A simple question from a now (much older) wannabe.
Some decades ago if you were a geologist and knew how to fly a helicopter you would have been in high demand, would have saved paying a pilots salary and also made extra payload available for the samples. Not so good for stream sampling perhaps.
Its going to take a while to gain the hours and complete your ground school subjects, so just do it part time, maintain your job and see what happens or how you feel in a couple of years.
The numbers I mentioned are correct for our location. I know that because that is what I've had to pay recently. I also asked a carpenter for a quote and the earliest booking he has available is 6+ months away. The market for all trades here is going gangbusters and they can ask for whatever money they want.
A carpenter who is a contractor charges a comparatively high rate. This rate covers buying and maintaining a vehicle and tools. Covers traveling to the job and any “holidays” which are effectively unpaid. Covers the time spent doing paperwork. Covers insurance, rent on a premises. Etc.
A roof tiler quoting $2000/day might be paying the wages of 2 “offsiders”.
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Some really interesting responses on here. As someone who has been in your position at around your age and now work as a helicopter pilot offshore I thought I’d chip in with my 2 cents.
Firstly, they’ll never be a pilot shortage as such, they may be shortages of pilots in specific locations with specific qualifications willing to work for specific salaries but to reiterate previous posts, I don’t believe there is a shortage of low houred pilots looking for work. Yes, some pilots are 50+ but there theres also lots of younger guys and gals in the industry.
Secondly any “seminar” you go to is likely to be a sales pitch for training, so the schools goal is to get you to part with your hard earned. Take what they say with a big yellow bin of gritsalt.
Thirdly, the advice I would give depends on your situation. The cost of all of the various tickets you need to be employable is going to be north of £120,000 wherever you do it. The possibility to recoup this investment I would say (with a few exceptions) only really exists in the offshore world. There are also plenty of people who hold all the right tickets whoes face just doesn’t fit offshore for whatever reason. So clearly you are taking a massive financial gamble which may or may not pay off.
Furthermore, at some point the offshore market will have a correction in size as hydrocarbons become politically an increasingly toxic hot potato. This may occur tomorrow or in 5,10 or 30 years. No one knows.
I was lucky enough to get a job offshore with the minimum qualifications but I know plenty who weren’t so lucky. I wasn’t any better then they were, just luck of the draw and timing. Like most on here, I love flying helicopters and work with some great people but if you look at the aviation industry in general and the prospects of big oil and gas, terms and conditions are being revised downwards across the board so again, no one really knows what the future holds in that respect.
Probably the most interesting flying seems to take place on shore (hems, filming, longline etc) but unfortunately the skills and experience required doesn’t appear to gel with the rewards on offer and in my experience was almost impossible to break into with minimum hours and an IR.
My honest advice would be to fly for fun (because it is fun😃
. If you have the money and feel strongly enough that it’s a career for you then speak to as many people in the industry as possible, make an informed decision with the best information you have available that will suit your own circumstances and goals.
Hope that helps and best of luck to you.
Firstly, they’ll never be a pilot shortage as such, they may be shortages of pilots in specific locations with specific qualifications willing to work for specific salaries but to reiterate previous posts, I don’t believe there is a shortage of low houred pilots looking for work. Yes, some pilots are 50+ but there theres also lots of younger guys and gals in the industry.
Secondly any “seminar” you go to is likely to be a sales pitch for training, so the schools goal is to get you to part with your hard earned. Take what they say with a big yellow bin of gritsalt.
Thirdly, the advice I would give depends on your situation. The cost of all of the various tickets you need to be employable is going to be north of £120,000 wherever you do it. The possibility to recoup this investment I would say (with a few exceptions) only really exists in the offshore world. There are also plenty of people who hold all the right tickets whoes face just doesn’t fit offshore for whatever reason. So clearly you are taking a massive financial gamble which may or may not pay off.
Furthermore, at some point the offshore market will have a correction in size as hydrocarbons become politically an increasingly toxic hot potato. This may occur tomorrow or in 5,10 or 30 years. No one knows.
I was lucky enough to get a job offshore with the minimum qualifications but I know plenty who weren’t so lucky. I wasn’t any better then they were, just luck of the draw and timing. Like most on here, I love flying helicopters and work with some great people but if you look at the aviation industry in general and the prospects of big oil and gas, terms and conditions are being revised downwards across the board so again, no one really knows what the future holds in that respect.
Probably the most interesting flying seems to take place on shore (hems, filming, longline etc) but unfortunately the skills and experience required doesn’t appear to gel with the rewards on offer and in my experience was almost impossible to break into with minimum hours and an IR.
My honest advice would be to fly for fun (because it is fun😃
. If you have the money and feel strongly enough that it’s a career for you then speak to as many people in the industry as possible, make an informed decision with the best information you have available that will suit your own circumstances and goals.Hope that helps and best of luck to you.
Its interesting that almost everyone in this industry (off-shore or not) suggests flying for fun rather than a career.
I wonder then, if you could go back with all the knowledge you have now, would you do it again? When I've asked this question before the answer is usually yes. Which is a strange conundrum for a new pilot to consider!
Incidentally I did have a very friendly helo pilot in the UK reach out and his knowledge was invaluable. It really does seem like timing and who you know.
My plan is to gain my PPL (H) or at least gain some experience towards it and weigh up the options.
Thanks for everyones input. I got a laugh out of some of the replies too, you cynical bunch you!
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ShaunLanc - unfortunately you are too old to join the military as a pilot because that was the way to go - job security, a great pension and a whole lot of fun on the way whilst being paid to fly.
I would do it all again, even the scary parts
I would do it all again, even the scary parts
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I say the guy should go for it. It's not like he can't go back to being a geologist if it doesn't work out. Some sectors of the business are not the easiest to get into, but far from impossible. In the US, just about everybody is hiring right now. In a year, who knows? The industry doesn't generally lay off but hiring will slow down in a bad economy, just like any other job.
Do it all over again?
All I can say is, if I already had a career in Geology, I'd just stick with that, get my ppl and simply enjoy being a "self-fly-hire" pilot on my days off.
All I can say is, if I already had a career in Geology, I'd just stick with that, get my ppl and simply enjoy being a "self-fly-hire" pilot on my days off.
But at least he knows which type of rock it is
I would compare the civil heli pilot job thing somehow with playing the lottery.
In most cases not a smart move to liquidate all savings and hope for the big win.
Still, no chance to hit the jackpot, if you got no ticket.
In most cases not a smart move to liquidate all savings and hope for the big win.
Still, no chance to hit the jackpot, if you got no ticket.
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I'm not sure why people liken a helicopter pilot career as some kind of big gamble, like you're going to Hollywood to try to become a movie star. In the U.S. at least, you get your ratings, you teach, you get a job flying tours or something to get some turbine hours and then find a segment you want to focus on and go from there. You WILL get a real job at some point. Everybody does. It's not that big of a deal, certainly not a gamble. You will most likely have to move at some point, but I think that's understood. Is Europe that much different?
I might have worded that poorly.
The "jackpot" in this case would be a well paying job, not too far from home.
On awesome equipment and hours that allow for a social life and family.
Straight after getting the commercial ticket and few months instructing.
Here my probability comparison with the lottery comes from.
Edit: I actually like the Hollywood comparison. Pretty sure if you go there very motivated, you will also get to play in a real movie. Chances are also high it might not be the main role or a successful movie.
The "jackpot" in this case would be a well paying job, not too far from home.
On awesome equipment and hours that allow for a social life and family.
Straight after getting the commercial ticket and few months instructing.
Here my probability comparison with the lottery comes from.
Edit: I actually like the Hollywood comparison. Pretty sure if you go there very motivated, you will also get to play in a real movie. Chances are also high it might not be the main role or a successful movie.
Last edited by gazpad; 16th Aug 2021 at 19:11. Reason: added edit
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I might have worded that poorly.
The "jackpot" in this case would be a well paying job, not too far from home.
On awesome equipment and hours that allow for a social life and family.
Straight after getting the commercial ticket and few months instructing.
Here my probability comparison with the lottery comes from.
The "jackpot" in this case would be a well paying job, not too far from home.
On awesome equipment and hours that allow for a social life and family.
Straight after getting the commercial ticket and few months instructing.
Here my probability comparison with the lottery comes from.
I'm not sure why people liken a helicopter pilot career as some kind of big gamble, like you're going to Hollywood to try to become a movie star. In the U.S. at least, you get your ratings, you teach, you get a job flying tours or something to get some turbine hours and then find a segment you want to focus on and go from there. You WILL get a real job at some point. Everybody does. It's not that big of a deal, certainly not a gamble. You will most likely have to move at some point, but I think that's understood. Is Europe that much different?
Anyway, that's my guess as to why many see this career as a "big gamble".
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You should probably base your opinions on something other than on anonymous internet posts.