DontCallMeShirley Posted November 3, 2012 Posted November 3, 2012 Hello Everyone, My question mainly applies to what I believe is the insurance requirements (probably Pathfinder) when it comes to doing commercial operations (i.e. tours) in the R44. I am just beginning my training and thus my attention is focused mainly on SFAR73 and understanding the minimums. From reading (assuming ~90% of my training is done in the R22), it sounds like I only need a 5 hour checkout in the R44 to comply with SFAR73 to act as pilot in command. Combining this with the FAA minimums for receiving my commercial helicopter certificate (and combining my fixed wing time as well) it seems like I will be well below the 200 hour minimum to instruct. With all this taken into consideration, what is the real life scenario in terms of being able to do tours or any commercial operation for that matter under my flight school (besides instructing)? Will the insurance requirements be the limiting factor, or is it a little more lax when the pilot is trained completely by the school in question. This leads to the bigger question of achieving the 25 hours needed to instruct in the R44, so if you have any input on how you did this that would be great to hear. Thanks Quote
Joe Blow Posted November 6, 2012 Posted November 6, 2012 Well considering you get your sfar for the 44. What are the restrictions for a commercial pilot? Quote
Lindsey Posted November 6, 2012 Posted November 6, 2012 I just want to tell you good luck - we're all counting on you. 2 Quote
d10 Posted November 7, 2012 Posted November 7, 2012 I just want to tell you good luck - we're all counting on you. I know but this guy has no flying experience at all. He's a menace to himself and everything else in the air. Yes, birds too. Quote
apiaguy Posted November 7, 2012 Posted November 7, 2012 Your real life senario is NIL... no, they won't lax the insurance for you if they are robbie lovers and they trained you...on the bigger question... if you get your 25 hrs... you still need 200 hours helicopter to instruct in the robinson. sorry.. i'm on a rant today. Quote
nightsta1ker Posted November 7, 2012 Posted November 7, 2012 This leads to the bigger question of achieving the 25 hours needed to instruct in the R44, so if you have any input on how you did this that would be great to hear. Ride along with other instructors or the chief pilot as often as possible. If maintenance is done at another airport, volunteer to take it down to the maintenance facility. Work your a$$ off for your school and show them that you want to stick around and be a part of the team. They will, eventually, start sticking you in the 44 on their dime. Most importantly: Don't screw up. Quote
Goldy Posted November 7, 2012 Posted November 7, 2012 (edited) Whether an R44 operator uses Pathfinder or another policy, most would not let you fly till you hit 300 hours TT and 50 in type. I started flying 44's right about 300TT doing tours, so yes, it can be done. While there are exceptions to everything, I would plan on having to hit 300 before you could get any flying job if youre good at networking, and 500 is a better number......so make a plan on how you can get there. PS- I want every light you can find and pour them on that field! Edited November 7, 2012 by Goldy 1 Quote
eagle5 Posted November 7, 2012 Posted November 7, 2012 Every year Old City Helicopters posts an ad for an R44 tour pilot, with 200hrs total time, 20hrs in the R44. That is the lowest minimum requirements I've ever seen for tours (or any non instructing gig, for that matter),...and stop calling me Shirley! 1 Quote
DontCallMeShirley Posted November 7, 2012 Author Posted November 7, 2012 Whether an R44 operator uses Pathfinder or another policy, most would not let you fly till you hit 300 hours TT and 50 in type. I started flying 44's right about 300TT doing tours, so yes, it can be done. While there are exceptions to everything, I would plan on having to hit 300 before you could get any flying job if youre good at networking, and 500 is a better number......so make a plan on how you can get there. PS- I want every light you can find and pour them on that field!Every year Old City Helicopters posts an ad for an R44 tour pilot, with 200hrs total time, 20hrs in the R44. That is the lowest minimum requirements I've ever seen for tours (or any non instructing gig, for that matter),...and stop calling me Shirley! Yea it seems as with these two posts the minimums aren't necessarily set it stone. Maybe this is a dumb question, but what is the insurance actually covering? Does it mean you can give flight instruction at 200 hours, but can't carry around a photographer or give tours until you reach 300TT? I guess in either case it wouldn't make much sense to spend money on more than 5 hours of R44. Either the planets align and the minimums are 200 to which I gladly build an extra 20 hours of R44 time, or I have to wait until 300 hours total time and do it then. Paying for 25 hours only seems to open the opportunity of possibly training other students for 5 hours increments in the same scenario. On a side note, does anyone here like movies about gladiators? Quote
nightsta1ker Posted November 7, 2012 Posted November 7, 2012 (edited) On a side note, does anyone here like movies about gladiators? Have you ever seen a grown man naked? Edited November 7, 2012 by nightsta1ker 1 Quote
McGavin Posted November 8, 2012 Posted November 8, 2012 "It looks like you picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue" sorry, I couldn't resist. Quote
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