Heli or Cardinal?

[Boss_BlueAngels]

Quick question just to see what you guys would do. I have been given the option to accept 13 hours of FREE flight time in my flight schools helicopter, or 19 hours FREE in their Cardinal RG. (In payment for some photo services I did for them)

What would you go for?

Personally I'm thinking of going for the helicopter. I absolutly LOVE helicopters, and have 220 hours flying fixed wing airplanes and have found myself quite bored with it. Since it would be a "gift" and I am already able to pay for my time in the Cardinal, thought it'd be a good chance to pursue another dream I've had.

Whadday think? lol

I'll talk with my buddy who is the heli instructor to see where 13 could get me. Besides even more addicted than the 1.0 I have now. haha It is something I have been planing on getting all along but as an add-on to my fixed wing license/ratings.

[Mobius]

I think it would amazing to fly a helocopter, unfortunately there aren't any really around where I am, so I would say go for the helocopter.

[EGNX]

Well its ultimately your choice, but seeing as you've had a lot of experience in fixed wing, I would probably take the chance to fly the whirly birds!  8)

[Brett_Henderson]

It depends.. How much complex time do you have ?

As a rule, it's 25 hours minimum and 10 in type before you can even be considered for a rental check ride.

Helicopter time would be a blast, but unless you're looking to do that for a living.. it wouldn't serve you as well, down the road in your fixed wing ventures. Not to mention what it costs to rent helos, even if you ever are qualified.

Picture yourself somewhere with some friends, wanting to rent a plane and there's a Cardinal (or even a 172RG) in the fleet. Sure would be nice to have them as options  :D

[Brett_Henderson]

A N D ....  if you haven't gotten around to getting your instrument rating..  drag an instructor up and get the dual out of the way (or even your commercial, as it needs to be done in a complex plane anyway)..

[beaky]

That block of free rotary-wing time is a real bargain, but I'm with Brett: what are your future flying plans?

Of course, if you're bored with airplanes, maybe this is just Fate opening a door to you.  ;)

But don't worry; I'll still think you're OK even if you become a chopper pilot.

[Boss_BlueAngels]

Thank you for your advice and input everyone!

I ended up taking the heli time.  I have some 20 hours in the cardinal toward my commercial... all I need to do is build my TT up to the 250 minimum really.  Plus, I just want to get the joy back in flying.  Everything is work, work, work.  Time for me to do something just for myself.  Something I have always dreamed of doing.  

And I will always go back to airplanes.  I mean, helis are awesome and all, but they can't do snap rolls or fly inverted like an Extra.  

(One of the top ten things I want to do before I die is do an entire cross-country flight inverted!! hahaha)  

And I'm not going to stop the training in the cardinal... this is just a little something on the side.  

So thanks again, and you can be sure I'll come back to post here as soon as I have that first flight!  (which won't be until I get over this cold)