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Posted

I'm a military pilot UH-60 time that's getting out soon. I've talked to my local FSDO about adding the type rating but am still wondering if it's even a worthwhile task. I understand the type ratings are only given for aircraft over 12,500lbs and there aren't many civilian 60's or S-70's. I was looking at an employment listing a while back which was looking for S-76 PIC's requiring the type rating. From previous reading I understand that one doesn't need the rating to act as an SIC and will likely get the rating by the check pilot for their "PIC" ride. Type ratings are aircraft specific, am wrong? So if one doesn't have the type rating for the 76 that person would have to be hired, trained, and given that type rating- correct? As of now the water seems a bit murky, can someone clear this up?

Posted

If you have current PIC orders in the UH60 you can get a S70 type rating added to your FAA cert as that is the civil equivalent of the Blackhawk. Unfortunately the only civil s70 flying are two that belong to Brainerd helicopters down in Florida so the type rating won't get you far. An S76 is not a type rated aircraft. You can legally hop into a 76 crank her up (if you can figure it out) and fly. Now finding an operator that will let you do that is another story. If you want to fly an S76 most likely an operator will start you up as a copilot and after a short time move you into a PIC slot depending on your ability. Your best bet of doing this will be in the gulf as more and more operators are purchasing larger ships as we explore deeper and deeper into the ocean. Good luck and thank you for your service.

Posted

Currently you can't get an S76 type rating, nor on anything else with a maximum certificated gross weight of less than 12,500 lb. You once could, but no longer. Anyone who advertises a job that requires one is ignorant of the FARs, and of aviation in general.

 

I think there are more S70s than two in FL. Los Angeles County, or some entity out there, has or had one, I think. There aren't many, though, and jobs flying them probably are tightly controlled.

Posted

ok I'll chime in here, without looking up the stats, where does the S92 fall in for weight class, I beleive it's 12.5k+ correct?

 

if so does anybody know if they are used here in the lower 48?

Posted
ok I'll chime in here, without looking up the stats, where does the S92 fall in for weight class, I beleive it's 12.5k+ correct?

 

if so does anybody know if they are used here in the lower 48?

Yes, the S92 is well over 12.5k, and requires a type rating for the PIC. There are a number of them in use in the GOM, as well as elsewhere.
Posted

At the very least you could put that on your resume that you have a type rating.

 

On a personal level, I fully intent on getting the type in the 47 once I get the qualification, just cause I can. I fully understand that the chances of getting a civilian job flying a Chinook are slim. Ha

 

Just my 2 cents

 

 

CHAD

Posted (edited)
I fully understand that the chances of getting a civilian job flying a Chinook are slim. Ha

CHAD

 

Chad - you're selling yourself a bit short. The civilain 234 is used all the time up North, and the company that uses them (Columbia) is always looking for good pilots. Email me if you would like the Chief Pilots email address...

Edited by Goldy
Posted

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the FAA get rid of the S70 type certificate due to a lack of applications? From what I understand, if you go to work for a company that flies 'hawks, you are signed on to a letter of agreement the company has with the FAA. I think it basically states that you are a specially qualified pilot for the aircraft... or something like that.

 

Chad, sorry to buzz you on two different posts, but take Goldy's advice. I met a flight engineer from Columbia helos several years ago and he couldn't stop praising the company! Plus, I know that they used to attend the ERAU career fair every year when we were in school. It's definitely worth checking out!

Posted

Goldy, Thanks! I might take you up on that, I certainly wouldn't mind looking into them and finding more about them

 

Alex, no problem, I'm always on here when I'm bored... especially at work.

 

 

The only issue is that they are on the opposite side of the country!

 

 

CHAD

Posted

You don't even have to have an FAA pilot's certificate to fly an S70 for public use, just like you don't have to have one to fly military aircraft. The FAA has no oversight over any public use aircraft or pilots.

Posted (edited)

Brainard Helicopters in Leesburg, Fl. seems to always be looking for S-70 pilots. They use them

mostly on fires, but I have heard it is a year-round gig. Google Firehawk Helicopters. I think

they have at least 3 plus a few Astars. Sorry, missed the previous post.

Edited by helonorth
Posted
Yes, the S92 is well over 12.5k, and requires a type rating for the PIC. There are a number of them in use in the GOM, as well as elsewhere.

 

The S92 weighs in at 26500 and Pics need a type rating and a security check...More and more 92s showing up on the Gulf and around the world

Posted (edited)

Thanks for the responses, guys...I didn't think I was misreading the FARs, but I had to ask. As far as the S70 type rating I'll probably just do it since it can't hurt.

 

A fellow pilot just out of the military told me that Brainard mentioned that the lack of VR time and fire fighting was a bit of a detriment despite our 2000hrs in Hawks. I know some guard guys get the fire fighting experience but it's tough for us active duty guys.

Edited by chamerican
  • 3 weeks later...
Posted
Thanks for the responses, guys...I didn't think I was misreading the FARs, but I had to ask. As far as the S70 type rating I'll probably just do it since it can't hurt.

 

A fellow pilot just out of the military told me that Brainard mentioned that the lack of VR time and fire fighting was a bit of a detriment despite our 2000hrs in Hawks. I know some guard guys get the fire fighting experience but it's tough for us active duty guys.

 

The FAA does not issue a type rating for the S-70 unless they have just recently changed their policy. I applied for the S-70 rating while in the military and was issued a temporary certificate by the local FSDO and then received a letter from the FAA saying it did not recognize the S-70 type rating so it was not to be included on my permanent record. I think this is due to the fact that so many military 60 pilots were applying for the rating and swamping the FAA on an aircraft that has limited numbers in the civilian sector. This happened about a year ago so maybe they have changed their policy, so don't quote me on this. But don't be surprised if they won't acknowledge your request for a type rating in the S-60. I was able to get a type rating for the SK-61 though no problem. Good luck!

Posted

AFAIK the number of S70s in the US which are under the supervision of the FAA is zero. They're all public use aircraft, and the FAA has no oversight over them. Thus there is no way the FAA can issue a type rating. You don't even need a pilot's license to fly them, nevermind a type rating.

  • 3 weeks later...
Posted

If you can get the FSDO to put it on your certificate, go for it. Even if you never use it again, at times it could be the knock on the door that gets you in. Plus there may be advantages to you if the FAA ever gets the Simulator/FTD rules set up properly.

 

Second, helicopter type ratings are a little bit different that FW type ratings. There is an Advisory Circular out on this. If you hold a Helicopter ATP, helicopters under 12,500 can be placed on the certificate as type ratings. Basicly that is more or less useless here in the US, but overseas it is a different story.

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