Hopeful Michael Posted February 14 Posted February 14 Hello Everyone, Not to give TMI, however its kind of relevant to my questions. I am 30 years old and I currently make about six figures in sales at a work from home job, and me and my wife are thinking about adding a little one soon. My sales help people and I like what I sell, but I want something more steady, more direct in helping the community, and kinesthetically demanding. I have just started looking into this career and I love the "IDEA" of it, yall are basically super heroes. There are just some questions that id like some updated information on, because a lot of the information I am finding has aged a bit. 1. I am 30, I realize that getting to 2,000 hours and a CFI & CFII certification can take me well into my 30s. Is that too late? Is there a specific thing that I can do to accelerate this, but still have the skills to be a dependable pilot? 2. I am looking to make a lateral move in Salary. I like my life financially and honestly the first time I've been here and i am scared of changing career's and losing that. Is this usually a six figure job? I see some people that say it is and some people that say it isn't so I am just seeing what current people in the profession make, round about of course. The job description is epic, so I think it would be a no brainer, but you never know. 3. I know a lot of EMS pilots work on 7-days on and 7-days on. Do you usually find that you accrue vacation time on top of that? like if I wanted to take 2-3 weeks off for a family vacation, is that possible since you already get so much time off? 4. Are helicopter pilots in high demand still? I know they were a few years ago, but things can change very quickly. I am currently in Houston, honestly I'd like to stay here, but beggars cant be choosers. So, what do you find the current job market is like? 5. Also, a big one. What is life like getting from 200 hours to 2,000 hours. Is it job flights, do you have to pay for flight time? How do you even get there when you have the bare minimum experience? 6. Last one I promise. Do you think I can keep my 9-5 while I take this journey? its pretty flexible and I am actually finishing my bachelors now and working full time so they are pretty accommodating, but will that be enough in your opinion? 1 Quote
vertrefadmin Posted February 17 Posted February 17 Here is a good resource for you that will answer quite a few of your questions. https://justhelicopters.com/Career-Development/Pilot-Ebooks Quote
Jakesome Posted February 20 Posted February 20 Hey there! First off, congrats on considering such an exciting career change, it’s a big decision, but it sounds like you’ve got a solid head on your shoulders. Let’s break down your questions one by one: 1. Age and Timeline Is 30 too late? Not at all! Many pilots start their careers in their 30s or even later. The key is dedication and consistency. By the time you hit 2,000 hours, you’ll still have decades of flying ahead of you. Accelerating the process: The fastest way to build hours is to become a CFI (Certified Flight Instructor). Teaching others not only helps you log hours quickly but also sharpens your skills. Some accelerated flight schools can get you from zero to CFI in about 12-18 months if you’re fully committed. 2. Salary Expectations Lateral move in salary: EMS (Emergency Medical Services) and other helicopter pilot jobs can hit six figures, but it often takes a few years to get there. Starting salaries for low-time pilots (e.g., CFIs or tour pilots) are typically in the 30k−50k range. Once you gain experience and move into EMS, offshore, or corporate flying, salaries can range from 70k to 120k+, depending on the company and location. EMS-specific: EMS pilots often earn between 80k and 100k+, but it varies by region and operator. Houston might have competitive pay due to the high cost of living and demand. 3. Schedule and Vacation 7-on/7-off: This is a common schedule in EMS, and it’s great for work-life balance. Many operators also offer paid time off (PTO) on top of your 7-off schedule, so taking a 2-3 week vacation is usually doable. Just check with potential employers about their specific policies. 4. Job Market and Demand Current demand: Helicopter pilots are still in demand, especially in EMS, offshore oil/gas, and utility flying. Houston is a great location for helicopter jobs due to the energy industry and medical facilities. That said, you might need to relocate for your first job or two to build experience. EMS growth: EMS is a stable sector, and demand for pilots is expected to remain strong as older pilots retire. 5. Building Hours (200 to 2,000) How to get there: After getting your CFI/CFII, most pilots build hours by teaching. It’s the most cost-effective way since you’re getting paid to fly instead of paying for flight time. Other options include: Tour flying: Scenic tours in places like the Grand Canyon or Hawaii. Pipeline/powerline patrol: These jobs often hire low-time pilots. Part 135 operations: Some operators hire lower-time pilots for cargo or passenger flights. Costs: Once you’re a CFI, you shouldn’t have to pay for flight time, you’ll be earning while you build hours. 6. Balancing Your 9-5 and Flight Training Can you keep your job? It’s possible, but flight training is intense and time-consuming. If your job is flexible, you might be able to balance both, especially during the early stages (private pilot license, instrument rating). However, once you start working as a CFI or in another flying job, you’ll likely need to transition to full-time aviation. Accelerated vs. part-time training: If you want to speed things up, consider an accelerated program where you focus solely on flying for a few months. If you go part-time, it could take 2-3 years to get all your ratings. Final Thoughts Switching to a career as a helicopter pilot is a big leap, but it’s incredibly rewarding if you’re passionate about flying and helping others. Financially, it might take a few years to get back to your current salary, but the lifestyle and job satisfaction can make it worth it. If you’re serious, start by getting your private pilot license (PPL) and see how you like it, it’s a great way to dip your toes in without fully committing. Good luck Quote
Spike Posted March 10 Posted March 10 (edited) Michael, This is my opinion based on my experience with no sugarcoating. Choosing to do this for a living is a big decision so I want to give you the straight poop. "I am 30 years old and I currently make about six figures in sales at a work from home job, and me and my wife are thinking about adding a little one soon." A six figure income and work from home and planning for a child sounds like a good life. Don’t take it for granted. Sorry to burst your bubble but this business is nowhere near that especially in the beginning. "My sales help people and I like what I sell, but I want something more steady, more direct in helping the community, and kinesthetically demanding." “Steady” work is not a common job descriptor in this business. In fact, it’s the opposite. I suggest you do more research and talk face-to-face with working pilots to get a more accurate picture of what this business actually is. And, bring your wife so she can hear the truth. Aviation Induced Divorce Syndrome (AIDS) is real. Your wife needs to be 100% supportive without ever changing her mind. "I have just started looking into this career and I love the "IDEA" of it, yall are basically super heroes." You must go way beyond the “idea” of it. This requires full commitment and bags of cash. I’ve said it before, it needs to be (almost) a “calling”. A calling to the extent of; you can’t see yourself doing anything else with your life. This job isn’t “hero” stuff either. It does become a job. A job I happen to like so I stick to it. "There are just some questions that id like some updated information on, because a lot of the information I am finding has aged a bit." This business ebbs and flows but rarely changes. The information you’ve may have read posted years ago will most likely apply today so keep reading. 1. I am 30, I realize that getting to 2,000 hours and a CFI & CFII certification can take me well into my 30s. Is that too late? Is there a specific thing that I can do to accelerate this, but still have the skills to be a dependable pilot? No, 30 is not too late. In fact, I started at 30 and still enjoy my career 35 years later. 2. I am looking to make a lateral move in Salary. I like my life financially and honestly the first time I've been here and i am scared of changing career's and losing that. Is this usually a six figure job? I see some people that say it is and some people that say it isn't so I am just seeing what current people in the profession make, round about of course. The job description is epic, so I think it would be a no brainer, but you never know. For the most part, top tier positions are at the six-figure mark which take a number of years to get to. Read about two thousand hours plus on average. Unfortunately, it’s the years prior to 2000 hours which takes its toll. Read poverty level pay. Simply put, it may take 5-10 years to go from entry level poverty pay to six-figures. If this scares you, you may need to reconsider this endeavor. In the end, you don’t get into this career to make lots of money. The saying goes; you PAY thousands to get PAID hundreds… Think about that…. 3. I know a lot of EMS pilots work on 7-days on and 7-days on. Do you usually find that you accrue vacation time on top of that? like if I wanted to take 2-3 weeks off for a family vacation, is that possible since you already get so much time off? The company you work for dictates the policy for time off. Yes, I’ve worked the 7&7 and took my accrued vacation time off during the 7-on which gave me 21 days off. However, after working a 7&7 for a while you won’t consider 7 off as a lot of time off. Also consider, if you’re not close to home working a 12&12 (hours) on your 7 on, that will be 7 days away from home. You can do the math comparing hours worked during a normal 9-to-5 to a 7-on. Specifically, you'll be working far less with your current 9-to-5 home gig. And, consider with a new baby, do you want your wife to be a single-parent while your gone for 7 days? 4. Are helicopter pilots in high demand still? I know they were a few years ago, but things can change very quickly. I am currently in Houston, honestly I'd like to stay here, but beggars cant be choosers. So, what do you find the current job market is like? There is a demand for “skilled” pilots. Read upper tier pilots in specific sectors. There is no demand for entry level pilots. These folks will always be a dime-a-dozen and unfortunately, the most difficult position to get. Also, staying in one place isn’t impossible but highly unlikely. This business requires pilots to go where the work is. If you’re not “all-in” with this notion, you may want to reconsider this endeavor. 5. Also, a big one. What is life like getting from 200 hours to 2,000 hours. Is it job flights, do you have to pay for flight time? How do you even get there when you have the bare minimum experience? This is seriously difficult, especially with a family and it’s this part that could take years. The most common path to gain hours to get to the next level is to work as a CFII. Most teach there way to 1000 hours to then qualify for the next gig, like tours or O&G. No one pays for flight time to get to 2000 hours. 6. Last one I promise. Do you think I can keep my 9-5 while I take this journey? its pretty flexible and I am actually finishing my bachelors now and working full time so they are pretty accommodating, but will that be enough in your opinion? It’s possible. I tell people you’ll need 2 things to succeed, and they are time & money. If you fall short with either of these, your chances of success diminish exponentially. Consider a leave of absence with your current job to train full time to get your CFII. Once qualified (and employed as a CFII), go back to your job and teach part-time, “part-time” meaning teaching every moment you aren’t working at your other job. However, this obviously pushes the end goal back as you won’t be building time as quickly as you would teaching full time. Time & money……. Time & money……. Lastly, since you'll have a degree, consider the military. Respectfully. Edited March 10 by Spike 1 Quote
kona4breakfast Posted March 14 Posted March 14 2nd what Spike said. If you want to be a helicopter pilot become a dentist. Then you'll make enough money to buy a helicopter. If you're stubborn, then get your FW ratings and grind it out for a few years until you make it as a widebody/cargo captain and buy yourself a helo. Just about all of us helo drivers are too poor to fly for fun so we do it for a living. Kinda takes the fun out of it. If the Mrs isn't 1000% on board then you're screwed. IMO I've got the best helo job in the world and I still get static from my better half. (Caveat: I always try to dissuade people from aviation. I didn't listen either.) 1 Quote
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