Jump to content

Airlines back to helicopters


rotormonkey

Recommended Posts

I am one of the few that made the transition to the airline world and realized it isn't for me. I have about 1300 rotorwing hours and could use some pointers on who will hire with hours like that. I am in Arizona, and that does make it tough, so does anyone know of anyone hiring in that area? No CFI and no Robbies, please.

I am open to contract work too, such as firefighting or general utility. I have a military background with appropriate type ratings.

 

I appreciate any help.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Check the various HEMS operators. Air Methods has three openings posted in Arizona by my count. I would bet that other operators also have or will have openings.

 

If you do opt for HEMS, try to visit or at least talk to a pilot at the base you're considering. There are good (happy) bases at 'bad' HEMS companies and bad ones at 'good' operators.

 

I enjoyed the job itself for 15 years. The day/night schedule is wearing on an old guy or I'd probably still be doing it. Not nearly enough actual flying for a youngster or my taste, and you will be working in professional isolation, but there are rewarding aspects to the job.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Pretty much everybody's desperate, but they aren't going to list the bare minimum. You just need to be in the room or on the top of the pile when they need someone. Go to the expo, I'm sure you'll have interest there. You'd be a good fit for a gulf operator; they are just set up to start guys in the single pilot lights.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am one of the few that made the transition to the airline world and realized it isn't for me. I have about 1300 rotorwing hours and could use some pointers on who will hire with hours like that. I am in Arizona, and that does make it tough, so does anyone know of anyone hiring in that area? No CFI and no Robbies, please.

I am open to contract work too, such as firefighting or general utility. I have a military background with appropriate type ratings.

 

I appreciate any help.

Id look into flying offshore with RLC; shouldnt have any issues getting hired with your hours and they are constantly hiring. The pay and benefits are significantly less than what Bristow, PHI and ERA offer but it is a great opportunity to build hours offshore and in the B206L, B407, and S76. They will want a 2 year commitment but after that you should have no problems getting on with one of the larger companies.

 

For frame of reference, RLC should be offering a base salary around $58k. The other big 3, depending on experience, $65-$82k for small ship PIC. RON offshore pay, training pay, work-over/holiday pay and 401k contributions can significantly add to that.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

You might go to Las Vegas today for Heli-Success 2018 at the Westgate Hotel as this "job fair" starts tomorrow and runs for 2 days. Sunday has several speakers and the afternoon of Monday there are employers reviewing resumes. I'll be there for my 11th year and believe strongly in this as the speakers teach you need for success and many of them are then at a table hiring the next day. Many people need hours and we have a program for those that wish to pay to build hours. An airline captain just flew in last week and did 50 hours r22 and 5 hour r44 with us in seven days. He was a heli student of ours in 2008 and crossed over to fixed and now flies and instruct airline pilots but he figured it was a good time to build some more hours and had the dough to pay for it. It's also run by the owner of this forum who is also a pilot recruiter.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

When I initially left the military, I had around 1300 hrs as well. A phone call to the places you are interested at can help. I had a few chief pilots say they would give me a shot (ie check flight) to determine the quality of my hours. They said 1300 mil hours usually equates pretty well to the 1500 hr min. The only issue was that military "heavy iron" does not always equate to small helo finesse.

 

Again, call, talk, and present your case. It couldn't help. I had well over 5400 hours when I applied for my current job. The only reason I got the position is that I had an in (which I did not know until I started calling and talking to people that worked at the place).

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 year later...

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...