31 yr old woman thinking of learning to fly

[bananaface]

I am a 31 yr old woman who's interested in getting a commercial pilot's license. I have no previous flight training experience (except for the introductory ones).

 

My question is: How difficult is it for a woman to get into this industry? I know that it will take me a good 4-5 yrs to obtain my 1000 hrs and get a "real job". But I'm currently in a relationship (but not married) and would like to start a family soon. Am I being naive? I've looked at the whirly girls website as well as ninety nine's but you have to actually BE a pilot or posses a medical certificate in order to participate in their membership benefits (including forum discussions). Thus, I am posting here. I just want to know how other women did it and if it's worth doing. Is it more difficult for women to get jobs as a helicopter pilot?

 

Any advice / input would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help!

[slick1537]

From what I understand women are not discriminated against in this industry. Keep in mind you are talking to a 20 hour pilot for what its worth. However, the job will be harder for anyone with / or starting a family soon. You may have to move to an area with a flight school, you may have to move to get a job instructing, and you will probably have to move to get that job at your first 1000 hrs, then if flying tours or working in the GOM is not your thing, you will probably want to move again after you get a little experience.

 

P.S. Getting a medical isn't a big deal you just go to the FAA website and find a FAA medical examiner near you and schedule an appointment to get the test done. It will cost somewhere between 40-80 dollars and you should tell them you want your class two medical certificate as it is required for commercial pilots. They just do simple things like hearing and color blindness tests.

Edited September 22, 2007 by slick1537

[FlyNHighNFast]

It should not be difficult at all for a woman to do well in this industry. There are some simple requirements to meet and you can make it as well as a similarly qualified man. See below.

 

Bring money... lots of money. And ambition, along with a healthy dose of determination... and did I mention lots of money?

[Goldy]

Helicopter flying is a mans world. No place for a woman.

 

Now that I have your attention...google Desiree Horton....see what she thinks. She is one of the most respected long line fire pilots out there...happens to be a woman. Her friend Stacy is one of the sought after corporate pilots in LA...lets see, half the instructors where I fly are women....yepp..no place for em.

 

All kidding aside..there probably is no other place where your sex matters so little. Its all about hours, experience and your skills....period.

 

If you have the itch to fly, I say go for it...there are at least 10 women on this site that post daily..hopefully some of em will chime in.

 

Fly safe, Goldy

[mechanic]

Hey,

My first CFI was female and from Japan. She was about 33 years old when I started flying with her. I don't remember how long it took her to get the 1200 hrs it took for her to get hired on by PHI. She had just started work at PHI when Hurricane Rita hit LA. The base at Cameron was about blown away. She started in 206LIII's and is now upgraded to the B407. She also was lucky enough to get a Whirly Girls Scholarship to the Bell Factory B206 Transition Course. She obtained her PPL at Vortex and finished the Com/CFI at Helicopter Adventures, now Bristow Academy in FL.

 

It can be done if you want it bad enough and have the proper resources.

 

 

 

Good luck..

[arotrhd]

Girl pilots kick a$$.

 

I'll second what Goldy wrote about Desiree - here's her link: http://www.copterchick.blogspot.com/

 

And she's a helluva nice person to speak with. Don't forget about Kris Kelley. Or VRs own Optigirl or Heligirl03 or the many other talented women that we've come to know here. Go for it...once you've got the medical, technically you are a pilot even if you're a .1 hour student pilot.

 

-WATCH FOR THE WIRES-

[joker]

Gender shouldn't matter if you don't let it matter. I second what other's have said here.

 

I had the privilage to attend one of Dr. Michelle North's last presentations before she sadly passed away in 2004

 

HAI Tribute to Michelle North

 

Hope that provides some inspiration too!

 

Joker

[rick1128]

I have found that gender really doesn't matter. I have found good and not so good pilots of both genders. A couple of things to consider is that in your case where you want to start a family, there will be some jobs that you will not consider, like utility pilot, forestry work and the like. Mostly due to the time away from home and the living conditions. You will find as you progress that you will really have two families. Your kids and the people you fly with. But it also means a lot of self sacrifice. It is a 24/7 type industry. Days, nights, weekends and holidays. I have worked Christmas, New Years Eve, Thanksgiving, birthdays, etc. It's not like working in an office or in a store. Many people do not understand why and it can make relationships difficult.

 

If you still have the desire, more power to you.

 

Good luck.

[heligirl03]

I am a 31 yr old woman who's interested in getting a commercial pilot's license. I have no previous flight training experience (except for the introductory ones).

 

My question is: How difficult is it for a woman to get into this industry? I know that it will take me a good 4-5 yrs to obtain my 1000 hrs and get a "real job". But I'm currently in a relationship (but not married) and would like to start a family soon. Am I being naive? I've looked at the whirly girls website as well as ninety nine's but you have to actually BE a pilot or posses a medical certificate in order to participate in their membership benefits (including forum discussions). Thus, I am posting here. I just want to know how other women did it and if it's worth doing. Is it more difficult for women to get jobs as a helicopter pilot?

 

Any advice / input would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help!

 

Hey there BF--

PM me for more than I need to bore these guys with for the umpteenth time! I'm a 29yo female, 70hrs (PPL checkride this week), second career, relationship, money, thoughts of family, etc etc. I'm happy to share what I can of my own insight and experience.

HG03

[FLHooker]

My first helo instructor for Primary here at Rucker (Army Flight School) was a female... She straight whooped my ass. Being the only female instructor in her section, she caught alot of sh*t from the others (out of fun, though).

 

 

 

 

CHAD

[502VJ]

I am a 31 yr old woman who's interested in getting a commercial pilot's license. I have no previous flight training experience (except for the introductory ones).

 

My question is: How difficult is it for a woman to get into this industry? I know that it will take me a good 4-5 yrs to obtain my 1000 hrs and get a "real job". But I'm currently in a relationship (but not married) and would like to start a family soon. Am I being naive? I've looked at the whirly girls website as well as ninety nine's but you have to actually BE a pilot or posses a medical certificate in order to participate in their membership benefits (including forum discussions). Thus, I am posting here. I just want to know how other women did it and if it's worth doing. Is it more difficult for women to get jobs as a helicopter pilot?

 

Any advice / input would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help!

 

 

If you have a chance check out L.A.Helicopters in Long Beach, Ca, I know they have female students there right now & they all seem to be kicking Butt....The receptionist there is flying as well so you may be able to chat with her.

[bananaface]

Thanks so much for all your replies! It definitely makes me less "afraid" of just going out there and doing it. Appreciate all your inputs!

[Gerhardt]

Holler at Laurie on pilotsofamerica.com. She's a GOMer about your age.

[Optigirl]

Holler at Laurie on pilotsofamerica.com. She's a GOMer about your age.

 

I'm 21 w/ppl and although I'm not out to fight fires or drop off the kids on oil rigs. I can tell you that alot of female pilots do line work around US and Canada, I have a few friends who are top notch pilots doing just that.

 

I have a friend who scouts out placements for electrical power towers and flys in Crane sections for construction company's.

 

There are alot of woman in this field being paid as well as the men, and that cant be said in all job environments.

[K-38]

Follow your dream.