kaveman Posted January 29, 2014 Report Share Posted January 29, 2014 I got out of the army in 2010, had a little over 1500 hours, started flying UAS's because I was unable to land a manned aircraft job. Ironically I was invited for an interview with one of the GOM companies the day after I signed a one year contract operating UAS's. Looking to get back into manned aviation I went out and obtained my CFI and CFII this past August. I live in Indiana and am willing (actually quite eager if necessary) to relocate. Researching some of the past topics and blogs I realize there are a couple of things I need to work on. 1) Networking.Keeping in mind I do not have a tree in the backyard sprouting money, where would be the best place to start? Should I go down to the gulf and take a tour of the different companies putting a face with the resume, would they even talk to me if I showed up? Or should I go to Heli-Expo in CA and the Heli-success Lite and job fair? 2) Salary. While I am willing to 'pay my dues' and I understand I am basically starting over, I do have a family to support so I cannot afford to work for almost nothing. 3) Weight - 250 pounds. I am 6'2" and working on getting down to 200 but that will take some months. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pilot#476398 Posted January 29, 2014 Report Share Posted January 29, 2014 If your 1500 hours is in manned helicopters you meet the minimums for tours in the Grand Canyon/Alaska, although 250lbs might cause a problem? Go to the job fair at Heliexpo to start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flying Pig Posted January 29, 2014 Report Share Posted January 29, 2014 With 1500 turbine (I'm assuming) I would imagine you could bypass tours. But it would be a great place to get Eurocopter time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaveman Posted January 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2014 pilot#476398 and Flying Pig (great name by the way), thank you for your replies. I figure with being out of manned aviation for 3 years other than getting my CFI/CFII this past summer I pretty much am starting the job search at a step past CFI, and that simply because being a CFI would not support a family. Thank you for the advice about going to Heli-Expo. I plan on being there. I went to the one in Florida in 2011, went to the job fair, and was told by one of the tour operators that they do not hire pilots coming straight out of the military (which was me at the time) because they have had issues in the past with ex-mil pilots not being able to handle being single pilots. Unfortunate for me, but at the same time I do understand their concerns and must grudgingly agree that there are those that become so accustomed to flying dual pilot they have an extremely hard time transitioning to single. Again, thank you for your replies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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