The real deal, helicopter flight training

[Mr.Mike]

Hello!!!

I have been looking into getting my private rotorcraft license for a little bit now.  I found a great school near me that trains in the Schweizer 300CBi & 300C.  Their prices are great too.

I have been an auto mechanic since I got out of the coast guard in 94' and think its time for a change.  I have always wanted to be a pilot and see no reason why I could not.  Machines and I get along pretty well too, we have a mutual understanding  ;)

I guess my question is this....  how does one pay for training up to commercial?  I found a pilot finance company but the interest rates are out standing!  I know there are a lot of helicopter jobs and a shortage of pilots.  Are there grants around or student loans of sorts?

Any info you guys might have would be helpful.

Thanks
Mike

[Nexus]

I have a friend who is a licenced helicopter pilot (IR/CPL etc etc)
We did our PPL schooling together some years ago and he currently is in debt of around 100.000 US dollars.

Can't say I envy him, but he loves flying those darned thingees. But like I said, his credit is all maxed out and can't afford making mistakes or even buying a new car  :-X

(He is flying commercially and gets paid for it, too)

Have you done your medical yet? Might want to get that out of the way before letting the dreams carry you away. Just a piece of advice mate!  :)

[Brett_Henderson]

I've been watching flight instructors come and go for a few years now. I keep in touch with many of them. For the most part they're graduates of Ohio State University's avaition program, with bachelor degrees, 500+ hours, instrument, commercial and CFI ratings.. and all that qualifies them to do is instruct for about $20,000/year until they reach the golden 1200 hour mark. And all that really gets them is an interview and a long-shot at getting a right-seat job with a regional airline making less than an assistant fast-food manager

[Fozzer]

I purchase, every month, the various magazines, Pilot, Todays Pilot, Flyer, etc, and I read the horror stories about taking up a job as a Pilot, either Commercial or Private, involving astronomical expense, and no guarantee of obtaining a Pilot's Licence, or even a job, at the end of it, which surprises me why anyone would want such an occupation in the first place!... ...!

Bricklaying and Plumbing is OK... ...!

Paul...Retired Electrical Engineer.... 8-)...!



   

[Mr.Mike]

I dont know why I want to do it.....  I dont know why I wanted to save lives in the coast guard either...  for the four years I was in I got

"your nuts driving that 44 foot boat out into night in 50 knot winds and 20 waves, why the heck would any one want to do that"

I just wanted to do it

Same goes for this I suppose, I'm sick of turning wrenches on $100k land rovers and I think its time for a change, hopefuly a final one.  I would be nice to do some thing I like to do for the rest of my usable life then retire.

I have been doing a lot of research and am well aware of the time and money involved.  What I am wondering is if any one knows of any places that finance pilots or good contacts for good advice.  1500 hours is the golden BB for getting a good job.  The instructors and tour guys get around 20 an hour which is more then I make now.

Thanks for the replys guys, you all gave me some things to think about.

oh sorry for the type-o above too...  I got out of the CG in 98, not 94  

[Brett_Henderson]

It can be done, it's just not a good way to feather your nest for retirement.. because it will empty the nest first (or put you deep in debt). Medivac guys can actually support a family on what they make, but it takes years and thousands of hours to get qualified. Remember.. even in just a 172 it'll cost $100,000 to get each 1,000 hours of flying in.. one way or another (and that doesn't include instructor fees).

I say go for it.. life's too short to not chase a dream.. Money aint everything. Just remember you'll be competing with 20-something college grads and miltary copter pilots. If you're married and your wife has a good job, that'll help too...

The only way to get student loans toward any of this, is to make it part of a traditional program (like a bachelor degree in aviation). Low-intrerest loans and/or grants aren't available for pure flight training. Now, there are plenty of schools out there, more than happy to put you into debt to collect their tuition.. but not many that are reputable.

Go get your PPL SEL on your own, first. The $5-10K is a relatively small investment, when you look at the big picture. You can keep your present job while you do it, and you'll have better feel for the whole thing after that. You'll meet plenty of people with the same dream, and maybe one or two who pull it off...

[C]

I purchase, every month, the various magazines, Pilot, Todays Pilot, Flyer, etc, and I read the horror stories about taking up a job as a Pilot, either Commercial or Private, involving astronomical expense, and no guarantee of obtaining a Pilot's Licence, or even a job, at the end of it, which surprises me why anyone would want such an occupation in the first place!... ...!

Quite - let the Queen pay...

More seriously I was surprised this year to find that Pilot's "Where to Fly Guide", which contains career suggestions and advice, completely passed over the military option completely!