dropdeded 0 #1 May 27, 2007 Just kinda tossing the idea around in my head to learn to fly commercial helicopters and wondering what the job market is like?? I've been in EMS for about 4 1/2 years and may have to find a new career due to an injury. Kinda interested in the MediVac thing. I've got a brother in-law that trains pilots in Oakland/Alameda (police) and I'll hit him up when I can of course but I know theres some pilots on here.------------------------------------------ The Dude Abides. - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beerlight 0 #2 May 27, 2007 "relyon" is an offshore pilot. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cocheese 0 #3 May 27, 2007 Just crashed a very expensive r/c heli yesterday. I'm so bummed but thankful nobody got hurt or needed a heli ride out of the field. My wallet needs a band-aid. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dropdeded 0 #4 May 27, 2007 Offering lessons ------------------------------------------ The Dude Abides. - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cocheese 0 #5 May 27, 2007 Not sure if it would help to cross train with the r/c stuff, but there is guy on here who made a system to control an r/c heli by using simlular controls as a real heli. It's a lawn chair with lots of levers. Thanks for being an EMT. Go for it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dropdeded 0 #6 May 27, 2007 Quote "relyon" is an offshore pilot. I did a gig as a "medic" (notice the quotation marks) on a platform off Santa Maria in Ca, flew to work via Arctic Air's helicopter. I think Mike Mullins told me he did that also, hmmm.------------------------------------------ The Dude Abides. - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 3 #7 May 27, 2007 Learning to fly anything is expensive. Learning to fly a helicopter, even more so. Even if you're getting "free" instruction, the helicopter is going to be very, very expensive to operate. Even the "cheap" ones are much more expensive than some very nice training airplanes. Do a LOT of research before going down this path.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ExAFO 0 #8 May 27, 2007 Considering there are hundreds/thousands of retired Army Warrant officers with thousands of hours competing for the job..."snowball's chance in hell" mean anything to you? Sorry, but reality sucks at times.Illinois needs a CCW Law. NOW. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dropdeded 0 #9 May 27, 2007 Quote Considering there are hundreds/thousands of retired Army Warrant officers with thousands of hours competing for the job..."snowball's chance in hell" mean anything to you? Sorry, but reality sucks at times. Reality scares me not Im asking here for a reason, and your reply is one of the reasons why Im asking. I will say one thing though, I have definately reached some unnatainable goals, so this definately is NOT impossible. I dont even know for sure that my current career is kyboshed yet, just weighing my options. Thanks again for your straight forward reply.------------------------------------------ The Dude Abides. - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beerlight 0 #10 May 27, 2007 there are tons of jobs to be had flying offshore to the oil platforms. Many companies hiring but gotta have about 1000 hrs. Lots of military pilots NOT getting out of the service not wishing to take a pay cut. The offshore pilots start pay running $48 - $54K per year and the mil pilots making more than that.......... check out http://www.verticalreference.com/ and check around their forums...... EMS jobs require many more hrs to be hired....... edit to add: That $48K to $54K is for 6 months work. You can make much more with overtime.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
f1freak 0 #11 May 27, 2007 Hell you could go fly the power lines....puttin your blades between the lines with another dude sittin on the skid would make for exciting dayz..... HAVE FUN... ...JUST DONT DIE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shall555 0 #12 May 27, 2007 You may want to read the "Rotorheads" forum on the PPRUNE site here. Many of the folks who post there are pro helicopter pilots from around the world. If you read the posts going back a few years you can begin to get a feel for what those guys have to deal with and what the prospects are. Cheers, shall Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickjump1 0 #13 May 28, 2007 Quotethere are tons of jobs to be had flying offshore to the oil platforms. Many companies hiring but gotta have about 1000 hrs. Lots of military pilots NOT getting out of the service not wishing to take a pay cut. The offshore pilots start pay running $48 - $54K per year and the mil pilots making more than that.......... check out http://www.verticalreference.com/ and check around their forums...... EMS jobs require many more hrs to be hired....... edit to add: That $48K to $54K is for 6 months work. You can make much more with overtime.... Yep, and all those old guys that flew in Vietnam are starting to give it up. Should be lots of jobs for an offshore pilot. I heard you might even be able to duck the 1000 hr requirement at certain offshore helicopter companies. How you doin Buck?Do your part for global warming: ban beans and hold all popcorn farts. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bazelos 0 #14 May 28, 2007 Quote Do a LOT of research before going down this path. That's true, but the OP has to remember that helicopter pilots get it up faster. Big plus that isHe who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billeisele 122 #15 May 28, 2007 reached an unattainable goal?, must have seemed unattainalbe but really was not bottom line is you can solve anything if you throw enough money at it, the question is does it make any sense to do thatGive one city to the thugs so they can all live together. I vote for Chicago where they have strict gun laws. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
toronto_bill 0 #16 May 28, 2007 At the best chance you'll be flying cheerio's out to an oil rig. Or in something in a remote area. Crappy flying time + remote loaction = low time heli pilots job. It the same as fixed wing aviation except much worse. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beerlight 0 #17 May 28, 2007 Hey Rick! I tell ya, my bud that flies for PHI is telling me to drop the 50K for training and get on flying offshore. I heard they were putting new hires on as SIC with around 500 hrs and after they build time then getting their own ship in a year or so.....? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickjump1 0 #18 May 28, 2007 ERA always made copilots out of low -timers and then turned them loose as a single-pilot vfr captains. We had a kid working in baggage handling and refueling that picked up his ratings and flew a little as an instructor who got hired. That happened 2 years ago and more senior captains have retired since then. I sure liked the 14 and 14 schedule better than the 7 and 7. When you going to apply?Do your part for global warming: ban beans and hold all popcorn farts. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beerlight 0 #19 May 28, 2007 well........I'm tinking about it!! But, I have a guaranteed interview with Pinnacle airlines if I want it. Pay sucks, but could lead to bigger and faster things Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
