EC 135 Type Rating
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Whirls..........You The Lady!!! I agree, but also Nigel.........stop being such a BA PLANKDRIVER.......Dude!!! Everyone who learns to fly...Heli's, Planks....Space shuttles and Micromovers........deserves our encouragement!
The Original Whirly
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Everyone deserves encouragement, agreed. 
However, with the greatest of respect, MakD, I'm wondering if you need a reality check. 
Or maybe just a little more reading of the threads with the basics of this industry.
When you have your CPL, you will probably have around 200 flying hours. As I wrote recently in an article, a CPL(H) and 200 hours is about as much use as a degree in Medieval Mongolian - ie, it sounds impressive, but no-one will give you a job without more experience.
That may apply ever so slightly less if your hours are all turbine ones, but 200 hours is still nothing, whatever it's in. You'd need to do lots more hour building, and/or get an instructor's rating, and/or get an IR and go to the North Sea or similar, and/or go and fly abroad. I think I'm right about this - if I'm not, someone will tell me soon enough.
I know this would be the case if your hours were on R22s or similar, bu I've never run into anyone who's doing it your way. But I do know, from experience, that with 200 flying hours you know bugger all, even though you think you do and it's cost you a shedload of dosh. Sorry, mate, but that's how it is.
Still, if you have the money, why worry. And if you fancy getting the hours doing something interesting like flying round the world in an EC135, and need a co-pilot/navigator, don't hesitate to let me know.
However, with the greatest of respect, MakD, I'm wondering if you need a reality check. Or maybe just a little more reading of the threads with the basics of this industry.
My ambition is to get through the CPL course and get a job flying EC135s somewhere
That may apply ever so slightly less if your hours are all turbine ones, but 200 hours is still nothing, whatever it's in. You'd need to do lots more hour building, and/or get an instructor's rating, and/or get an IR and go to the North Sea or similar, and/or go and fly abroad. I think I'm right about this - if I'm not, someone will tell me soon enough.
I know this would be the case if your hours were on R22s or similar, bu I've never run into anyone who's doing it your way. But I do know, from experience, that with 200 flying hours you know bugger all, even though you think you do and it's cost you a shedload of dosh. Sorry, mate, but that's how it is. Still, if you have the money, why worry. And if you fancy getting the hours doing something interesting like flying round the world in an EC135, and need a co-pilot/navigator, don't hesitate to let me know.
Whirlbird . I,ll put a tenner on it that he,s either a nutter or 13 yrs old !!!!
I,m all for encouraging people but " i want to be a 135 pilot when i,m older " seems a tad on the "simple" side .
I would alo say that if he is offended by this then he definitely is heading into the wrong profession .
Of course you can learn on anything but the art of flying within a small power range , throttle control etc can only help make you a better pilot. Who knows , one day you may need to modulate the throttle yourself on your turbine and your previous experience on pistons will be invaluable .
Having said that i may be totally wrong.....
I,m all for encouraging people but " i want to be a 135 pilot when i,m older " seems a tad on the "simple" side .
I would alo say that if he is offended by this then he definitely is heading into the wrong profession .Of course you can learn on anything but the art of flying within a small power range , throttle control etc can only help make you a better pilot. Who knows , one day you may need to modulate the throttle yourself on your turbine and your previous experience on pistons will be invaluable .
Having said that i may be totally wrong.....
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From nigelh
Absolutely! Just look at all those shoddy military pilots who can't even spell "R22" let alone fly one. Quite disgraceful!
There is no point whatever in training in a turbine , it will just make you a worse pilot.
Last edited by Curtis E Carr; 12th Dec 2007 at 20:06.
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Wow!!
Came on for some advice and got shot down in flames!!
Nigel, no I'm not offended but thanks for trying
If you really want to know I'm a 23 year old recruitment consultant and I'm pretty good at my job. This means luckily for me I clear at least 14k every month infact in August I made 60k. This year I have paid more in tax than you probably get paid net.
I certainly don't think my idea is stupid, I have money to spend at the end of the day rather than just watching the numbers go up or buy more property I'd like to fly in a turbine helicopter. Sorry about that guys next time if I ever have any aspirations to do something I've wanted to do since I was a kid I'll be sure to run it past you lot first.
You people need to have a good hard look at yourselfs, if I had the time which I don't I'm willing to bet if I do a search on a couple of you I'd find pleanty of threads with you belittling people who come onto here looking for advice.
Don't get me wrong I still have respect for all of you even you Nigel, at the end of the day you guys have worked hard to get where you are and I respect that. However I do think you should give yourselfs your own 'Reality check'. Why are you talking to me like this? You have no idea who I am or what I'm like and yet your pretty happy to try and make me look like a total idiot infront of the people you reguarly converse with!
''Oh look luv another idiot with a ''I wanna be a pilot idea'' he'll get no where'
Remember when you were first starting out in your training? When all you wanted was some helpfull advice and a bit of encouragement, and you would always come across some arsehole who would try to put you down or make you feel like your dreams are a funny joke..... Thats who your looking at in the mirror.
Wake up and help people, there are to many horrible things and people in this world without you having your 2cence. Trust me you'll feel better about yourself
Thank you to everyone who actually had something constructive to say and point me in the right direction, but I don't think I will bother coming back on here. But I wish you all the best of luck and hope Santa is good to you all and your family
Take care
Mak D
Came on for some advice and got shot down in flames!!
Nigel, no I'm not offended but thanks for trying
If you really want to know I'm a 23 year old recruitment consultant and I'm pretty good at my job. This means luckily for me I clear at least 14k every month infact in August I made 60k. This year I have paid more in tax than you probably get paid net.I certainly don't think my idea is stupid, I have money to spend at the end of the day rather than just watching the numbers go up or buy more property I'd like to fly in a turbine helicopter. Sorry about that guys next time if I ever have any aspirations to do something I've wanted to do since I was a kid I'll be sure to run it past you lot first.
You people need to have a good hard look at yourselfs, if I had the time which I don't I'm willing to bet if I do a search on a couple of you I'd find pleanty of threads with you belittling people who come onto here looking for advice.
Don't get me wrong I still have respect for all of you even you Nigel, at the end of the day you guys have worked hard to get where you are and I respect that. However I do think you should give yourselfs your own 'Reality check'. Why are you talking to me like this? You have no idea who I am or what I'm like and yet your pretty happy to try and make me look like a total idiot infront of the people you reguarly converse with!
''Oh look luv another idiot with a ''I wanna be a pilot idea'' he'll get no where'
Remember when you were first starting out in your training? When all you wanted was some helpfull advice and a bit of encouragement, and you would always come across some arsehole who would try to put you down or make you feel like your dreams are a funny joke..... Thats who your looking at in the mirror.
Wake up and help people, there are to many horrible things and people in this world without you having your 2cence. Trust me you'll feel better about yourself
Thank you to everyone who actually had something constructive to say and point me in the right direction, but I don't think I will bother coming back on here. But I wish you all the best of luck and hope Santa is good to you all and your family
Take care
Mak D
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MakD, you're right about one thing 
If you stick around (as I did after a bit of a lambasting on one of my very first threads), you'll find you'll get to know who's who. It's a small world and many of us know each other personally. This is a business in which you cannot afford to make an enemy. Now whilst some here have been scathing, there are some who have given very good advice even though it's contrary to your initial game plan. I would recommend you heed it.
Many of the pilots on here are ex-military and so haven't been through the same training path as civilian-trained pilots. Others, like me, are doing it the very hard way with no where near as much of an income as you. We are just thinking of your wallet.
However, please consider that there are more makes of helicopter than EuroCopter. If you want a career as a pilot, you may not get to pick and choose which type you fly. Therefore, I would recommend you fly a more common type. In addition, the school you go to and tuition you receive is more important than the type on which you learn.
Also, if you don't learn on a piston, you'd never find work as an instructor. Therefore, your only option would be an instrument rating which will cost around £30k in itself.
Some of the world's best and most experienced pilots are here; also a few idjits - if you're in recruitment, you should be able to spot them.
Cheers
Whirls
bet if I do a search on a couple of you I'd find pleanty of threads with you belittling people
Many of the pilots on here are ex-military and so haven't been through the same training path as civilian-trained pilots. Others, like me, are doing it the very hard way with no where near as much of an income as you. We are just thinking of your wallet.
However, please consider that there are more makes of helicopter than EuroCopter. If you want a career as a pilot, you may not get to pick and choose which type you fly. Therefore, I would recommend you fly a more common type. In addition, the school you go to and tuition you receive is more important than the type on which you learn.
Also, if you don't learn on a piston, you'd never find work as an instructor. Therefore, your only option would be an instrument rating which will cost around £30k in itself.
Some of the world's best and most experienced pilots are here; also a few idjits - if you're in recruitment, you should be able to spot them.
Cheers
Whirls
The Original Whirly
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MakD,
If you're that oversensitive, I don't know how you ever make anything as a recruitment consultant. Dealing with people I'd have thought you'd have learned...well, how to deal with them
Anyway, mate, you're over-reacting. Chill out for gawd's sake. You got loads of good advice. Then ONE person (nigelh) doubted you. Well, with the number of weirdos we get on here, is that so strange? And is it really a good reason to fly off the handle? If I upset you so much with suggesting you needed a reality check, then...I'll think of a more tactful way of putting it. But seriously, you don't get a CPL(H) and then a job, however much money you have or whatever you learn on - you just don't. You need more experience, the sort of experience you'll only get by serving your apprenticeship in this industry. That means instructing, or getting an IR and/or working on the North Sea, and getting to know the right people, and being willing to fly anything they'll let you. It means **** pay and being treated badly, far worse than anyone on here has treated you so far.
Do remember that I for one wouldn't post if I didn't want to help, and that goes for most people on here. But if you don't like it, we'll all shut up and leave you alone...possibly for ever!
If you're that oversensitive, I don't know how you ever make anything as a recruitment consultant. Dealing with people I'd have thought you'd have learned...well, how to deal with them
Anyway, mate, you're over-reacting. Chill out for gawd's sake. You got loads of good advice. Then ONE person (nigelh) doubted you. Well, with the number of weirdos we get on here, is that so strange? And is it really a good reason to fly off the handle? If I upset you so much with suggesting you needed a reality check, then...I'll think of a more tactful way of putting it. But seriously, you don't get a CPL(H) and then a job, however much money you have or whatever you learn on - you just don't. You need more experience, the sort of experience you'll only get by serving your apprenticeship in this industry. That means instructing, or getting an IR and/or working on the North Sea, and getting to know the right people, and being willing to fly anything they'll let you. It means **** pay and being treated badly, far worse than anyone on here has treated you so far.
Do remember that I for one wouldn't post if I didn't want to help, and that goes for most people on here. But if you don't like it, we'll all shut up and leave you alone...possibly for ever!
So...please Mr MakD. I would like to be Managing Director of Eurocopter . I currently earn over £1,000,000 a year so i think you will agree i am well qualified. Errr what do you mean you want me to run a little company first ...how dare you , its M.D. of Eurocopter or NOTHING. Can you fix it for me ?
You may not like what you hear but a) when it comes to paying for helicopters , espec EC 135 , you really aren,t earning enough and b) you cannot fast track and "buy" experience . I still really get the impression this is a fad and also that you have done very little research into the industry. What do you know about the Schweizer for training ? Have you spent £100 to have a go in one ? How many 135,s have you been in? If you wish to be the first person ever ( ?) to train in a 135 and then get a job in one then good luck but i would advise the tried and tested route that we have all taken ( except military !) Good luck and start thickening that skin ....it will be a tough ride and it is not a kind industry.
Adieu
You may not like what you hear but a) when it comes to paying for helicopters , espec EC 135 , you really aren,t earning enough and b) you cannot fast track and "buy" experience . I still really get the impression this is a fad and also that you have done very little research into the industry. What do you know about the Schweizer for training ? Have you spent £100 to have a go in one ? How many 135,s have you been in? If you wish to be the first person ever ( ?) to train in a 135 and then get a job in one then good luck but i would advise the tried and tested route that we have all taken ( except military !) Good luck and start thickening that skin ....it will be a tough ride and it is not a kind industry.
Adieu
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MakD
Can i just ask if you are earning that sort of money why do you want to become a pilot ??? I doubt very much you will ever earn that sort of money flying for a living.
Keep your job and fly for pleasure at the weekends.
And there is no shame in learning in a piston, be it a 300 or R22.
Best of luck !
Can i just ask if you are earning that sort of money why do you want to become a pilot ??? I doubt very much you will ever earn that sort of money flying for a living.
Keep your job and fly for pleasure at the weekends.
And there is no shame in learning in a piston, be it a 300 or R22.
Best of luck !
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MakD
I would have expected more communication skill of a "recruitment consultant".
As said before, read some of the valuable advice given by some PPruners, could be really usefull, you know "they have been there".
But then again, I know of a kid taking a driving licence examination with a Bentley. Nothing wrong with that, but kind of weard to ask other people if that is the way to go.
d3
As said before, read some of the valuable advice given by some PPruners, could be really usefull, you know "they have been there".
But then again, I know of a kid taking a driving licence examination with a Bentley. Nothing wrong with that, but kind of weard to ask other people if that is the way to go.
d3
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But the kid taking his driving licence in a Bentley isn't going to use that as a basis for getting an HGV licence? Not entirely comparable.
However, I took my driving test in a Mini Metro (after a bike licence) and bought an Audi Quattro Turbo.
The difference is whether one is going to fly for pleasure entirely or fly as a career. If one flies for a career, then one has to be pragmatic and think about the best career options. Personally, if I can get through a helicopter aviating career without ever flying anything that requires carb heat, then I'll be happy but I also concede that that may not be possible!
Cheers
Whirls
However, I took my driving test in a Mini Metro (after a bike licence) and bought an Audi Quattro Turbo.
The difference is whether one is going to fly for pleasure entirely or fly as a career. If one flies for a career, then one has to be pragmatic and think about the best career options. Personally, if I can get through a helicopter aviating career without ever flying anything that requires carb heat, then I'll be happy but I also concede that that may not be possible!
Cheers
Whirls
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Mini metro
Mini 1000
Well, I think that just about ages you and me eh?
Cheers
Whirls
Mini 1000
Well, I think that just about ages you and me eh?
Cheers
Whirls
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One has to confess that one did later own one of these:-
...and in BRG too! They were/are great fun!!
Hope MakkyD realises what fun and banter he's mssing out on!
So.... to draw out the analogy .... should anyone (whatever their age and income) learn to drive in a Mini or an Alfa Romeo 3.0 GTV (240 bhp!)
Cheers
Whirls
Apologies for ending a sentence with a preposition but one hath had alcohol taken!
...and in BRG too! They were/are great fun!!
Hope MakkyD realises what fun and banter he's mssing out on!
So.... to draw out the analogy .... should anyone (whatever their age and income) learn to drive in a Mini or an Alfa Romeo 3.0 GTV (240 bhp!)
Cheers
Whirls
Apologies for ending a sentence with a preposition but one hath had alcohol taken!
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Good man!! Well done on the huge wages, I wish I earned that amount. Even so, don't throw your hard earned cash away needlessly, you really don't need to!! As said very early on, learn in a small single turbine. Not only is it cheaper/less complicated/available, but it will actually be more fun. Even to this day, after flying many many different aeroplanes and helos (currently a 135), my most satisfying and fun flying was in an RAF Gazelle. If you can't get one of them, a 120 or 350 seem pretty close. I opened my licence with jetranger, it was a bit sluggish but still ok. If the money you save per hour is still burning a hole in your pocket, then hire a limo to take you back and forward to the airfield each day, drinking vintage champers on the return journey.