I need some advice please.

[TPointer]

I need some advice from an experienced pilot. I have always wanted to learn how to fly helicopters and never pursued until now. I'am 31 years old and I'm in the process of wanting to change careers. Iam currently in college working on an AS degree but at the same time I want to work on flight training. I have been doing extensive research on the helicopter industry and flight training. I know flight training is very expensive and the only option for me is to pay for flight training at a civilian school. I haven't started my flight training yet but hope to soon. My primary question is, what is the best way to get started in the helicopter industry as an entry level pilot or pilot trainee? I currently reside in Florida on the west coast and there are alot of flight schools here and I have researched most of them. My only challenge is paying for flight training, I'm not wealthy. Are there any helicopter companies in Florida that offer any kind of training programs to recruit new pilots? I have been contacting alot of different companies including the county mosquito control and the local sheriff departments to see if they have any kind of training programs. I have not had a response from the mosquito control yet, but I got a response back from the local law enforcements. I have to have a private rating with approx. 200 hrs of pic time and become an officer and serve active duty for about 2 to 3 years, not really for me but I have been considering it. If I'm going to pay all this money for flight training to become an helicopter pilot which is exactly what I want, then I want to start as a pilot not a patrol officer. I have had some experience in the helicopter, I recently had 1 hr. of flight instruction in the Schweizer 300cbi, and I have been up 3 other times in different helos. So I know for sure this is what want to do as a career. If any one can give me any advice or information I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks.

 

 

Thomas

[joker]

This is going to sound cynical, but my advice would be to go through your post and edit it into paragraphs whcih are easier to read.

 

I haven't managed to get all the way through your post yet!

 

Joker

[LostHeliBoy]

Can't do it till you do it..

Start on this road and you;ll never turn back...

Flight training is long and expensive and usually doesn't gaurantee a job at the end..

the usual is to go into a CFI postion after all the schooling and teach the knowledge you just gained to the next generation. this is the USA norm..

the ones that are teaching have the most current theory and knowledge..

for the CFI teaching helps solidify the knowledge..

to teach you really have to know the material ..

and to fly it .. .. ..

You really have to be competent in the machine..

 

So... good job on the reseach into the job market ..

BUT after you get your hours you need for the different areas that you looked at but those are probably going to change in the next 6-12 months to a year from now if you were to start today.. the industry has been fluctuating recently.. so.. keep the finger on the pluse.. and

 

GOOD LUCK!

 

--->LHB<---

[Wally]

...My only challenge is paying for flight training, I'm not wealthy....

Thomas

 

Paying for the training to become employable is only the obvious financial challenge. I'm only a pilot, and a military trained one at that, so my opinion is completely observational, but the real back-breaker will come after you have the piece of paper certifying you as a commercial pilot- now what? If you're pulling a tail of debt incurred to get to that point, it's even tougher.

I know people who've done it: determined, intelligent, and resourceful people. Many of them did the stereotypical cfi/cfii track, a fair few, perhaps a majority, did not. Of Those that didn't, each had a discovered a unique way to meet the challenge to become journeyman professional pilots, no two common to the other. I won't ruin THEIR stories by attempting to retell them, third-hand. Teaching is the easiest way, but it's not for everyone.

 

Do some more web searches. This subject is widely discussed. Or, talk to working pilots.

Edited February 20, 2007 by Wally

[Autorotator]

I was recently talking to an A&P that worked for Airlogistics, now currently working for Life Team. He was telling me about a program that Airlogistics has set up that will put you through training and then you fly for them. I'm sure you are basically going to sign years of your life away to them. I'm not sure how much truth there is to this as I haven't researched it. Maybe something to look into. Otherwise you are going to pay out of you bunghole for your training, just like the majority of us. Good luck!