Question about training path

[aviation.miller]

I am an airline pilot that is interested in shifting gears and pursuing a helo career. I have zero helicopter time and was kind of weighting the options.

 

It seems that regardless of time spent to get ratings, that ultimately you need 300 hours to instruct and timebuild anyhow so that essentially regardless of performance you must pay for 300 hours of flight time.

 

I am pretty unfamiliar with helicopter training, etc... So I was wondering if this is just how everyone does it... pays for 300 hours of flight time and then applies for flight instructor possitions...

 

Any insight would be helpful.

 

Thanks

[H/V]

Hello Aviation Miller,

 

You only need the 200 hours Helicopter PIC time if you want to instruct in Robinson R-22's due to SFAR 73 (yes, that cost adds up). If you want to instruct in anything other than Robinson's (Schweizer's, Bell 47's), you only need approximately 60-70 hours MINIMUM to get your CFI. The R-22's are the most common trainer because they are inexpensive, but the Schweizer 269/300 is the second most popular and perhaps the most preferred trainer by many.

 

Here's the SFAR 73 link:

http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance...74?OpenDocument

 

I just added-on my helicopter ratings from fixed wing at Ace Pilot Training in Allentown, PA (which I have been flying for 16 years). I started in Helicopters January 1, 2009 and now up to my CFI within 3.5 months and 72 hours in Schweizer 300CBi's (and that's with 4 weeks of no flying due to personal business!). In my opinion (and the opinion of many flight schools/companies around the country), the Schweizer is by far the safest and most versatile trainer on the market.

 

Total cost for my Helicopter Add-on Private, Commercial, Instrument & CFI Initial= $23,000. As you well know, I studied my tail off and flew every other day to do it for that cost, but it is very possible to achieve your ratings for around the same figure. Most people can't achieve that cost/time figure unless they put their head down and fly/study on a regular basis (multiple flights/week). I must emphasize again, the more you fly/study the faster and more affordable you can accomplish your ratings. Some people will naturally take longer/shorter times to learn the material and you must be prepared to spend more if necessary.

 

Ace Pilot Training has an Add-On Helicopter Program that will cost you far less than many others and will give you experience that will make you a competent and safe helicopter pilot. Ace Pilot Training is located at KABE (Allentown Lehigh Valley Int'l, a Class C without delays), only 1 hour drive from New York City, 1 hour from the NJ Shore, and minutes away from the Pocono ski slopes. The location allows students to be trained in NYC Class B (Busiest Airspace in the world), NYC Hudson Corridor, Philadelphia Class B and Pocono Mountains for Mountain Ops which covers ALL of the bases which enables students to master the art of flying the Helicopter. Their fleet consists of VFR & IFR Trainer Schweizer 300 CBi's. They also have clean, comfortable low cost apartments available for students in case you wanted to relocate and knock off those ratings in minimum time/cost. M1 Foreign students are popular as well.

 

Visit their website at: http://acepilot.com/

Here are the program cost links: http://acepilot.com/services/index.html

 

If you have any other questions email James at acehelischool@gmail.com

 

Tell them H/V sent you.

 

-H/V

[helonorth]

You should be able to get all your ratings in around a hundred hours or less. I worked with an

airline pilot with very little helicopter time and was insurable (everyone is insurable for a price).

He was even flying a 206 part time for ENG with less helicopter time than myself (jealous)!

My advice: stick with airplanes for a job, have fun with helicopters on your time off and avoid the R-22 (SFAR and Pathfinder insurance is an unnecessary burden).

Edited April 14, 2009 by helonorth

[Goldy]

You should be able to get all your ratings in around a hundred hours or less. I worked with an

airline pilot with very little helicopter time and was insurable (everyone is insurable for a price).

He was even flying a 206 part time for ENG with less helicopter time than myself (jealous)!

My advice: stick with airplanes for a job, have fun with helicopters on your time off and avoid the R-22 (SFAR and Pathfinder insurance is an unnecessary burden).

 

 

Just to paint a picture of the other side of the coin:

 

Who cares if you get a rating in 30 hours or 60 ? You will probably need somewhere up from 75 hours to feel pretty comfortable flying friends and family around anyway. You can have all your ratings but that doesnt make you a solid pilot. So, I guess what I am saying is go fly helicopters, have fun, get rated when your ready to take each step, and forget about saving 10 hours here or there.

 

Oh, I happen to like the fact that I trained in the 22. I don't particularly like to fly it now, kinda like moving to a VW bug from a Rolls....but hey, when all you have is that VW, you love it to death. Oh yeah, teaches you some good W&B and power management as well.

 

Goldy

[brushfire21]

Don't get me started on the -22, other than its faster than a 300 and it might burn a little less fuel, more hours between TBO's on the engine etc. But still prefer the old schweizer actually, no low-g (SFAR crap) and I can look up and to the rear if I want!

 

Maybe we should go train in 333/334's!!!!!

[Goldy]

Don't get me started on the -22, other than its faster than a 300 and it might burn a little less fuel, more hours between TBO's on the engine etc. But still prefer the old schweizer actually, no low-g (SFAR crap) and I can look up and to the rear if I want!

 

Maybe we should go train in 333/334's!!!!!

 

Yeah, me likes flying that 333. The 434 is just coming out now, so far none being shipped into the US that I know of. Poland, Saudi Arabia, but no US ships....wonder who will be the first !!?

[rotorrodent]

I am an airline pilot that is interested in shifting gears and pursuing a helo career. I have zero helicopter time and was kind of weighting the options.

 

It seems that regardless of time spent to get ratings, that ultimately you need 300 hours to instruct and timebuild anyhow so that essentially regardless of performance you must pay for 300 hours of flight time.

 

I am pretty unfamiliar with helicopter training, etc... So I was wondering if this is just how everyone does it... pays for 300 hours of flight time and then applies for flight instructor possitions...

 

Any insight would be helpful.

 

Thanks

 

If you like, please PM me and I can fill you in on the details of what you are wanting to do. I have specific intel for your situation.

 

cheers

 

rotorrodent