And by the way -

HAI is an excellent company by all accounts.

When last in UK I asked to to my instructor renewal with George Bedford (Bristow, and a
very good instructor examiner) and I found he'd shipped out to be Cheif Pilot at HAI.

The company must have got better for that.

SPS :

That happened when Bristows stopped doing their own training at Redhill. HAI now do, as far as I'm aware, all the CAA suff in Florida, if they've moved by now.

I'm tempted to go there when I've got the hours to do the modular course - it'll save me some money !!

------------------
I got bored with "WhoNeedsRunways"

Go-around.

I am one of the many pilots leaving the North Sea for the fixed-wing world.

But I think you are doing the right thing. Firstly, if you do get a CPL(A) your possibilities of getting that first job are close to zero. But I think if you hold a
CPL(H) in the next couple of years your chances are quite good. But as always, this depends on the oil price.

I have enjoyed my time in the North Sea, and I don't think you will find a finer bunch of people to work with (excluding management). It has been a good place to enhance my flying experience and to fly in one of the most taxing jobs in aviation.

Also at your age, you can still move over to fixed-wing if your circumstances change.

GO FOR IT!!!!!!!


MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY AND SAFE NEW YEAR!!!!


[This message has been edited by UNLOB (edited 25 December 2000).]

If you're into helos in your low 20s, perhaps you can get some fun under your belt before moving onto something a bit more stable and luvrative. Green military helicopters certainly get to play in some interesting places, but if you're talking to a recruiter about RAF helo careers, don't forget SAR. Heavy weather, pretty stable and I've got a pretty good job satisfaction score, I'd say. A lot of military folk wouldn't touch the role with a barge-pole either, so volunteers are always welcome. Of course, it's a specialization with civilian opportunities too - home and abroad. Good luck.

Try Heliswiss in Berne Switzerland for real mountain flying and a serious course.

Vlift...excellent addition. I was trying to use the water analogy in my post, but couldn't figure out a way to say it without sounding stupid. You nailed it. Bravo.

So many questions
 

As somebody who itends to start pilot training in the near future could you please tell me where you did your training, how did your career progress and where would you do your training if you were to do it now. Any other advice is appreciated.

Cheers

Lee

[This message has been edited by Lee Harris (edited 26 March 2001).]

I did my training in my hometown in NZ. Good location, mountains 10 mins flight away, uncluttered airspace with CTA's within 1hr to 2hrs in most headings. Did instructors rating & had first ft job b4 I had even finished the rating. Was instructing & comm flying for the first 3yrs after training ft. Got hrs up v quickly then secured a contract in the Central Plateau which was all mountain air transport with minimal lifting etc. Having the instructors rating has been ideal & even now with the flying in PNG the instructing has been some of the most satisfying,challenging & demanding flying I have been exposed to. You are never without a job either as there always seems to be someone around looking for an instructor. If you are going to get into it, do so under no illusions about the job market & how tough it is out there once you have succeeded in obtaining the vital ingredient. You have to be single minded about it & be prepared to be turned down more times than you can count - unless you are born into it or have a good family friend which are invaluable to further you career. Whatever happens, keep it lighthearted & enjoy your training because I sometimes, even now, find myself yearning to be a student all over again. Its awesome fun.

Lee, depends where you live, what you want to do with your licence and how much money you've got. You can do it here at umpteen schools on an approved course, over the Net(for your groundschool), do a Jaa licence in the States(cheep, cheep), do an Faa, then a CFI work for 24 months on a J1 visa (hours building) There are many options.....
However the hardest thing you will probably have to do is get your first job to build your hours as 'they' want you to have hours to get the job. Let me know if you want specific advice, happy to help. Good luck and keep your chopper up.

Hi Robsibk

I'm in Calgary, operating 3 206s and 3 AStars between here and Fort Nelson. I did my own mountain flying in the military, but, to be honest, I learnt more over 2 days in Scotland with a chap who had been in Nepal with Bristows for 15 years, so I guess it only goes to show that all courses are not equal! Certainly, try Canadian in Penticton, but they aren't the only ones there - just find out who you're comfortable with, just making sure that what they teach you is accepted elsewhere in the industry, since the only "standard" is what's recommended by the HAC or what customers want. Mountain flying, like longlining, is not as hard or mysterious as people make out, which is not to say it doesn't need care or your full attention, but it's nothing that good training and a sensible attitude can't cure.

Good luck in your job search - it appears to be a good time to look right now

cheers

phil

[This message has been edited by paco (edited 28 March 2001).]

[This message has been edited by paco (edited 28 March 2001).]

How realistic is it to expect to get a CFI job in the states on a J1. Also - how many hours do you reckon you could get without having to fly in your sleep

Lee:

Canadian Forces, SeaKings, Crew Commander, Base Rescue, UH-1H (205), SAR Captain, got out after 8 years went to the Air Ambulance in Ontario then Offshore Captain overseas within the same company.

If I had to do it again, see the above.

Cheers, OffshoreIgor http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/eek.gif


[This message has been edited by offshoreigor (edited 02 April 2001).]

[This message has been edited by offshoreigor (edited 02 April 2001).]

I trained in the States at HAI, turned out to be a good move as after training they gave me a job and I managed to work out the remainder of the J1 to get 1100 hours before I was kicked out of the Good Ol' US of A.

As a bonus at HAI I also did the UK exams and left with a CAA CPL(H) and FI rating. Since then I have worked in the UK and now based overseas flying 212 and 412's. Not too shabby for 3 and a half years from getting into a helicopter.

I would recommend HAI as they are now in Florida, cheaper than the UK and they offer the chance to get a CAA license. The other benefit is they will help getting you a CFI job, they don't guarentee a job but they have so many grads working all over the US they know really well when jobs become available. You'll also make a lot of contacts you'll bump into/duck to avoid throughout your career. Only drawback at HAI as an instructor was a lack of turban...(sorry, that's another string) turbine hours.

As to the flying hours as a CFI, I worked really hard for the first year (7 days a week) to get 900 flown and then had spare time to study for the CAA exams as I worked out the last of my time on the J1. Just do what you have to do to get the time.

Good luck,

Gov

[This message has been edited by The Governor (edited 03 April 2001).]

HELP, best way to learn?
 

In the process of saving pennies at the moment, but I'm checking out schools etc. Intention to gain CPL(H) from zero hours, I do hold PPL(A). Is it best to learn in the US then convert to CAA? Chances of getting a job with just CPL(H) and a couple of hundred hours? If so is it just with off-shore oil firms or are there other starter positions available? Thanks

Rene,
In a similar position to you.
1 hour, and working towards PPL(H) as the start to the modular CPL(H).
Wanna swap hints and tips?????
I'll try to e mail you direct over the weekend.


------------------
It went Earth,Sky,
AMBULANCE

Hope you are young, wealthy and patient.

Good luck to you both.........

[before the rest of you comment, it's the truth they need to hear not sentiment!]

------------------
Thermal runaway.

TC.
28, Class 1 medical passed. 50K available (have been working towards this for a long time!)Committed and very determined.Loved the limited flying I've done in helicopters.Want out of what I do and would quite happily teach rotary for the rest of my working days.Sane enough to take the lows with the highs,have support from my good lady.If I don't succeed intend to have enjoyed trying to its full potential.Aside from luck what else do I need???? :)

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It went Earth,Sky,
AMBULANCE

Quidam:

It's nice to know that there are still dreamers out there.

But if I were you, with 50K, I'd go fixed wing.

Anyway... if your passion is the choppers, be really prepared to take the ups and downs as you said, and good luck to you.

Happy flight!

Hi Rene !

Is that an Austrian PPL that you have????

Good luck!
Roberto

Thank you all!
Why I appreciate everyones response and those of you good enough to inform us humble wannabes that it is an expensive and hard road to tread, no-one has actually provided any information on how to break into this fantastic profession.

Any productive feedback would be very much appreciated indeed, Thnak you