150 or 200TT?

[jras312]

So I have a chance to get 150 hour block for pretty cheap. I have been thinking of this for a couple days now. I live in iowa and the school I can get that discount at is in California. My pickle is; do I stay here and get my private, then go to Cali and get 150 hour block to get through my CFII and get to 200TT so I can teach in robbies, OR, do I just dive right in and get the 150 hour block right off the bat and just teach in other aircrafts other than robbies. I have about 2 hours so far lol so I'm a noobie. It really doesnt matter if I have to move from Iowa for a while to get a CFI job, I just want some input on what 'yall think. Im leaning toward getting my private first, just because of the way the funds will come to me but I'm still not sure. Let me know what you think!

[rotormandan]

Go for the 200 if you can afford it. Then you can teach in robbies or others. I'd get my private in a 300 if the 150 block is robbies. Then you have options.

[jras312]

our school here in iowa flies robbies, so i would get my private in an r22 if i did go that route, and the 150 hr block would be in a hiller.

[Goldy]

and the school I can get that discount at is in California.

 

I think if the school is in So Cal you should PM me with the name. Living in LA for 50 years I know most of the good bad and the ugly.

 

Goldy

[RotorWeed]

I'd get my private in the Robbie; if you can fly an R22 you can fly anything. The hiller is much easier to fly with the rotormatic rotor head. I wish I had more Hiller time, they are awesome machines.

 

RW

 

 

Go for the 200 if you can afford it. Then you can teach in robbies or others. I'd get my private in a 300 if the 150 block is robbies. Then you have options.

[Justin DBC]

Logisticly speaking, you're going to want to save up some money before you head out to CA for a 150 hour block. The difference in living costs between Iowa and here (especially metro areas) and Iowa is going to be pretty drastic. Hopefully you're staying with friends or family out here.

 

J-

[clay]

I think if the school is in So Cal you should PM me with the name. Living in LA for 50 years I know most of the good bad and the ugly.

 

Goldy

 

 

WOW GOLDY!!!!!!! i thought i brought the old guy to the party.. HaHaHa....

[adam32]

our school here in iowa flies robbies, so i would get my private in an r22 if i did go that route, and the 150 hr block would be in a hiller.

 

What school is it? I operate a Hiller in California and there is nothing cheap about them...

[Copterjohn]

Why don't you come in to our office and we can discuss training and the real world of job prospects (we just had 200+ resumes for 1 cfii job). John McLaughlin www.iowahelicopter.com

[IFlySky5]

Hi

 

Sorry to pop the bubble...you aren't going to be teaching in any aircraft with 200TT

I don't know who is feeding you that line! But the reality is that it shouldn't happen and in all honesty likely won't happen!

 

Most insurance companies, let alone a reputable flight school would not allow it to happen like that.

 

I lived in SoCal for over 20 years, and flew for the better part of that there as well before relocating to Memphis.

CA is stupid expensive in the cost of living. As has already been stated it is best if you have a friend or family to live with at almost no expense since you'll need every bit to pay for flying.

 

Call or visit with John @ Iowahelicopter (I've got not contact nor personal experience with him) but I am sure he will tell you straight out your 200TT isn't marketable as a CFI

 

Sorry to be blunt...but the way things are sugar coated now a days is very misleading.

I blame "them" for taking your money and not being completely honest with you about the state of the industry!

 

Regards,

IFlySky5

[clay]

Hi

 

Sorry to pop the bubble...you aren't going to be teaching in any aircraft with 200TT

I don't know who is feeding you that line! But the reality is that it shouldn't happen and in all honesty likely won't happen!

 

Most insurance companies, let alone a reputable flight school would not allow it to happen like that.

 

I lived in SoCal for over 20 years, and flew for the better part of that there as well before relocating to Memphis.

CA is stupid expensive in the cost of living. As has already been stated it is best if you have a friend or family to live with at almost no expense since you'll need every bit to pay for flying.

 

Call or visit with John @ Iowahelicopter (I've got not contact nor personal experience with him) but I am sure he will tell you straight out your 200TT isn't marketable as a CFI

 

Sorry to be blunt...but the way things are sugar coated now a days is very misleading.

I blame "them" for taking your money and not being completely honest with you about the state of the industry!

 

Regards,

IFlySky5

 

I'd have to say you being "blunt" is more you feeding this guy BS. maybe that didn't happen for you, BUT, it can happen for some. I started instructing at 200 hrs with a company. granted I wasn't allowed to do emergency procedures, but i worked into that. if anyone try's to tell you "its to hard" or "it doesn't happen like that" , they are full of it. I don't understand how people on these forums can say "this happens, or that wont happen" its total BS. There are to many variables, to many different things that can happen, to many company's, and to many good people in this industry that do want to help people for someone to say "that will not work". anything can work with a LOT of hard work, and little bit of luck. Hell, I know a guy who did his commercial add-on, had 700 hrs in airplanes, and now he is flying jetranger's and Huey's. he got this job IMMEDIATELY after finishing his add-on in minimum times. some people would say that what he did was impossible or doesn't happen.

[rotormandan]

Most insurance companies, let alone a reputable flight school would not allow it to happen like that.

 

 

What are you talking about? Most places will hire at 200 hours unless they are insured by Pathfinder. Any reputable flight school will have insurance that allows them to hire their graduates at 150-200 hours. If they have Pathfinder then they will help you get to 300 hours if they want to hire you. The problem now isn't the insurance, it's the CFI market being flooded with new CFIs. There's not as many of those jobs available due to the economy preventing new students from starting.

[jras312]

thanks for the support clay and rotormandan. after i read what iflysky wrote i was kinda confused? if no one would hire a 200TT pilot, then what are they supose to do? fork over $100K just to get another decent low time job? I have also been thinking of going to LA Helicopters, as my mom lives in Cypress, which is about ten minutes away from LAH. Has anyone else beside Justin had experience with them? I called and talked with them a few months ago and they say once I complete my training through CFII they WILL hire me as an instructor. Justin had also mentioned that they got rid of a couple of their ships so I wonder if they might be cutting back a little? Thanks again for all the posts, its really helping me out with the decision making.

[JDHelicopterPilot]

I got on with a school as a CFI with 200TT as well. Now I will say right now jobs as a CFI are hard to find but if you keep at it you may be able to find something. Who knows, there may be more by the time you finish training? It's a lot about the timing as well as who you know and most of all your attitude.

 

JD

[IFlySky5]

Hi

 

Well let me hear from you when you get your CFI or CFII job at 200 hours

 

Look I am not trying to discourage you from pursuing flying, to the contrary I am telling you what most won't here about getting your first job. Since the motivation of most schools is two fold.(since they are a business and the bottom line, is they want & need your money first and foremost!) Most schools also want to teach, and teach you correctly!

I also feel I need to say that there are a lot of very decent schools that will teach you and will care about you and the quality of instruction you will receive. There are those that won't as well.

 

@Clay, rotormandan & JDHelicopterPilot

No thought scares me more than a 200 hour CFI teaching a zero hour student.

It is indeed a trend that the industry and the safety record clearly reflects so.

 

And to not be able "allowed to do emergency procedures" is clearly a heads up that you should not be doing instruction, and the school clearly knew that...yet turned you loose to teach??? Com'on!

 

Out of the industry-wide CFI available slots, for you guys to have gotten one @200TT you were the exception and not the rule. Do you really think that most CFI's started teaching @ 200TT?

You better go back and ask your instructors how many hours they had when the landed their first CFI job.

 

On another note if it were a acceptable ideology for a low timer to teach another low timer, don't you think that the military would employ this approach as well? Well that isn't going to happen...and for good reason as well. Think about it for a while, and then ask yourself why you think you would be willing to have a 200TT newbie teach you!

 

I hear a lot about how forums and postings are slinging "this is BS" and "that is BS" here and there. The fact in all honesty is that if you think you represent the industry standard for a CFI with or about 200TT you are full of BS, you are the lucky exception so enjoy it. And get yourself checked out by the schools training pilot to teach "emergency procedures" because the flying part isn't too difficult...it is the proper emergency procedures that save lives when the crap hits the fan.

 

Regards,

IFlySky5

Edited March 26, 2009 by IFlySky5

[rotormandan]

I called and talked with them a few months ago and they say once I complete my training through CFII they WILL hire me as an instructor.

 

You can't believe that. No one can guarantee you a job when you finish. Anyone who promises that is feeding you a line. Most schools will say they like to hire their own but that doesn't mean they can hire everyone.

 

 

 

IFlySky5

 

Are you knew? Becoming a CFI and teaching is the industry norm for the first job. (At least here in the U.S.) It's how the majority of pilots build their time up these days. Yes is Bass Akwards and I don't understand it myself but it's the truth. A lot of schools don't let their new instructors do EPs for just that reason. It's not very safe. They will however send those students up with a more experienced CFI so they do get the proper training. The school I went to an instructor couldn't do autos until they had 500 hours and then got checked out by the CP. 500 hours still isn't much but that's how it was. I think you ought to call a few schools and prove it to yourself.

[clay]

Hi

Look I am not trying to discourage you from pursuing flying, to the contrary I am telling you what most won't here about getting your first job. Since the motivation of most schools is two fold.(since they are a business and the bottom line, is they want & need your money first and foremost!) Most schools also want to teach, and teach you correctly!

I also feel I need to say that there are a lot of very decent schools that will teach you and will care about you and the quality of instruction you will receive. There are those that won't as well.

 

@Clay, rotormandan & JDHelicopterPilot

No thought scares me more than a 200 hour CFI teaching a zero hour student.

It is indeed a trend that the industry and the safety record clearly reflects so.

 

And to not be able "allowed to do emergency procedures" is clearly a heads up that you should not be doing instruction, and the school clearly knew that...yet turned you loose to teach??? Com'on!

 

Out of the industry-wide CFI available slots, for you guys to have gotten one @200TT you were the exception and not the rule. Do you really think that most CFI's started teaching @ 200TT?

You better go back and ask your instructors how many hours they had when the landed their first CFI job.

 

On another note if it were a acceptable ideology for a low timer to teach another low timer, don't you think that the military would employ this approach as well? Well that isn't going to happen...and for good reason as well. Think about it for a while, and then ask yourself why you think you would be willing to have a 200TT newbie teach you!

 

I hear a lot about how forums and postings are slinging "this is BS" and "that is BS" here and there. The fact in all honesty is that if you think you represent the industry standard for a CFI with or about 200TT you are full of BS, you are the lucky exception so enjoy it. And get yourself checked out by the schools training pilot to teach "emergency procedures" because the flying part isn't too difficult...it is the proper emergency procedures that save lives when the crap hits the fan.

 

Regards,

IFlySky5

 

 

First off, YOU ARE trying to discourage him about doing stuff. your telling him "sorry to burst your bubble, but you aren't going to be doing blah blah blah in any helicopter at 200TT". THAT is DISCOURAGING! why not tell someone something positive. you made this industry sound so bleak and terrible. Yeah, its going to be hard, your going to change your entire lifestyle, give up alot and have to bust your ass to get this done, but it CAN be done. and no I'm not the exception or the rule, that is the whole point of my post. there are no RULES. everyone's story in this industry is different. not many peoples story is exactly the same. if you want to know mine, i can get into it, but what is your story? I bet they aren't the same. . . . . I guarantee you I represent the industry standard of how people get time. and so you can know, I am checked out to do "emergency procedures". I was talking about being a 200 hr pilot. I think my school trust's me now. who the hell says the military does it the right way? I can argue with you about this stuff all day. I have friends with 10,000+ hrs that couldn't teach sh*t. They are amazing pilots who can do anything in a helicopter, but when it comes to teaching or book work, they don't remember sh*t. ask them about performance charts and figures and get the response "i just know my helicopter". not saying all high timers are like this. BUT, alot are. I think you are bass akwards on your ideas of this industry and how people get where they want to be.

 

and just to clarify my feelings, YES I do think most CFI's start instructing around 200TT.

[IFlySky5]

Hi

 

Rotormandan...I am "new" here at VR, but have been flying helicopters for well over 20 years now.

 

I am currently flying a Bell 206B-III for Helicopters Inc. in Memphis, TN

I average about 480 hours a year...and am not a CFI, never been a CFI either

 

In the civilian sector it is indeed the normal way to get your first job.

That doesn't make it right does it?

So there is no need for me too call a school and confirm that they are hiring a low timer to teach another to fly (does the blind leading the blind come to mind?)

Why do they do it?

Well they can pay that grateful new hire CFI a fairly low salary and he is happy to accept it as well.

 

Ask yourself this, do you think you are getting your monies worth when you put up your block money on account and get that 200TT CFI as your instructor. I know I wouldn't be happy drawing him/her...another blunt and non-bs statement on my part! If you are happy with just getting time in a type of helicopter that I suppose you would and could be.

BUT if you are there to truly learn to fly, and not just help that CFI build their time in some distorted reciprocal industry accepted helicopter ride along then get the high time CFI the school has on staff. @ an average of $250.00 or more hourly you need to get the "MOST" for you money!

 

Regards,

IFlySky5

[beckwith]

Sky5 welcome to VR

 

I'm gonna back clay up a little here. My primary instructor is around 500 hours and very good. I flew with a higher time pilot the other day for Autos and the like and he's not as good an instructor. he's a fine pilot but just not a very good educator.

 

It sure would be nice if every instructor out there had a million hours and was committed to training great helicopter pilots also I would like Public School math teachers to all have PHD's and a passion for teaching. Unicorns would be cool too. as far as I can tell two things keep us in the "blind leading the blind" situation one is money. The industry can't bare the burden $800-1000 an hour flight training which is my WAG of what it would cost to pay wages that would retain a high # of CFI's with a lot of hours (maybe someone can firm up those numbers). second is high time pilots* who won't teach. **edited

 

You might also want to clarify what you think the place for low time pilots is? would it be better if we all grabbed our comm rating and boogied off to the GoM at <200hrs? Fire Fighting, EMS, and ENG all less then 1000? and then anyone who survives back to teaching once they are experienced? what's your vision of the perfect training paradigm?

 

 

**for context this was the original

*like you (or at least the way you come off here) you seem to hold all of us low time pilots in such disdain.

Edited March 29, 2009 by beckwith

[rotormandan]

Out of the industry-wide CFI available slots, for you guys to have gotten one @200TT you were the exception and not the rule. Do you really think that most CFI's started teaching @ 200TT?

You better go back and ask your instructors how many hours they had when the landed their first CFI job.

 

The fact in all honesty is that if you think you represent the industry standard for a CFI with or about 200TT you are full of BS, you are the lucky exception so enjoy it.

 

 

Rotormandan...I am "new" here at VR, but have been flying helicopters for well over 20 years now.

 

In the civilian sector it is indeed the normal way to get your first job.

That doesn't make it right does it?

So there is no need for me too call a school and confirm that they are hiring a low timer to teach another to fly (does the blind leading the blind come to mind?)

 

I agree that it doesn't make sense. "Blind leading the blind," is exactly what it is. But it's how the industry is these days. You're telling this guy that there is no way anyone will get a job at 200 hours as a cfi when in fact it's most likely the only job anyone will get at 200 hours. In one post you seem to believe that none of the cfi's out there started at such a low time. You state, "Do you really think that most CFI's started teaching @ 200TT? You better go back and ask your instructors how many hours they had when they landed their first CFI job." I think if one does that the answer they'll most likely get is anywhere between 150 - 300 hours. On the next post you state, "In the civilian sector it is indeed the normal way to get your first job." Ok, so NOW we agree. I'm not arguing that this is how it should be, I'm arguing that you're giving this guy a false idea on what to expect. For someone who has been in the business for 20 years I would have expected a more realistic outlook on what's going on in the industry.

[JDHelicopterPilot]

Sky5 welcome to the forum.

 

I get the jist that your background is in military aviation. If so I commend you for your service.

 

I see your point of view and I do agree somewhat. Yes lower time instructors do pose a higher risk and are somewhat still learning the ropes of the teaching process. However, what choice do we civilian trained pilots have? Could you offer a solution? One that would be affordable for us and at what point do you feel a CFI would have the background you would be confortable with?

 

The fact is many schools do hire 200 hour CFIs. I know you don't agree with that but it is the case. Most schools will mentor new CFIs and work them into things slowly. This also means restricting a CFI from doing EPs, a method I agree with. Never in flying do you want to just jump all in and go. It's good to build up to it. Just because a CFI is restricted doesn't mean they can't perform an autorotation. In fact they are required to complete several full down autorotations on their check ride. It's just a way of easing the new CFI into the position.

 

I may be wrong but I suspect you think that all pilots should be trained by the Military. This is not possible. Many branches can't assure you that you'll be a pilot. Many civilian pilots won't qualifiy or pass a Military medical check(myself included) but that doesn't mean we don't have the ability to fly. It's just a different standard that the Military wants and what the FAA allows.

 

In many ways it not so much the amount of hours you have but your teaching ability and attitude that make the biggest difference. There are plenty of high time pilots who just are not cut out to teach. Former Military pilots included. There are also many low time pilots not cut out to teach.

 

There is no perfect solution. I would much rather get my ratings, move on into some commercial work and later on have the ability to become an instructor. However, that is not the case. Why? Mostly it comes down to insurance companies. They want pilots who are going to be flying larger aircraft and turbine powered aircraft to have more time under their belt. As a result there is a 800 hour gap as most insurance companies want 1000 hours. If a student was to keep flying by renting a helicopter that would be an additional $200,000 on top of the $70,000 they already spent.

 

So, the next best thing and one of the only options is to be a CFI where insurance companies will allow CFIs with 150-200 hours to sign on. Then said pilot will build up their time and can stay or leave if they choose.

 

I also want to point out to you that the same situation exsists in the fixed wing world. There, students go to flight school, become a CFI/CFII then teach and build up time. After that they head to regionals and at some point move on to a major airline. How do you feel about that? The blind teaching the blind may end up being the captain on your next airline flight.

 

It's not a perfect system but it is what it is. The best way to deal with it is to mentor and work with these new pilots rather than complaining about them or the system. That is what these flight schools do and what we do on here at VR. They are just mentoring them along the way. It's true, some schools are better than others and it's up to the prospective student to find one that suits them.

 

Again, welcome to the forum.

 

JD

[IFlySky5]

Hi

 

Look, I guess I am making points that let others look at a situation and draw a conclusion as to whether or not what is being told to this guy is believable or not.

 

The point that is being made seems to elude most who have replied here to my postings.

 

Do you have a written offer of employment with them once you hit that hourly mark?

There is a lot of lip service in the industry, it isn't any different in that way than most other industries as well in this regard.

 

You will encounter it through your flying career, most have in one fashion or another and hopefully have learned from it. Not a line of discouragement...just real life!

 

Please let me say this...I hold no pilot in disdain, I never said anything of the like.

I purely stated I'd favor a higher hour and experienced CFI, who wouldn't?

 

I know I came from a zero time pilot back when myself and I am "NOT" holier than thou!

Chances are you will not (and in my opinion again here, should not) have the same instructor through all of your training. You will like and dislike a variety of things from different CFI's as you progress through training. Some will be excellent instructors and pilots, others will not...or could very will be a mix of both these.

 

The great thing here is we can agree to disagree...no side is absolute!

 

I didn't tell this guy he could come and fly a Robbie as a CFI with 200TT, whoever did was the one who gave him the false idea of what to expect...a written agreement would remove the potential misconception and/or false belief. Telling and a true written formal offer make the difference here.

 

Does anyone disagree that a 500hour CFI is in all likely hood a far cry from a 200hour CFI?

At that level I would expect I am getting a competent and experienced CFI for my time and money.

 

@ Clay it isn't discouraging...it is a possible reality. Why aren't you telling him that? Why not show him the other side of the coin here as well?

If you want it bad enough you wouldn't let a bit of reality discourage you any way! You most likely say..."Well ok that might very well be the case so I'll continue to fly and maybe with another 100 hours and continuing to send out my resume I'll get that job."

Because that is really what it takes...and not just hitting a set hourly mark that someone gave you verbally as the datum to get a CFI job!

 

What happened for the other guy isn't the same as what will happen for the next guy, that is a standard for sure.

If you get your first job as a CFI with 200, you could get one as a commercial pilot with 200 as well...you could get a lot of different scenarios occurring depending upon the who, where and why.

 

My outlook and opinions are just that "mine" and I'll choose to stand on the side of the non-sugar coated smack that is thrown around too loosely these days, since you don't have to honor it, and often won't because it was verbal. Things change and are often misconstrued when it isn't written.

 

Regards,

IFlySky5

 

P.S. thanks for the welcome, it is appreciated!

(edited for the P.S.)

Edited March 26, 2009 by IFlySky5

[RkyMtnHI]

IFlySky5, welcome to VR..

 

this is a great place to gather information.. and it seems that you have a lot to offer, some tho that isn't so current. we are all worrying about our industry at the moment, there are a lot of issues... most that you can learn about by looking in to the past posts here on VR... the last thing we want to do is discourage someone new looking at pursuing their dreams.

 

Clay: good stuff sir!!

 

wow, gone a couple of days and you actually miss me!! how many times to i have to tell you "no old guy jokes!!"

 

i have to say that i especially agree with Clay about the difference in some helo pilots and some instructors, some great pilots just don't make good instructors... in a real world it would be awesome of we had nothing but 5000 hour instructors teaching everyone, instructors that got all those 5000 hours teaching, but that's just not how it is unfortunately.

 

Beckwith: good stuff sir!

 

JD: as usual.. great stuff!!

 

"It's not a perfect system but it is what it is. The best way to deal with it is to mentor and work with these new pilots rather than complaining about them or the system. That is what these flight schools do and what we do on here at VR. They are just mentoring them along the way. It's true, some schools are better than others and it's up to the prospective student to find one that suits them."

 

 

rotorman: as usual, solid stuff!!

 

"You better go back and ask your instructors how many hours they had when they landed their first CFI job." I think if one does that the answer they'll most likely get is anywhere between 150 - 300 hours."

 

this is what i know:

 

Rotors has around 20 instructors, i know ten of the 20 that started at 200 hours teaching. Five of those started UNDER the 200 hour mark., if anything the numbers are conservative (meaning that more of the 20 started at 200 or under).

 

Sky5, if you have been in the industry for 20 years, then you probably knew instructors with LESS time than that (civilian) around the beginning of your training, it has gotten better with time.

 

as Beckwith said, some instructors are better at stuff than others, even some of the lower time guys are better at autos than some of the higher time guys.. doesn't matter, the insurance says who does autos and when.. (and it's prudent to keep a couple of instructors doing the more complex stuff on a regular basis.. just makes sense to keep them doing what they do).

 

I realize that Rotors is not your usual school when it comes to hiring instructors, i will try to give you a rough idea about how they have hired during my 1.5 years of training there (yeah, im slow, so what! ).

 

I have seen around 12 instructors in the past year raise up to teach from the ranks of students at Rotors, i have seen only ONE, that is ONE (1) that was not allowed to teach there after reaching his CFI, he was young and distracted (albeit one of the best sticks i have ever seen). Now it's true, that the new guys don't start out with a lot of students, but after a few months and some hard work, they end up with a fairly full schedule if they want it. (remember that most of those new instructors started at 200 hours or under).

 

I have seen about 8 or 10 CFI's go on to work in the industry, from 620 hours to 1200 hours over the same time.

 

The guys that were focused and didn't listen to the people saying "it can't be done", are now living their dreams as a helicopter pilot.

 

i don't intend (ever) to stir stuff up, just want everyone to know that if they want it bad enough it can be done... and this forum is the best place i know to get good, solid, information.. we try to keep it positive as well.

 

aloha,

 

dp

 

 

ps i also wanted to add and forgot, if you are doing anything, or considering any training or helicopter related stuff in California.. you simply cannot go wrong with discussing it with Goldy.. he is solid as a rock, knows the operators and will not steer you wrong.

[IFlySky5]

Hi RkyMtnHI,

 

Thanks for the welcome!

 

I've asked around and hunted over the past 24 hours and honestly haven't found a job posting for a CFI with less than 400 (one of seven posted) the others all wanted a minimum 500. I'll let the posted job offers speak for the state of CFI hiring requirements currently. Doubt these numbers? Look at the Helicopter Jobs offered here on VR and at Just Helicopters.

 

I can't say I personally knew a CFI with 200TT that was hired, I will earnestly ask around and find if I can find one. I don't doubt that they exist, after hearing what I've been told directly within this forum that the slots are out there for them.

 

If presenting the current state in a actual light is discouraging, well I didn't make it that way...just seeing it for what it currently is.

And as I said before, if one guy tells you what you take as a discouraging statement you'll have a tough time in learning to fly and a career in the helicopter industry. There are many who are more blunt and less tactful than I...that is for sure!

 

Regardless thanks for the welcome it is appreciated!

 

And while this doesn't directly reference the 200TT CFI thread I can't help but link to this thread:

How much would you sacrafice for a flying job?

 

Regards,

IFlySky5

Edited March 27, 2009 by IFlySky5

[beckwith]

sky5

 

first off apologies, I seem to have jumped to some unfounded conclusions about your intentions.

 

I see where you are coming from I also spend a lot of time looking at the online job postings and if that was the only thing I was seeing it would certainly be discouraging to me. I'm guessing that you don't spend a lot of time around flight schools though? The environment around Rotors that dp described matches with what I see and a number of people on this board have described similar success on this board. Sure none of the CFI's at rotors or here are rolling in cash and driving Ferraris but they are flying helicopters. I have a toyota with 250 thousand miles on it and for the last few years I have lived in tents for $60 a day working in outdoor education and taught at a ski area where I break even three out of six months of the season and lose money two of the others.

 

dp. Thanks buddy, good stuff as well.

 

An old professor here at the Colorado School of Mines told me the other day that he always tells students that they shouldn't study something they don't love. He said that if all you are trying to do is make money you should go sell drugs.