cryesis Posted November 19, 2013 Report Share Posted November 19, 2013 Hey guys, Im currently working as a CFI and working towards my A&P license. I have about 15 hours simulated instrument and have soloed in an airplane before. Im looking at going into AG/Utility work for a career once i get the A&P license and build some hours. With wanting to go into that type of work what would be a better option, get the helicopter instrument rating or a fixed wing commercial license?I can only afford to pull off one at the moment so I'm trying to see what one would be most beneficial for the future. Does utility/AG usually want an instrument rating or would they prefer to see a dual rated pilot? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pilot#476398 Posted November 19, 2013 Report Share Posted November 19, 2013 I don't know anything about what AG employers want, but I do know that every company is different, and if a photo company using the R22 says to me, they only want someone with an instrument rating, then you just never know who's gonna want it? So if it were me, I'd get that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary-mike Posted November 19, 2013 Report Share Posted November 19, 2013 Go for what you want, if that happens to be one specific company, fill the blocks for what they want. Look at the job listings for ag and utility and see what the prevailing requirements are. Research the companies you ate interested in and find out what their requirements are. I would venture to say that you would do neither in IMC but it could possibly be an insurance requirement or an attempt to thin the stack of resumes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaybee Posted November 19, 2013 Report Share Posted November 19, 2013 You will want your instrument rating. Dual rating would be most beneficial to a powerline/pipeline deal where they use both types of aircraft. Your biggest obstacles for entering utility will be time in type and getting OAS carded. Biggest obstacle in AG will again probably be time in type and possibly needing to have a CDL and work ground crew for a year or something (where you'll usually get a chance to ferry aircraft to get the time in type needed). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunmonkey Posted November 19, 2013 Report Share Posted November 19, 2013 I recommend you get the instrument rating for sure. No helicopter operator cares how much fixed-wing experience you have... at all. Getting an instrument rating in helicopters is more valuable to them, and to you. Focusing on your rotary wing career and A&P would be a better investment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam32 Posted November 25, 2013 Report Share Posted November 25, 2013 AG won't care one bit about an instrument rating...half the instruments don't even work in AG ships...Get the dual rating, there are many many AG operators that fly stuck wing and rotors... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flying Pig Posted December 2, 2013 Report Share Posted December 2, 2013 (edited) What about your fixed wing instrument and then your helicopter Inst add on? That way you'll be an instrument rated helicopter pilot and you can build actual IFR time in airplanes and do it cheaper. Then if anything opens up on the airplane side get your commercial. Chances are you aren't going to build enough time in both to be marketable in both. Get your helicopter instrument so you'll have at least one complete package to offer. Not having an IFR in either category is really going to limit you down the road. Edited December 2, 2013 by Flying Pig 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Posted December 3, 2013 Report Share Posted December 3, 2013 (edited) No brainer. Get the instrument. If you go the other route, you may lose an opportunity down the road. Furthermore, I can attest, getting the IR later on is much more difficult just because you probably won’t have the time, or the money to accomplish it. Plus, you may be focusing on the utility sector now, but who knows what the future will bring….. Edited December 3, 2013 by Spike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flying Pig Posted December 3, 2013 Report Share Posted December 3, 2013 ^yup Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aeroscout Posted December 3, 2013 Report Share Posted December 3, 2013 Good advice Spike and Flying Pig. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam32 Posted December 3, 2013 Report Share Posted December 3, 2013 (edited) .................................... Edited December 3, 2013 by adam32 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sardog Posted December 13, 2013 Report Share Posted December 13, 2013 Get The Instrument Rating. Even If The Company Doesn't Require It, You Will Appreciate It If You Ever Go Inadvertant IMC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam32 Posted December 13, 2013 Report Share Posted December 13, 2013 (edited) Get The Instrument Rating. Even If The Company Doesn't Require It, You Will Appreciate It If You Ever Go Inadvertant IMC And if he does go IIMC in an AG ship what they h*ll good will an Instrument rating do for him? They have absolute bare bones instruments even for VFR flying, not even a radio most of the time. At least if he gets a plank rating he will be able to fly anything an AG company has, and like I said before, most AG companies fly both. And then after making a boat load of money flying AG, go get an IFR rating in an airplane. Edited December 13, 2013 by adam32 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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