Career Change to Helicopter Pilot
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2
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From: Houston
Career Change to Helicopter Pilot
I woke up today and decided I need a career change. I randomly chose this out of my head.
How hard is it to become a Helicopter pilot and actually find work to pay the bills? Do I need to join a law enforcement agency? Military? Any websites I could look at?
Any info is appreciated because I litteraly know nothing of the subject.
How hard is it to become a Helicopter pilot and actually find work to pay the bills? Do I need to join a law enforcement agency? Military? Any websites I could look at?
Any info is appreciated because I litteraly know nothing of the subject.
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
I used to dream about flying helis for a living... Until I came to my senses.
Note that I learned to fly "later in life" and now I wish I'd started earlier (I'm 51 and have been flying for about ten years).
Here's the deal: no matter how old/young you are, and AFTER you've spent twenty or thirty grand on getting your private/commercial/maybe (preferably) instrument ratings in helicopters - do plan on making "barely getting by" wages (if that) as a flight instructor to build time for a few years - you'll need between 500 hours and (more likely) 1000 hours of logged Pilot In Command time to do anything else. Some areas (e.g. medivac) typically require more.
I got as creative as I could for a few years, trying to build time "on the cheap". At least in my area it's very difficult to not pay $200 or $300 or more per flight hour to build time.
In other words - it's all about your logged flight time - enthusiasm and determination won't get you past the front door of a potential employer unless you either have the hours or get struck by a really big Lucky Stick. I think this is due to insurance requirements, but it is the reality of trying to break into the biz.
I have the luxury of having another "career" that is less fulfilling than flying, and yet it more than pays the bills. So after about 7 years of having the dream, I finally gave it up.
My post is not intended to try to talk you out of your dream - but it will involve a lot of work and sacrifice on many levels.
Good luck to you!
Dave B.
Note that I learned to fly "later in life" and now I wish I'd started earlier (I'm 51 and have been flying for about ten years).
Here's the deal: no matter how old/young you are, and AFTER you've spent twenty or thirty grand on getting your private/commercial/maybe (preferably) instrument ratings in helicopters - do plan on making "barely getting by" wages (if that) as a flight instructor to build time for a few years - you'll need between 500 hours and (more likely) 1000 hours of logged Pilot In Command time to do anything else. Some areas (e.g. medivac) typically require more.
I got as creative as I could for a few years, trying to build time "on the cheap". At least in my area it's very difficult to not pay $200 or $300 or more per flight hour to build time.
In other words - it's all about your logged flight time - enthusiasm and determination won't get you past the front door of a potential employer unless you either have the hours or get struck by a really big Lucky Stick. I think this is due to insurance requirements, but it is the reality of trying to break into the biz.
I have the luxury of having another "career" that is less fulfilling than flying, and yet it more than pays the bills. So after about 7 years of having the dream, I finally gave it up.
My post is not intended to try to talk you out of your dream - but it will involve a lot of work and sacrifice on many levels.
Good luck to you!
Dave B.
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,081
Likes: 189
From: Redding CA, or on a fire somewhere
AFTER you've spent twenty or thirty grand on getting your private/commercial/maybe (preferably) instrument ratings in helicopters
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
From: Close to the hangar, UK.
Career Change to Astronaut
I woke up today and decided I need a career change. I randomly chose this out of my head.
I'm already a CPL(H) running my own aircraft. I hear the Space Shuttle is being decommissioned this year. Do you think NASA would do a trade in for my chopper?
How hard is it to become a Space Shuttle pilot and actually find work to pay the bills? Do I need to join NASA? Military? Any websites I could look at?
Any info is appreciated because I literally know nothing of the subject. I'm only 48 so I'd guess I've got a lot of years left in me.
I'm already a CPL(H) running my own aircraft. I hear the Space Shuttle is being decommissioned this year. Do you think NASA would do a trade in for my chopper?
How hard is it to become a Space Shuttle pilot and actually find work to pay the bills? Do I need to join NASA? Military? Any websites I could look at?
Any info is appreciated because I literally know nothing of the subject. I'm only 48 so I'd guess I've got a lot of years left in me.
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 326
Likes: 2
From: Florida/Sandbox/UK
Dream Jobs
I woke up one day and realised - I wanted to be Rod Stewart! I was attracted by the lifestyle, tax exile, the fancy cars, fantastic homes around the world, the beautiful women who adored him, as much Cognac as I could possibly imagine......that was the life for me.
Bugger me if the job wasn't already taken......bo&^ocks!
Tam
Bugger me if the job wasn't already taken......bo&^ocks!
Tam
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 645
Likes: 0
From: Center of the Universe
I woke up today and decided I need a career change. I randomly chose this out of my head.
Nah, become an investment banker.
Then buy your own chopper with pilot..
Then buy your own chopper with pilot..
I am well along in my career and have been moderately successful, largely because I DIDNT pursue a flying career. I am often asked for career advice by people early in their careers. I try to get across the point that there are many career choices that offer excitement, fulfillment, AND relatively high to very high compensation. Flying isnt one of these. Sort of like choosing a spouse - there are many, many more than one that you can be widly happy with.
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Africa, USA, Europe
Being a pilot, especially a helicopter pilot can be a lot of fun. But can every one who likes to be a pilot find employment? Many flight schools and aviation publications voice that there is a pilot shortage and with all the Vietnam area pilots retiring there is a need for commercial pilots. Lets look at the facts: For the USA we consult the FAA website. Data as of December 31. In 1999 we had a total of 261,903 ATP and Commercial pilots In 2008 we had a total of 271,584 ATP and Commercial pilots. Thats a plus of 9,681 pilots How about Flight Instructors? In 1999 we had a total of 79,694 CFI's in 2008 we had 93,202 CFI's Thats a plus of 13,508 flight instructors from 1999 to 2008 or 14,5%. With this steady rise in available pilots how can someone claim a shortage of pilots or flight instructors? Working as a pilot can be a lot of fun, but please do your homework and analyze the job marked before you leave a secure job. fly safe
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 465
Likes: 0
From: swansea, wales
I agree, seriously thought about going into flying choppers but discovered much to my shock and awe that I'd have to take a wage cut from my current job, which incidentally the tax payer funded me to train in to this this level because in this job I am practically recession proof and seen as indispensible (mental health). Thats what kinda stopped me, so I confine myself ton the large remote control aircraft nowadays.
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,081
Likes: 189
From: Redding CA, or on a fire somewhere
DC3
You spouted these numbers on "another" website too. What you are not taking into consideration is the amount of pilots with licenses who are no longer active, or who are ratings collectors out of work like yourself. Hence your numbers mean nothing.
You spouted these numbers on "another" website too. What you are not taking into consideration is the amount of pilots with licenses who are no longer active, or who are ratings collectors out of work like yourself. Hence your numbers mean nothing.
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
From: St Johns, Newfoundland,Canada
I awoke this morning, thinking a career change definately.......Mmmm been home for 3 weeks, got home Xmas day. But I know the call is coming as a touring pilot seeing as we do 3/3 or as the last tour 3off 8 on......
Was thinking a career that will see me home every night with Her In Doors.....got it McDonalds......oh hang on I just turned 50...DOH too old maybe. Oh well guess Im stuck with being a pilot....
and don;t knock deep sea divers, I dated an underwater welder in Montreal 15 yrs ago, she made more money than I could ever as an IFR ATP......go figure....
made fun at bath time though......
Was thinking a career that will see me home every night with Her In Doors.....got it McDonalds......oh hang on I just turned 50...DOH too old maybe. Oh well guess Im stuck with being a pilot.... and don;t knock deep sea divers, I dated an underwater welder in Montreal 15 yrs ago, she made more money than I could ever as an IFR ATP......go figure.... made fun at bath time though......