Scyther Posted November 6, 2015 Report Share Posted November 6, 2015 Hey all! I'm new to these parts. Stumbled across these forums recently when searching for "becoming a helicopter helicopter pilot" sort of stuff on Google. A bit about me... I'm 26, living in the UK, originally hail from the states (I hold American citizenship). I've wanted to be a pilot FOREVER. I was fortunate enough to enjoy a decent amount of air travel as a kid and the magic stuck with me. I sporadically logged 20hrs in a Cessna in my teens but never gained my PPL due to lack $$$. Since then, I've unsuccesfully tried to forget about flying. And more recently I've come to terms with my flying addiction and have been saving money towards a 0 to hero style course in the states (where I'd also like to move back to as it's where I grew up). You may be wondering, "why is there nothing about helicopters here?" Well, that's because I have NEVER been in a helicopter. I must admit I've barely even thought about them. It's always been all about the fast airplanes. Not even airliners, just the fast military and test aircraft. Airplanes like the F15, X-15, SR71. I know plenty about becoming an airline pilot. I also know plenty about airliners. And none of what I know about airlines and airliners excites me. In fact, it bores me quite a bit. And there lies the attraction. I know nothing of helicopters. They are strange looking things with funny sounding controls (cyclic? collective?) that can land anywhere. They look hard to fly. They are used as EMS, cranes and lots of other scary/interesting looking jobs (high voltage line repairs for ex). HEMS interests me the most out of what I have seen. On the other hand we have airliners. Highly automated buses, push a few buttons and fly in straight lines for long distance. Don't get me wrong, I know there's a lot more to it then that and I have a lot of respect for all professional pilots BUT helicopters look more hands on and basically FUNNER to fly than commercial airplanes. And you could potentially land anywhere. Obviously I will need to do a couple intro flights to see if I actually like being in a helicopter/controlling a helicopter but I must say that my new found interest in helicopters has really got me excited about pursuing a flying career. If I am really honest with myself I don' think airline flying is really for me (and most commercial airplane jobs are very similar, even bush flying doesn't particularly excite me) but there's just something about helicopters that has got me really excited. Sharing my thoughts with others is something I've been wanting to do for a while and although i'm not even close to the amount of cash I need to get on a course, I really want to arm myself with as much knowledge as possible before hand. So I'm hoping to have enough cash to start a full time course by the time I'm 28. Could be planes or helicopters, we'll see. All that to say "hi" and to see if anyone had there own thoughts/advice to share! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldy Posted November 12, 2015 Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 Run! Run now while you still have your money! If you're still there, then I would check out a few schools next time you are in the states. Colorado Heli-Ops and Leading Edge Aviation in Oregon would be two at the top of my list. There are however, a few hundred others if those don't fit the bill. This is as much a business decision as it is a career. Make good use of your investment. Don't start and stop halfway. Commit yourself for about 18 months to fly and keep flying and studying until you hit the CFII wall. Both of these schools also have ongoing commercial operations (tours, photo flights,etc). That's important because it COULD lead to an opportunity for you along the way. Those with the best attitude win a lot more than the other guys....find a way to stand out. Those are 4 of my tips in my not yet written book "Why NOT to fly helicopters". Glad you got the post up. Have fun,fly safe. Goldy 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superstallion6113 Posted November 12, 2015 Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 (edited) Helicopters are great! They'll make you a millionaire............................................ if you are currently a billionaire. Okay my only real advice is to take the advice of Goldy. Start and don't stop until you are finished, assuming you have the financial means to do so. I took a break between private and instrument. And another break after instrument. I'm not starting again until I can finish. It's rough taking a long break and starting up again. Plus, in the course of my break/return to work, Guidance Aviation (the school I was attending with my GI Bill) was suspended from taking on new students until they are in compliance of VA regs, so I couldn't return there if I wanted to. That brings me to another topic Goldy mentioned. Don't go to a school that only has one source of funding, i.e. GI Bill flight training. A school that does tour flights, charter flights, etc would be the top choice, for the job possibilities. Edited November 12, 2015 by superstallion6113 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldy Posted November 13, 2015 Report Share Posted November 13, 2015 My recommendations are all based solely on my mistakes over the last 30 years! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scyther Posted November 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2015 Appreciate the replies! Yes, that's exactly my nutterish plan... When I hit that magic £50k/$75k mark it will be move back to America and go all-out flying. As in, I will start flight training as soon as I move back to the states and I will make it my life for as long as it takes to get my foot in the door. And then keep on making it my life until I get that dream job. This also ties into one of my greatest frustrations... I can't fly yet. Well, I could, but like you guys said it's best to just smash through it rather then starting and stopping. Plus UK licenses won't be any good to me in the states (CAA or EASA vs FAA) and there is noway I could afford converting licenses. AND finally it would be silly to attempt to become a pilot in the UK when America probably has the largest commercial aviation industry in the world. Seriously, airline pilot is almost impossible to achieve in the UK unless you have around £100,000 (GBP, NOT USD) and it's probably even more for helicopter pilot. So sod that. A lot could happen in between now and then but I'm staying focused and keeping my eyes ever skyward. Hopefully next summer I'll be visiting family in the states, I'll probably do some chopper/GA intro flights just to get my feet wet and see how it feels. Does anyone know of any place near Chicago that does helicopter flights? I'll Google it obviously but never hurts to ask the wiser/more experienced! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCBOATER Posted November 24, 2015 Report Share Posted November 24, 2015 Welcome to the forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scyther Posted November 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2015 Cheers mate! Ya know what I've been thinking... Scenic helicopter flight over the grand canyon... Never seen the grand canyon and never been in a helicopter. That's sure to wet the appetite! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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