superstallion6113 Posted October 4, 2011 Report Share Posted October 4, 2011 New guy here,name is Tony. Just signed up a few minutes ago. Came here to look for info about a career as a helicopter pilot, knowing inside it's what I want to do. after being a helicopter mechanic for the last 9 years, and finding out I can use my Post 9-11 GI Bill to pay for flight training, I've decided to take the brave plunge of a slight career change to be a pilot instead of a mechanic. I'm to start school at Guidance Helicopters and Yavapai Community College in Prescott, AZ this January, less than 3 months away. Been planning this since May. I currently work for Sikorsky Aircraft as a quality assurance flightline inspector. It's a big step quiting a well paying full time job, and dragging the wife and dog 2700 miles to go to school full time, but I'm ready for the challenge, and looking forward to it. Advice is welcome. Thanks! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r22butters Posted October 4, 2011 Report Share Posted October 4, 2011 Go to a school where you can keep that well paying job while training,...you're gonna need it! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainDune Posted October 4, 2011 Report Share Posted October 4, 2011 Nice man, I'm over in AZ also. You will really enjoy it over here I think. Let me know if you need any help settling in or questions about the area. I'll be more than happy to help. @Butters, quit being so negative with some of these guys, its unnecessary. Just because you can't find work w/o any type of instructor ratings doesn't mean there isn't jobs out there for people with all 5 ratings, trust me. He will also receive the GI Bill money as well as not having to pay for the training itself. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helistar Posted October 4, 2011 Report Share Posted October 4, 2011 Congrats... Prescott is an awesome place to attend school... Small town with an excellent community college, plus Embry-Riddle's there if you choose to pursue a 4 year degree and if your family loves the outdoors, then you'll be in heaven... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r22butters Posted October 4, 2011 Report Share Posted October 4, 2011 @Butters, quit being so negative with some of these guys, its unnecessary. Just because you can't find work w/o any type of instructor ratings doesn't mean there isn't jobs out there for people with all 5 ratings, trust me. He will also receive the GI Bill money as well as not having to pay for the training itself. Telling a guy to not quit his day job is not being negative,...its being practical! Just because I give someone advice, doesn't mean I'm complaining about not finding work myself! I couldn't give a rats furry ass about working as a pilot, anymore! 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aggturn Posted October 4, 2011 Report Share Posted October 4, 2011 Congrats on starting your training! I'm sure you'll love it. You will have an advantage getting a job if you hold an A&P and a commercial pilot cert. I'm not in any position to give advice as I am fighting though the low time battle myself, however I would say jump at opportunities even if it takes a lot of time and effort. Plan ahead to try to get an instruction or helicopter tours job after your training. Good luck!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superstallion6113 Posted October 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2011 I'll be using the 9/11 GI bill, which will cover 100% of my tuition, plus pay $1420 per month in housing allowance. I'll be fine quoting my day job. I'll have my private, commercial, instrument, CFI, and CFII ratings, as well as some turbine hrs in an MD500. part of their new R44 training program. They have a 200lb weight restriction for the 22, which is why I'll be doing the 44 program. Guidance only hired students from their graduating classes to become flight instructors, so I'm told, which is what I'm shooting for to build hours. I don't have my A&P yet, but I do have my authorization to test, and am currently studying to take the tests next month. My long term goal is to become a pilot for US CBP, but heli logging, forest fire fighting, or anything that involves a high optempo. I love the outdoors, and having a lifted 4dr JK Rubicon on 37" tires and longarms, I'm looking forward to the wheeling opportunities out there. The east coast sucks if you like rock crawling in a Jeep. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whiteshadow Posted October 4, 2011 Report Share Posted October 4, 2011 superstallion, sounds like you really know how it all works. Have you gotten your GI Bill 100% straight though? I only ask because I have been in school since August, and have had some hiccups. I'm the only guy in my class who isn't flying yet. A couple of reasons: 1. The VA thought I was still in the Army, so got that squared away 2. The school is expensive, and if the semester costs more than 12k, they require additional signatures before your funds are sent to the school. If you suspect that you are running into either of these, call right away. They can fix the status for you pretty quick; that is, if they aren't up to speed on you being separated. The other, you just have to sit back and wait. Hopefully soon for me, I have some catching up to do! Good luck brother! whiteshadow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superstallion6113 Posted October 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2011 superstallion, sounds like you really know how it all works. Have you gotten your GI Bill 100% straight though? I only ask because I have been in school since August, and have had some hiccups. I'm the only guy in my class who isn't flying yet. A couple of reasons: 1. The VA thought I was still in the Army, so got that squared away 2. The school is expensive, and if the semester costs more than 12k, they require additional signatures before your funds are sent to the school. If you suspect that you are running into either of these, call right away. They can fix the status for you pretty quick; that is, if they aren't up to speed on you being separated. The other, you just have to sit back and wait. Hopefully soon for me, I have some catching up to do! Good luck brother! whiteshadow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superstallion6113 Posted October 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2011 I still have to get ahold of the VA to make sure everything is gtg. I spent 37 min waiting on the phone yesterday and got nobody. I'll def make sure everything is good before I head out there. Gotta love the VA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parafiddle Posted October 5, 2011 Report Share Posted October 5, 2011 SuperStallion,Good luck with the VA. Be persistent! I called them a few weeks ago and the first person I got was pretty much useless. When I called back to ask another question I got someone different who was extremely helpful and spent a lot of time explaining the whole GI Bill thing and flight training and what could and couldn't be done and the best way to achieve my goals. Go figure.... Whiteshadow,Looking at starting at Aims CC in Fall 2012. Interested in talking to you about it. PM sent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainDune Posted October 5, 2011 Report Share Posted October 5, 2011 I'll be using the 9/11 GI bill, which will cover 100% of my tuition, plus pay $1420 per month in housing allowance. I'll be fine quoting my day job. I'll have my private, commercial, instrument, CFI, and CFII ratings, as well as some turbine hrs in an MD500. part of their new R44 training program. They have a 200lb weight restriction for the 22, which is why I'll be doing the 44 program. Guidance only hired students from their graduating classes to become flight instructors, so I'm told, which is what I'm shooting for to build hours. I don't have my A&P yet, but I do have my authorization to test, and am currently studying to take the tests next month. My long term goal is to become a pilot for US CBP, but heli logging, forest fire fighting, or anything that involves a high optempo. I love the outdoors, and having a lifted 4dr JK Rubicon on 37" tires and longarms, I'm looking forward to the wheeling opportunities out there. The east coast sucks if you like rock crawling in a Jeep. Theres a few of us over here that do some wheelin. One of the IPs has a pretty insane Jeep that he takes out pretty often over in the Sedona area. PM me when you get into town! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainDune Posted October 5, 2011 Report Share Posted October 5, 2011 @ Telling a guy to not quit his day job is not being negative,...its being practical! Just because I give someone advice, doesn't mean I'm complaining about not finding work myself! I couldn't give a rats furry ass about working as a pilot, anymore! When you tell someone to not quit their day job you are implying they may not excell at what they are trying to do or that they need to keep a safety net in case of failure. I'm not sure how something like that can be anything but negative. Thats why its a phrase people use commonly, for instance friend #1 is singing a song offkey, friend #2 says don't quit your day job.Friend #2 definitely meant that as just good solid advice with no underlying tones, right? Anyway, sorry for the thread hijack OP. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superstallion6113 Posted October 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2011 Theres a few of us over here that do some wheelin. One of the IPs has a pretty insane Jeep that he takes out pretty often over in the Sedona area. PM me when you get into town! Sweet! Will do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r22butters Posted October 5, 2011 Report Share Posted October 5, 2011 When you tell someone to not quit their day job you are implying they may not excell at what they are trying to do or that they need to keep a safety net in case of failure. I'm not sure how something like that can be anything but negative. Actually, my original comment was this: Go to a school where you can keep that well paying job while training,...you're gonna need it! ...which translates to; Finding a job will be difficult, and when/if you do, you still won't be making "jack-sh*t", so going to a school closer to home, so you can keep your well paying job, is a very good idea! If my original comment was the sarcastic;...Don't quit your day job!", then I could see your point,...but it wasn't! Even with a housing allowance, I still say he should keep his job, and train locally! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superstallion6113 Posted October 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2011 Actually, my original comment was this: ...which translates to; Finding a job will be difficult, and when/if you do, you still won't be making "jack-sh*t", so going to a school closer to home, so you can keep your well paying job, is a very good idea! If my original comment was the sarcastic;...Don't quit your day job!", then I could see your point,...but it wasn't! Even with a housing allowance, I still say he should keep his job, and train locally! I don't have the option to keep my day job. There are no helicopter flight schools in my area. And I need one that is 100% covered by the post 9-11 GI bill. Plus I'm tired of living on the east coast. Plus I hear Guidance is a great school, plus there is a high probability of me working for them as a mechanic while I'm going to school. Either way, a full time school schedule just isn't possible while working 50hrs per week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Posted October 6, 2011 Report Share Posted October 6, 2011 I don't have the option to keep my day job. There are no helicopter flight schools in my area. And I need one that is 100% covered by the post 9-11 GI bill. Plus I'm tired of living on the east coast. Plus I hear Guidance is a great school, plus there is a high probability of me working for them as a mechanic while I'm going to school. Either way, a full time school schedule just isn't possible while working 50hrs per week.Getting on as a Wrench with the flight school is a good call. This will allow you to prove your value to the company which hopefully leads to a CFI gig once you finish training. If they cannot offer you a mechanic spot, then try every other helicopter operator in the vicinity, and if that fails, then hit up the fixed wing operators. You should be able to find something somewhere. Furthermore, don’t worry about working and training simultaneously. Realistically, a normal training day should take about half of your day at the most (short of a full time ground school). That means a part-time job is doable and highly recommended. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
palmfish Posted October 6, 2011 Report Share Posted October 6, 2011 Getting on as a Wrench with the flight school is a good call. This will allow you to prove your value to the company which hopefully leads to a CFI gig once you finish training. If they cannot offer you a mechanic spot, then try every other helicopter operator in the vicinity, and if that fails, then hit up the fixed wing operators. You should be able to find something somewhere. Furthermore, don’t worry about working and training simultaneously. Realistically, a normal training day should take about half of your day at the most (short of a full time ground school). That means a part-time job is doable and highly recommended. I agree completely. Plus I'll add, if you can't get on as a mechanic with anyone at the airport, consider a line job pumping fuel, wiping windscreens, etc. Anything where you can develop relationships with the schools, FBO's, and pilots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whiteshadow Posted October 6, 2011 Report Share Posted October 6, 2011 Parafiddle, got your pm, sent one back. Glad to help any way I can. Get a hold of me! whiteshadow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EOD HELI Posted October 7, 2011 Report Share Posted October 7, 2011 Congrats on finding a school! I just finished my helicopter training at Palm Beach Helicopters using my Post 911 GI Bill. I had some previous college credits so I was able to finish my degree in 3 semesters and get my PPL through CFII in a little over a year. Let me know if you have any questions about the program. I know we are going to different schools but I might still be able to help. Congrats again! EOD Heli Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainDune Posted October 7, 2011 Report Share Posted October 7, 2011 Getting on as a Wrench with the flight school is a good call. This will allow you to prove your value to the company which hopefully leads to a CFI gig once you finish training. If they cannot offer you a mechanic spot, then try every other helicopter operator in the vicinity, and if that fails, then hit up the fixed wing operators. You should be able to find something somewhere. Furthermore, don’t worry about working and training simultaneously. Realistically, a normal training day should take about half of your day at the most (short of a full time ground school). That means a part-time job is doable and highly recommended. Yes to all this. I had a full time job during my training. I was a busy guy but I got it done, so it's doable if you like the extra spending money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldy Posted October 8, 2011 Report Share Posted October 8, 2011 plus there is a high probability of me working for them as a mechanic while I'm going to school. Getting experience working on smaller civilian helicopters will pay off. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crashed_05 Posted October 13, 2011 Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 I moved 2700 miles away also for my training from Pennsylvania to Oregon. Was well worth it, as I just started working as a flight instructor. What squadron were you with...I was a CH46 crewchief with HMM-264. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superstallion6113 Posted October 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 I moved 2700 miles away also for my training from Pennsylvania to Oregon. Was well worth it, as I just started working as a flight instructor. What squadron were you with...I was a CH46 crewchief with HMM-264. I was at HMH-464 from '01-07, and HMX-1 from '07-10. Floated with HMM-263 in '04/05 and HMM-365 in '06. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maggie Posted October 18, 2011 Report Share Posted October 18, 2011 Just so you know, the BAH is $1341 (up $7 from last year). I haven't seen rate charts for next year, but with the way things are, I highly doubt an increase. I go to ERAU and fly with Guidance's competitor. I've got a couple of friends that work over there, and I would recommend them. I'm leaving in December (graduating!), but if you get over here before Dec 17, and need anything, let me know. I live about 10 min from airport (with all green lights and doing 7 over). There's a lot of cheaper housing, just depends on your standards. (It's irritating when people just go on here to advertise a school...guess they didn't read the "read before posting" sticky) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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