Potential Pilot In Training

[jas600]

So, I'm new to this forum, and so far I've found it quite helpful.

Here's my deal

I'm currently a 27 year old tool and die maker and considering a career change, looking into getting a helicopter pilot license. I have found in my research so far that this is a tough career to get into as it seems that there aren't too many jobs available. So, my first question is:

Is this just a slow time in the industry or is this always the way it is?

Secondly, I live in southwestern Ontario and I am wondering, once I finish my training, would it be feasible to expect to find a job within a few months of graduating in Ontario? Or should I expect to go out of province to find work?

Another question, which pilot training schools would anyone recommend? And for what reasons?

 

Any help would be much appreciated

Thanks

[Winnie]

I'd obviously recommend the flight school I work at, but I think so would anyone else (as in recommend the schools they have been to, or worked at).

 

I believe that unless you can get into some of the companies that do spraywork, working in the southwest of Ontario is unfortunately a pipedream...

 

With regards to breaking in to this occupation, yes it is hard, and you have to really want it. You can probably expect to not make much, and do lots of 'dirtywork' at the beginning, but if you have a genuine interest in flying as a career, then it is all worth it.

 

The 'slump' is obviously not making things easier, but hopefully it will go away at some stage, and I would say it has always been a difficult ocupation to break into.

 

I dare say that 30% of students that complete training, never go out in a job as a helicopter pilot, but mostly only because of not having the 'want' and gumption to work hard at it.

 

Send me a PM and I'll tell you who I am, and the school I'm at is in the southwest of Ontario.

[dimit]

Welcome!

 

Everything Winnie said.

 

Also know that the amount of time away from home can be very hard on relationships/family.

 

DM

[Happyguy]

You are going to spend thousands and thousands of dollars on a career that can be a lot of fun and full of adventure, for a couple of years.... when you're 27..... but it has no future.

You are almost guaranteed not to get any sort of rewarding job, gumption or not, and if by some miracle you do find work flying (not sweeping) it will most likely be poorly paid in a remote corner of the country.....and don't think you are going to make huge money....YOU WON"T

If it's about the money do something else.....anything else.

You need to be totally consumed by aviation to persue this "trade"....it isn't a profession and you won't be treated like a professional.

If you "need" to fly helicopters join the military.

The training is awesome, the equipment well maintained, you ARE treated like a professional in a career that offers secure pay, clean living conditions a family life a pension and when you do retire in 20 years @ 47 you will be a multi thousand hour pilot on medium and heavy A/C with IFR ATPL NVG winch, multi engine etc. etc. You will be a professional and can work for any of the large offshore companies or even better.... corporate.

Or better yet, if you've got a brain in your head, go to university, get a buisness degree, become a successful buisnessman and BUY yourself a machine, I did...go back to university that is... which is why I'm a Happyguy.

There is a very limited future for you as a commercial helicopter pilot in this country.

Poor pay, poor conditions, no family life, no pension and constantly trying to avoid the snakes who are all over this industry and are very good at taking advantage of people and situations.

But that's just my opinion.....and I'M SURE there will be those who disagree.

This advice comes to you from someone who has had a CPL(H) since the 70's and has a couple of hours.

[2007]

Hate to admit it but that is one very accurate post by Happyguy.

 

 

[jas600]

Wow, I must say, this is pretty depressing.....

[deuce bigalow]

Wow, I must say, this is pretty depressing.....

 

 

Yep. and yet.........................

 

sitting on a mountain top in the evening listening to wolves.

 

landing on a glacier and hiking through the crevasses.

 

breaking out of cloud with a rig 1/4 mile in front.

 

saving lives

 

breaking hearts.

 

going to parts of Canada and the world that no one ever sees.

 

Or ...............you could be a tool and die man.

 

But like the man says.............don't do it for the money. The money pretty much sux.

 

Another thing to consider.........when it hits and it should be soon the silver tsunami is going to leave a huge shortage of pilots and engineers. The companies will try to weasel out of the problem by hiring overseas but I don't think that will cover it.

 

Conditions should improve.

[Freefall]

Its a really hard job to get into. Especially now. I think its pretty optomistic to think that even 50% of people who get their licenses ever get a career flying. I went to one of the most popular schools and of all the people I went through with, only a few of them got flying.

 

The sad thing that some flight schools simply won't tell you is that you can be a super hard worker, and devote your life to flying, and it still might not happen for you. Luck is certainly a factor. There are other things don't get me wrong, work ethic, personality and natural ability also play a factor.

 

It can be a hard job for sure, but it isn't always. I still love my job. We've all seen some amazing things, been to some amazing places and done some exciting things. Some companies are better than others and while there are certainly some sleezy operators out there, there are some great ones too. I actually do feel like I've been treated as a professional, but when you are flying a helicopter in the bush you have to be realistic. The pay isn't amazing considering the steps you have to get through in order to become experienced, but I dont think its terrible either.

 

I agree with happy feet with one point he makes. Its what I always tell people when they ask me how to become a helicopter pilot. The easiest way is to get a good education, work hard at a good career, and buy yourelf or share a helicopter with someone else. Fixed wing is even cheaper. Then you can actually enjoy your flying doing exactly what you want wherever you want to go.

[pilot5]

You are going to spend thousands and thousands of dollars on a career that can be a lot of fun and full of adventure, for a couple of years.... when you're 27..... but it has no future.

You are almost guaranteed not to get any sort of rewarding job, gumption or not, and if by some miracle you do find work flying (not sweeping) it will most likely be poorly paid in a remote corner of the country.....and don't think you are going to make huge money....YOU WON"T

If it's about the money do something else.....anything else.

You need to be totally consumed by aviation to persue this "trade"....it isn't a profession and you won't be treated like a professional.

If you "need" to fly helicopters join the military.

The training is awesome, the equipment well maintained, you ARE treated like a professional in a career that offers secure pay, clean living conditions a family life a pension and when you do retire in 20 years @ 47 you will be a multi thousand hour pilot on medium and heavy A/C with IFR ATPL NVG winch, multi engine etc. etc. You will be a professional and can work for any of the large offshore companies or even better.... corporate.

Or better yet, if you've got a brain in your head, go to university, get a buisness degree, become a successful buisnessman and BUY yourself a machine, I did...go back to university that is... which is why I'm a Happyguy.

There is a very limited future for you as a commercial helicopter pilot in this country.

Poor pay, poor conditions, no family life, no pension and constantly trying to avoid the snakes who are all over this industry and are very good at taking advantage of people and situations.

But that's just my opinion.....and I'M SURE there will be those who disagree.

This advice comes to you from someone who has had a CPL(H) since the 70's and has a couple of hours.

 

 

 

 

 

Well there is some truth to the above. However why not do both! Tool and Dye can provide the vehicle to get a licence and some income while you take the several years that are required to get enough experience to actually find a good paying job. If the money aint so hot you can have a stable career in Tool and dye and pay the bills until the right opportunity comes by. Always take a cautious approach and keep what you have.

 

P5

[MMike]

Well there is some truth to the above. However why not do both! Tool and Dye can provide the vehicle to get a licence and some income while you take the several years that are required to get enough experience to actually find a good paying job. If the money aint so hot you can have a stable career in Tool and dye and pay the bills until the right opportunity comes by. Always take a cautious approach and keep what you have.

 

P5

 

What colour would you dye the tools?

 

******* I'm funny.........