People talking like they know...

[jeffs]

So I was talking to this guy a few weeks ago that used to live in Hawaii. I told him I'm going to try and become a pilot, and he was telling me how Hawaii is hiring a bunch of pilots and can't get anyone out there to work. I kinda have him are you a retarded look because of stuff I read on here and he kept saying how expensive it is out there and companies over there don't have to abide by the FAA regulations over there "Wild West" I told him ok and left, but got me wondering how do you deal with people that KNOW the helicopter industry but have no idea what is the industry.

[adam32]

He spoke a bit of truth...

[pilot#476398]

When I read articles by people claiming there's a pilot shortage and they can't find anyone, I just write to them and say, "I'm an unemplloyed pilot, I'll work for you!"

 

Just call their bluff.

[rotormandan]

No shortage of pilots. Just a shortage of experienced pilots willing to work for peanuts.

[Eggbeater]

Sounds like he knows what he's talking about. I'm originally from Hawaii and started flying with the intent of doing tours there. Now that I look at going back, I can't afford to live there on a pilot's salary with the cost of living. I have other friends who either have the same issue or moved there and can barely afford it. A couple years ago, Blue Hawaiian required 3500 hrs of total helicopter time, but if you check JSFirm, the minimums have dropped pretty drastically. They now require 2000 total helicopter time and 1000 turbine hours. It seems like a similar situation to EMS, where the company does not change pay to match a pilot shortage but simply lowers minimums to attract more people.

 

It's like rotormandan says, there isn't a shortage of pilots, just experienced pilots. If you have that flight time, then by all means apply, and you will probably get an offer. However bad the shortage gets over there though, I doubt they will lower minimums to the couple hundred hours that an entry level pilot would have.

[cburg]

over there "Wild West"

Six fatalities, three crashes doing tour "Intro lesson" trike flights. Most recent was last week...two fatalities.

 

"News" Articles:

 

http://thegardenisland.com/news/state-and-regional/ultralight-aircraft-crash-kills-people-on-kauai/article_df0a71a8-4ad5-5051-bd31-064047cc2819.html

 

http://www.kitv.com/news/hawaii/ultralight-aircraft-crash-kills-2-people-on-kauai/24922176

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowTopic-g29218-i304-k7274839-So_sad_another_ultralite_crash-Kauai_Hawaii.html

 

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Motorized-hang-glider-crash-kills-2-on-Kauai-5307730.php

[Joe_P148]

I don't claim to know a whole lot about the civilian industry in Hawaii.

 

I spent 5 years flying in Hawaii on all islands. There is a bit of loose regulations going on with the tour community. I found this especially true with the Japanese guys who refuse to make advisory calls or abide by any VFR weather mins.

 

Hawaii is really expensive and relocating there logistically speaking can be a headache.

 

In 2012 I know of a guy who was hired for Safari with 1000 Turbine time I don't know how much total. I also knew of a 47 pilot who got a job flying MD 500s out of turtle bay, he had 500TT and wasn't even a pilot in command in the Army. This is not the norm....

 

I'm not sure about blue Hawaii but it seems a little more corporate then most of the tour companies out there.

[Spike]

how do you deal with people that KNOW the helicopter industry but have no idea what is the industry.

 

I don’t…. That is, I don’t deal with them….

 

Lots of folks believe they know a lot about many things for which they have no clue. They do this to achieve self-importance and helicopters being what they are, attract these kinds of individuals. The thing is, why care? If the person wants to explain how thing are, simply let them. You know the truth, -right? And, the odd perspective does nothing to harm you so there is no reason to correct it. Let them believe what they want to believe and move on…..

 

With regards to Hawaii, are you looking for a tour job? If you are, what does it matter what the pay is or, what the cost of living is or, if it’s the “wild west”. That is, if you are concerned about any of these things, then flying tours in Hawaii is not for you. Specifically, if YOU want to fly tours in Hawaii, I suggest you meet the minimum requirements, apply for a position and make yourself available. If you get the gig, then do the job to the best of your abilities and therefore become “knowledgeable” about the Hawaii tour flying experience. After that, you can tell some new kid about it who will no doubt look at you like you’re retarded…….

[jeffs]

Thanks guys. All this info is good and made it more understandable. I still haven't started my training and to be honest I don't care where I want to fly as long as I am flying. Or where I live for that matter. Have a great day everyone.