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I am sure this has been asked before, but I am having a hard time finding an answer at the moment. I am looking for the most economical way to finish my commercial license. When I say economical, yes I mean cost, but also use of time.

 

I have around 100 hours, all in Robinson helicopters. My goal is to get the 150 required for commercial and then get my CFI. I also want an instrument rating at some point. Should I do 30 hours of fixed wing and get the add on? Should I work towards the instrument first? Should I just keep plugging away in the R22 to 150 TT? Anyway, any insight is appreciated. Thanks.

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Get the instrument ticket. When you are finished with it you should be in the neighborhood of 150 hrs. If you then get your CFI you should be right at the 200 hr mark, and able to satisfy the SFAR 73 requirement to be able to instruct in the Robbie.

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I agree with rotor nut, get your instrument rating in a helicopter. It will build the hours towards your commercial. You may not need the instrument rating to get your first CFI job, but you will more than likely be required to have it for most jobs at the next level after CFI.

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Thanks for the responses guys. I am certainly considering that route. Especially since as roturnut67 stated, I will have to get to 200 TT at some point in order to instruct in the R22. My instructor and a few other pilots I respect are recommending I do the 30-35 hrs and get a fixed wing at on, then spend the rest of the time towards commercial / instrument / cfi. I'm gonna go and talk to the local stuck wing school and get more details on that end. I'll keep you posted.

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... I will have to get to 200 TT at some point in order to instruct in the R22. My instructor and a few other pilots I respect are recommending I do the 30-35 hrs and get a fixed wing at on, then spend the rest of the time towards commercial / instrument / cfi. I'm gonna go and talk to the local stuck wing school and get more details on that end. I'll keep you posted.

Just note that the requirement is 200 hours in helicopters not 200 TT!

Edited by r22butters
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Yeah, what Butters said. Doing fixed wing is just throwing away money if you are looking to go the helicopter route.

 

You could have 5000 hours total time in a 747, but in order to instruct in a 22, you will have to get another 200 hours in helicopters. Simply put, whoever is suggesting that you do fixed wing add on is steering you wrong.

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I agree...who in their right mind would suggest you get fixed wing training to save you money? Only go that route if your hard up to be dual rated.

 

Spend money to gain skill you desire and need. Not for what you do not need.

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I am sure this has been asked before, but I am having a hard time finding an answer at the moment. I am looking for the most economical way to finish my commercial license. When I say economical, yes I mean cost, but also use of time.

 

I have around 100 hours, all in Robinson helicopters. My goal is to get the 150 required for commercial and then get my CFI. I also want an instrument rating at some point. Should I do 30 hours of fixed wing and get the add on? Should I work towards the instrument first? Should I just keep plugging away in the R22 to 150 TT? Anyway, any insight is appreciated. Thanks.

 

What is your goal?

 

If the goal is to be employed someday as a pilot, then you’ll need certification up through CFII. Therefore, the track should be; private, instrument, commercial, CFI and then CFII. Once there, you’ll be marketable for entry level CFI positions. And, while 200 hours is a minimum for the Robinson products, don’t fool yourself thinking at 200 hours a job will magically appear so; even after getting all of the certification, you’ll need to continue to fly somehow, someway. With that, yes, helicopter employers want helicopter time. Plus, your competition for these same positions will have all helicopter time so that should be a no brainer.

 

For me, it kinda sounds like you may have limited funds for training and that’s why your pals suggested the fixed-wing thing….

Edited by Spike
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For me, it kinda sounds like you may have limited funds for training and that’s why your pals suggested the fixed-wing thing….

 

 

 

Well, I am not Scrooge Mcduck and on some level, everyone has limited funds. So far, I have paid cash for all my training and have avoided going in to debt. Money is always part of the equation, but like I said in my original post, economy of the hours was what I was really interested in.

 

I appreciate all the good feedback. Thanks.

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Well, I am not Scrooge Mcduck and on some level, everyone has limited funds. So far, I have paid cash for all my training and have avoided going in to debt. Money is always part of the equation, but like I said in my original post, economy of the hours was what I was really interested in.

 

I appreciate all the good feedback. Thanks.

 

Roger that...

 

You’d be surprised how many undesirables work in this business just because they came in with “unlimited” funds, so there are those types in-and-around…. Even so, paying cash and finishing with no debt is the best way to go. Well done, so far….

 

In any case, talk with your school and lay out a plan to do your instrument, CFI, commercial and instrument instructor prior to reaching 200 hours. If the school does not have an instrument trainer, then you’ll need to completely reevaluate your situation. That is, most schools won’t admit it, but they tend to favor hiring students who went through their entire program, ala paid them the cash to do the training. Therefore at 100 hours, your half way so, if your school doesn’t have the instrument trainer, you’ll need to go to a school that does and that means, probably doing the commercial, CFI and CFII at that school as well. If the school you currently attend does have an instrument trainer, then ignore the above…..

 

Truthfully, the goal should be to posture yourself to be hired at the school you attend on the day you graduate…

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