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NEED ADVICE ON BECOMING A HELICOPTER PILOT


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Hello My name is Kyle and im 25 years old living in miami, fl. I am really interested in becoming a commercial helicopter pilot. Im am looking for all the advice I can get on prices, schools, ways to get the money, loans? everything! also if i get my private license i can then wait a little and start saving for the commercial part right? Anyone know of good places around Miami? If there is anyone who is experienced with all this and has become a pilot I would love to email back and forth. Well thanks guys hope to hear from someone!

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If you borrow money for training there's a better than average chance you won't be able to afford the loan payments and have enough to live on for many many years! Cfi's don't make much.

 

Go to several of the schools there in Florida and talk with someone in person. Pick the school you believe you have the best odds at getting hired at after training is over.

 

Yes you can do each rating one at a time saving up for the next one as you go.

 

Have a good back up plan in case it takes you a long time to find work.

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Hi Kyle,

If I may, spend a bunch of time on this site searching this very topic. Many of your questions have already been addressed. Then post some specific questions.

 

Not to sound arrogant, but it shows a lot of respect to the seasoned guys and gals here. You will get true, straight answers. I am in great respect of their willingness to share everything with a newbe. Good luck moving forward.

 

And just to start things off, .... don't float a loan. Bust ass and save first. Pay to play.

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The audacity? Really? C'mon, the guy is just getting started by asking some questions. That's not a crime. That's how you start. Asking questions isn't being spoon fed either.

 

Kyle, as these guys have said your questions have been answered and many more you don't have yet.

 

Flying helicopters is a tough industry to break into. One important thing to remember that will help you suceed is keep a good attitude. When you get your certificates, don't let yourself get a holier then thou complex just because you're a pilot like the last two posters. You'll see that a lot.

 

Keep a good attitude. That advice will help no matter where you go in life.

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Heli-expo is a few weeks away in Orlando. It's the biggest helicopter event in the U.S. and worth checking out since it happens to be within driving distance from you this year.

 

Read as much as you can before going. You will get more out of the event if you have some knowledge going in. This site has a wealth of information in the forums. You will find some encouraging words but mostly doom and gloom. Unfortunately, the doom and gloom is based on how this industry works so don't ignore the warning signs. Check out flight schools websites and look at pricing and requirements. There you will find encouragement because they want your money so look out for anything that seems too good to be true. Check out some flight schools in person in your area and go for a flight. Florida has many options for training and most of the schools on the East coast are there. Download the free FAA books that you will have to learn and start studying.

 

https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/helicopter_flying_handbook/

 

As stated above, the odds are stacked against you. If you are a smallish sized person, with a capacity to learn, that is able and willing to go anywhere, be uncomfortable, and work for very little...you can help the odds. People do succeed and those that do have worked for it. It helps to have a stack of cash or you can join the military. The costs in this are like buying a house so you need to be careful.

 

Good luck.

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Back years ago, a few years before I started my training, I found tons of good information on Helicopter Adventure's website, now Bristow Academy. I can not find the specific article I was looking for you link to you but this http://www.heli.com/helicopter-resources/career-guide-1-right-stuff.php one is good also.

 

The one I was looking for basically talked about stuff like can you drive your car for 100 miles and strictly adhere to the caution and regulatory signs ? ( like speed limit, slow curve ahead, etc ) if you can not do that how do you expect to be able to do essentially the same thing in a helicopter ?

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We train out of both airports in Miami. We also can train you to a guaranteed job. We're an advertiser here and are at booth 5206 at Heli Expo in Miami next week. Loans are the biggest problem but might your family have an educational fund for you? I think my website www.HelicopterAcademy.com has the best advice in the shortest read. Tom 561-346-2816,

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Hello Kyle,

You will learn pilots are douchebags who think starting a thread is a slight against God. This isn't a good place to research your career. This website is full of opinions and egos. I would go talk to the flight schools in your area and get some face to face answers.

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Ive never understood why people think its "disrespectful" to post a new discussion. Even if its been covered. Some people just like personal responses, they are checking out the site on their own already. If you feel slighted because a dude comes on and asks a question, just move on. Nobody forces you to respond. And the world will move on if you don't.

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