Advice needed please

[jp2013]

Hey all,

 

I'm 36 year old single dad, small business owner with a 2 year old child. I have always been interested in a career in aviation being a helicopter pilot. I think I may want to pull the trigger on this now. Financing probably won’t be an issue I just want to know the best/fastest route to accomplishing my goal. I live in San Diego and really would not like to relocate. There is an associates program at Miramar College for aviation operations. I have been going to school for over 2 years now and was thinking about pursuing it while going to pilots school. I shouldn't have any health problems that would prohibit me from getting a job; however I have had a DUI almost 6 years ago. I like the idea of getting cleared medically beforehand and starting with a Private rating. Any other thoughts or recommendations?

 

Thanks,

Jason

[ridethisbike]

Get your medical and find a flight school to attend. Do your research, ask questions, do more research, ask questions. When you think you've asked enough questions, ask more. Also, if you're paying out of pocket or through loans, be wary of a school that tries harder than they should to talk you into their degree program. You can do flight training by itself by finding the right flight school. The fastest way through flight training is to be a hard charger. Study your @$$ off and never accept subpar instruction. If you don't like the way a school is doing things, go somewhere else. It's your money, your training, your future. Own it.

 

Relocating for flight training shouldn't be an issue for you, however, that first flying job might take you across the country. Pilots don't generally have the luxury of finding steady work in one area. We have to go where the work is. I'm on the cusp of entering the job market and have prepared myself mentally and financially to move to the other side of the country for work, if I need to.

[pilot#476398]

Just keep in mind that entry level pilots (i.e. flight instructors) generally only make around $500-$800/mo. and that's only when they are flying (in other words they usually don't get paid hourly on the clock! Plus if that school doesn't hire you, you'll most likely either be moving out to the East Coast, or possibly never find work as a pilot?

 

Also, an instructor of mine once left for a job in the GOM (entry-level turbine/decent pay), then about 2 weeks later he was back at the school. Turns out he'd had a DUI so they let him go, not sure how old it was though?

 

You want to get through fast? Have enough money up front to cover ALL of your training (roughly 80-100k) so you can fly at least once a day/five days a week, and go to a big school that has a lot of helicopters, CFIs, and students, with high turnover!

 

Try Universal Helicopters. At one time they were making CFIIs in 6 months, and putting them in entry-level turbine jobs in a year and a half!

[Jaybee]

Middle age cross trainer here, I can validate what has been said about pay. I fly tours in R44 currently and my stepdaughter makes more money working at Walmart. Seriously. Sad but true. I prepared myself for this mentally and financially, still doesn't make it easy.

[Spike]

Hey all,

 

I'm 36 year old single dad, small business owner with a 2 year old child. I have always been interested in a career in aviation being a helicopter pilot. I think I may want to pull the trigger on this now. Financing probably won’t be an issue I just want to know the best/fastest route to accomplishing my goal. I live in San Diego and really would not like to relocate. There is an associates program at Miramar College for aviation operations. I have been going to school for over 2 years now and was thinking about pursuing it while going to pilots school. I shouldn't have any health problems that would prohibit me from getting a job; however I have had a DUI almost 6 years ago. I like the idea of getting cleared medically beforehand and starting with a Private rating. Any other thoughts or recommendations?

 

Thanks,

Jason

 

 

The first thing you should understand is; financing flight training has never been a good idea. That is, the pitfalls of this business can severely limit your income and includes never being hired at all….. Understand this going in…..Secondly; the fastest route will not include a collage. That being said, you’ll need to decide what is important to you, an education or flight training and while you can do both, doing both won’t be quickest route…. Thirdly; there are a couple of flight schools in your area so relocation shouldn't be an issue. Lastly, when considering this endeavor, insure your family is on board because this is not easy in any sense of the word……

Edited November 19, 2013 by Spike

[Wally]

Hey all,

 

I'm 36 year old single dad, small business owner with a 2 year old child. I have always been interested in a career in aviation being a helicopter pilot. I think I may want to pull the trigger on this now. Financing probably won’t be an issue I just want to know the best/fastest route to accomplishing my goal. I live in San Diego and really would not like to relocate. There is an associates program at Miramar College for aviation operations. I have been going to school for over 2 years now and was thinking about pursuing it while going to pilots school. I shouldn't have any health problems that would prohibit me from getting a job; however I have had a DUI almost 6 years ago. I like the idea of getting cleared medically beforehand and starting with a Private rating. Any other thoughts or recommendations?

 

Thanks,

Jason

 

From a financial viewpoint, the unsolicited Nigerian email offers to let millions of dollars 'rest' in your bank account are only slightly more risky (and may even be more profitable).

If flying helicopters is something you absolutely must do... Start affordable and in your spare time. You may not like it. There is no "best/fastest" way to being gainfully employed, that will take 2 - 5 years, minimum.

Edited November 19, 2013 by Wally

[pilot#476398]

 

 

The first thing you should understand is; financing flight training has never been a good idea. That is, the pitfalls of this business can severely limit your income and includes never being hired at all….. Understand this going in…..Secondly; the fastest route will not include a collage. That being said, you’ll need to decide what is important to you, an education or flight training and while you can do both, doing both won’t be quickest route…. Thirdly; there are a couple of flight schools in your area so relocation should be an issue. Lastly, when considering this endeavor, insure your family is on board because this is not easy in any sense of the word……

 

Although I definitey agree that financing flight training is a bad idea (for both the student AND lender) however the fastest route actually does include college!

 

Enrolling in the college program allows a student to qualify for all the money he needs up front for his ratings. This allows him to complete those ratings in the shortest amount of time (generally only 6 months). Then once he starts working as a CFII he starts his college classes which are done online for a few years. Six months after finishing the college degree he starts paying off his loan (hopefully by then (three years after obtaining his CFII) he has progressed to a job which allows it)?

 

This is the program they used to sell, I don't know if it still exists?,...but very tempting for someone who dreams of flying!

[dankaten]

I'm really curious. Who on here went from zero hours to CFII in six months? The best I have seen it done is in 12 months and that wasn't going to some college. That guy had the benefit of money already available then he studied and flew every day. A working person who owns their own business and had a two year old child probably won't fit in that category.

Edited November 19, 2013 by dankaten

[Spike]

 

Enrolling in the college program allows a student to qualify for all the money he needs up front for his ratings. This allows him to complete those ratings in the shortest amount of time (generally only 6 months). Then once he starts working as a CFII he starts his college classes which are done online for a few years. Six months after finishing the college degree he starts paying off his loan (hopefully by then (three years after obtaining his CFII) he has progressed to a job which allows it)?

 

Short of the VA government loan programs, I’d like to hear from any graduate from a program such as this who advanced as described and eventually became a pro pilot……

 

For me, I never recommend getting a loan to become a pro pilot regardless of how you obtain it. If you’re going to finance an education, you should probably stick to something the will have better odds of paying off in the long term and attempting to fly helicopters for a living most certainly isn’t it. In short, to go to a collage to qualify for a loan in order to receive flight training is making an already difficult road even harder……

Edited November 20, 2013 by Spike

[pilot#476398]

 

Sort of the VA government loan programs, I’d like to hear from any graduate from a program such as this who advanced as described and eventually became a pro pilot……

 

 

I'm sure he's out there somewhere!?

[Spike]

 

I'm sure he's out there somewhere!?

 

And thus, not the fastest route to a career in this business. Although, it is the fastest route to overwhelming debt, lost time and probably a meaningless degree……

 

The only quick way to get into this business as a pilot is to attend a legit flight school, bust out 200 hours of flight time while gaining a CFII certification, -period…… How you pay for it is up to you…

[dankaten]

JP2013 did you get an answer for your question? I guess I helped to get it off track. Sorry but I see stuff like the 6 month CFII and know it isn't possible so I hate to see a new guy getting this kind of false information when you are asking a pretty easy question. I would suggest that you take a look at some of the old posts. They have covered this topic so many times that you will probably be overwhelmed with the information just on this web site.

[Goldy]

Hey all,

 

I'm 36 year old single dad, small business owner with a 2 year old child. I have always been interested in a career in aviation being a helicopter pilot. I think I may want to pull the trigger on this now. Financing probably won’t be an issue I just want to know the best/fastest route to accomplishing my goal. I live in San Diego and really would not like to relocate. There is an associates program at Miramar College for aviation operations. I have been going to school for over 2 years now and was thinking about pursuing it while going to pilots school. I shouldn't have any health problems that would prohibit me from getting a job; however I have had a DUI almost 6 years ago. I like the idea of getting cleared medically beforehand and starting with a Private rating. Any other thoughts or recommendations?

 

Thanks,

Jason

The DUI won't help in an industry where everything gets reported to every employer and even on your medical. That aside, its a long hard road, and I have known and respect many pilots that started way after I did and are now out flying EMS, ENG, etc in 3-4 million dollar helicopters. That said, its not a path that I would encourage you to take lightly, or one that you should ever go into debt to pursue. If money, without borrowing, is no problem, then start studying for the written private and find a school and go spend some serious money. Fly 3-4 times a week to get the most out of it. I'm not trying to discourage you in any way, just go in with eyes open wide and put pen to paper and don't quit your day job. You will most likely not be able to make a living just flying until you reach 1000 hours!!! Not 200, not 300 not even 500..

 

I'm in LA and know a few San Diego pilots, let me know how your progress is going.....any questions you can PM me...

 

Good luck,

Goldy

[pilot#476398]

JP2013 did you get an answer for your question? I guess I helped to get it off track. Sorry but I see stuff like the 6 month CFII and know it isn't possible so I hate to see a new guy getting this kind of false information when you are asking a pretty easy question. I would suggest that you take a look at some of the old posts. They have covered this topic so many times that you will probably be overwhelmed with the information just on this web site.

 

At my old school we did have guys getting to CFII in 6 months. I did my private in just under 2 months. Instrument was around 5 weeks. If I hadn't dropped out I'd been a CFII in 6 months no problem! At a full time school, with 5 R22s and 2 R44s, a student loan, flying twice a day, six months was easy,...in the good old CFII factory days!

[jp2013]

Wow hey thanks guys for all the useful information! I wouldn't be taking any loans out, and honestly haven't even went to a school to talk to anyone yet. I just know that having a job that you love to do isn't really a job it's a passion. I have had all types of jobs and I hate being stuck in a cubicle all day! I'm the type that needs and outdoor job that requires all my attention. I am 98% sure that flying would be a passion. That being said I would rather be happy and look forward to flying with little pay then doing something I hated everyday making more.

 

Again thanks for all the advice!