Switch - ATCO to Heli Pilot
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: UK
Switch - ATCO to Heli Pilot
Hey guys,
read loads on the "so you wand to be" sticky ... but was just interested to see how many former ATCO's have made the switch from the groundy bit to flying?
I must be mad, but having just qualified on Approach radar, I'm looking for another challenge ... maybe trying to find the perfect pint or understanding women would be a better more financially viable option ....
read loads on the "so you wand to be" sticky ... but was just interested to see how many former ATCO's have made the switch from the groundy bit to flying?
I must be mad, but having just qualified on Approach radar, I'm looking for another challenge ... maybe trying to find the perfect pint or understanding women would be a better more financially viable option ....
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: UK
Hey mate, been valid tower and approach(without using radar) for just about 2 years and really just got the approach radar bit in the last 8 months.
Hard work, but really enjoyable courses. I started off flying and never thought I'd enjoy ATC till I (randomly)got into it.
Company paid for all of my training and got paid reasonably handsomely along the way too, so all in was really good.
Job is good fun, can be hard work, and it's the crap from the company that detracts from the job itself, but you get that in all industrys, so all in it's great.
Great job to get into. and for me it'll be a great fall back job if the flying doesn't work out. If I were you I'd just try and press on through the dark hours! Jobs are there eventually - from what I hear it's IR or bust though!!
Thing is ... I've got the flying itch back again! Bugger!! This will get expensive!!
Hard work, but really enjoyable courses. I started off flying and never thought I'd enjoy ATC till I (randomly)got into it.
Company paid for all of my training and got paid reasonably handsomely along the way too, so all in was really good.
Job is good fun, can be hard work, and it's the crap from the company that detracts from the job itself, but you get that in all industrys, so all in it's great.
Great job to get into. and for me it'll be a great fall back job if the flying doesn't work out. If I were you I'd just try and press on through the dark hours! Jobs are there eventually - from what I hear it's IR or bust though!!
Thing is ... I've got the flying itch back again! Bugger!! This will get expensive!!
Last edited by Sweet Potatos; 17th April 2008 at 18:39. Reason: Just a little change had to be made.
Joined: Jul 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL(H)
Posts: 3,052
Likes: 56
From: UK
Sweet Potatos,
I've not personally heard of any ex-ATCOs who are now heli pilots. But I do know of a couple who are ATPL/CPL(A)s.
Chilli Monster is one (although I think that his 'dayjob' is ATC whilst he flies freelance.) He might be able to answer some of your questions.
HTH
I've not personally heard of any ex-ATCOs who are now heli pilots. But I do know of a couple who are ATPL/CPL(A)s.
Chilli Monster is one (although I think that his 'dayjob' is ATC whilst he flies freelance.) He might be able to answer some of your questions.
HTH
Joined: Oct 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 7,371
Likes: 926
From: Den Haag
I've not personally heard of any ex-ATCOs who are now heli pilots. But I do know of a couple who are ATPL/CPL(A)s.
