Thinking about becoming a helicopter pilot

Mazeroth
Mazeroth Posts: 1,585
edited June 2009 in The Clubhouse
I've always wanted to fly, but not planes. I'm sick of my current job and want to do something that I will enjoy. I've been researching becoming a helicopter pilot for the last few hours and was wondering if anyone here flies or knows of someone that does that I could talk with to get some information, such as how hard it is to find work and ways to get a commercial license without paying a fortune.

Thanks.
Post edited by Mazeroth on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Fongolio
    Fongolio Posts: 3,516
    edited June 2009
    George Grand is a retired helicopter pilot. He may be able to help.
    SDA-1C (full mods)
    Carver TFM-55
    NAD 1130 Pre-amp
    Rega Planar 3 TT/Shelter 501 MkII
    The Clamp
    Revox A77 Mk IV Dolby reel to reel
    Thorens TD160/Mission 774 arm/Stanton 881S Shibata
    Nakamichi CR7 Cassette Deck
    Rotel RCD-855 with modified tube output stage
    Cambridge Audio DACmagic Plus
    ADC Soundshaper 3 EQ
    Ben's IC's
    Nitty Gritty 1.5FI RCM
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • obieone
    obieone Posts: 5,077
    edited June 2009
    You can also try Hawkeye- he's retired Navy, 'Aviation Structural Mechanic', so he might have SOME info..??
    Good luck.
    I refuse to argue with idiots, because people can't tell the DIFFERENCE!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited June 2009
    Fongolio wrote:
    George Grand is a retired helicopter pilot. He may be able to help.

    I believe you just insulted George big time calling him a pilot. He pumped gas.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • obieone
    obieone Posts: 5,077
    edited June 2009
    shack wrote: »
    I believe you just insulted George big time calling him a pilot. He pumped gas.

    I didn't think he was pilot, just wasn't 100% sure, so....
    I refuse to argue with idiots, because people can't tell the DIFFERENCE!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Hawkeye
    Hawkeye Posts: 1,313
    edited June 2009
    obieone wrote: »
    You can also try Hawkeye- he's retired Navy, 'Aviation Structural Mechanic', so he might have SOME info..??
    Good luck.

    I don't have a clue about helicopters :eek: It seems to me that the propellors are mounted in the horizontal instead of vertical. :D (I'm a turbo-prop guy)

    I also haven't known anyone obtaining a license on the cheap, unless you consider the the military, but there are some big personal costs involved there also. I do have a couple friends that joined the Army the same time I joined the Navy to become helo drivers. They accumulated enough time to be competitive drivers on the civilian side and they are doing well. One does logging and the other drives a MercyFlight Air Ambulance.

    George may take issue with being called a helo driver, but I'll let him address that. I believe he passed gas for a living.

    Good luck in your search for a new, exciting job!

    Gordon
    2 Channel -
    Martin Logan Spire, 2 JL Audio F112 subs
    McIntosh C1000 Controller with Tube pre amp, 2 MC501 amplifiers, MD1K Transport & DAC, MR-88 Tuner
    WireWorld Eclipse 6.0 speaker wire and jumpers, Eclipse 5^2 Squared Balanced IC's. Silver Eclipse PCs (5)
    Symposium Rollerblocks 2+ (16)Black Diamond Racing Mk 3 pits (8)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • obieone
    obieone Posts: 5,077
    edited June 2009
    Follow-up: I'd recommend a LOT of research. The ATSC that recruited me, said that for a helo pilot it was the training for 'fixed wing' PLUS 1,000 hours so...
    If you want to learn on the taxpayers dime, I'd recommend the Navy-only because, worst case scenario, if you wash out, you'd end up being a 'Staff officer', most likely a supply puke.
    But you would still be living in better conditions on board a ship, than the other branches.
    I refuse to argue with idiots, because people can't tell the DIFFERENCE!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mazeroth
    Mazeroth Posts: 1,585
    edited June 2009
    Thanks for the replies so far.

    The armed forces aren't an option, as I can't relocate and we just had our first child three weeks ago. Plus, my vision is getting worse every year even though it's not terrible.

    I've read getting a license costs around $15,000, then you have to log tons of hours to be qualified for various positions and that's where a lot more money comes into play. I've also read some forums where guys build a Helicycle, which is a turbine powered heli, the kind I'd need to earn my hours in, and get their hours that way. They run about $40,000 to build but are apparently a worthwhile investment. Plus, you have your own helicopter! :D

    http://www.helicycle.com/

    If only I were 18 again and know what I know now... I'm sure a lot of people say that.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nadams
    nadams Posts: 5,877
    edited June 2009
    Maz- if your vision is deteriorating, chances are you wouldn't be in the field very long. Might not be a worthwhile endeavour...
    Ludicrous gibs!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mazeroth
    Mazeroth Posts: 1,585
    edited June 2009
    My eyes aren't that bad. I can drive, play golf etc. without my glasses on. When I put them on, things are just sharper. I had 20/20 until I was 18. Now I'm 28, and the amount of clarity I've lost in 10 years really isn't too bad.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Fongolio
    Fongolio Posts: 3,516
    edited June 2009
    My apologies to George if I was wrong. I had it in my head he was a chopper pilot.
    SDA-1C (full mods)
    Carver TFM-55
    NAD 1130 Pre-amp
    Rega Planar 3 TT/Shelter 501 MkII
    The Clamp
    Revox A77 Mk IV Dolby reel to reel
    Thorens TD160/Mission 774 arm/Stanton 881S Shibata
    Nakamichi CR7 Cassette Deck
    Rotel RCD-855 with modified tube output stage
    Cambridge Audio DACmagic Plus
    ADC Soundshaper 3 EQ
    Ben's IC's
    Nitty Gritty 1.5FI RCM
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited June 2009
    Fongolio wrote:
    My apologies to George if I was wrong. I had it in my head he was a chopper pilot.

    From an earlier post...
    George Grand wrote:
    I am not a pilot or an officer. My parents were married prior to my birth, precluding me from being either an officer or pilot. I'm a boom operator on a KC-135E aerial refueling tanker.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited June 2009
    Think about another career Maz.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mazeroth
    Mazeroth Posts: 1,585
    edited June 2009
    dorokusai wrote: »
    Think about another career Maz.

    Pray tell?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Fongolio
    Fongolio Posts: 3,516
    edited June 2009
    Thankyou for the correction Shack. I should have my facts straight before making such bold statements. I hope that George will forgive my heretical statement. I'm almost positive though someone here is/was a chopper pilot.
    SDA-1C (full mods)
    Carver TFM-55
    NAD 1130 Pre-amp
    Rega Planar 3 TT/Shelter 501 MkII
    The Clamp
    Revox A77 Mk IV Dolby reel to reel
    Thorens TD160/Mission 774 arm/Stanton 881S Shibata
    Nakamichi CR7 Cassette Deck
    Rotel RCD-855 with modified tube output stage
    Cambridge Audio DACmagic Plus
    ADC Soundshaper 3 EQ
    Ben's IC's
    Nitty Gritty 1.5FI RCM
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Polkitup2
    Polkitup2 Posts: 1,621
    edited June 2009
    Hawkeye wrote: »
    I don't have a clue about helicopters :eek: It seems to me that the propellors are mounted in the horizontal instead of vertical. :D (I'm a turbo-prop guy)

    I believe he passed gas for a living.

    And to think I have been doing it for free all these years :D
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Hawkeye
    Hawkeye Posts: 1,313
    edited June 2009
    Polkitup2 wrote: »
    And to think I have been doing it for free all these years :D

    Some people are in the right place at the right time!

    Gordon
    2 Channel -
    Martin Logan Spire, 2 JL Audio F112 subs
    McIntosh C1000 Controller with Tube pre amp, 2 MC501 amplifiers, MD1K Transport & DAC, MR-88 Tuner
    WireWorld Eclipse 6.0 speaker wire and jumpers, Eclipse 5^2 Squared Balanced IC's. Silver Eclipse PCs (5)
    Symposium Rollerblocks 2+ (16)Black Diamond Racing Mk 3 pits (8)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SWFalken
    SWFalken Posts: 136
    edited June 2009
    I can't think of a cooler job in the world than being a heli pilot. If you are healthy and can stomach the personal and financial costs involved, go get your ticket. Like Warren Miller is fond of saying, "if you don't do it this year, you'll just be another year older when you do".
    "I drank what?" Socrates :eek:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter