Getting Started

[KWall77]

Hey everyone, I'm currently a senior at Towson University in Maryland, graduating this may, and i've come to the conclusion that once I graduate I want to fly helicopters.

 

I've always had an interest in helicopters, and I took a demo flight last summer in a Schweizer 300. From that moment on I knew that is what I want to do as a career. Right now I'm doing an internship where I sit in an office in a cubicle every day, wearing a suit, and I want to put a gun to my head whenever i'm there.

 

I'm doing as much research as I can, looking at private schools, the Army, the Coast Guard, etc.

I'm interested in hearing people's opinions and their suggestions as to how I should get started. I already have about $16,000 in student loans and I'm afraid that i'll end up like the guy on the tv commercial "i'm in debt up to my eyeballs!"

 

Does anyone have any recommendations as to which route to go and could offer some insight on how they got started flying helicopters? Would anyone recommend a flight school over joining the military? Vice versa?

 

Does anyone have a specific flight school that they would recommend?

 

Has anyone found it difficult to find a job or repay loans once they've obtained their private/commerical pilots license?

 

Any help and ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[ADRidge]

The FAQ's and everything would be a good place to start, but if you're willing to relocate for schools and jobs (you'll have to someday, in this industry) message me and I'll walk you through what I know.