Fixed Wing Pilot, Helo Transition

[MacGordon]

Hi all, I'm new to the forum so I beg your forgiveness in advance for the naive post.

 

I'm a fixed wing private pilot and I plan on pursuing instrument and commercial ratings this summer through accelerated flight school programs.

 

I hope to become a helicopter pilot though, and I am wondering if it is wise to wait until I earn my Instrument and Commercial before I begin helicopter flight training. Or should I earn the instrument this summer and then begin helo training?

 

Any advice is appreciated.

 

MG

[WolftalonID]

Being familiar with instruments and instrument flying is always a benefit, no matter how you achieve it. Fixed wing training is by far cheaper than rotor. In reality, it comes down to your budget foremost, then do what you want from there.....

The written test is the written test. Even my CFII written was nearly identical to my instrument rating written.

Learning your basic stick skills in a heli will take the bulk of your initial training in them. Both fixed and rotor fly instrument the same.

[pilot#476398]

Depends on your goals. If you want a career flying helicopters, start training in helicopters. If you want a career flying both, do the fixed-wing first, then just add-on the helicopter ratings. Its usually cheaper that way?

[Rotorhead84]

From a cost standpoint I'd do as much training in a fixed wing as possible.

 

I got my PPL in an airplane then started my commerical helicopter. I'm going to be getting my instrument sometime before my GI bill runs dry and the plan is to do as much in a fixed wing as possible

[Wally]

You will still need the same number of helicopter hours to be employable whether you have airplane ratings or not.

My initial inclination- do the instrument airplane, forget the fixed wing commercial rating.

[Flying Pig]

I'm a dual CFI. About the only time being dual rated will help is when it comes to instrument time, night and cross country. I would get the airplane IFR and hold off on the commercial. No need spending the money to learn channelles and lazy 8s. The only reason I did it was because my agency had both, and I flew both regularly. It helps your total time look good once you get your helicopter minimums accomplished.

[Spike]

Your question is vague and ambiguous. As already stated, what is your goal? Are you just attempting to amass certification or hope to be employed as a pilot someday? And, yes, it matters. With that said, you say, “I hope to become a helicopter pilot though” leads me to believe you want to do this for a living. If this is correct, you should probably do a lot more research as certificates means nothing when considering real world hourly hiring minimums. If this is not the case, then, what does it matter……

Edited December 15, 2013 by Spike