43 Just starting

[Rotoblade1]

New guy here. I am sure this has probably been talked about. I am 43 I am looking to follow my passion and get my rotocraft lic. I am tired of sitting in front of a computer at a desk for 60 hours a week. I have the money for flight school just trying to choose the right school near my home. This forum is awesome for a new guy. I understand the pay your dues to get somewhere. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks all for looking.

[eagle5]

Pick the right school and all will be fine. Make sure you can always go back to your desk job if things don't work out. The dream of flying and flying as a job are two completely different things, be prepared for that!

[Wally]

43 and starting?

Any Thoughts?

Good or bad?

New guy here. I am sure this has probably been talked about. I am 43 I am looking to follow my passion and get my rotocraft lic. I am tired of sitting in front of a computer at a desk for 60 hours a week. I have the money for flight school just trying to choose the right school near my home. This forum is awesome for a new guy. I understand the pay your dues to get somewhere. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks all for looking.

 

What are you asking?

If you want to do this, do it. Regret at that not tried is more painful than failing the attempt. Don't quit, and don't start if quitting is an acceptable option.

The "license" is the easy part. Do a search in this forum and you'll see lots of people struggling with the next step- getting enough experience to become a journeyman helo pilot. Plan on 2-5 years between your first lesson and a full-time job, with luck.

Your age is not an issue.

Edited June 9, 2014 by Wally

[Rotoblade1]

Eagle5- Thanks for your feedback. I am planing on working my current job until I have enough hours for full time Heli pilot Job.

 

Wally- I am going to do this. Your quote is great motivation. I can see time building is really hard to do. Hopefully I can get my time built up quick. Looks like a lot of employers want 2000 hours. Not sure how to do the transition from piston to turbine works? I will be researching a lot on that.

[aeroscout]

Eagle5- Thanks for your feedback. I am planing on working my current job until I have enough hours for full time Heli pilot Job.

 

Wally- I am going to do this. Your quote is great motivation. I can see time building is really hard to do. Hopefully I can get my time built up quick. Looks like a lot of employers want 2000 hours. Not sure how to do the transition from piston to turbine works? I will be researching a lot on that.

If you can get close to 1,000 hours, the next 1,000 or so to get you to 2,000 total can be much easier.

[apacheguy]

Age is just a number unless 'sitting in front of a computer for 60 hours a week' has hurt your eyesight or left you with high cholesterol/diabetes....If your health is good you have a much better chance to succeed in flying.

[Wally]

Wally- I am going to do this. Your quote is great motivation. I can see time building is really hard to do. Hopefully I can get my time built up quick. Looks like a lot of employers want 2000 hours. Not sure how to do the transition from piston to turbine works? I will be researching a lot on that.

 

I can only speak from my limited experience (4 flying jobs since 1968) regarding the turbine transition. US Army trained, turbines were part of the training syllabus. The 3 operators since have provided any and all * training to do the job. That has included "turbine transition" stuff in the course of normal Part 135 training. Turbines are different control philosophy but easier to operate, overall, once you understand them. Which is to say that was I an up-and-coming nugget, I wouldn't put my money into a transition- eating and keeping a roof is hard enough.

 

*

I did my own ATP even though my employer at that time offered the checkride to prepared pilots. Things weren't happening to my satisfaction at that point and I was considering a move.

Edited June 10, 2014 by Wally

[rollthbns]

I made the move at 41. It wasn't hard, you just have to be prepared to pay the price. Just don't count the cost....

 

My only advice is to avoid loans, pay as you go, and as Wally mentioned, don't get suckered into things you don't need. Let your future employer take care of those costs. If you need any help, just let me know.

[Rotoblade1]

Thanks all for the feed back. Wally your great-thanks for the motivation. Aeroscout I hope that is true. rollthbns I am paying as I go, hoping to be able to fly 3 to 4 day a week if possible. I really do not want to be a flight instructor but I will if that is how I have to build time. apacheguy ya I am not the typical desk jockey- fitness is daily family practice in my home. Trust me my desk is by a lot of people who are out of breath walking over to the printer...

 

Quick question how many of you had to move around a lot before landing a full time pilot job?

[aeroscout]

Thanks all for the feed back. Wally your great-thanks for the motivation. Aeroscout I hope that is true. rollthbns I am paying as I go, hoping to be able to fly 3 to 4 day a week if possible. I really do not want to be a flight instructor but I will if that is how I have to build time. apacheguy ya I am not the typical desk jockey- fitness is daily family practice in my home. Trust me my desk is by a lot of people who are out of breath walking over to the printer...

 

Quick question how many of you had to move around a lot before landing a full time pilot job?

Get to 700 hours or so and come back to the forum if you haven't already discovered how to get from there to 2,000.

 

As for relocation, that's going to be part of the bargain. The jobs won't come to you.

[eagle5]

Get to 700 hours or so and come back to the forum if you haven't already discovered how to get from there to 2,000.

 

As for relocation, that's going to be part of the bargain. The jobs won't come to you.

Well I have 700 hrs or so and haven't discovered out how to get to 2000 yet?

[Spike]

New guy here. I am sure this has probably been talked about. I am 43 I am looking to follow my passion and get my rotocraft lic. I am tired of sitting in front of a computer at a desk for 60 hours a week. I have the money for flight school just trying to choose the right school near my home. This forum is awesome for a new guy. I understand the pay your dues to get somewhere. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks all for looking.

I suggest you research further into this endeavor and when you think you’ve got it all figured out, research further…….

 

While motivation and desire are key elements to success, not understanding how the helicopter industry works can squash those qualities like a bug under Shaquille O’Neal’s shoe. For example; you WILL need to teach to advance. You WILL need to gain CFII certification to teach in order to advance. You WILL need to meet the Robinson SFAR-73 to teach in order to advance. At some point, you WILL need to move to advance. You WILL be making a poverty level income while working your first few years in this business. These are just a few realities you’ll face. Additionally, do you have a spouse? Kids? And, when you say you have the money, are you talking about 80-90 or 100K? If you do, why stay near your home, continue to work, and not go full emersion? This is not to say your current plan is inadequate. My intention is to get you to really think about this endeavor in a manner which allows to you to succeed…..

[LawChopper]

Follow your dream. It will be tough no doubt and you will pay your dues along the way. But if you want it bad enough you can do it.

 

Just don't believe it's as simple as going to school and getting a commercial certificate. Good luck!

[aeroscout]

Well I have 700 hrs or so and haven't discovered out how to get to 2000 yet?

How bad do you want the next 1,300 hours ? Because if you want it bad enough it is a phone call or email away. With some luck you might be able to get all 1,300 in a year. You might not like the conditions that go along with it though.

[OGE]

Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

Is it going to be worth all the hard work, and all the no so nice in the industry that comes along with it all?

Yes.

[eagle5]

How bad do you want the next 1,300 hours ? Because if you want it bad enough it is a phone call or email away. With some luck you might be able to get all 1,300 in a year. You might not like the conditions that go along with it though.

If you're talking about being away from home for a long time, sure. Getting a little dirty, sure. Being alone, sure. So what is it, tuna boat, cattle herding, long lining over filled porta potties? PM me if you don't want to reveal it in public.

[Hand_Grenade_Pilot]

Thanks all for the feed back. Wally your great-thanks for the motivation. Aeroscout I hope that is true. rollthbns I am paying as I go, hoping to be able to fly 3 to 4 day a week if possible. I really do not want to be a flight instructor but I will if that is how I have to build time. apacheguy ya I am not the typical desk jockey- fitness is daily family practice in my home. Trust me my desk is by a lot of people who are out of breath walking over to the printer...

 

Quick question how many of you had to move around a lot before landing a full time pilot job?

 

Unless you are working for a police department, or the military, you will start your career as a CFI. When I was in flight school, I had dreams of starting off right away as a SIC on a big ship or flying tours. It's not going to happen; forget about that friend of a friend whose father was Chief Pilot and skipped working as a CFI. In today's industry, you will need to work as a CFI.

 

And I'm glad that I started as a CFI. It was a very challenging and rewarding job that greatly enhanced my knowledge and skills as a pilot. As a student, I did not want to be a CFI. But, after having been down that road, I am very happy to have had the experience.

 

Also, you will be a gypsy for the first few years. Be prepared to move anywhere, any time. I've been flying professionally for 3 years now, and I still don't have the qualifications to be too picky as to where I live/work. I go where the work is, and where I can get the training/experience to continue building my career. You cannot break into this industry if you've already settled down with hopes of landing a sweet gig where you live; you're only shooting yourself in the foot.

 

Find an instructor who has had their plastic for atleast a year, train in all three trainers (R22/R44/S300), keep a good attitude, network, plan to live cheap and be ready to be mobile.