flying for 35 years without a miss, BUT most of those years flying was secondary to my occupation. That allowed me to retire at 52 and then pursue flying as a new occupation or a good way to make Beer money. Many of my friends from my previous occupation have no hobbies etc. and quite frankly sit around waiting to be recycled. I have had some fun years and made money flying and still do so. It also allows me the freedom to say no to conditions that many youngsters who depend on flying would have to sheepishly accept. I see it all the time. Questionable Maintenance, Marginal Weather etc., and yes I have seen more than my share of these guys buy the farm...
So with Life so short, give things a good thought, but do remember the other end as it comes very quickly.....
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Sounds like an awful lot of money and time to spend with no guarantees or even bright lights at the end of the tunnel,
and far to much soul searching/ philosophizing and self justification to bother getting in to commercially.
and far to much soul searching/ philosophizing and self justification to bother getting in to commercially.
The Original Whirly
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Bert, that's a very good point, but it can be taken in many ways. Since life is short, one might say, let's live it to the full, and do what we really want to do. Who wants to end up at 70, comfortably off, but looking back and saying, "If only I'd become a helicopter pilot; that was what I always wanted to do". On the other hand, you and others present the other side - desperate for work, no security, no pension, long after the novelty of flying has worn off.
It's a difficult one, and there is no easy answer, and no way is right for everyone. The sensible option, as you say, is probably to make sure you don't burn all your boats or bridges. You made sure you could retire early and then fly. I kept on the day job, albeit parttime. I don't know about you, but I'll never be rich, but I won't starve either...and I can tell CFIs who hate my guts to go to hell.
I see people who won't do anything remotely dangerous, who never take a risk, who worry about their pension funds at age 20, who stick in the same old job because it has good prospects even though it bores them silly. I have friends my own age who count the years and days to retirement. Most of my extended family are like that - they look at me in amazement...but do I see envy in their eyes too. I'm the black sheep...but do they really want to be like me?
You need to consider the future, I agree. But who wants to die without ever having lived?
It's a difficult one, and there is no easy answer, and no way is right for everyone. The sensible option, as you say, is probably to make sure you don't burn all your boats or bridges. You made sure you could retire early and then fly. I kept on the day job, albeit parttime. I don't know about you, but I'll never be rich, but I won't starve either...and I can tell CFIs who hate my guts to go to hell.
I see people who won't do anything remotely dangerous, who never take a risk, who worry about their pension funds at age 20, who stick in the same old job because it has good prospects even though it bores them silly. I have friends my own age who count the years and days to retirement. Most of my extended family are like that - they look at me in amazement...but do I see envy in their eyes too. I'm the black sheep...but do they really want to be like me?
You need to consider the future, I agree. But who wants to die without ever having lived?
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I hate to sound too cynical but life is suppose to be tough, grueling, unfair, depressing, hard, full of conflicts, biased, corrupt, non-sensical................etc.......etc.......etc........and the sense of accomplishment you generate as you work your way through all that BS is what makes it fun.
Gatvol
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Whirlybird
Maybe I missed it, but what Im saying based on what I am doing is live a little within your means but also plan ahead within your means. I have sacraficed a bit to do one thing but not so much as it would risk the other. One does not have to go all out to live life, but you also cannot responsibly go balls to the wall because it feels good. If your filthy rich, then I would say who cares, but most of us here are not, so its a matter of how much fun can I have and still survive........I think Im doin OK...thats what counts for me.
Maybe I missed it, but what Im saying based on what I am doing is live a little within your means but also plan ahead within your means. I have sacraficed a bit to do one thing but not so much as it would risk the other. One does not have to go all out to live life, but you also cannot responsibly go balls to the wall because it feels good. If your filthy rich, then I would say who cares, but most of us here are not, so its a matter of how much fun can I have and still survive........I think Im doin OK...thats what counts for me.
The Original Whirly
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BS,
Yep, I'd agree with all that. Sounds like we're saying pretty much the same thing.
The only thing is, people differ as to how much living versus planning they think is sensible. Many people think I overdo the living bit; me, I think I'm pretty cautious actually. Like I said, there are no rules; everyone has to work it out for themselves...hmm, I think I'm starting to repeat myself here.
Yep, I'd agree with all that. Sounds like we're saying pretty much the same thing.
The only thing is, people differ as to how much living versus planning they think is sensible. Many people think I overdo the living bit; me, I think I'm pretty cautious actually. Like I said, there are no rules; everyone has to work it out for themselves...hmm, I think I'm starting to repeat myself here.
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when i first looked into flying helicopters i was told 'don't do it' i ignored this advice and later spoke to this chap, he told me if i had been put off by one person simply saying not to do it, then i wouldn't make it.
a word of caution for the guys coming to HAI in september,
a problem i had was with the cost of living, the figures they quote are not realistic. lots of people run very short of money (some run out) towards the end of the training and put this down to living costs being much higher than quoted. When adding up the figures add at least 50%-70% to the living costs.
a word of caution for the guys coming to HAI in september,
a problem i had was with the cost of living, the figures they quote are not realistic. lots of people run very short of money (some run out) towards the end of the training and put this down to living costs being much higher than quoted. When adding up the figures add at least 50%-70% to the living costs.
Fair Whirls,
In the words of Bill Clinton....."It depends upon what "is" is."
Also,
If you care to take on a project to spend your money on that will also add to your Christmas Joy.....I am available Mon Sweet!
In the words of Bill Clinton....."It depends upon what "is" is."
Also,
If you care to take on a project to spend your money on that will also add to your Christmas Joy.....I am available Mon Sweet!
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I've been a helicopter pilot for 27 years, the first couple were tough, but I've had 24 years of uninterupted full-time employment and in those last 24 years I've made reasonable money, above the National average (CDN)for your every day working stiff.
Would I do it again-Absolutely !
Would I do it again-Absolutely !
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Simon10 wrote . . .
Seems like a contradiction of life . . . .
- I would myself would have admired my father a lot more for being a man that followed his dreams instead of following financial stability. There is just something about a person who does something for a living that he would probably do for free just because they enjoy it so much, those are the people that have that special grin that only comes from people who are truly happy.
- I have a 6 year old son and his teacher told me the other day, "nothing makes him prouder than to say that his father is the pilot of that helicopter above the school playground at break time". I will always remember my son running around the playground pointing the helicopter circling above screaming to all his friends that that is his father.
- I have an uncle who was CFO of Ford Motor Company in Latin America, he was getting 7 figures a year (USD) and he's always telling me he wishes he would have followed his dreams instead, he wanted to become a pilot. Today his children see him primarily as a source of income.
To me, one of the most important things you can show your children is that you have to work in something that makes you truly happy, and proud of yourself.
If you are happy, people around you will be happy, life is too short, and you aren't taking any money with you once you die.
I do have a family, wife and two small kids which I care of tremendously. This is also something I will not be willing to jeopardise by pursuing any dream of mine. My helicopter pilot friend keeps telling me that I should be more selfish and go for it, but I can’t – my love to my family is by far much greater than my love for a dream.
By now, I have come to terms and accepted the fact that that I’m not going to become a professional helicopter pilot. This fact doesn’t make me less happy, It doesn’t sober me anymore. The only thing that’s really changed is that I now miss my dream of becoming a pro pilot.
Simon10
By now, I have come to terms and accepted the fact that that I’m not going to become a professional helicopter pilot. This fact doesn’t make me less happy, It doesn’t sober me anymore. The only thing that’s really changed is that I now miss my dream of becoming a pro pilot.
Simon10
- I would myself would have admired my father a lot more for being a man that followed his dreams instead of following financial stability. There is just something about a person who does something for a living that he would probably do for free just because they enjoy it so much, those are the people that have that special grin that only comes from people who are truly happy.
- I have a 6 year old son and his teacher told me the other day, "nothing makes him prouder than to say that his father is the pilot of that helicopter above the school playground at break time". I will always remember my son running around the playground pointing the helicopter circling above screaming to all his friends that that is his father.
- I have an uncle who was CFO of Ford Motor Company in Latin America, he was getting 7 figures a year (USD) and he's always telling me he wishes he would have followed his dreams instead, he wanted to become a pilot. Today his children see him primarily as a source of income.
To me, one of the most important things you can show your children is that you have to work in something that makes you truly happy, and proud of yourself.
If you are happy, people around you will be happy, life is too short, and you aren't taking any money with you once you die.
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Did you get Aids??(Aviation Induced Divorce Syndrom)
Hi Guys,
Yes, bored and tired, to be an helicopter pilot for 27 years...
****ty salaries, hours and hours on duty or alert, no vacations, no stability, no family..?
Welcome to the club guys
This helicopter pilot occupation is like a sexy beautifull unfaithfull lier wife isn't?
But, think about it, what else could we do?
Everytime I want to divorce "her", there is alway a client jerk telling me:
"this job suits you so well man.., you were made to be this" no comment
Peace
Philippe
Nb: we don't need to watch movies, we do live movies...Think about it.
Yes, bored and tired, to be an helicopter pilot for 27 years...
****ty salaries, hours and hours on duty or alert, no vacations, no stability, no family..?
Welcome to the club guys
This helicopter pilot occupation is like a sexy beautifull unfaithfull lier wife isn't?
But, think about it, what else could we do?
Everytime I want to divorce "her", there is alway a client jerk telling me:
"this job suits you so well man.., you were made to be this" no comment
Peace
Philippe
Nb: we don't need to watch movies, we do live movies...Think about it.
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Dominican Republic
Hello Im a low hour helicopter pilot in the northwest. My wife is from the Dominican Republic where I have also lived with her at times. My dream is to fly in the region it is so beautiful. If you could tell me a little about your jobs flying in the Dominican Republic and general area.
Thank you
Fellow helicopter pilot
Thank you
Fellow helicopter pilot
