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Wanting to make a Career change


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As I'm sure you are aware, this is a very tough industry to get into. Nearly every civilian pilot starts off as a flight instructor; so if you want to fly helicopters professionally, it is important to maximize your opportunities at getting a CFI job.

 

As nearly all flight schools use the R22, this is the aircraft that you must gain experience in. Just because you can train in an R44/S300, doesn't mean you should. You will end up w/ $80k+ debt and no job opportunities. Ideally, you should have the bulk of your hours in the R22, with some in the R44/S300; this way you can teach in all three.

 

I attended Bristow Academy in Concord, CA; the only aircraft available was the S300. As such, I was not qualified to teach in the R22 and my job prospects were severely limited. I was extremely fortunate to gain employment at one of the few schools teaching w/ the S300. Since moving on, the school I taught at switched to the R22/R44. Parts availability has been difficult for the S300 since the Sikorsky buyout (or so I've heard) and it is becoming less and less common to find schools utilizing it.

 

You have a family; chasing a random job like tuna boat flying is most likely out of the question. It is also important to remember that you must be prepared to move you and your family anywhere in the country chasing that first job; don't count on residing in your home state. I wanted to live in CA; ended up having to move to NY. I'm five years into my career now, and I'm still working on getting back to CA.

 

I agree with flying pig; if your weight restricts you from flying the R22, you should pursue a career in fixed wing flying. While it seems like a lot of fixed wing pilots are pursuing airline careers, that is not the only option. For example, I know a few airline captains that switched over to flying tours in an AirVan and enjoy it quite a bit. The cost of fixed wing training is also less expensive.

 

Also, apply for every scholarship you can. It's a long shot, but any free $ you can get is surely worth the brief time it takes to fill out an application or write a brief essay.

 

Best of luck to you.

 

Thank You for all that info. I appreciate any advice pilots have for newbies. I spoke with a capt today and he gave me some solid advice to look into on the fixed wing side. I'm still leaning towards rotor, I weighed myself today when I met with my trainer and still hoovering at 240. I don't think it's impossible I've just got to slap myself even harder and maybe go on a Dr. Monitored diet, I know it cost's like 1200 but, maybe it's what I need with this crazy work schedule I have and hours shifts.....

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Take the college degree requirement with a grain of salt. Few jobs actually require it. A number of the major airlines seek a four year degree at a minimum. It's not necessary for most flying jobs, though when competing with others that have a degree, on occasion those with a degree may hold some competitive advantage.

 

I have no degree. The largest equipment I've flown thus far was the 747. A number of us on that equipment lacked degrees. A degree becomes necessary when either the employer sets it as a requirement, or so many of the competition seeking that job hold a degree that you're unable to compete. This is more common in airline and corporate applications. I've flown corporate, fractional, international airline, cargo, medevac, etc, without a degree. You're better off to have it, but it won't stop your career, if you're determined to move forward.

 

You can always pursue a degree online as you progress through your career. A lot of pilots do, and use their pilot certification toward credit for the degree.

 

Yeah I'd like to fly fixed or rotor for some type of Emergency service eventually. I was born to be a first responder, hence why I'm in law enforcement and I'm a EMT....Wearing all this gear and strapped in my vest 12hrs a night is just killing my back (previous injury from getting attacked by 2 suspects on pcp)....I cut a teenager down from a Tree night before last and after 5minutes of CPR waiting for EMS to arrive to take over, my back was hurting something fierce...So many attempted suicides lately, I don't know what is going on with people. Cops being killed for no reason, this world is in trouble....I'm just ready for a change.....I'm happy in the sky....

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Yeah I'd like to fly fixed or rotor for some type of Emergency service eventually. I was born to be a first responder, hence why I'm in law enforcement and I'm a EMT....Wearing all this gear and strapped in my vest 12hrs a night is just killing my back (previous injury from getting attacked by 2 suspects on pcp)....I cut a teenager down from a Tree night before last and after 5minutes of CPR waiting for EMS to arrive to take over, my back was hurting something fierce...So many attempted suicides lately, I don't know what is going on with people. Cops being killed for no reason, this world is in trouble....I'm just ready for a change.....I'm happy in the sky....

 

If you have a previous back injury you can forget about flying a helicopter for a living. A helicopter will kill a good back.

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Guess I should rephrase that....it's not like a major injury, it was ruptured discs, that have since healed but, sometimes it gets agitated with all this different gear stuck into diff places of my back while sitting in the squad seat, I have no problems with that stupid belt off sitting anywhere. Loosing 60lbs has also helped with that too.

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