vet. pilot advise: "turn tail and run"

[ohman]

Hey folks,

I've found myself at a crossroads, and am needing some (more) sound advice.

 

The other day I had the opportunity to talk with a Vietnam veteran, turned commercial heli pilot and heli-lift company owner, I'd guess he's got 20 thousand + hours in the air.

He was doing some logging near my house, so as a budding pilot, I new I needed to take advantage of this opportunity, and introduce myself.

I talked first with his mechanic, who gave me some background information on the gentleman I was watching in the air. Veteran, been doing this a long time, familiar with the industry. He landed for fuel and I took the opportunity to talk with him.

 

Bottom line: he said if he could do it again he wouldn't, asked me how many times I wanted to be married (yes I'm familiar with AIDS), and told me, "you look like a smart kid, if I were you I'd turn tail and run."

He also added that if I really wanted to be in the aviation industry, go fixed wing.

 

He also said I should check out the Vertical Reference forum for advise.

 

Here I am.

 

This is a tough one to swallow. For several months I'd been getting pretty excited about helicopters. I was aware of the hazards to health, marriage, budget, and contagion of various helicopter addiction diseases, but I was really not prepared for the sting of this veterans suggestion.

 

Now with a total of 30 hrs dual, and a couple solo's under my belt, I'm wondering if I should hang up the lofty idea of helicopters, and start looking fixed wing and 4 year degree. The 4 year degree is to offset the possibility of flight impairing injuries/fallout of market/general hell breaking loose.

 

I know I'm close to my ppl, but now with the bankruptcy of my infamous "helicopter school," I don't even really care to carry on with that if its not going to put me in commercial ops some day.

 

Its a broad question I know, but I'm looking for someone to either put the nail in this coffin, or hand me a shovel so I can dig out of this mess.

 

thanks

[bossman]

If you can, finish your PPL. Don't let SSH destroy your dream. You got to look over us old farts. Sometimes we get a little grumpy. I'm from the same era as the guy you talked to and I still enjoy the sound of turning rotors. Do what feels right.

bossman

[Bell206Pilot]

Hi

 

I guess it just really does depend on how badly you want to fly helicopters...!

 

For me there was really no being told "No" I just didn't care what it took, I was going to fly and fly helicopters!

 

In this industry you need to have extreme perseverance & a very tough hide

 

It has more than its fair share of cynics and nay sayers

 

If you would be happy with a degree and a fixed wing flying career than maybe it is better that you make that choice now

(although here is nothing saying a dual rated pilot cannot be happy as well) and statr to build your plank time.

 

You also should think about what kind of rotary wing flying you are interested in, not all careers keep you away from home and family!

 

Know this, you will hear the same thing said about fixed wing industry too if you speak to the right person, or maybe it should be taken as speaking to the wrong person if you are easily swayed!

 

Think this through, it is really your choice in the end!

[tattooed]

They are correct. I have 25 hrs dual, 0 solo (not for LONG!), and I am beyond obscessed with anything helicopter (my husband asked if he was a helicopter, would I spent more time with him? "yes"). F/W is for sissys (teasing...as always...that IS what girls do best, right?).

 

I just returned from a trip to Phoenix. I judged a Field Trial for a club, and one of the members (who knew that I am a student pilot) set me up with a dinner date with a person who has bought several of her dogs. He was a Vietnam pilot, worked oil rigs, sky crane's, and test piloted for Apache. We talked and talked and talked. He was VERY supportive and encouraging, and gave lots of suggestions on jobs and how to meet people.

 

He really "sealed the deal" that this is what I want to do, and that I CAN do it. He did mentioned that being a 112# girl will actually be a HUGE advantage in most jobs. Cool....very cool.

 

Here's where I have an odd question. Are there people who are career CFI's? (Pay scale aside) is that crazy? Honestly, I LOVE to teach. I have been a Licensed Vet Tech for 12+ years, and I have always been the trainer, I give lectures, I mentor, I work with High School students, and I have taught dance and horse riding lessons most of my life. I can't wait to be a CFI.

[Wally]

If you want to do it, do it. If you don't REALLY, REALLY want to do it, quit, simple as that.

I've had "real" jobs out of aviation and I was one miserable individual when in that situation. I've been miserable working as a helo pilot too, but overall I'm happier doing it than not. I wouldn't do willingly anything else.

 

As to AIDS... well, been there, done that, couldn't afford the T-shirt. I think the personality traits that make a good pilot require that the spouse also have a special personality, able to handle the guff without being resentful.

 

Tattooed- Yes, there are career CFIs.

If it's any encouragement, the best stick I ever saw was a woman of about 112 lbs, she made the check airman look clumsy and second rate. I HATED going to annual training with her. Being small isn't all good- She had to carry shot (weight) bags to fly solo in some aircraft types.

Edited February 18, 2008 by Wally

[tattooed]

Hee hee hee...ah yes, I am well aware of "balast". LOL

[BOATFIXERGUY]

ohman,

Do what you want to do. You will find in ANY profession people telling you to run away! Most jobs are just that, jobs. Aviation is a passion and not just a job. As Wally said, there are days that are an effort, but that all stops when the blades start turning!

 

And if you CAN afford the T-shirt, don't fall in love with it... they're gonna cut it off when you solo!

[aquaman2000]

Hey folks,

I've found myself at a crossroads, and am needing some (more) sound advice.

 

The other day I had the opportunity to talk with a Vietnam veteran, turned commercial heli pilot and heli-lift company owner, I'd guess he's got 20 thousand + hours in the air.

He was doing some logging near my house, so as a budding pilot, I new I needed to take advantage of this opportunity, and introduce myself.

I talked first with his mechanic, who gave me some background information on the gentleman I was watching in the air. Veteran, been doing this a long time, familiar with the industry. He landed for fuel and I took the opportunity to talk with him.

 

Bottom line: he said if he could do it again he wouldn't, asked me how many times I wanted to be married (yes I'm familiar with AIDS), and told me, "you look like a smart kid, if I were you I'd turn tail and run."

He also added that if I really wanted to be in the aviation industry, go fixed wing.

 

He also said I should check out the Vertical Reference forum for advise.

 

Here I am.

 

This is a tough one to swallow. For several months I'd been getting pretty excited about helicopters. I was aware of the hazards to health, marriage, budget, and contagion of various helicopter addiction diseases, but I was really not prepared for the sting of this veterans suggestion.

 

Now with a total of 30 hrs dual, and a couple solo's under my belt, I'm wondering if I should hang up the lofty idea of helicopters, and start looking fixed wing and 4 year degree. The 4 year degree is to offset the possibility of flight impairing injuries/fallout of market/general hell breaking loose.

 

I know I'm close to my ppl, but now with the bankruptcy of my infamous "helicopter school," I don't even really care to carry on with that if its not going to put me in commercial ops some day.

 

Its a broad question I know, but I'm looking for someone to either put the nail in this coffin, or hand me a shovel so I can dig out of this mess.

 

thanks

 

 

what do you mean by aids

[67november]

what do you mean by aids

 

AIDS (Aviation Induced Divorced Syndrome)

 

it tends to run rampent in the aviation industry.

[heligirl03]

Aviation Induced Divorce Syndrome = AIDS

 

Career CFIs = heck yeah, if you love teaching and flying and don't wanna move ever, go for it.

 

Careers in general = They are what you make of them, same with LIFE. Do what you love, love what you do...it's a two way street and not one comes before the other.

 

Fly safe

 

~HG03

[JDHelicopterPilot]

When I started flying many told me I would never make it or that it was too hard. This statement actualy motivated me even more. Many years later I am well on my way but still learning along the way.

 

If this is something that you really want, then you will find a way to make it work as I did. I had many setbacks and road blocks. It takes a lot of motivation, hard work and dedication. I am lucky that I have a wife who supports what I do and understands that moving is part of the industry. Although, I am at a point now where I can settle down for a while.

 

Ohman, you brought up a good point. Even if you continue with flying helicopters I would still after training or even while training(if time allows) to get a degree in an unrelated field. This would give you a back up incase something did happen along the way. For me my backup career is hospitality management.

 

Good luck, keep us posted.

 

JD

[hynesaviation]

Hey folks,

I've found myself at a crossroads, and am needing some (more) sound advice.

 

The other day I had the opportunity to talk with a Vietnam veteran, turned commercial heli pilot and heli-lift company owner, I'd guess he's got 20 thousand + hours in the air.

He was doing some logging near my house, so as a budding pilot, I new I needed to take advantage of this opportunity, and introduce myself.

I talked first with his mechanic, who gave me some background information on the gentleman I was watching in the air. Veteran, been doing this a long time, familiar with the industry. He landed for fuel and I took the opportunity to talk with him.

 

Bottom line: he said if he could do it again he wouldn't, asked me how many times I wanted to be married (yes I'm familiar with AIDS), and told me, "you look like a smart kid, if I were you I'd turn tail and run."

He also added that if I really wanted to be in the aviation industry, go fixed wing.

 

He also said I should check out the Vertical Reference forum for advise.

 

Here I am.

 

This is a tough one to swallow. For several months I'd been getting pretty excited about helicopters. I was aware of the hazards to health, marriage, budget, and contagion of various helicopter addiction diseases, but I was really not prepared for the sting of this veterans suggestion.

 

Now with a total of 30 hrs dual, and a couple solo's under my belt, I'm wondering if I should hang up the lofty idea of helicopters, and start looking fixed wing and 4 year degree. The 4 year degree is to offset the possibility of flight impairing injuries/fallout of market/general hell breaking loose.

 

I know I'm close to my ppl, but now with the bankruptcy of my infamous "helicopter school," I don't even really care to carry on with that if its not going to put me in commercial ops some day.

 

Its a broad question I know, but I'm looking for someone to either put the nail in this coffin, or hand me a shovel so I can dig out of this mess.

 

thanks

 

Ohman,

 

Keep after it, at least finish PPL. All the money I have spent for flying (rotor and fixed wing) I will probably never get back. But didn't do it for the money. I do it because I like to fly and teach people to fly.

 

Yes it was a long road and even took a few years off. But got back into it and just found a way to pay for it (having a different job to pay for it). I saved money then would buy the time to finish a rating.

 

Do want you like to do and there are plenty of people in this industry who have had a long road to get to where they are now.

 

Plenty of flight schools out there or find someone local. Either way keep at it.

[SunHelo Paul]

As a thirty year professional fixed-wing pilot, I can tell you that the grass isn't necessarily greener on this side of the fence.

 

Catch me on a bad day or any day before I've had my second cup of coffee and I'll tell you to run-don't-walk from an aviation career too.

 

Catch me near the end of happy hour and I'll wax poetic about a lifetime of adventure spent living wherever I wanted to live and doing exactly what I wanted to do.

 

What thirty years of perspective really gives me is the knowledge that if the flying bug has bitten you're going to have to let the poison run its course. There's no shaking it off.

 

After twenty years or so, it will cease to be your life and simply become your livelihood. But by then it's too late

[goromadgo]

Catch me on a bad day or any day before I've had my second cup of coffee and I'll tell you to run-don't-walk from an aviation career too.

 

Catch me near the end of happy hour and I'll wax poetic about a lifetime of adventure spent living wherever I wanted to live and doing exactly what I wanted to do.

 

Sounds a lot like my job! Would much rather be flying though...

[Kelly N.]

Here's my view:

 

I make very good money in my current profession with potential to make significantly more (even after 10+ years in my industry). However, I don't particulary like or dislike what I do for a living.

I realize that the odds of making similar money as I do now (much less the overall earning potential) in the helicopter aviation industry are very small. Despite that, there's nothing that anyone could say that could dissuade me from pursuing helicopters as my future career (short of permanent medical disqualification).

 

Of course, I'm going to try to beat the odds on the earning front , but the reality is that it's just not likely.

 

If you couldn't walk away from a better paying (now and future) job that you don't really care about for a career in aviation, then you should probably think long and hard about your initial decision before spending too much more $$ on your training.

 

That's my .02. 'Course, I'm just a newb so, take it for what it's worth.

 

Kelly

[ohman]

thanks all for the friendly advise. it's appreciated.

 

second question for you.

 

could anybody that has payed for their training out of pocket give me some insight as to how well or horribly that went. and i don't mean 'out of pocket' by taking a second mortgage out on the house, but shelled out $$ per flight hour.

 

i'm enrolled in a college again...regular ol' college...but want to stay as current as i can in the air, so i'm looking at maybe having $500-$750 a month available to train with. is it worth it to work on ratings this slowly, or will the rust be too thick?

 

thanks

[relyon]

After twenty years or so, it will cease to be your life and simply become your livelihood. But by then it's too late

I couldn't disagree more and don't often post here, but this thread prompted me to write. The overwhelming majority of helicopter pilots I've spoken to say the reason they have or will stay or go is because of money. I've also listened to plenty that say it's only a job. Fair enough for most, but definitely not all. Some say it’s a midlife crisis with which I agree; I’m in my fourth or fifth now. What’s wrong with that?

 

Like many, I love aviation and always wanted to be a pilot since my very earliest days; I remember Alan Shepard being lofted skyward aboard Freedom 7. Due to the second class vision standards that existed when I was younger (20/100 or better uncorrected), I ended up with a Chemistry degree in 1981. I had several jobs (lab technician, scientific glassblower, among others) before settling into a career as a software developer for over 20 years. I made well over twice what I do now.

 

I put my money where my mouth is and started down the road of becoming a helicopter pilot at age 41 after learning that the regulations had changed allowing me to get medically certified for commercial work. I was hired as a GOM pilot in October 2006 after six grueling years, long times away from my wife and children, and $55,000 out of pocket for training alone. I'm fortunate that I had the money and have no loans or second mortgages to repay. I'm almost 49 now and, while far from perfect, I absolutely love my job.

 

I've always maintained that if one doesn't like what one does, then change jobs, change employers, or change careers entirely. I've done all three in the past and will continue to in the future should the situation warrant it.

 

Bob

Edited February 19, 2008 by relyon

[FLHooker]

ohman,

 

if I may, I want to throw in my 2 cents... I wish like hell I had a couple of dollars per month that i could commit to helicopter flying. I'm broke, really really broke. If I had that money that I could put towards helo flying, I would in a heart beat, I really would. I'm addicted to the hover. I work for a FW flight school right now, don't make a whole lot of money, and wish every day that I had the money to fly helicopters for a living.

 

 

CHAD

[bossman]

relyon,

That's what I'm talking about.

bossman

[jehh]

He really "sealed the deal" that this is what I want to do, and that I CAN do it. He did mentioned that being a 112# girl will actually be a HUGE advantage in most jobs. Cool....very cool.

 

Yes, it is...

 

Here's where I have an odd question. Are there people who are career CFI's? (Pay scale aside) is that crazy? Honestly, I LOVE to teach. I have been a Licensed Vet Tech for 12+ years, and I have always been the trainer, I give lectures, I mentor, I work with High School students, and I have taught dance and horse riding lessons most of my life. I can't wait to be a CFI.

 

Of course you can, and the pay can get quite good once you have some experience under your belt. I'll pay a CFI with 2,000 hours who really wants to teach a lot more than one with 200 hours.