The Reality
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The Reality
Hi all,
Let me start by introducing myself. I am 16 years old and am aspiring to become a pilot some day. A helicopter pilot to be precise. Now before you think oh God not another "hey there tell me how to become a pilot" thread I was wondering if I could be generally helped out and I have read the helicopter pilot sticky thread.
I realise I may be a little too young to consider serious matters with such a career but it is truly what I would LOVE to do in life. In my eyes there is nothing better. I live in the UK, in Kent if that makes a difference and was wondering if anyone had any experience with a company called "Cabair"? If so it would be nice to hear your thoughts.
Before I begin training if I decide to go ahead with it I'm gonna do my A levels for security and to help. Now moving on slightly, I would like to explain how I feel I should go about persuing my dream: there are two routes; military and civilian private learning. Now for me personally I would go down the military route though I don't want to risk war etc so basically I have ruled out this one. So ideally I would like to learn privately. The greatest concern is the cost. Now my parents said they'd pay for all of it and I would pay them back when I'm older etc. But the danger is if I don't have enough hours so no work etc. But anyway, I was speaking to a police helicopter pilot at Biggin Hill Air show and he said that there are a shortage of heli pilots so work should be ok but still, I would be fairly young etc so who would want to employ me?
Now guys I was wondering whether you could help me answer whether you think I am thinking realistically here. I mean is going straight into helicopter training for private and then comertial license after completing sixth form just silly? I mean I have begun reading the theory side of things. Basically am I at an advantage of going into it young? I'll probably get my license at aound 18 I'm guessing but maybe I'm off. Just for the record I am medically fit etc and consider myself a hard worker etc. Is anyone here a helicopter pilot in Kent/ South East UK area? Could you shed some light on the scene around here? Is there a lot of sponsorship etc? To be honest I would be taking a shot in the dark and I need a little guidance.
Really hope this thread doesn't annoy anyone as this is such a remarkable forum with many fine pilots and here's me with my little dream question that no doubt arises way too often.
Once again thankyou for your time!
Rob
Let me start by introducing myself. I am 16 years old and am aspiring to become a pilot some day. A helicopter pilot to be precise. Now before you think oh God not another "hey there tell me how to become a pilot" thread I was wondering if I could be generally helped out and I have read the helicopter pilot sticky thread.
I realise I may be a little too young to consider serious matters with such a career but it is truly what I would LOVE to do in life. In my eyes there is nothing better. I live in the UK, in Kent if that makes a difference and was wondering if anyone had any experience with a company called "Cabair"? If so it would be nice to hear your thoughts.
Before I begin training if I decide to go ahead with it I'm gonna do my A levels for security and to help. Now moving on slightly, I would like to explain how I feel I should go about persuing my dream: there are two routes; military and civilian private learning. Now for me personally I would go down the military route though I don't want to risk war etc so basically I have ruled out this one. So ideally I would like to learn privately. The greatest concern is the cost. Now my parents said they'd pay for all of it and I would pay them back when I'm older etc. But the danger is if I don't have enough hours so no work etc. But anyway, I was speaking to a police helicopter pilot at Biggin Hill Air show and he said that there are a shortage of heli pilots so work should be ok but still, I would be fairly young etc so who would want to employ me?
Now guys I was wondering whether you could help me answer whether you think I am thinking realistically here. I mean is going straight into helicopter training for private and then comertial license after completing sixth form just silly? I mean I have begun reading the theory side of things. Basically am I at an advantage of going into it young? I'll probably get my license at aound 18 I'm guessing but maybe I'm off. Just for the record I am medically fit etc and consider myself a hard worker etc. Is anyone here a helicopter pilot in Kent/ South East UK area? Could you shed some light on the scene around here? Is there a lot of sponsorship etc? To be honest I would be taking a shot in the dark and I need a little guidance.
Really hope this thread doesn't annoy anyone as this is such a remarkable forum with many fine pilots and here's me with my little dream question that no doubt arises way too often.
Once again thankyou for your time!
Rob
Rob, first off I'm ex mil so I've not gone down this route. If your parents are going to fund you I would suggest that you all sit down and really look at the costs. Cheaper options could be learning to fly abroad.
On top of the flying hours you will have the cost of the academic subjects and exams. Throw an Instrument rating on top of that and you will see the prices going through the roof.
Other options are sponsorships through some of the bigger companies.
At the moment we do seem to have a shortage of heli pilots, but it seems your chances of working anywhere other than the rigs (or hours building by instructing) would be pretty slim as most employers are looking for Pilots with 1500hrs pic. However I'm sure that others on here who have gone or are going down the same route as you will soon be along to give you slightly more accurate info.
Good luck
On top of the flying hours you will have the cost of the academic subjects and exams. Throw an Instrument rating on top of that and you will see the prices going through the roof.
Other options are sponsorships through some of the bigger companies.
At the moment we do seem to have a shortage of heli pilots, but it seems your chances of working anywhere other than the rigs (or hours building by instructing) would be pretty slim as most employers are looking for Pilots with 1500hrs pic. However I'm sure that others on here who have gone or are going down the same route as you will soon be along to give you slightly more accurate info.
Good luck
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Hi Rob
I left school and after a few months went straight into flying school. I had a CPLH at 19 and I was flying S61s on the North Sea as Co Pilot when I was 19 and a few months.
Age shouldn't be a barrier in my opinion. I was very lucky and was sponsored so I can't give you much advice on where to go to school. However, there are many threads on here about training abroad and that's where I would start if I were you.
Good luck and there are lots of good guys (and girls) on here who will help you out with information.
I left school and after a few months went straight into flying school. I had a CPLH at 19 and I was flying S61s on the North Sea as Co Pilot when I was 19 and a few months.
Age shouldn't be a barrier in my opinion. I was very lucky and was sponsored so I can't give you much advice on where to go to school. However, there are many threads on here about training abroad and that's where I would start if I were you.
Good luck and there are lots of good guys (and girls) on here who will help you out with information.
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Hey Rob,
If you're absolutely sure you want to become a pilot then well done to you sir as you know by 16 what it took me 25 years to figure out, so therefor you have a 9 year head start on me!!
Age will probably hinder you a little at the start until you build up a name for yourself. But by the time you have 1000-1500 hours you'll probably be unstoppable!
The only unique advice I can give you that you probably won't see in other posts is, if you decide to do your training in the US I would recommend looking for a school that offers a J1 visa for your training not an M1(unfortunately I went with the M1). That way you can work as an instructor building hours for a year or so in that school after you qualify as a CFI. Somewhere like Bristow Academy that also offers the JAA course also, so that you can kill 2 birds with 1 stone. I didn't go there myself but I've heard good things from people who did and are now working for them in the UK.
If you did choose to train in the US, go for somewhere like California over Florida, as the weather will be more stable there. Also Cali has better terrain for helicopter flight training.
Thats about the best advice I can give you right now as thats the area that I know. I done the US thing because the costs were alot less.
Cheers,
Darren.
If you're absolutely sure you want to become a pilot then well done to you sir as you know by 16 what it took me 25 years to figure out, so therefor you have a 9 year head start on me!!
Age will probably hinder you a little at the start until you build up a name for yourself. But by the time you have 1000-1500 hours you'll probably be unstoppable!
The only unique advice I can give you that you probably won't see in other posts is, if you decide to do your training in the US I would recommend looking for a school that offers a J1 visa for your training not an M1(unfortunately I went with the M1). That way you can work as an instructor building hours for a year or so in that school after you qualify as a CFI. Somewhere like Bristow Academy that also offers the JAA course also, so that you can kill 2 birds with 1 stone. I didn't go there myself but I've heard good things from people who did and are now working for them in the UK.
If you did choose to train in the US, go for somewhere like California over Florida, as the weather will be more stable there. Also Cali has better terrain for helicopter flight training.
Thats about the best advice I can give you right now as thats the area that I know. I done the US thing because the costs were alot less.
Cheers,
Darren.
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Learning in the USA
I did all my ratings at Bristow's Academy and they did me proud. I was in Titusville FL and didn't have any major problems with weather, a few cancellations due to thunderstorms between June and August but the rest of the time it was great. With 40+ helicopters on the line there's rarely any aircraft availability issues too, unlike many schools. Another US school I have personal knowledge of that I'd highly recommend is Rotors of the Rockies in Denver CO but unfortunately they don't issue J1 visas.
I'd recommend dropping an email to Sam at Bristow's Academy - her contact details are on their website at www.heli.com
The J1 visa is definitely the one to go for - it gives you 2 years in the USA to get trained up then do some CFI work to build flight time. Some CFIs can get the magic 1000 in that time, but it's hard work.
Good luck!
Kris
I'd recommend dropping an email to Sam at Bristow's Academy - her contact details are on their website at www.heli.com
The J1 visa is definitely the one to go for - it gives you 2 years in the USA to get trained up then do some CFI work to build flight time. Some CFIs can get the magic 1000 in that time, but it's hard work.
Good luck!
Kris
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Rob.B
Good luck - all things are possible if you have the determination. Make sure one of your school exams is physics. It will help you a lot with meteorology and principles of flight. O level maths is also good, and you might find it useful to have a second language for those strange places you might end up in!
Phil
Good luck - all things are possible if you have the determination. Make sure one of your school exams is physics. It will help you a lot with meteorology and principles of flight. O level maths is also good, and you might find it useful to have a second language for those strange places you might end up in!
Phil
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Hi Rob,
I'm impressed with the level of maturity shown in your post - that in itself is a good beginning. However, you should know that you're thinking of entering an industry with very little in the way of a career path or steady jobs, no matter what anyone tells you. That shouldn't stop you...but you do need to be aware of it.
The first thing you need to do is get a Class 1 medical. You're probably fine, but you don't want to spend loads of money and then find out you have some obscure thing wrong and can't be a commercial pilot. If that does happen there may be options in other countries ith less stringent medical requirements...but let's not cross that bridge unless you have to.
How, go http://www.easyk.co.uk/kenyon/page4alt.htm. It'll tell you how to apply for Dennis Kenyon's scholarship, offering a PPL(H) each year to someone aged 17-23. That's definitely worth a try.
I can't tell you what to do, but for what it's worth, one of my early instructors started flying at 17. He didn't have anyone to pay for it, and his PPL took him two years. When I met him he was 26 and a fulltime instructor. Soon after he got a job on the North Sea. I heard a rumour some time afterwards that their sort of flying bored him...but hopefully it gave him enough experience and hours to get a different job. That's how it goes really, in the helicopter world - get your medical and qualifications, get adjob, build hours, try for something else, fingers crossed and hope for some luck along the way...
Hope that helps at least a little.
I'm impressed with the level of maturity shown in your post - that in itself is a good beginning. However, you should know that you're thinking of entering an industry with very little in the way of a career path or steady jobs, no matter what anyone tells you. That shouldn't stop you...but you do need to be aware of it.
The first thing you need to do is get a Class 1 medical. You're probably fine, but you don't want to spend loads of money and then find out you have some obscure thing wrong and can't be a commercial pilot. If that does happen there may be options in other countries ith less stringent medical requirements...but let's not cross that bridge unless you have to.
How, go http://www.easyk.co.uk/kenyon/page4alt.htm. It'll tell you how to apply for Dennis Kenyon's scholarship, offering a PPL(H) each year to someone aged 17-23. That's definitely worth a try.
I can't tell you what to do, but for what it's worth, one of my early instructors started flying at 17. He didn't have anyone to pay for it, and his PPL took him two years. When I met him he was 26 and a fulltime instructor. Soon after he got a job on the North Sea. I heard a rumour some time afterwards that their sort of flying bored him...but hopefully it gave him enough experience and hours to get a different job. That's how it goes really, in the helicopter world - get your medical and qualifications, get adjob, build hours, try for something else, fingers crossed and hope for some luck along the way...
Hope that helps at least a little.
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Training
Hi Rob
I'd go down the Bristow Academy route if I were to do it again. It's what I did the first time when it was called Helicopter Adventures. It is industry recognised, cheaper than the UK equivalent and big enough that swapping instructors or getting extra help is possible if required.
Good luck, you won't regret the investment.
I'd go down the Bristow Academy route if I were to do it again. It's what I did the first time when it was called Helicopter Adventures. It is industry recognised, cheaper than the UK equivalent and big enough that swapping instructors or getting extra help is possible if required.
Good luck, you won't regret the investment.
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Rob,
I was similar to you In that I first flew at 14, went down the modular route and slowly built hours. Went solo at 17, onto PPL and now CPL. But whilst these are nice achievements I certainly had to fork out for the privilige.
School can hold you back when at that age, but dont for one minuite think about leaving before A levels. (I was this close to doing that too!)
The decision to make is will your parents pay for everything or a little here and there, say over the course of a few years? Because if you can make the decision to do your training in one go and especially abroad... you could save alot of money!
Check you PM
MADY
I was similar to you In that I first flew at 14, went down the modular route and slowly built hours. Went solo at 17, onto PPL and now CPL. But whilst these are nice achievements I certainly had to fork out for the privilige.
School can hold you back when at that age, but dont for one minuite think about leaving before A levels. (I was this close to doing that too!)
The decision to make is will your parents pay for everything or a little here and there, say over the course of a few years? Because if you can make the decision to do your training in one go and especially abroad... you could save alot of money!
Check you PM
MADY
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Hello everyone,
Wow! Just wow! What can I say? Thankyou all so much for providing a wealth of information. This was exactly what I was looking for. Your advice is gold.
I most definately feel as though I have a clearer understanding towards the workings of becoming a helicopter pilot. Taking all of your advice I will definately think long and hard about this path, especially with my parents since at the moment I think they may think that is a little bit of a "phase" I'm going through though I know all I want to do is fly helicopters for a living and I know that they would support this.
From reviewing the training side of things I particularly like the look of the Bristow School and may look further into the Dennis Kenyon's scholarship as this could potentially make a huge difference. Just one thing. How old are the vast majority of the people who train to gain a commercial license at the schools? It's just I couldn't quite imagine myself in a school with say an average age of 40. I mean I may feel socially accepted who knows, but whether I would display the same sort of ability and knowledge as them I'm slightly doubtful.
I suppose the most sensible thing to do would be to do my A levels as people have suggested and then to look at flying schools and speak to people as well as using this forum which is most definately THE best source for this type of specialist topic on the net for sure. Preferabbly, I would rather learn and work in this country but I just don't see this happening if I stand a chance of sensibly building up my hours and finding work.
Looking to the future, what does everyone think about all the fuel costs that are rising and the eventual shortage. Will this see the helicopter industry condensed down and eventually rid of? I really hope not. Would be a shame and may mean a great loss of jobs.
Once again I would like to thank you all for your time spent replying and it has most definately helped. Unfortunately you may hear from me quite frequently with my little advice questions but I would much rather ask them here where I know I will get a quality response and the people are really friendly.
Cheers
Wow! Just wow! What can I say? Thankyou all so much for providing a wealth of information. This was exactly what I was looking for. Your advice is gold.
I most definately feel as though I have a clearer understanding towards the workings of becoming a helicopter pilot. Taking all of your advice I will definately think long and hard about this path, especially with my parents since at the moment I think they may think that is a little bit of a "phase" I'm going through though I know all I want to do is fly helicopters for a living and I know that they would support this.
From reviewing the training side of things I particularly like the look of the Bristow School and may look further into the Dennis Kenyon's scholarship as this could potentially make a huge difference. Just one thing. How old are the vast majority of the people who train to gain a commercial license at the schools? It's just I couldn't quite imagine myself in a school with say an average age of 40. I mean I may feel socially accepted who knows, but whether I would display the same sort of ability and knowledge as them I'm slightly doubtful.
I suppose the most sensible thing to do would be to do my A levels as people have suggested and then to look at flying schools and speak to people as well as using this forum which is most definately THE best source for this type of specialist topic on the net for sure. Preferabbly, I would rather learn and work in this country but I just don't see this happening if I stand a chance of sensibly building up my hours and finding work.
Looking to the future, what does everyone think about all the fuel costs that are rising and the eventual shortage. Will this see the helicopter industry condensed down and eventually rid of? I really hope not. Would be a shame and may mean a great loss of jobs.
Once again I would like to thank you all for your time spent replying and it has most definately helped. Unfortunately you may hear from me quite frequently with my little advice questions but I would much rather ask them here where I know I will get a quality response and the people are really friendly.
Cheers
There are other ways too
Hi Rob
The north sea isn't the only place where you can get a job. (Puddle hopping or what did we call that lately).
Utility work like long lining is highly in demand and you can make good money there too. Ok, you will not get a nice shirt (plastic! In the summer ou smell like a puma) and stripes but flying in remote areas is a lot of fun and very rewarding.
The north sea isn't the only place where you can get a job. (Puddle hopping or what did we call that lately).
Utility work like long lining is highly in demand and you can make good money there too. Ok, you will not get a nice shirt (plastic! In the summer ou smell like a puma) and stripes but flying in remote areas is a lot of fun and very rewarding.
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Hello Rob
Good on ya fella, you seem to know what you want out of life and are going the right way about achieving it by asking those in the know for advice. I have left it about 20 odd years to realise that I want to be a professional helicopter pilot and now I don't reckon anyone is going to employ me even after I do a CPL(H) and IR rating (when I can finally raise the cash) as I'll be considered a crusty in aviation terms. As for studying with people much older than you, I wouldn't worry about that. If you started a job tomorrow in any field you would be working with a whole range of ages and backgrounds. You can only learn from them (some of them anyway). I am in the oppsosite situation in so much as I'm worried about starting learning again with so many youngsters and making a complete prat of myself when it comes to certain subjects that I have not studied since school. You are young enough to make mistakes and still recover from them – and no doubt you will make plenty, life wouldn't be life without cocking it all up along the way. But you seem to have a pleasant attitude and manner, which won't go unnoticed with potential employers and have already shown a maturity many I know who are a lot older than you could learn from. Be prepared for a lot of knock backs along the way, but don't let them put you off achieving your dreams or goals. The one thing you can guarantee in life is that if you don't try something you will never succeed at it.
Good luck to you Rob
oh and, psssst, tell your parents the whole things costs a few thousand pounds more than it actually does so you can have a bit of cash left over for a bit of fun while on the ground.
Cheers
Sean
Good on ya fella, you seem to know what you want out of life and are going the right way about achieving it by asking those in the know for advice. I have left it about 20 odd years to realise that I want to be a professional helicopter pilot and now I don't reckon anyone is going to employ me even after I do a CPL(H) and IR rating (when I can finally raise the cash) as I'll be considered a crusty in aviation terms. As for studying with people much older than you, I wouldn't worry about that. If you started a job tomorrow in any field you would be working with a whole range of ages and backgrounds. You can only learn from them (some of them anyway). I am in the oppsosite situation in so much as I'm worried about starting learning again with so many youngsters and making a complete prat of myself when it comes to certain subjects that I have not studied since school. You are young enough to make mistakes and still recover from them – and no doubt you will make plenty, life wouldn't be life without cocking it all up along the way. But you seem to have a pleasant attitude and manner, which won't go unnoticed with potential employers and have already shown a maturity many I know who are a lot older than you could learn from. Be prepared for a lot of knock backs along the way, but don't let them put you off achieving your dreams or goals. The one thing you can guarantee in life is that if you don't try something you will never succeed at it.
Good luck to you Rob
oh and, psssst, tell your parents the whole things costs a few thousand pounds more than it actually does so you can have a bit of cash left over for a bit of fun while on the ground.
Cheers
Sean
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If you want to do it in the US. you can start on the M1 visa, and do your private license +50 hours then go back to the UK for a vacation and change your visa to a J1 visa. That is no problem at all, as long as you don't have more than a PPL +50 hours, I did it, and some other people here at the school have done the same thing.
I don't think it would be a problem with your age, altough I heard about you have to be around 23 years old before you can fly offshore in norway.
Good luck to you with everything, it took me a busted knee and 3 months in bed before I decided to be a pilot
I don't think it would be a problem with your age, altough I heard about you have to be around 23 years old before you can fly offshore in norway.
Good luck to you with everything, it took me a busted knee and 3 months in bed before I decided to be a pilot
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Hello,
I don't live to far away from you, however, I'm not at that address often.
I know a lad not far from me who did his A-levels and then got a of money from modelling over the summer and went to "Cabair" and from what I recall it was tough work but fun in other ways, he is know going down the commercial route.
I just got my A-levels and went to University then applied for the RAF and basically, I'm now flying out of Oxfordshire.
One thing I advise you to do is create a back up plan, I feel your heart is set to hard on being a pilot and there's hundreds of factors that could prevent you from being one. So, be prepared to fall back and do something else if it happens, then your not back to square one.
Good luck
I don't live to far away from you, however, I'm not at that address often.
I know a lad not far from me who did his A-levels and then got a of money from modelling over the summer and went to "Cabair" and from what I recall it was tough work but fun in other ways, he is know going down the commercial route.
I just got my A-levels and went to University then applied for the RAF and basically, I'm now flying out of Oxfordshire.
One thing I advise you to do is create a back up plan, I feel your heart is set to hard on being a pilot and there's hundreds of factors that could prevent you from being one. So, be prepared to fall back and do something else if it happens, then your not back to square one.
Good luck
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Rob
I agree with RAFE on the back up plan. When I was your age, in fact younger, my heart was set on becoming a professional footballer and I was going to be nothing else. After trials and spells in a pro club's youth team in London where I thought I was developing well I was "let go", several trials later it became clear that I wasn't going to make it as a pro and I suddenly found myself having to think about the realities of getting a job and I was totally unprepared. I hadn't a clue what I wanted to do, my education had suffered because of the vast amount of time I had spent at training grounds instead of studying. Coupled with my extreme disappointment at being told I was not going to make it in the career that I had my heart set on left me devastated and directionless. That's a bit different to your situation because you have many years in which to make it as a pilot, unlike most wanabee footballers, but the point is if you make a back up plan, you can buy yourself time while still pursuing your dream and still doing something you enjoy. Oh, and don't forget, have lots of fun along the way.
Cheers
Sean
I agree with RAFE on the back up plan. When I was your age, in fact younger, my heart was set on becoming a professional footballer and I was going to be nothing else. After trials and spells in a pro club's youth team in London where I thought I was developing well I was "let go", several trials later it became clear that I wasn't going to make it as a pro and I suddenly found myself having to think about the realities of getting a job and I was totally unprepared. I hadn't a clue what I wanted to do, my education had suffered because of the vast amount of time I had spent at training grounds instead of studying. Coupled with my extreme disappointment at being told I was not going to make it in the career that I had my heart set on left me devastated and directionless. That's a bit different to your situation because you have many years in which to make it as a pilot, unlike most wanabee footballers, but the point is if you make a back up plan, you can buy yourself time while still pursuing your dream and still doing something you enjoy. Oh, and don't forget, have lots of fun along the way.
Cheers
Sean
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"If you want to do it in the US. you can start on the M1 visa, and do your private license +50 hours then go back to the UK for a vacation and change your visa to a J1 visa. That is no problem at all, as long as you don't have more than a PPL +50 hours,"
If only I had been smart enough to figure that little system out for myself as I was doing my training! Unfortunately I was not and completed my CFII on the M1 which didn't allow me to work afterwards, well not legally anyway!!
But it all kinda worked out in the end I suppose because I hung around with my girlfriend over here while I was studying the JAA ATPL distance learning course and as it turns out, we're getting married in September. So now that I'd like to go home, she won't let me!!!
If only I had been smart enough to figure that little system out for myself as I was doing my training! Unfortunately I was not and completed my CFII on the M1 which didn't allow me to work afterwards, well not legally anyway!!
But it all kinda worked out in the end I suppose because I hung around with my girlfriend over here while I was studying the JAA ATPL distance learning course and as it turns out, we're getting married in September. So now that I'd like to go home, she won't let me!!!
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Rob,
I wish you only the very best of luck with your cunning plan!!!!
As for age, my old instructor may he rest in peace was always of the opinion that you could never be too young. I started with 17 and it all really just snowballed for me from then on. I think though I was rather lucky.
The only thing I can add is make sure it's a quality school and have a look at their pass rates.
Also have a look at gapan.org they also sponsor people plus they have wealth of knowledge.
I wish you only the very best of luck with your cunning plan!!!!
As for age, my old instructor may he rest in peace was always of the opinion that you could never be too young. I started with 17 and it all really just snowballed for me from then on. I think though I was rather lucky.
The only thing I can add is make sure it's a quality school and have a look at their pass rates.
Also have a look at gapan.org they also sponsor people plus they have wealth of knowledge.
