PilotFirefighter Posted June 21, 2009 Report Share Posted June 21, 2009 Hey guys. I need some of your ideas and advice if you can even though I can probably guess what some answers will be like. For those of you that don't know me or all, I'm Colby, 20/m/Arkansas. I'm a fixed-wing pilot with about 150 hours and been flying since age 14. I love helicopters and flying is definitely my main career. My current job is I'm a Correctional Officer at a prison. Unfortuantely for me, the nearest flight school was in St. Louis, over 5 hours away! Recently a helicopter tour business opened in Branson, Mo. Well, I also found out they do flight training. So in the past month or so I've done a little flying. I've got 4.2 hours, 0.8 is from a intro flight in Texas last summer in a Schweizer 300. The other time is in a R-44. I plan to do my private add-on then jump to my commercial. I'm paying $450/hour dual. The owner has no financing what soever. I'm trying with a local bank to get like $10,000 but because I have a great credit score but no credit to show for it, kind of hard to get. But then if I'm going to get my comm. immediately after wouldn't it be better to get a larger amount all together? As much as I hate to say it I've thought about SallieMae even thought not a good idea. But I can't anyway since I see in order to get one of their loans they have to be set up with the school, correct? I know right now I have a good job, and definitely job security but it'll take forever to save up and just fly when I can. I want to hit it hard and get it done. I was told if I was a good enough pilot, I'd be hired. I just get bored with my job and tired of the crap knowing what I really want to do is in the sky. So I've just been flying on what money I have for the time being. I've tried doing all kinds of research for possibilities of funds for it but we all know what that's like for this career field. Like I said I just want to do it and get it done, only thing that's stopping me is not having the money. Any type of advice or comments is greatly appreciated! Thank you all for your time, Colby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rotormandan Posted June 21, 2009 Report Share Posted June 21, 2009 only thing that's stopping me is not having the money. Heard that line before. My first suggestion would be to try to train in a r22 or 300 and cut that cost almost in half. Other than that good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chopperjess Posted June 21, 2009 Report Share Posted June 21, 2009 If you're not below the weight and balance in the R22, you might want to work and try and get down to it. The R22 will end up being only 250/hr or so. A lot more CFI jobs out there training in a 300 or an R22 rather than an R44. Mostly because it's cheaper. That'd be my first step. And save your money while you're getting your weight down. I saved for a year before going into my Private license. I flew part time for a year and a half and paid as I went. I'm doing that now with commercial/IFR/CFI etc. My personal opinion is if you can cut things back, and pay out of pocket it'll be better in the long run. You won't be desperate for a job when your loan comes up to start paying. My two cents. Goodluck to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apiaguy Posted June 21, 2009 Report Share Posted June 21, 2009 get your head out of the clouds (sky) and keep your day job. You think you have no money right now to spend on what you want... just wait til you're a helicopter pilot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PilotFirefighter Posted June 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2009 I understand. Well, I'd have a better chance getting a heli job then continuing my fixed-wing and trying to get time for a job. I would do the 22 but they don't have one! In the long run doing the R-44 would make you more marketable in my opinion. Colby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeschmoeheli Posted June 21, 2009 Report Share Posted June 21, 2009 . I would do the 22 but they don't have one! In the long run doing the R-44 would make you more marketable in my opinion. Colby Yeah, but doing BOTH would make you twice as marketable. Get your private in R22, instrument in R44, Commercial in either and CFI in R22. If you weigh under 200 lbs this is the option I would recommend. Either way, get 50 hrs in R-22 so you can teach in it. If they don't have an R22 find somewhere that does. How far are you from Wichita? THere is a school there with an R22. Bristow in Louisiana might be an option too Flying only in the R44 will limit you greatly in the job search. Other advice, be patient, take your time. THere is no rush to get done right now because the job market sucks. Try to pay for as much of it as you can without loans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RkyMtnHI Posted June 21, 2009 Report Share Posted June 21, 2009 Hey Colby, Welcome to the world of helicopters.. you will love it. You have made a great first step being a part of this forum. Spend some time here and search any question you have as it's probably been covered. I think this is the best resource in the industry for information. So, you nailed the first step, now for the second; NEVER, AT ANY TIME SHOULD YOU GIVE A FLIGHT SCHOOL A LOT OF MONEY!! I would say $5k is a good limit. You should seriously look into training at an altitude above 5000'. You can research why on this and other forums.. but to give you and idea the Border Patrol has a 1500 hour hiring minimum... unless you trained at high altitude and that minimum could be cut in half. There are high altitude schools in Utah, New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado (sorry if i left anyone out). That being said, i think there is a school in Searcy that has a couple of helos, they also do gyrocopter training which could save you some money. My dad lives in Cabot and i have been to the school. good luck, and never give up.. aloha, dp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PilotFirefighter Posted June 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2009 Wichita is a long ways. There is nowhere close except what I'm doing right now. They are planning to get a R-22 last I heard who knows when that could be. I was told I'd have to do a transition into that helicopter and that it's so versatile and the hobbs starts as soon as you start it. RkyMtnHI, Searcy is a little ways away. I just looked at the site, they have a Bell 47 and a R-44. I think by the time I'd drive to Searcy and pay that it'd be just cheaper to still train in Branson. Guys, I'm in the Civil Air Patrol and fly a Cessna 172 for $28/hour and then I pay for fuel, so roughly $70 an hour. I was hitting my instrument hard back in the fall and then just got to one of those give up plateaus. I could always continue my fixed-wing then just do the add-ons for the helicopters just as I'm doing now with the private. Colby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chopperjess Posted June 21, 2009 Report Share Posted June 21, 2009 How about finishing your fixed wing ratings, getting a job as a fixed winger, and flying helicopters for fun? Always an option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hedge36 Posted June 21, 2009 Report Share Posted June 21, 2009 Forget Sallie Mae - that's not happening anymore, at least for a good long while. I moved here for a couple of reasons, not the least of which being that I'd heard great things about my school. Being in a cash slump, it kills me to be under the downwind leg of the pattern watching the 300s overhead all day long, but I'm busting my ass at my day job so I can set aside a goodly chunk of cash with which I intend to keep flying... everything that's not bolted down is sold, no furniture, nuthin' A stressful time to be sure, but every time I climb into the helo I suddenly forget what kind of hassles it took to get into that cockpit to begin with. These days, if you want it bad enough you just have to make it happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshroyse.com Posted June 25, 2009 Report Share Posted June 25, 2009 Ever considered the 'street to seat' program for the Army? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam32 Posted June 25, 2009 Report Share Posted June 25, 2009 Dude, your a Correctional Officer and you don't have any money?? Take a hard look at what your spending your money on, then look into flight school and how much the average heli pilot makes then compare it to what you make now... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auto360 Posted June 26, 2009 Report Share Posted June 26, 2009 If I may pipe in. I was 26 years old when I knew that I wanted to fly but no money. At the time I drove over the road but I was a poor saver of money. (So many other interest)Anyway, got a job overseas and I now have the money for school saved up, though because of the market I have decided to keep working and save more rather than going to school right now. The job pays well and I will ride it out a little longer even though I hate it.So, you have a couple choices. Driving an 18 wheeler over-the-road is a good way to save money. Get rid of your bills, pack everything up and put it in storage and then go and save as money as you can.Or-Get a job overseas that pays well. I can assure you that it is not easy and there were times that I was planning on giving up but I know what I want to do. But, nothing truely worth doing comes easy. You have to work for what you want.I'm 35 now so it has taken a while but it will all be worth it. There has not been a day in 9 years that I have not thought about flying. It was just a matter of having a little discipline and keeping the dream alive. Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PilotFirefighter Posted June 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2009 Again, I work for the State of Arkansas, we aren't paid that greatly. Each unit is on a different tier paid level. I save what money I can, and use what I have on bills, etc. Other than that I'm currently just using what I have for flying. But in order to remain consistent I will run out soon yo know. I'll get it figured out and get it done one way. Thank you guys, Colby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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