Did a Discovery flight w/ fixed wing and helo. Need to chose

[franknyc]

...I'm leaning toward helos now. Hows the job market if I do this instead. How much will training cost?
Thanks-

[bike21]

Not sure what the job market really is for helos, but I am sure it is decent. It is safe to say there are a greater number of opportunities in fixed wing, but it all depends on what you really want.

While you can't discount the jobs available factor, I would go after which one you can really see yourself doing.

We have some helo guys on here that can give you some good ideas. Off the top of my head....

-law enforcement flying
-instructing
-SAR
-medevac
-pipeline
-charters
-construction (big lift)

Good luck!

[Bigscrb15]

I know 2 guys that are commercial rotary pilots. 1 flys for the local mosquito control department and the other used to fly for the sheriffs office and now flys for another counties mosquito control. They make great money and are home every night. Also don't have long commute to work.

[WAFlyBoy]

I've been working this summer for a company that operates a fleet of Skycranes on forest service contracts for firefighting. I've heard that they've been having a hard time finding enough co-pilots this season. Also, it seems like the job market for PIC positions is pretty good for those who have enough experience. (Sounds like most guys get their initial experience as CFI's, just like airplanes.)

I know this information is very non-specific, but maybe it will help. I'm a fixed-wing guy, but have had thoughts of getting helo privileges, especially after working around helicopters all summer.

[Murdoughnut]

Helicopter training is heli-expensive. Something to consider.

[deek]

I was looking into helo's too, and even did a discovery flight. The job market is goo, but starting out 99% go to the gulf region and fly out to oil rigs, PHI an ERA helicopters are the two big ones doing this. And they are a lot more time strict on new guys then fixed wing. There are fewer jobs, but also fewer pilots, so it kina evens out. But first year pay is a lot more than regional first year pay, in the end you prolly make the same amount, but training will be 2x as expensice than fixed wing. Some guys get all their fixed wing and then do heli add-ons, seems to be cheaper, in the end. Hospital jobs are where to seniors get on an sit thill they retire. And most helo jobs are in Canada where the wilderness really needs them. I'm going fixed wing and will decied later if i want to add the helo. But good luck. and there are some good threads online too.

[NYArmyflyer]

I am currently working on my fixed-wing add-ons to my commercial helicopter certificate. Don't get me wrong, I love helicopters, they are amazing! However, I have found that it is more practical for myself to get into the civilian aviation side of things as a fixed-wing pilot. Especially now, the majority of helicopter jobs out there still have mins in the 1000-2500 hour range, where the regionals are hiring with very low hours. I know the price of rotary-wing flight training can be very high as well, compared to FW. Have you considered the military route? It's not for everybody, but the military offers some of the best flight training around, and you get paid for it!! Bottom line, you should follow whatever direction your heart pulls you!

[franknyc]

I'm too old to join the military. This will be a second career for me (less than 5 years away from my police pension) I'm thinking of getting my ppl, commercial and CFI-H (150 hours total, prob cost 45-60K), buy a R22 for 200k and flight instruct. Any idea how much insurance would be for a 150 hour CFI-H?

[NYArmyflyer]

No such thing as too old these days! But, seriously, I have seen people in their late 30's in flight school. Not sure how much insurance would be, but I know you can get a job instucting in helicopters with around 200-250 hours at numerous flight schools. Probably lower. Congrats on nearing retirement with the police as well, CRJ was my major in school.