MARYLAND STATE POLICE AVIATION COMMAND

FUSE · December 13, 2005

I'm still in flight school going all the way... My eventual goal is to be a pilot for the Maryland State Police Aviation Command. I have never spoken to anyone that is a member of that command. How hard is to get hired? I see that they seem to only require 2000 hours PIC. They don't even make mention of hours during night, turbine or anything. Do they prefer to hire only prior military or will they take someone like me that trained totally on the civilian side? So many questions, not sure how to go about doing all of this.

My current plan was to get my license, then instruct and work BoatPix.com to build myself up to 2000 hours. I have a family and a lifestyle that I really can't afford to just quit my current job and take the first job I find. I really don't want to leave the Maryland area either. I figured that teaching part time I might have 2000 hours in 5 - 7 years. Does this sound like a possible plan?

helopilot2be · December 13, 2005

Fuse Where are you training?

If it is at FDK I have some more info for you.

Chris

FUSE · December 13, 2005

Fuse Where are you training?
If it is at FDK I have some more info for you.
Chris

Hey Chris,

I'm actually training at W29, Stevensville Airport just over the bay bridge on RT 50. Training with Helicopter Academy. I'm doing the BoatPix.com package so I'll get 300 hours from them. But I live not to far from FDK.

Ray

Flying Pig · December 13, 2005

MSP pilots are actually not State Troopers (which you probably knew) They are civilians. I can gaurantee you that you arent going to qualify by flying 2000 hours in an R-22. What their minimum requirements are compared to the quals of the people who apply are a great deal different. Since they fly Dolphins, and are the states primary EMS transport for the state...your work is cut out for you. Dont take the word/advice of people on a web site...if this is something you want, call them, tell them what your goals are, and talk to the pilots about their experience, that will give you an idea of the routes you need to take. If you in the area, ask for a tour. Pilots love to talk about their experiences. You may find it something that is just not attainable given your situation, or you may find that it is very possible. But you need to go right to the horse. In the words of Sean Connery in the Untouchables ...."What are you prepared to do?"

Fuse Where are you training?
If it is at FDK I have some more info for you.
Chris

FUSE · December 14, 2005

MSP pilots are actually not State Troopers (which you probably knew) They are civilians. I can gaurantee you that you arent going to qualify by flying 2000 hours in an R-22. What their minimum requirements are compared to the quals of the people who apply are a great deal different. Since they fly Dolphins, and are the states primary EMS transport for the state...your work is cut out for you. Dont take the word/advice of people on a web site...if this is something you want, call them, tell them what your goals are, and talk to the pilots about their experience, that will give you an idea of the routes you need to take. If you in the area, ask for a tour. Pilots love to talk about their experiences. You may find it something that is just not attainable given your situation, or you may find that it is very possible. But you need to go right to the horse. In the words of Sean Connery in the Untouchables ...."What are you prepared to do?"

Excellent advice... The phone calls are starting tomorrow.... Thanks much.

helopilot2be · December 14, 2005

Excellent advice... The phone calls are starting tomorrow.... Thanks much.

Fuse,

What I was going to tell you if you were at FDK...but W29 will work...is that both DPE for helo's in Maryland are MSP Pilots. Mike Deruggiero is a helo pilot and a Trooper. Mike Gartland flys fixed wing and is a trooper. They are left overs, but they are both Troopers. Your instructor should be able to put you in touch with one of them, or you can wait until after your check ride. MSP is now only hiring civilians to pilot their aircraft. Good Luck,

Chris

Just so you know I'm not giving bad advise even if it is posted on a web page/forum

Click here for MSP Aviation and click on Trooper 1 you will see TFC (Trooper First Class) Michael Deruggiero in the pilot section.

DPE info:

DERUGGIERO, MICHAEL WAYNE

146 E. KINGSTON PARK LANE

BALTIMORE MD 21220-4945

Phone: (410) 238-5800

FAA Office: EA07

Aircraft: R-22-22, R-22-BETA, R-44-44

Sorry I can't give you hard evidence that Gartland is a trooper, but the fixed wing guys take a back seat. This is his DPE info:

GARTLAND, MICHAEL S.

610 UNIVERSITY DRIVE

WALDORF MD 20602

Phone: (301) 396-4813

FAA Office: EA27

Aircraft: BHT-206-206, BHT-206-L1, BHT-412-412, R-22-22, SA-360-C, SA-365-C

AndrewT · December 14, 2005

In the words of Sean Connery in the Untouchables ...."What are you prepared to do?"

you forgot the spitting up blood and being on the verge of death part

Slick · December 14, 2005

Mike Gartland can be seen on the Trooper 7 link.

Sorry I can't give you hard evidence that Gartland is a trooper

Mike Gartland can be seen under the Trooper 7 link. He's a great guy.

helopilot2be · December 15, 2005

Mike Gartland can be seen on the Trooper 7 link.
Mike Gartland can be seen under the Trooper 7 link. He's a great guy.

Sorry fuse I guess Gartland retired and came back as a civilian and came back to the dark side.

Edited December 15, 2005 by helopilot2be

Flying Pig · December 22, 2005

Im sure you'll notice something very similar about all of the pilots.......their ages! That should tell you something about their quals!

Gil · December 25, 2005

I'm still in flight school going all the way... My eventual goal is to be a pilot for the Maryland State Police Aviation Command. I have never spoken to anyone that is a member of that command. How hard is to get hired? I see that they seem to only require 2000 hours PIC. They don't even make mention of hours during night, turbine or anything. Do they prefer to hire only prior military or will they take someone like me that trained totally on the civilian side? So many questions, not sure how to go about doing all of this.

My current plan was to get my license, then instruct and work BoatPix.com to build myself up to 2000 hours. I have a family and a lifestyle that I really can't afford to just quit my current job and take the first job I find. I really don't want to leave the Maryland area either. I figured that teaching part time I might have 2000 hours in 5 - 7 years. Does this sound like a possible plan?

Fuse

Mike Gartland and Mike Deruggiero are both great guys. Deruggiero gave me my Private Pilot check ride in an R-22 and I flew across the US with Mike Gartland in an R-44 last week. the trip took 19.5 flight hours.

Gil

helopilot2be · December 25, 2005

Fuse

Mike Gartland and Mike Deruggiero are both great guys. Deruggiero gave me my Private Pilot check ride in an R-22 and I flew across the US with Mike Gartland in an R-44 last week. the trip took 19.5 flight hours.

Gil

Where did you take the R-44?

Chris