What was your career path into the world of helicopters?

rotarywing43 · February 24, 2007

I was just wondering how all of you guys out there in the helicopter world got to where you are now. I'm 18 years old and have wanted to fly helicopters since I was a little kid. I'm a student pilot (fixed wing). My parents are helping me out paying to get my fixed wing PPL, but after that it's all up to me. I have been looking very seriously at accredited universities offering helicopter programs; I was also thinking of joining some military service branch for whatever the committed number of years is, serving, and then using my GI Bill to help pay for college + the $70k needed for helicopter flight training. I was also thinking of going the way of putting together a WOFT packet... I have a good high school GPA (3.5), high test scores (SAT, ACT, AP), numerous AP/honors classes, and community service involvement...

So anyway I guess I was just wondering what worked out for you guys, any tips or pointers you all with experience have, etc.

Wally · February 25, 2007

I was just wondering how all of you guys out there in the helicopter world got to where you are now. I'm 18 years old and have wanted to fly helicopters since I was a little kid. I'm a student pilot (fixed wing). My parents are helping me out paying to get my fixed wing PPL, but after that it's all up to me. I have been looking very seriously at accredited universities offering helicopter programs; I was also thinking of joining some military service branch for whatever the committed number of years is, serving, and then using my GI Bill to help pay for college + the $70k needed for helicopter flight training. I was also thinking of going the way of putting together a WOFT packet... I have a good high school GPA (3.5), high test scores (SAT, ACT, AP), numerous AP/honors classes, and community service involvement...

So anyway I guess I was just wondering what worked out for you guys, any tips or pointers you all with experience have, etc.

High school, flight school, and Viet Nam.

james28 · February 25, 2007

what colleges have a helicopter program?

ryanshep · February 25, 2007

what colleges have a helicopter program?

Embry Riddle Prescott has a minor in Helicopters and University of North Dakota has an aviation degree with helicopter time instead of fixed wing.

I am in an almost exact same situation, 18 senior in HS AP classes 3.4 gpa community service yadda yadda yadda. Anyways I am also trying to figure out what to do next year! Whether to try to get my parents to cosign a loan for training, , or joining up, go to college and try to fly after that, get a job and save up, AHHH I don't know what to do!

I am eager for responses on this thread. All you agri, EMS, professional pilots, How did YOU do it!?

Thanks

FLHooker · February 25, 2007

I am currently in Army flight school at Ft Rucker, AL. Have you considered the National Guard? I went to college first before going to flight school, but the Guard will pay for your college AND you can fly for them. It's a lil' harder to go that route, but worth it if you can do it. Plus, once you get out of flight school and head back to your state, you can pick what college you want to go to, fly (as a CFI or whatever). Not even mentioning if you get picked up by your state, you will know what you are going to fly, and where your unit will be before you even go to AL.

Good luck, CHAD

rotarywing43 · February 26, 2007

what colleges have a helicopter program?

Check out this link from the flight training forum

Right now I was thinking of the UVSC program

Ryanshep- It's great to see I'm not the only one out there in this situation! lol Anyway though, since you said you were considering serving... have you looked into the coast guard's Blue 21 guaranteed flight initiative? I forget everything that is needed to qualify for the program, but I do know one of the requirements is to attend a college w/ at least a 25% minority population.

FLHooker- Thanks for the advice. I looked into doing the National Guard thing a while back, but haven't thought about it in a while. But what you said definitely makes it seem appealing! I do know that the civilian to WO application only works for going active duty though... How long were you enlisted in the Guard before going to WO flight training? And may I ask what bird you're training to fly in/hoping to fly?

Everyone that replied- Thanks for the responses! I would love to hear more.

southernweyr · February 26, 2007

I got my parents to cosign on my loan to pay for my training. Once done with training I called all over the US to find a job and then moved over 800 miles (which was the closest job to home). Now I am paying off my loan and building time so I can get that next raise. All while supporting my family of four. Some here would say pay as you go, however I knew this was what I was supposed to do and it would have been impossible to pay for flight training on a $10/hr job and support a family. I knew that the sooner I finished my training, the sooner I would be making substantially more, enabling me to pay off my debt. Of course, if I hadn't been able to get a pilot job I would have huge debt and nothing to show for it. You can think of it either way. If you do get a loan, go all out and finish as fast as possible so you can start building time and earning money sooner.

FLHooker · February 26, 2007

I was enlisted for just over 5 years, all while I was going to college (Embry-Riddle, Daytona). However, being enlisted also gives you entitlement to the Guard's free college and the GI Bill. As well as being a crewchief, giving you an upperhand on getting accepted. I'll be flyin' the CH-47D Chinook for the FL National Guard out of Jacksonville, FL. I can't wait. Oh, and some FBO's allow you to use the GI Bill towards flight training.

air_1 · February 27, 2007

I am currently in Army flight school at Ft Rucker, AL. Have you considered the National Guard? I went to college first before going to flight school, but the Guard will pay for your college AND you can fly for them. It's a lil' harder to go that route, but worth it if you can do it. Plus, once you get out of flight school and head back to your state, you can pick what college you want to go to, fly (as a CFI or whatever). Not even mentioning if you get picked up by your state, you will know what you are going to fly, and where your unit will be before you even go to AL.
Good luck, CHAD

Are the requirements different for every state? Here in TN, I thought you had to be prior service to join the guard and go to flight school. I remember reading this somewhere but I can't remember where.

FLHooker · February 27, 2007

Yeah, I'm almost positive in the Guard you have to be prior enlisted. Active Duty I know you don't. There may be a way around in the Guard, but I haven't ever heard of it.