Getting Started

[Kyle]

To all seasoned vets out there... I'm looking to make a career change. What is the best way to get started? I've looked at a couple of different schools. So far, I'm looking at getting my private pilot's license, commercial license and instrument license? After these licenses, what is the next step? Where should I look for employment? I am 100% serious about this. Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[slick1537]

The next step is getting your instructor and instrument instructor licenses. You will train in a piston engine helicopter. You will need to instruct up to about 1000 hours of pilot in command time. Once there there are companies in Alaska, the gulf of mexico, and the grand canyon, among others that will take 1000 hour pilots and transition them to a turbine powered helicopter. How can you be 100% serious about the leap into this if you don't even know how the industry works? It is a 55-65 thousand dollar commitment.

[Sparker]

The first place to start is do a google search on local flight schools, call em up and chat with them. Just lurk around here and read some older posts, read the FAQ pinned to the top.