Comments on: The Helicopter Job Market

By: Maria Langer

Maria Langer — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:08:19 +0000

The health problems alone are enough to scare me off. I don’t know the nature of these problems, but if she can’t pass an FAA physical every year, she can’t fly commercially. Theoretically, she could dump $60K to $80K to get her ratings, fail a physical, and not be able to use her training to make money. What an incredible nightmare that would be!

While I know this post has job market info, keep in mind that it’s a bit dated at this point. A better reality check for her might be the series I wrote about becoming a helicopter pilot. You can find the first part here: http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2011/01/17/so-you-want-to-be-a-helicopter-pilot-part-1-read-this-first/ I recommend that she read the entire series, which includes health and age related information, as well as costs and job information.

The way the job market is right now, the thought of going into deep debt for any specific job — and there isn’t too much more specific than “helicopter pilot” — is terrifying to me.

By: Shara Nguyen

Shara Nguyen — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:46:28 +0000

I was very glad to find your website as I’ve been lloking for answers about the helicopter job market. I’ve been trying to talk my best friend out of going into massive debt to become a helicopter pilot. She has a few children and some minor health problems. I’m hoping that seeing your website will be a wake-up for her. I work for a majot airline in customer service and most pilots i meet make the prospects for new inexperienced pilots look bleak

By: Devendra S Padalkar

Devendra S Padalkar — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 17:52:42 +0000

Hi My name is Devendra and I am an Indian. and I did my Flying from USA California, I have been working and collecting money to do my CHPL and now I dont have enough Money to do My CFI or CFII but i have a working experience or 6 years and ready to work any were and for any given salary, can any one help me to get a Job…or guide me so i can get the right Job….. thanks

By: Maria Langer

Maria Langer — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 14:06:37 +0000

I think this is EXCELLENT advice. I think a military background can really help a young guy/gal make the transition to adulthood with a solid foundation that can only help them in the future. And those GI benefits can help you move forward when your military time is done.

Thanks for sharing this.

By: marcus windham

marcus windham — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 06:21:52 +0000

Hello all,
As a student pilot, (just finished private two weeks ago, in commercial now), if your interested in becoming a pilot, and your young, join the military. You don’t have to fly in the military, but the VA is a valuable resource. Right now they are paying 60% of my way, and most of my buddies in my flight classes that are VA are getting 100% paid for. The reason I am getting sixty vs. 100 is the time period that I served. Alot of you out there might be thinking that joining the military wouat ld be an awful route, but I will say, that I had a great experience and I wont be in debt 80,000$ when its all said and done either. And for all you would be pilots out there- It is an absolutely awesome experience. If you want to fly for a living, don’t let anything hold you back.

By: Maria Langer

Maria Langer — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 15:25:49 +0000

I think going for a private pilot license is a great way to get started. It’s enough to give you the ability to fly and, if you want to make a career of it, you can always go the next step. This is exactly how I got started — I never expected to make a career out of flying.

By: DT

DT — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 05:07:14 +0000

I just finished reading your blog and comments. Excellent information on the reality of the situation.

I am in my late 20s and am about to finish my bachelors degree debt free because I paid as I went, took me 11 years vs 4 but it allowed me to work and buy a home.

I originally wanted to fly for the military, but at the time they were not really hiring pilots (2000, peace time and they were trying to downsize) who didn’t have perfect vision. I need corrective lenses to see 20/20 and they wanted people who did not need glasses.

So I went to school part time instead and am about to get a degree I can find work just about any where.

What I have notice is a lot of people responding to this blog also have a dream to fly and are heartbroken when they see that its a very tough road to make a living at.

So my suggestion to them is why not do what I am going to do, go for a private helicopter license instead, its cheaper (roughly the price of new lower end car), and since its not a JOB you really can’t get tired of it.

It just seems every one ignores the fact that private license can be just enjoyable.

By: Clayton

Clayton — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 23:28:26 +0000

If i go into the air force to be a helicopter pilot and stayed in that for however long they make you stay what options would i have if i left the air force. Would that be good experience or not enough? And what could i expect to make?
Thanks

By: Mismar

Mismar — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 19:09:17 +0000

Thank you for your Honesty, I appreciate it.
Best regards,

Mismar

By: Maria Langer

Maria Langer — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 19:00:05 +0000

I really don’t feel qualified to advise you. Perhaps one of the other people following this comment thread can.

Best of luck!

By: Mismar

Mismar — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 15:43:19 +0000

Dear Langer
I am a LTC. pilot in the Royal Jordanian Air Force, i have about 2200 hours, mostly helicopter hours (900 hours on EC-135, 22 hours on MD-902 VVIP configuration, 1156 hours on the UH-1H and 120 hours on the MD-500D), i am a Flight Commander, an MTP and a Safety Officer for my wing, looking forward to flying for 2 years in a good paying job.
What do you advice? and where meaning which state?
Thank you for your concern and help in advance

Mismar

By: Maria Langer

Maria Langer — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 15:08:30 +0000

When I finished flight school, I only had about 300 hours. Didn’t have a CFI. I built 700 more hours over the course of 3+ years in my R22.

If I had to do it again, it depends on how much money I have. The R22 cost me $132K with 168 hours on it. My R44 cost $346K straight from the factory. If money were not a factor at all, I’d likely go with a turbine helicopter — and I don’t mean an R66.

Good luck, whatever you decide.

By: Ron Bell

Ron Bell — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 12:56:55 +0000

Did you fly at the Grand Canyon straight out of flight school? or after you bough the R22 and flew 1000hrs? I’m looking at each route and trying to weigh the pros and cons of getting a job with a tour company and briefing/loading passengers sweeping floors and all that, and maybe getting some flight time to build hours, or just buying an R22 and as you put it, flying the paint off it.

Also, if you were to do it again, would you buy the R22 again, fresh out of your license?

thx
-Ron

By: Maria Langer

Maria Langer — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 14:53:53 +0000

David: Your success in any career is entirely up to you. While Missy may have told you that they hire most of their students as CFIs, they can't hire all of them. It's your level of skill, ability to communicate and teach, attitude, and even weight that will determine whether you're one of the ones they hire. This is true in all flight schools. Throughout training, if you prove that you're serious. skillful, safe, and a team player, you're far more likely to get that all-important CFI job. From that point, it's a matter of paying dues -- with the same positive attitude -- and getting that first 1,000 - 1,500 hours of flight time. Then an entry level job for more time -- likely turbine time -- to qualify for a job you like and want. Throughout this process, it's you that makes the main difference. Attitude is so vitally important -- almost as important as skill and the ability to understand the underlying concepts you need to know to fly safely. I wrote about this quite a bit in Part 5 of my "So You Want to Be a Helicopter Pilot" series here. Your detailed, well thought out, and literate comment here tells me that you might just have the right stuff to succeed. If this is what you want to do and you're willing to put everything you've got into it, go for it. I think you can succeed. Sadly, however, my opinion of an Associate's Degree is that it's window dressing. While you may be able to build upon it to get a Bachelor's Degree in the future, no one is going to make a hire/don't hire decision based on an AS or AAS degree. Similarly, I don't think you should make a flight school decision based on whether or not it offers an Associate's Degree. Choose based on what the school offers in terms of training quality and opportunities. One final word: As I mentioned earlier, your success in any career is entirely up to you. I mean this quite literally. If you're driven enough and are willing to work hard to achieve your goals, you can make it happen. I did.

By: David

David — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 12:08:24 +0000

p.s. – Another thing i would like to add after reading a little bit more. Although the offered training is a “program” it is not paid upfront: it is pay as you go. By “program” i simply mean that it will be offered in conjunction with the community college and will be accompanied with an Associates in Applied Science.