Why not call them and find out for sure?

Great read, like yourself I’m in the middle of a career change. I’m 42, working on finishing my CFII and continue to build time albeit very slowly. Are you seeing the industry standard hour 1000 requirment beginning to drop? The Reason I ask is I had a friend visit the Papillon booth at Heli Expo a while back and she reported that their requirements had dropped to 500 hours. Any information you can provide would be a great help. Take care and blue skies

I built my time in my own aircraft. It was slow going — I only fly about 200 hours a year — but I managed. You can’t get a decent helicopter job (other than as a CFI) without at least 1,000 hours. I already had a full time job as a writer, so I couldn’t take on another job to build the time.

It’s hard at this age (I’m 45) to break into a new career, but it is possible. The only advice I can give is to work hard, be a team player, and try to ignore co-workers who may act immature or crudely. If you’re lightweight — and I mean that literally: less than 150 lbs — you’ll definitely be in high demand if you get the time and show you have the skills. (One of the top pilots at the Grand Canyon right now is a little Japanese woman who weighs in at only 115 lbs!)

Life is a challenge — or at least it should be — and setting new goals, like learning skills and trying out new careers is one way to keep it interesting.

And, for the record, I don’t work at the Grand Canyon anymore. The only thing I Captain these days is my own helicopter, and I just haven’t felt right putting on the epaulets.

Good luck!

My name is Carolyn Flaherty. I am 40 years old and my history reads so much like yours. I had to say hello. Ten years ago I started on my “check list of life”: I wanted to learn German and Spanish, how to play the Mandoline, run a marathon, juggle, and learn how to fly helicopters. All of which I have somehow managed to do (some better than others). I’d like to think I fly better anything, but some days that is hit and miss.

I am currently living in Hawaii going to Mauna Loa Flight School, and maybe a month from going on my CFI check ride. Money is very tight, and I was a bit frustrated today with even knowing if I could pull this aviation career thing off. Somehow I Googled you and read your wonderful web page, and I think you may have been the updraft that I needed to continue with the dream.

I’ve always wondered how you get into this career without becoming an instructor. And today you answered my question. I am not sure if I want to teach, but love flying, and love the idea of doing something more with aviation and maybe getting paid for it.

If you have the time I’d love to find out more about your journey, and maybe some suggestions for a 210 (hour almost CFI pilot, who may not want to teach, but wants a career in aviation).

Either way, thank you for sharing your story, as it gives me perhaps a new avenue that I did not know existed.

Carolyn Flaherty