Would you become a Professional Pilot again?
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Career choice
Hi
Guy’s I am really mixed up right now. For about one week ago I was sure the Halo was the life I wanted to live especially the North Sea. But when I found pprune I seems that everybody is complaining about the money is it really that bad ? I am 24 years old do you guy’s thinks I should go for Fixt wind instead ? I you read the Swedish pilot forum’s they all say that work cannot be found and it will take you like 10 years until you make a penny ?
Let’s say I have about 70.000£ to spend and I only interested in the best what will I get for my money if we talk FW
Tanks Guy´s
Guy’s I am really mixed up right now. For about one week ago I was sure the Halo was the life I wanted to live especially the North Sea. But when I found pprune I seems that everybody is complaining about the money is it really that bad ? I am 24 years old do you guy’s thinks I should go for Fixt wind instead ? I you read the Swedish pilot forum’s they all say that work cannot be found and it will take you like 10 years until you make a penny ?
Let’s say I have about 70.000£ to spend and I only interested in the best what will I get for my money if we talk FW
Tanks Guy´s
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There are great jobs in rotary and it will take time to get there...like all things, nothing great is easy. Same goes for fixed wing. No one (fixed OR rotary) walks out of their commercial flight test and into their `dream job`.
Starting a career based on what it pays, or how much a bunch of grumpy old buggers complain on a web site may not be the best way to slect what you want to do.
So try some hours in fixed and then some hours in rotary and decide for yourself.
You will know straight away if heli flying is for you.
Starting a career based on what it pays, or how much a bunch of grumpy old buggers complain on a web site may not be the best way to slect what you want to do.
So try some hours in fixed and then some hours in rotary and decide for yourself.
You will know straight away if heli flying is for you.
Interesting phenomena - Most Rotary pilots are also fixed wing pilots but not many fixed wing pilots can fly helicopters. We are generally completely different personalities requiring different skill sets to succeed, although the need to fly at any cost is common. I suggest you work out which "type" of person you are & go from there. Either way, you will be required to make substantial sacrifices to achieve the end goal of financial & career stability - nothing would piss you off more than to go through all of that & then find out you really wanted to fly the other thing!! Make sure your family either support you or desert you, as the rest of your life will be consumed by the need to fly. Good luck & may the force be with you.
The Original Whirly
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Most people who fly helicopters do it because they love it; it's their dream job and they can't believe they're being paid to do it, however poor the pay is.
But as with everything, sometimes the "Wow!!" factor diminishes with time. I haven't been doing it long enough to know, but I guess eventually it becomes just another job, for some people at least. And when that happens, I suppose you realise you're being not very well paid for something difficult, dangerous, and insecure.
But the thing is - do you love it in the first place? If so, you need to be asking the questions you're asking, and maybe trying to disentangle yourself form rotary addiction while you can...if you want to. But if not, why bother anyway? Get something easier, safer, more secure, and better paid.
But as with everything, sometimes the "Wow!!" factor diminishes with time. I haven't been doing it long enough to know, but I guess eventually it becomes just another job, for some people at least. And when that happens, I suppose you realise you're being not very well paid for something difficult, dangerous, and insecure.
But the thing is - do you love it in the first place? If so, you need to be asking the questions you're asking, and maybe trying to disentangle yourself form rotary addiction while you can...if you want to. But if not, why bother anyway? Get something easier, safer, more secure, and better paid.
But as with everything, sometimes the "Wow!!" factor diminishes with time.
But I have always told people that ask me if they should learn fixed wing or helicopters that if they have to ask they should probably just learn to fly fixed wings! If you´re not in it for the love of helicopter flying but just to make money or the idea then it´s just to difficult business to go into.
Nigerian In Law
Frallifraxer,
I agree totally with Whirlybird. I am at the other end of the spectrum (10,000+ hours, ex military, ex North Sea, ex many other places), and although I could never see it happening, it has become "just a job". Sad, but nothing I can do about it.
Tough call, but my advice for what it's worth is to follow your heart. You won't regret it.
Cheers,
NEO
I agree totally with Whirlybird. I am at the other end of the spectrum (10,000+ hours, ex military, ex North Sea, ex many other places), and although I could never see it happening, it has become "just a job". Sad, but nothing I can do about it.
Tough call, but my advice for what it's worth is to follow your heart. You won't regret it.
Cheers,
NEO
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I find that the word "dangerous" is frequently used in these threads to describe helicopter flying. I would take those that use this and similar words to task and make the point that a modern, well-maintained and flown helicopter is not a "dangerous" piece of machinery and nor is using a helicopter to execute a well planned mission "dangerous".
I would suggest however, that there are a number of very "dangerous" pilots, managers and, dare I say, engineers who, through carelessness/recklessness, add to the public perception that helicopters are "dangerous".
Which category do you fall into?
GAGS
E86
I would suggest however, that there are a number of very "dangerous" pilots, managers and, dare I say, engineers who, through carelessness/recklessness, add to the public perception that helicopters are "dangerous".
Which category do you fall into?
GAGS
E86
back to flying
Just another point of view...
My flying covers 22 years. I left the military after 24 years and did not want anything to do with aviation.
Found a good paying job, coat/tie and a large office and thought I was happy...oh yea great money for the area and no aviation.
My family noticed that when I did visit the local helicopter operation I seemed alot happier. Needless to say after 4 years and seemingly an endless hell, I am back in helicopters, flying EMS.
Alot happier, less money, so I guess I can put a price on some happiness, but the family noticed the positive change. I am gone more, much like in the military so there has been a trade off.
My last job, I said they dont pay me enough for the BS, now I am back to the feeling "I get paid to do this".
Fly Safe
My flying covers 22 years. I left the military after 24 years and did not want anything to do with aviation.
Found a good paying job, coat/tie and a large office and thought I was happy...oh yea great money for the area and no aviation.
My family noticed that when I did visit the local helicopter operation I seemed alot happier. Needless to say after 4 years and seemingly an endless hell, I am back in helicopters, flying EMS.
Alot happier, less money, so I guess I can put a price on some happiness, but the family noticed the positive change. I am gone more, much like in the military so there has been a trade off.
My last job, I said they dont pay me enough for the BS, now I am back to the feeling "I get paid to do this".
Fly Safe
But as with everything, sometimes the "Wow!!" factor diminishes with time.
The Original Whirly
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john and eagle,
Thanks, good to know that.
As I said, I wasn't speaking from experience, and do note the "sometimes" in my statement.
Thanks, good to know that.
As I said, I wasn't speaking from experience, and do note the "sometimes" in my statement.
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If you believe everything in this forum you just wouldn't do it.
Everyone bitch’s about their job and the industry no matter what.
The Internet has just allowed it to be more concentrated into these forums.
The jobs are there the opportunities are there you just have to go out and look for them and not sit behind a desk bitching about it on the net.
I was recently flying in US and one of my instructors only a 500hour pilot was bitching about the fact he only got paid flight hours and nothing else. Not much 35USD per hour of flight.
Then one day he said after a flight taking a group of property developers around all day that he mentioned might be off.
Turned out the property developers were looking for a corporate pilot. These guys were seriously loaded.
Result today they bought a brand new R44 and he’s there corporate pilot on a nice salary.
So there is hope
Everyone bitch’s about their job and the industry no matter what.
The Internet has just allowed it to be more concentrated into these forums.
The jobs are there the opportunities are there you just have to go out and look for them and not sit behind a desk bitching about it on the net.
I was recently flying in US and one of my instructors only a 500hour pilot was bitching about the fact he only got paid flight hours and nothing else. Not much 35USD per hour of flight.
Then one day he said after a flight taking a group of property developers around all day that he mentioned might be off.
Turned out the property developers were looking for a corporate pilot. These guys were seriously loaded.
Result today they bought a brand new R44 and he’s there corporate pilot on a nice salary.
So there is hope
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OH, dear!
For someone coming in to this industry at the moment, it is a great move, IMO.
I can't speak for the rest of the world but in the US the future is bright. Especially if you are a US citizen. If your not its a little bit harder (personal experience). But even then its easy to get a job. A pretty good paying job by that.
I was working in a manhole in the UK 3 years ago bursting my arse working all the hours under the sun trying to make a living. Now I work 6 months of the year (2 weeks on 2 weeks off), of the days I work, I actually work maybe 4 hours a day, the rest of the day I sleep watch TV and read, most days I'm finished by noon. For my touble they pay me around 50+ grand a year for this, thats in dollars which with the cost of living over here is pretty much the same as earning 50 grand pounds.
Which I agree is not the best paying job in the world, however its certainly not the worst. When you compare the amount of effort to amount of money paid it is right up there. Still everyone wants more money and I am no exception. The way things are going that is what is happening, we are getting more money.
As for the airlines, I have lots of friends who went to fly for the airlines. There is money in it if you have been there for years and fly the heavy gear. However it takes a lot longer to get there. I have a friend who is working for an unnamed airline at the moment who is earning 25k a year SIC, he has been flying for 5 years and has over 3500 hours. I've been flying for 3 years have just over 2000 hours and earn more than double what he does, I also have pension, benifits etc. In fact when I got my current job I had only been flying for 2 years.
I am no exception. I hear of people who take 5-10 years to get a decent job. That is garbage these days, if it takes you that long its your own fault. Best and quickest route is go to school get your CFI and CFII then teach for a year. You should easily be able to pick up a decent job after that. Everybody I know has anyway. If you can't get a job in the US there is something wrong with you.
To conclude, would I do it again? Absolutely. Its a great job. If I ever get bored of it or think I'm being hard done to, I'll go do something else, not sit about and moan about it.
I can't speak for the rest of the world but in the US the future is bright. Especially if you are a US citizen. If your not its a little bit harder (personal experience). But even then its easy to get a job. A pretty good paying job by that.
I was working in a manhole in the UK 3 years ago bursting my arse working all the hours under the sun trying to make a living. Now I work 6 months of the year (2 weeks on 2 weeks off), of the days I work, I actually work maybe 4 hours a day, the rest of the day I sleep watch TV and read, most days I'm finished by noon. For my touble they pay me around 50+ grand a year for this, thats in dollars which with the cost of living over here is pretty much the same as earning 50 grand pounds.
Which I agree is not the best paying job in the world, however its certainly not the worst. When you compare the amount of effort to amount of money paid it is right up there. Still everyone wants more money and I am no exception. The way things are going that is what is happening, we are getting more money.
As for the airlines, I have lots of friends who went to fly for the airlines. There is money in it if you have been there for years and fly the heavy gear. However it takes a lot longer to get there. I have a friend who is working for an unnamed airline at the moment who is earning 25k a year SIC, he has been flying for 5 years and has over 3500 hours. I've been flying for 3 years have just over 2000 hours and earn more than double what he does, I also have pension, benifits etc. In fact when I got my current job I had only been flying for 2 years.
I am no exception. I hear of people who take 5-10 years to get a decent job. That is garbage these days, if it takes you that long its your own fault. Best and quickest route is go to school get your CFI and CFII then teach for a year. You should easily be able to pick up a decent job after that. Everybody I know has anyway. If you can't get a job in the US there is something wrong with you.
To conclude, would I do it again? Absolutely. Its a great job. If I ever get bored of it or think I'm being hard done to, I'll go do something else, not sit about and moan about it.
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platinumpure
Well said that man. Couldn't agree more.
Its a If I ever get bored of it or think I'm being hard done to, I'll go do something else, not sit about and moan about it.
Well said that man. Couldn't agree more.
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Quidam and others pondering a career change . . .
Everyone I know had some form of career prior to pursuing one in flying. Most of those guys (and girls, for that matter) were late 20s or early 30s before their first time behind the controls.
I am relatively new to the trade, but loving every minute of it. Learned to fly 2002. Now 2000+ hours and employed since about 2 weeks after completing my CPL(H).
I am convinced that there are only 2 things that really helped me when I started . . .
1. I wanted to do this so badly that nothing would stand in my way and the pursuit of my dream was carried out relentlessly;
2. I made certain I was available for ANY opportunity that presented itself, and you know what? A few just happened to.
It's fair to say I had a bit of good luck on my side, but nobody will give you a go if they don't see some reason in you as a person to do so.
I say go for it, and don't wait another minute. We all only have one life and you have to fit in as much as you can - preferably doing the things you really want to rather than other stuff!!
Oh, and by the way . . . I didn't start learning to fly until 36, I was married with kids. Now I wake up every morning and can't wait to get to work - I get to go flying every day, oh and I'm still married to my beautiful wife and spending more time with my kids now than I did before I changed careers. I've never flown fixed wing and my choices have never been driven around money.
Good luck in you pursuits. If you have half the experiences I have had you will look back on those events fondly with a sense of achievement thinking . . . 'I did that'.
Everyone I know had some form of career prior to pursuing one in flying. Most of those guys (and girls, for that matter) were late 20s or early 30s before their first time behind the controls.
I am relatively new to the trade, but loving every minute of it. Learned to fly 2002. Now 2000+ hours and employed since about 2 weeks after completing my CPL(H).
I am convinced that there are only 2 things that really helped me when I started . . .
1. I wanted to do this so badly that nothing would stand in my way and the pursuit of my dream was carried out relentlessly;
2. I made certain I was available for ANY opportunity that presented itself, and you know what? A few just happened to.
It's fair to say I had a bit of good luck on my side, but nobody will give you a go if they don't see some reason in you as a person to do so.
I say go for it, and don't wait another minute. We all only have one life and you have to fit in as much as you can - preferably doing the things you really want to rather than other stuff!!
Oh, and by the way . . . I didn't start learning to fly until 36, I was married with kids. Now I wake up every morning and can't wait to get to work - I get to go flying every day, oh and I'm still married to my beautiful wife and spending more time with my kids now than I did before I changed careers. I've never flown fixed wing and my choices have never been driven around money.
Good luck in you pursuits. If you have half the experiences I have had you will look back on those events fondly with a sense of achievement thinking . . . 'I did that'.
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Would you become a Professional Pilot again?
For sure. I wouldn;t wanna do anything else.
The pure joy of being in the air makes up for all the downsides.
Think of all those folks in offices hunched over their computers all day.
B.
For sure. I wouldn;t wanna do anything else.
The pure joy of being in the air makes up for all the downsides.
Think of all those folks in offices hunched over their computers all day.
B.
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Me Mum thinks I play piano in a brothel....if she ever finds out I am a helicopter pilot it will break the old dear's heart.
I should have gone to airline flying when I had the chance....or to law school....but it was fun, travel, and adventure I was seeking rather than boredom and riches.
Why ever could foresight be just a wee bit better?
I should have gone to airline flying when I had the chance....or to law school....but it was fun, travel, and adventure I was seeking rather than boredom and riches.
Why ever could foresight be just a wee bit better?