Becoming a Helicopter Pilot

[cmerickson21]

I was thinking about becoming a helicopter pilot. It has always been a dream of mine and I have decided I would like to pursue. I had a few questions first though. My first question was are there any jobs available right now or is it nearly impossible to find a job? I also was looking at a couple of local Flight schools and am not really sure what I should be looking for the first one is about fifteen thousand cheaper but I was wondering if there is more at the second or if they just charge more?
http://www.renthelicopters.com/pricesupdate.html
http://www.flymfs.com/Careerhelo.html
I also have seen that most jobs require 1000 hrs. and I was wondering about how long it would take to work up to 1000 hrs working as a CFI. Any answers to any of these questions would be greatly appreciated. Thank You.

[scottyboy75]

It is hard to get CFII gig right now. But, by the time you finish training it could be different, or not? There are some signs of movement in the industry. That depends on a lot of factors yet to be seen.
When evaluating the school look at the whole picture. Do not just look at what they want you to see. Case in point a former student of mine wanted to get back into flying after taking a long break. I could no longer reccomend the school I used to work at so I took him to the school I keep current at. The school let him wander around talk to everyone, watch some ground and even watch a sim session. He walked away with a glimpse at the training and CFI's in action. He also was able to see the hangar and the aircraft maitenance being done. He is now strongly considering this school.
Good luck in your decision it is a big one with no easy answer.
Shane

[helicop]

Shane has some good advice for you. One school close by just closed it's doors and another is struggling because students can't get financing with the current loan crisis. The 1000 hr requirment is also becoming a thing of the past as insurance companies raise the hour requirment to decrease risk. Also since instructing is really the only way to build time in the civilian world, flight schools end up paying next to nothing because they have you over a barrel. I think more schools are going to close before things get better.

[cmerickson21]

I was also looking in to the Blue 21 Flight Initiative in the Coast Guard. It guarantees an assignment in Flight Training after OCS. However, I have read on other forums that the CG sometimes forces people into fixed wing. Does anyone know anything about this program and if it is true that they could force you into fixed wing?

[The Fez]

Originally Posted by cmerickson21

I was also looking in to the Blue 21 Flight Initiative in the Coast Guard. It guarantees an assignment in Flight Training after OCS. However, I have read on other forums that the CG sometimes forces people into fixed wing. Does anyone know anything about this program and if it is true that they could force you into fixed wing?

I don't know how the CG operates or what their flight training rules are. But, I'd be wary of anyone saying you're "guaranteed" a helicopter job in a military branch. You may receive a guarantee to flight school, but don't put all your hopes into one aircraft. So to answer your question directly, you can be forced to fly anything they have to offer.

Again, I don't know how the CG works, but in the other US military flight training programs, students are ranked according to their academic ability, flight proficiency and (in the AF for sure) flight commander's ranking. #1 get what he wants, followed by #2, etc. If you're the lowest man on the totem pole, you get the leftovers, which in the CG may be SAR C-130's. Not a bad gig at all, but it ain't a helo.

Best thing to do is to ask a CG pilot who has gone through the program recently. They'd be able to tell you how it really works and what kind of political/environmental factors may come into play during your training.

Good luck!

[Blackhawk]

Originally Posted by cmerickson21

I was also looking in to the Blue 21 Flight Initiative in the Coast Guard. It guarantees an assignment in Flight Training after OCS. However, I have read on other forums that the CG sometimes forces people into fixed wing. Does anyone know anything about this program and if it is true that they could force you into fixed wing?

If your heart is set on being a helicopter pilot and you do not mind going the military route, go Army. I can give you a 100% guarantee that if you get to flight school you will fly helicopters.
You will also get a good deal of flight time. Figure about 200+ hours in flight school (not sure what it is now). While not in a combat zone figure 150-400 hours a year; in a combat zone figure about 1000 hours/year. Flight school plus 7 years figure about 3000 hours of quality time by the time you are done.