Viking 0 #1 February 17, 2004 I was recently turned on to the idea of becoming a Civi Chopper Pilot and was wondering if there is anyone here than I can talk to.I swear you must have footprints on the back of your helmet - chicagoskydiver My God has a bigger dick than your god -George Carlin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BikerBabe 0 #2 February 17, 2004 PMed you!Never meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ifics 0 #3 February 17, 2004 HEY THATS WEIRD!!! Today I was trying to find places that would teach me, I want to go to school to learn how to fly them! Could you help me out as well? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kiltboy 0 #4 February 17, 2004 I tried to fly helicopters for the UK Army Air Corps. Damn pesky medical requirements. David Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #5 February 17, 2004 My DZ is across the runway from a big helicopter flight school, and I work for a helicopter company. I'm dying to do it, but I know I just can't afford it (and keep flying planes and jumping). An hour of dual is something like $220. I did a half hour a couple summers ago just to see what it's like. Maybe someday I'll do it for real. Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Viking 0 #6 February 17, 2004 ya thats the downside, all the schools i'v seen charge 35-40 thousand for the complete program to get your comercial instrument ratings.I swear you must have footprints on the back of your helmet - chicagoskydiver My God has a bigger dick than your god -George Carlin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #7 February 17, 2004 Quoteya thats the downside, all the schools i'v seen charge 35-40 thousand for the complete program to get your comercial instrument ratings. That's actually less than I might have guessed. It's about the same price for fixed wing multi, instument, and commercial at a part 141 school. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Viking 0 #8 February 18, 2004 ya and i'v heard of people with a couple thousand flight hours making just shy of or beyond six figures!! Reading some stories these people get two weeks on, two weeks off or something like that.I swear you must have footprints on the back of your helmet - chicagoskydiver My God has a bigger dick than your god -George Carlin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
osuskydiver 0 #9 February 18, 2004 Best way to becoem a Chopper Pilot: 1. Join the Army, go to WOC School and then flight school 2. Have really rich parents 3. Inheret the moeny 4. Win Lotto By the time you read this you have already read it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Viking 0 #10 February 18, 2004 or take out a huge loan from the bank and then pay it off when you get a job.I swear you must have footprints on the back of your helmet - chicagoskydiver My God has a bigger dick than your god -George Carlin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #11 February 18, 2004 >or take out a huge loan from the bank and then pay it off when you get a job. Bwhahaha! I was luck and only needed to borrow about 25k for school. Its going to take me 10 years at 250 a month to pay that off. Student loans on 45K are about 480-520 a month for 10 years. Bad thing is you have to pay that amount even while you are only making 30-35k right out of school. Sure in 10 years when you are making 80k thats not too much money but when its equal to your rent each month it hurts bad.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Viking 0 #12 February 18, 2004 can't you people let one of my dreams live longer than a day?I swear you must have footprints on the back of your helmet - chicagoskydiver My God has a bigger dick than your god -George Carlin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #13 February 18, 2004 Psst, also bank loans require payment while you are still in school. Student loans like the Stadford are the only way to go Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beerlight 0 #14 February 18, 2004 Quoteor take out a huge loan from the bank and then pay it off when you get a job. Only prob is no one will hire you unless you've got the hours. You can probably find a flight instructor job after you get at least 200 but more like 300 hours....(you hope). For commercial flying, most operators (ie. offshore, EMS etc.) require a minimum of 1200 hours total time. Some of that can be fixed wing, but just depends on the company who will accept it. Petroleum Helicopters (PHI) and Air Log have (for now) the lowest hiring minimums, 1000 hours required. $$$$$$ Best route ARMY, or get your CFI, pay your dues instructing then apply with an Offshore outfit.......several to choose from and they are currently HURTING for helo pilots. Start pay is getting better for helo drivers, but NEVER will it match a fixed-wing airline job. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #15 February 18, 2004 If you really want to do it, you've gotta be fully commited to it. When I went to the helicopter school to get some info, they gave me a brochure about their school, a brochure about transitioning from fixed wing to rotorcraft, and a brochure about getting a loan. I can't find the info right now, but basically if you go all the way through the commercial program, they help you find a job when you get the license. I'm sure you'll get paid shit and have to move around for quite some time. But you'll be flying helicopters! Personally I'd rather just fly for fun. It'd be nice to get paid for it, but it might not be fun anymore. A guy I work with is a retired army pilot with over 6000 hours in helicopters. He says he doesn't miss flying. Guess it probably doesn't help that he's been shot down multiple times, crashed a huey into high tension powerlines, and all that. Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ifics 0 #16 February 18, 2004 I was interested in it...ugh... Nothing comes without a lot of work, unless you win the some free money or something... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Viking 0 #17 February 19, 2004 back up to the top for anyone that didn't see it.I swear you must have footprints on the back of your helmet - chicagoskydiver My God has a bigger dick than your god -George Carlin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
