Please help a newbie!
 

Afternoon folks, apologies before hand for this thread, but I am hoping that some of you can help me with a dilema I'm having at the mo.

Cutting a long story short, I am in the middle of my PPL, with the hope of one day becoming a utility pilot, but I'm struggling to see the path before me! So much so I am considering wether or not the sacrifices we all have to make, are worth it. I'm training on the 22, maybe oneday I'll get that commercial ticket, but how do I get that turbine rating? Loadlifting experience? I cant keep forking out for it! I know its gona be about being in the right place, knocking on the right doors, knowing the right people, and lots of luck!! But where does the road end?

Is there anyone out there who has been in this position and now doing that utility work?? Civi's only, I have no intention of joining up. Can you give me some advice/hope?

Could some of you more experienced folks give us lowtime guys your career paths?? Just to see how you got there!

Do a search for this sort of thing, there is plenty to read up on.

Basically, you hit the nail on the head when you said you couldnt keep throwing money at it.
If you arent prepared to part with tens of thousands of pounds in the hope of getting a mediocre job as a helo driver for many years (5+) before qualifying for anything juicy. Bang out NOW!.
how old are you - if over 25-28 say, you'll be middle aged and bitching about the industry before you even get a look in at anything enjoyable.

Those who make it - sacrifice home and heart (and bank balance).

You dont sound committed.

Hey TC, many thanks

I'm 22 now, not old by any means, just having a hard time of late! I was committed when I started, about 2 years ago, but seem to be getting no where fast. Situations have dictated that my flying has been going in fits and starts. Thing is, if I dont do this, there is nothing else I want to do, so I'm just gona keep going and see if it works out.

Has it been worth the sacrifice?

Be very realistic on your budget.

If you get a job at 185 hours you will be exceptionally lucky. You could hold out to secure an offshore sponsorship if everything falls together perfectly.

To hurry things along, you can then attempt an IR. £25-35k depending on who/where/what. No guarantees

Alternatively, hour build to 250 and take the FI course. Part time work will come your way, and full time if you're lucky.

Nothing will happen quickly, so it requires a lot of patience and the ability to not only pay for your training but also sustain yourself with little or no income.

If you have any doubts, it is better to cut your losses early on. Its a lot of money and there are plenty of other exciting and varied things you can do with that money.

Age is on your side, but don't waste it on something like flying unless you are certain its your dream

Not a lot of utility work in the UK I'm afraid. Even less for a low experience pilot

Do you Love your Queen ?

Then if so join the AAC, or any Army regiment that will give you access to the Whirly thingys, then HMaj will pick up all the tabs and you will(possibly) get to fly some real gear, just one problem though:-

El Presidente Toni, may just see fit to throw you into the ill thought out Midd East War, sadly that could end a lot more than your Bank Balance!!

But If you love your Queen, she will pay

Vfr:E

good luck
 

A worn expression, but still worth repeating: the best way to get a job is applying from within the industry.

Try knocking doors at some local utilitycompanys and try and get a job as a loadmaster or something similar. Present yourself and your plans to be a commercial pilot and ask if you can tag along for an easy photojob or ferryflight. Maybe afterward you can clean the machine or whatever, just make a good impression and get some connections. Don't underestimate the connections, they can compensate for a lack of experience. My advice, based on my own experience.

That's what I did, got a job as a loadmaster after I got my PPL (ofcourse my economy allowed for just an extrajob where all jobs where on short notice) and when I finish my ATPL studies I have made quite a few connections, most likely even got a job since I'm already employed at the firm.

good luck

When you really want it you can do it. But it won't come easy. It will take up a lot of money and it's not always fun. But you and only you can set your goals and pursue them. You have to do it yourself.

Many thanks for the replies peeps, helps with my mini crisis I'm having at the mo. I know what I've got to do, so I'm just gona stop whining and get on with it!!!

Till the next time!:O

Veering off-thread here, but-250 hrs? Is that all you need for FI?

RotorSwede - a loadmaster on helo's? As a civ? What's the a/c type?

Sub - wouldn't you find it a bit easier & cheaper staying F/W?

Subie, here's your first mistake.Our little end of aviation is very specialized already. Aiming for some sub-sub-sub-segment like "utility helicopter pilot" is gonna be tough. In the short run it will be very frustrating and disappointing. And honestly, it may not be where you end up. You may find that you hate the lifestyle, or that you're not suited to that type of work in some other way. Would that be the end of the world? Hopefully not!

Look, first concentrate on simply becoming a helicopter pilot. That's enough of a goal for now. THEN, once you've got your CPL and start building time, you can start steering your career toward a particular field.

There will be times when you will get so disillusioned that you'll be tempted to give up. But don't! If you really want to do this, keep at it. Even if you can't afford to fly, go hang out at the flight school. Don't be a pushy a**hole about it, but offer to help out wherever possible, even if it's just going out and getting lunch for the instructors on a busy weekend. Sooner or later, they'll find out that they can depend on you, and that will lead to greater things...like...being asked to wash the helicopters! Or help wash them, anyway. And if the people at the school like you, opportunities to take some free flights WILL materialize.

Eat the pie one slice at a time- don't try to eat the whole thing at once. And keep the faith.

"loadmaster"
 

We mostly work with b3's and and a old military huey, the loadmaster is just the fancy name of the guy responsible for getting the right equipment and right amount of fuel along for the job and beeing the company rep on the ground, making sure the groundwork is beeing done like we want it to be done (when it involves the helo). Maybe you got another definition of the name, but that's what I do anyway =)

best regards

RS

PPrune Fan No.1, I think you've hit the nail on the head there! Many thanks for opening my eyes!

And scottishbeefer, who would want to fly fixed wings!? I find them rather boring after flying helo's!

As a business proposition, it sucks, but it's what's inside you that counts. If it's what you want, then go for it!

PP1 has it right

Phil

subaruP1
 

I suggest cash your subaru, buy a pushbike, and put a layby on a decent hanger broom. you will be able to buy a few more hours and definately will be noticed if you turn up on a pushbike, as a slave supplying your own tools, for a change! esp. in oz where hangers are a fair way apart.
and don't forget the most well known pommie characteristic, already referred to by your good self, drop it!!

Yes, in 2004 a long term exemption was announced bringing the minimum pre course hours down to 250hrs from 300, however IIRC I think the pre entry test now has to be conducted by a panel examiner, although that may have been only a short term measure.

To Subarup1
 

I got my first fulltime job when I had about 1000hours...that does not necessarily mean that you do not get a job with fewer hours. But you have to have your eyes and ears open like spy. Networking and driving around worldwide, where applicable, might be a possibility to generate a few leads for future opportunities. Do not settle for anything specific...grab the opportunity to build hours/experience if you do not have to spend too much of your financial resources. And at last, Do not listen to the negative people in this industry telling you that it is impossible to get a job. It is possible but with with difficulties...
From my personal experience; I have been unemployed a few times but always came back. And I resent the negative and disturbing comments of some other folks. Having that said...DO NOT GIVE UP...if you really want to make a career flying helicopters
Semper Fidelis:ok: