Jason Paterson Posted July 23, 2009 Posted July 23, 2009 So I'm seriously considering starting my career as a helicopter pilot. Its always been a dream of mine to do so. I never thought It might happen due to the step price tag! But in these past few years I've been fortunate enough to get a decent paying job and I've been saving like crazy to have enough in the bank to realistically be able to go to start training (I still really don't know exactly how much it costs). I was wondering if anyone could give me a few tips... When you sign up for helicopter school is it a full time endeavor? Do you go to school everyday? Or do most people keep their day job or maybe a part time job? How much money should you have saved up before going to school? (I know that question has many variables, and I'm sure quite a few different things depend, but in your opinion how much?) Are there any important questions I should ask when I meet someone from a school for the first time? Is there maybe a book I could read that maybe has some basic helicopter information that might help me down the road that I could read before attending school? And lastly I noticed on the forum index that the College of the Sequoias Aviation sponsors this board. That's actually the school closest to me (only 30 minutes) it would be great to stay local while learning to fly. Has anyone been to or heard good things about them? I actually filled out their email form and haven't heard back yet. Maybe someone has some contact info or know about where exactly the school is located (I couldn't find it last time I was at the airport) Thanks for any help. Quote
DieselBoy Posted July 24, 2009 Posted July 24, 2009 Start by reading the Rotorcraft Flying Handbook, sorry I don't have the link but it can be found here or on the FAA website in PDF format. You can also read the Stickys at the top of this forum, tons of info and links. The schools I know of are all self paced and you schedule yourself for the the days you want to go. The total cost depends on numerous factors but should end up around $60k - 70k for a CFII. Loans are not easy to get for this training. Good luck Quote
kodoz Posted July 24, 2009 Posted July 24, 2009 Or do most people keep their day job or maybe a part time job? Are there any important questions I should ask when I meet someone from a school for the first time? Is there maybe a book I could read that maybe has some basic helicopter information that might help me down the road that I could read before attending school? #1: Keeping your day job is an excellent idea right now, but most people will tell you that it's also important to fly frequently (3+ times per week at the minimum). I went to part time status at work while I did my training. #2: "Will you promise on your mother's name to hire me when I'm done? If not, with 900+ unemployed CFIs already out there and the banks doling out loans like the pope drops F-bombs at Sunday mass, what are my chances of finding a job that will get me to 1000 hours and a professional pilot position?" Save that question for last, and let us know what responses you get. #3: [Link] to some books...all the FAA books can be found online for free. Starting on the knowledge part before you get flying, I think, is a good idea. Not everything will make sense, but you're flying can easily outpace your ground. Quote
Goldy Posted July 24, 2009 Posted July 24, 2009 (I still really don't know exactly how much it costs). I was wondering if anyone could give me a few tips... Run like hell....thats my tip ! Ok, you still here reading? I warned you, just wait till you start flying, more addictive than the worst drug and its LEGAL ! Figure on 10-12K for your private in an R22. I used to have a website filled with money saving tips...aol dismembered it (thanks aol)...just read the forum, we've talked about how to save money on training many many times. Commercial requires more time, figure somewhere between 75 and 100 more PIC hours after your private. In an R22 that will cost you say $250 an hour (safe number). So there goes another 25K...then you just go up from there ! Again, you can do it cheaper. You can do your own ground school training for one. You can minimize time with the CFI if you study a bit harder. You can make your first 3 or 4 flights in a flight sim...HIGHLY RECOMMENDED...then when you get behind the cyclic you'll be a step ahead. Since you didnt take my advice, good luck in training ! Goldy Quote
adam32 Posted July 24, 2009 Posted July 24, 2009 And lastly I noticed on the forum index that the College of the Sequoias Aviation sponsors this board. That's actually the school closest to me (only 30 minutes) it would be great to stay local while learning to fly. Has anyone been to or heard good things about them? I actually filled out their email form and haven't heard back yet. Maybe someone has some contact info or know about where exactly the school is located (I couldn't find it last time I was at the airport) Thanks for any help. Tulare Airport (Blue Sky Aviation) and Paso Robles... Quote
BOATFIXERGUY Posted July 24, 2009 Posted July 24, 2009 Run like hell....thats my tip ! Ok, you still here reading? I warned you, just wait till you start flying, more addictive than the worst drug and its LEGAL ! Goldy Exactly! But, WE ALL LOVE IT!!! Despite the negatives, its the most rewarding career in my opinion. Even when you are having a bad day, it all goes away as soon as you hit the start button and the smell of burnt jet fuel envelopes the aircraft! Welcome to the forum and best wishes!john Quote
crashed_05 Posted July 24, 2009 Posted July 24, 2009 Are there any important questions I should ask when I meet someone from a school for the first time? Go to Mountain Air Helicopters' website and click on the Q&A link on the left. They have a ton of great questions to ask any flight school. http://www.mtnairheli.com/ Quote
mrjibbs Posted July 24, 2009 Posted July 24, 2009 and make sure the school you are planning to attend is busy enough to stay in business throughout your training. Many, many smaller schools are struggling very hard right now to stay in business with the state of the financing market and are shutting their doors one after the other. Do alot of research before you attend any school. Google search their name, the owners name, the tail numbers, look for any glaring negatives that might lead you to believe they may be going out of business in the near future. Quote
RkyMtnHI Posted July 25, 2009 Posted July 25, 2009 First, welcome to our addiction... second, read this topic: http://helicopterforum.verticalreference.c...showtopic=10871 third, just in case you miss it.. NEVER, EVER GIVE A FLIGHT SCHOOL A LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY. Aloha, dp Quote
goromadgo Posted July 25, 2009 Posted July 25, 2009 10-12k for PPL? That sounds LOW! I got my PPL in an R22 at 62 hours, somewhat low hours compared to the "average" 80 hours, breezed through ground and it still cost me a hair under 20k! A word of advice is the school quotes FAA MINIMUMS! Most people require more time than this so quotes they give are going to be the low end of the spectrum. I'm sure I'll be closer to 70-75k compared to the 60-65k minimum I was quoted. Also, I was flying and doing ground EVERYDAY in conjunction with a full time job and it took about 2 months to knock out my PPL. HIGHLY recommended that you go often, especially when you start out. It will save you money and a ton of frustration. Ask how you will build hours after you get your CFI/CFII done. Do they hire students back on? Most places don't guarantee this so consider how you are going to go from that to your 1000 hour job. The Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge is another good on in addition to what they have mentioned here. I'd ask the schools you are looking at which books they use so you can get them and study. Will save you some money so you aren't purchasing entry level books after you read a different set, like I did. Good luck! Run like hell....thats my tip ! Ok, you still here reading? I warned you, just wait till you start flying, more addictive than the worst drug and its LEGAL ! Figure on 10-12K for your private in an R22. I used to have a website filled with money saving tips...aol dismembered it (thanks aol)...just read the forum, we've talked about how to save money on training many many times. Commercial requires more time, figure somewhere between 75 and 100 more PIC hours after your private. In an R22 that will cost you say $250 an hour (safe number). So there goes another 25K...then you just go up from there ! Again, you can do it cheaper. You can do your own ground school training for one. You can minimize time with the CFI if you study a bit harder. You can make your first 3 or 4 flights in a flight sim...HIGHLY RECOMMENDED...then when you get behind the cyclic you'll be a step ahead. Since you didnt take my advice, good luck in training ! Goldy Quote
Goldy Posted July 25, 2009 Posted July 25, 2009 10-12k for PPL? That sounds LOW! I got my PPL in an R22 at 62 hours, somewhat low hours compared to the "average" 80 hours, breezed through ground and it still cost me a hair under 20k! $20,000.00 / 62 = 322.58 per hour ??????? Were you in a 22, or a 407? 20K sounds a bit high. Say 25 hours dual before you solo, so thats 25x250 or so= 625025 hours solo work so thats 25x225 or so= 5625Another remaining 12 hours dual getting ready for ck ride= 12x250=3000Another grand for the checkride, books, exam fee totals 15,875.00 I guess if you paid another 25 an hour for groundschool and did that for 40 hours or so, you would get close to 17K. Like I said, I used to have a great site with ideas to save money on your training. I think 60-75 hours is a good estimate to get ready for your private, unless you fart around like I did initially. I never understood where the FAA came up with the 40 hour min. I've never met a 40 hour private rotary pilot although several on the board claim to be. It is important to stress that, since most training websites base their fees on the 40 hr minimums. Anyway Jason, have fun spending your money! Goldy Quote
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