New Guy/Wanna be questions

[Cowboydave157]

Howdy,

 

I have pretty much decided to learn to fly a Helicopter. I have come to this decision for a number of reasons that include:

1) I grew up watching Whirlybirds

2) I want to fly

3) I just turned 50 and have decided to have a mid life crisis. Helo lessons cost about the same as a good used Porsche.

4) My truck, motorcycle and horse trailer should be paid off this summer.

5) I want to fly.

 

I have a few questions that I can not find answers to doing a search.

 

Is there any advantage to getting a fixed wing PPL first?

 

I want to get my CFII. Do schools hire part time CFII's ? I still need to keep my week day job. But would gladly instruct weekends or nights.

 

Provided I pass Medical, is my age considered an advantage or disadvantage as a Flight Instructor or Professional Pilot (ENG, Tour, Corp, Power Line, Etc)? Assuming I can build the hours.

 

At about 60 I want to retire from my day job, move to a warmer climate (its cold up here in Minnesota). And would like to fly professionally. At what age do I become un-hirable (even if I pass Medical)?

 

Any recommendations for sim controls for MS Flight Simulator 2004?

 

Thanks in advance for any input

 

Dave

[HeliMott]

Dave,

 

Congrats on perusing your dream. Helo flying is fun and it's a pretty small "club".

 

Concerning getting your fixed wing PPL, I guess the advantage is that you get a license at a typically cheaper rate than helicopter lesions, and you'll have a good general knowledge of airmanship. The down side is most flight schools and companies require at least 300 hours Helicopter time (due to insurance requirements), so you will be in the hole a bit from the fixed wing time.

 

As far as hiring part time pilots I know my company hires part time CFI's, so I would assume others do tooa good CFI is a good CFI regardless of full or part time.

 

The age thing can be looked at many ways, you age could be seen as a good thing because 50 year olds tend to take less risk and have more responsibilities than a 20-30 year old. It could be looked at bad because of the obvious that you have 15 years till average retirement age, but I wouldn't let that hold you down from your dream.

[mechanic]

I would like to add a little side note:

 

Don't start training unless you have a school close by, like less than an hours drive. You don't want to do this semi part-time with a full time job. Get a few books and start reading up on helicopters.

 

I have been in a semi part-time training routine, with family and a full time job for over 2 years. It sucks, I only have about 30 hrs and am not current. I am also commuting 4 hrs to school round trip. Get to a point where you can devote half to full time towards obtaining your rating, even if you just do the PPL then take a few months break, then tackle the next rating etc., will work out better than just going part-time when the job allows.

 

JMHO.....

 

P.S. If you use the search you will find some good threads on the use of flight sim's and controls.

[Goldy]

Howdy,

2) I want to fly

5) I want to fly.

Dave

 

First question I have is...do you really want to fly?

 

Next point, fixed wing time is great, and you might shave 10 hours off getting your helo license...but in the end, the helo time is the important time and the sooner you can get to commercial and 200 or 300 helo hours you can start getting paid for doing stupid tricks in a helo.

 

Part time CFI's are not just acceptable, but pretty much the norm in the biz.

 

Nobody cares much about age from what I have seen, just if you have a valid medical.

 

They don't say Howdy in Minnesota...where are you from originally? Also, may want to look into the new Minnesota state helicopter group being formed by a few members on this site.

 

Good luck out there.

 

Goldy

[slick1537]

I thought George bush just abolished the mandatory retirement age, or did they just change it?

[Cowboydave157]

First question I have is...do you really want to fly?

 

Next point, fixed wing time is great, and you might shave 10 hours off getting your helo license...but in the end, the helo time is the important time and the sooner you can get to commercial and 200 or 300 helo hours you can start getting paid for doing stupid tricks in a helo.

 

Part time CFI's are not just acceptable, but pretty much the norm in the biz.

 

Nobody cares much about age from what I have seen, just if you have a valid medical.

 

They don't say Howdy in Minnesota...where are you from originally? Also, may want to look into the new Minnesota state helicopter group being formed by a few members on this site.

 

Good luck out there.

 

Goldy

 

Howdy LOL.

 

I am from MN. My Wife and I have horses and take them camping. The people in the horse industry up pretty much always great each other by saying howdy. My Wife and I also own and run an Ebay business. My Ebay name is Caowboydave157. So that is how I got into the habit of saying howdy.

 

Bummer about the part time. I was hoping to keep my day job. My understanding is that CFII's only get paid about $15 - $20 per hour. And my guess is that they do not offer Medical Insurance.

 

There are three Helicopter flight schools within about 45 minutes of my home in St. Paul. two of them offer 22/44's. One offers Schweizer. I am planning on sticking with the 22/44.

 

Thanks for your input

 

Dave

[crow]

Howdy Cowboy Dave,

I just spent six weeks in Minnesota (near St. Cloud) and a lot of folks up there said, howdy, supper, and ya know. Most were farmers or ranchers from western MN or N. or S. Dakota. If you want to fly, then fly. I'm just beginning and I'm 48. I've only got 24 hours in a Robinson, and will be training soon in a Schweizer. Why am I flying? Because I want to fly helicopters. I don't want to fly fixed wing lawn darts, I want to fly helicopters. That's it. Good luck, and go for it!

 

Crow

[Goldy]

Part time CFI's are not just acceptable, but pretty much the norm in the biz.

 

Bummer about the part time. I was hoping to keep my day job. My understanding is that CFII's only get paid about $15 - $20 per hour. And my guess is that they do not offer Medical Insurance.

 

 

Dave, keep your day job and teach on the weekends....very common way to get hours. Goldy

[Cowboydave157]

Howdy Cowboy Dave,

I just spent six weeks in Minnesota (near St. Cloud) and a lot of folks up there said, howdy, supper, and ya know. Most were farmers or ranchers from western MN or N. or S. Dakota. If you want to fly, then fly. I'm just beginning and I'm 48. I've only got 24 hours in a Robinson, and will be training soon in a Schweizer. Why am I flying? Because I want to fly helicopters. I don't want to fly fixed wing lawn darts, I want to fly helicopters. That's it. Good luck, and go for it!

 

Crow

 

 

6 weeks near St. Cloud. Hope it wasn't at the prison LOL

My wife comes from South Dakota. If I do get a Pilot job she is hoping I coan find one near the family farm. Sh does miss the farm and family. If you had been further North in "dah range" folks really do talk like in the movie Fargo.

I have about 10 hours in a Beech Baron from way back. Fast plane, but pretty boring once your at level flight.

How do you like the Robinson? A number of people have suggested that I start with the Schweizer because it is a more forgiving bird. Others have said that if you can handle a R22, you can handle most anything.

 

Dave

[slick1537]

Not sure, my school has only r22s, and recently added a 300i to their inventory. My instructor sings praises to it. He said it practically flys itself compared to the r22 and that it would be beneficial to do my instrument in it as it will help with the pilot workload. He also said students learning to fly in the 300 on average solo 10-20 hours before students in the 22. That is a $2300-4600 savings. When it comes to money. However you must consider that there are less schools using the 300, so it may mean you are less able to find work as a CFII. Not trying to take sides, just trying to point out all the facts I have seen. I am thankful I can hopefully get time in both.

[skypilot011]

Take a sabatacle from your normal job, fly to a sunny location, Take a two-four week accelerated course part 141 and get your first rating.

[copter doctor]

I thought George bush just abolished the mandatory retirement age, or did they just change it?

That rule applies to AirLines and part 121 operators. I have known 68-70 year old helo pilots still flying professionally.

[67november]

from the home page of the FAA site.

 

http://www.faa.gov/news/updates/age_rule/

[cherminator]

Take a sabatacle from your normal job, fly to a sunny location, Take a two-four week accelerated course part 141 and get your first rating.

 

There is such thing as an accelerated course? Where might these be? This would suit me perfectly.

[skypilot011]

any good school in a sunny location, so the weather does not hold you back during your stay. The first thing you could do know is to study for and pass the ppl written exam. (although you will need to log some ground with an instructor and get the sign off to take the exam. A school that will allow you to fly 2-3 times a day ( as long as you are able to make progress) and up to 7 days a week. Each flight should be around 1- 1.5 hrs in length, if you do the math, approx 3 hrs a dayx7 days= 21 hrs, so if you already have some hrs, and can go for a two week stay somewhere, you could easily accomplish a rating in 2weeks. (figuring you catch on rather quickly) if not, do it in two trips.

[ArmamentDawg]

If you're looking into going to a Robbie flight school near the Twin Cities, you must have talked to Chris, Mark, Joanne or Colman up at Anoka Co Airport. I'm not sure what the name of the company is, there's more than one. They're all under Davis Aniation's charter though, and are operated by the same group of people. I've been flying with Mark for a few months now, and it's been great. I take my instrument checkride on Sartuday and my Commercial a couple weeks after that. I can't say enough for Davis Aviation's operation. They're a class act all the way. Definately go with them over Hummingbird. I tried a few flights with them before settling on Davis, and their instructors have very little experience. I'm pretty sure all of the instructors at Davis have at least 1000 hours, and Mark and Joanne have been flying for 25 and 8 years respectively. Their flight school operates under 91, but they're going to offer a 141 option soon. Either way, you will not be dissapointed. If you start before the middle of Febuary, you may see me there. My name is Josh and I'll probably be wearing an Army uniform.

 

Good luck, and enjoy. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.