Taking the plunge.

[Bravo73]

Originally Posted by triumph44

I currently work 6 and a half days per week mostly 12 hour days!

You certainly wouldn't be working like that if you were an offshore pilot!

Originally Posted by triumph44

If I was to pursue the training we had considered aiming for the integrated course at the Bristow Academy in Florida. Any thoughts on this school?

On balance, that would probably be your most straight forward way to an offshore job.

[SASless]

Or say.....Port Harcourt, Saudi, Fouchon Louisiana, Unst, or any number of places spring to mind for that matter.


28 is not old.....and not too old.

One measure might be to remember the age limits for working as a Commercial Pilot, the Pension one can earn in the time one is working, the portability of the Pension, the cost of moves from Job to Job as one works up that Totem Pole of experience, ratings, and flight hours.

Add to that the constant worry of losing One's license on medical grounds and the situation that provides should it happen then this flying thing becomes even more of a "risky" business.

It is not an easy or simple decision to make especially with a wife and children to consider.

Those of us who advise careful consideration and deliberation have been accused of negative thinking and of being members of the "Yellow Jacket" Brigade.....yet everyone of us are relating our own experiences from a position well down that road of life.

We were asked our views and we provided them.

Two days ago I advised a 32 Year Old Female Army Helicopter Pilot to get her Fixed Wing Licenses and aim for an Airline Job here in the United States. She is single, childless, a current Army Aviator, and can convert her Military experience to Civilian Ratings under our "Military Competency" procedure. Her out of pocket costs will be almost "Nil" as she qualifies for what is known as the "GI Bill" which will pay for her Civilian Flight Training. Even then, I have advised her to have very real second thoughts about her original goal of becoming a Civilian Helicopter Pilot. Helicopter flying is becoming a better choice of professions in aviation but it still does not compare with Airline Flying in roster, pay, pension, and loss of license insurance.

I am sure 44 will make an enlightened decision.....and wish him well in whatever he decides.

[triumph44]

Yes we would be willing to re-locate to Aberdeen or anywhere else for that matter providing there was the guarantee of a job. Me and my wife have travelled a lot in the past (pre-children) so re-locating whether it be short or long term would not be a problem for us. My wife's job with the NHS means she can also be re-located.

[feathering tickles]

T44, If you want to fly helicopters for a living then you want to fly helicopters, if that IS you then you'll already know it.

Having reflected on this thread during a flight just now, I'm dismayed that there are so many here who are trying to talk you out of it. I suggest that they may not be indicative of the average professional helicopter pilot's thoughts.

I spend my days (the last twenty years and 15,000flying hours) surrounded by people who passionately love working as helicopter pilots and never think to look back at whatever "ordinary" jobs they did before.

Loads of them (the majority I'd say) are self-funded, non-military people. If you fancy a spin to the other end of the M62 you are very welcome to come and meet some of them.

Anyhow, you'll find your way to it if it's meant for you.

Ps don't tell this miserable lot but helicopters ARE cool

[Bravo73]

Originally Posted by triumph44

Yes we would be willing to re-locate to Aberdeen or anywhere else for that matter providing there was the guarantee of a job.

You might be able to stay where you are. Offshore flights out of Humberside are likely to increase over the next few years and not everyone wants to live around there.

The operators might be very happy if you are a local.

[cockney steve]

My wife's job with the NHS means she can also be re-located.

And if Scotland becomes independent?

Having a dream is one thing, the harsh realities of Commercial life is something else.
As a semi-skilled factory worker,I earned promotion, I became a mobile service-engineer....Car, Expenses, Telephone.....as a 22 year old singleton, it was great...suit and tie (smallish medical equipment) good pay...... Change of circumstances saw me managing a shop....from there, I was again promoted....big "patch" included all Eireland and all Scotland...again, I lived in hotels all week, saved a lot of cash.....but theliving out of a suitcase palls....the fast-food Grill lunch/Dinner becomes monotonous.....the propping up the bar, with a load of other dispossessed souls.......
Yes! I stayed in Aberdeen and Peterhead, before and during the boom......met a Heli pilot....hadto tell Reception where he was, 24/7 He could go to the pictures, but was always aware there could be a PA to get to the airport NOW he couldn't drink either! boredom wasdriving him nuts, despite the generous pay.
starting a family was my decider I took a calculated risk and went into the Motor trade 20% down and blagged a loan for the rest....
you have a wonderful head-start, an established business.

I'd suggest, firstly, as you are being handed it, learn to MANAGEit
makeyour days shorter, delegate, make the time you invest more profitable.

Then you'll be able to have a good income, see your kids growing up (that time flashes by!) and you'll be able to take the odd day off to learn to fly.
At the moment, it's not a healthy carreer option to be a NS pilot...If you really are obsessed with the notion, despite the cautionary tales from those here, who inhabit those shoes you aspire to, Sort out the family business....it's your money -tree...cultivate it, harvest the fruit and use it to support your family and dreams. the two are not mutually exclusive. if you manage properly, the business will virtually run itself and will still be there as security if the flying job doesn't continue
(but by then you'll have a huge pilot's pension and a very successful Garage business for your retirement fund!

I see a goose and a golden egg....DON'T KILL THE GOOSE!

[paco]

Well, at least for the moment - at a recent seminar the manufacturers predicted a need for 20 odd thousand pilots over the next 8 years, based on current orders, but I would probably include retirements in that.

I don't think Smoked Salmond has properly thought out independence but that's the subject of another thread

Phil

[FC80]

I'd say if you can afford it and you really want it, go for it! There is no point in having lifelong regrets, working your ass off at your garage while longingly staring at the aircraft flying overhead.

Obviously you are aware you could end up splashing £100K (or whatever it is these days) at the Bristow Academy and end up with nothing, but that is a risk that any self-funder takes - it sounds like you have sufficient financial backup to absorb that.

Another benefit of the BA is that Bristow will interview you for an FO position (if they are recruiting at the time) whereas if you had done your training elsewhere the hour requirements are much higher.

Recruitment in the North Sea seems to be proceeding at a rate of knots at the moment and has been for the last year, I just wonder how much longer for? There are people here far more qualified than I to speculate on that, I'm sure!

[GoodGrief]

You said you have to take a loan.
Don't do it, especially with the wife and kids.
If they don't like the shape of your nose at BA you'll never be hired.

[triumph44]

Thanks for the replies again.

In response to the previous comments,

'cockney steve' - I never said that the business would be 'handed' to me, there would be payments made over a period of time to complete the final handover. With regards to the 'on call' heli pilot you described as having to put plans on hold and not drink etc.. I have been used to that having been a retained firefighter for 9 years on call 24/7 so that shouldn't be a problem. I don't think Scotland will become independent for a few years either?

'SASless' - Thanks for your comments, somebody with your experience, I'd be foolish not to heed some of your advice.

'feathering tickles' - Thanks for the positive comments, I know it's what I want to do so it's good to hear some enthusiasm from a heli pilot about being a heli pilot!

'GoodGrief' - I would be borrowing the money from my brother who wouldn't be wanting the money paying back until I had started earning as a pilot.

Thanks.

[Bravo73]

Originally Posted by GoodGrief

If they don't like the shape of your nose at BA you'll never be hired.

Attending Bristow Academy obviously won't limit you to just being hired by Bristow. But it will satisfy one of the OGP criteria for a co-pilot. Otherwise, you might have to have 500hrs in ME helicopters before you can be hired.

[DeltaNg]

North Sea

I wonder what the retention rates are for low hours co-pilots actually staying in the North Sea for > 5 years? Most of the ab-initio co-pilots I know moved on after a few years especially those whose original plan involved something more 'exciting'. The ABZ North Sea is a novelty while it lasts for many people, once they have a couple of thousand hours doing it, it soon becomes a means to an end. Sure, a good way to earn a living, but ultimately not something that people go home and dream about doing all over again the next day. Many co-pilots will use their experience gained to branch out into other sectors, such as HEMS, police or VIP perhaps, and I would say that is what will likely happen to yourself as you will hanker after 'proper flying'. You will probably move house three or four times until you eventually settle somewhere that ticks all the boxes: job satisfaction, money & location. And then, just as you think you've cracked it, the contract you are working on will disappear and you will have to move back to Aberdeen back to where you started. Most people end up back there eventually

However, you will have a few stories to tell your brother, who will by that time have expanded the company business to a multi-million pound empire, which you opted out of long ago.

Fortunately, I didn't borrow any money to start my flying career, but I did opt of a family business, which would ultimately have allowed me to buy my own helicopter and do whatever I wanted. I didn't see that at the time, and I have had some great experiences, but I do think being comfortably off through self-employment must offer more freedom and choices than being stuck in a career that just about pays the bills, however nice the view is.

[b.a. Baracus]

It is something that I have always wanted to do.

However, I struggle to get my head around the huge investment required - circa £100k. Needless to say that is an eye watering sum of money. There are also no guarantees of employment at the end of training.

In terms of the debate regarding Bristow Academy. I guess it would make sense to go there as by not attending that school you have effectively reduced your employment chances by a third (in the NS). I have only ever heard good things about the setup over in Titusville.

Do Bristow consider people who have completed PPL(H) and hour building in the UK for example and then complete the CPL (shorter course) at BA or does it have to be the full ab-initio course through the BA?

Which potential employers would you be looking at with a fresh CPL/ME(IR) - Bristow, Bond, CHC, Dancopter. With low hours are you limited to companies serving the Oil & Gas industry?

Does anybody have any details on the employment statistics for graduates coming out of BA? What sort of support do BA offer in terms of job hunting etc?

Do people think the changes being brought about in terms of reduced pax and being located next to an exit will transpire into more flights and therefore more crews being required?

An interesting point raised in the previous post. Do many NS pilots move into HEMS, Police work etc? I had heard that terms and conditions were better in the NS rather than in HEMS, Police etc.

[DeltaNg]

Yes, NS pay is (for P1s) at least 20-30% more than HEMS/Police.

But then, you guys aren't in it for the money are you?

[Boudreaux Bob]

You will probably move house three or four times until you eventually settle somewhere that ticks all the boxes: job satisfaction, money & location. And then, just as you think you've cracked it, the contract you are working on will disappear and you will have to move back to Aberdeen back to where you started. Most people end up back there eventually

If you find a good lick, then hang on tight and enjoy it while you can. At some point it shall go away and back to Offshore flying in some boring place or with a bad operator or at bad pay.