Heliocopter pilot as career change?

[NewsMonkey]

Hello All,

I was hoping I might be able to get some feedback/advice from people who
have experience in the commercial aviation field. I am trying to make a
decision on whether pursuing a career, as a commercial helicopter pilot
is realistic.

First a little (I promise) bit of background. I am a 34 y/o man in
good health and I currently work as a software engineer. My education is
that of a Biochemist but I entered the computer field, and left graduate
school, writing software during the "Dot Com" boom of the late 90's. As
most everyone knows when the bottom dropped out of the "Internet" era a
lot of jobs went with it as well as the security I had in the field. The
fact is that with economy still recovering and many, many software
development projects going over seas, jobs are still hard to find and
the salaries have been literally cut in half. All that being said, I
have started looking at possibly switching to other careers.

I am a private pilot though I do not have many hours flying solo. In
fact, after I got my ticket I barley got to fly at all, mostly because
of money. In fact is has been about 5 years since I have flown solo and
I would need some instructor time in the cockpit before being ready to
go up on my own again.

I have always looked at careers in aviation as something that I would
enjoy but since I never went the military route I figured I never had a
chance. Also the regular long time away from home that airline pilots
endure is something that would not be right for my wife and children.
Plus after what my flight instructor told me regarding the low pay that
pilot's get while trying to get their Multi Engine, and Turbine, etc...
Ratings? Let's just say from what he told me you don't start making good
money as an airline pilot until you are flying the 737 size jets and
higher.

In any case I had the opportunity to speak to a helicopter pilot
instructor at my local airfield. He made it sounds as if civilian
helicopter pilots can get hired without military experience. Contrary to
what I had thought, he said that non-military pilots worked for
medieval, police, and news organizations as well as others. He went on
to mention tourism related professions out in Alaska and other
locations. I asked him if one had to own their own helicopter to be paid
as a pilot and he said not at all. He said that in his situation he
started instructing by leasing a Robinson helo and the business just
grew and grew. Now he owns 4 R22's and hires others to instruct for him.
Now this all sounds nice but he does have an incentive to get someone to
take lessons from him, hence why I am looking for outside opinions from
those who are already in the field.

What I am looking for is a career that I would love going to everyday
and one that might allow me to support my family. I still enjoy writing
software and have had limited success writing commercial programs and
consulting, but if it were realistic to think that I could find a job as
a commercial helicopter pilot to provide/supplement my income I would
invest the time and money (approx $20,000) it would take to earn my
commercial rating.

Thank you in advance for any advice or comments.

- David )

[Otis Winslow]

I think the challenge will be getting insured as a low chopper time pilot.


"NewsMonkey" > wrote in message
...
> Hello All,
>
> I was hoping I might be able to get some feedback/advice from people who
> have experience in the commercial aviation field. I am trying to make a
> decision on whether pursuing a career, as a commercial helicopter pilot
> is realistic.
>
> First a little (I promise) bit of background. I am a 34 y/o man in
> good health and I currently work as a software engineer. My education is
> that of a Biochemist but I entered the computer field, and left graduate
> school, writing software during the "Dot Com" boom of the late 90's. As
> most everyone knows when the bottom dropped out of the "Internet" era a
> lot of jobs went with it as well as the security I had in the field. The
> fact is that with economy still recovering and many, many software
> development projects going over seas, jobs are still hard to find and
> the salaries have been literally cut in half. All that being said, I
> have started looking at possibly switching to other careers.
>
> I am a private pilot though I do not have many hours flying solo. In
> fact, after I got my ticket I barley got to fly at all, mostly because
> of money. In fact is has been about 5 years since I have flown solo and
> I would need some instructor time in the cockpit before being ready to
> go up on my own again.
>
> I have always looked at careers in aviation as something that I would
> enjoy but since I never went the military route I figured I never had a
> chance. Also the regular long time away from home that airline pilots
> endure is something that would not be right for my wife and children.
> Plus after what my flight instructor told me regarding the low pay that
> pilot's get while trying to get their Multi Engine, and Turbine, etc...
> Ratings? Let's just say from what he told me you don't start making good
> money as an airline pilot until you are flying the 737 size jets and
> higher.
>
> In any case I had the opportunity to speak to a helicopter pilot
> instructor at my local airfield. He made it sounds as if civilian
> helicopter pilots can get hired without military experience. Contrary to
> what I had thought, he said that non-military pilots worked for
> medieval, police, and news organizations as well as others. He went on
> to mention tourism related professions out in Alaska and other
> locations. I asked him if one had to own their own helicopter to be paid
> as a pilot and he said not at all. He said that in his situation he
> started instructing by leasing a Robinson helo and the business just
> grew and grew. Now he owns 4 R22's and hires others to instruct for him.
> Now this all sounds nice but he does have an incentive to get someone to
> take lessons from him, hence why I am looking for outside opinions from
> those who are already in the field.
>
> What I am looking for is a career that I would love going to everyday
> and one that might allow me to support my family. I still enjoy writing
> software and have had limited success writing commercial programs and
> consulting, but if it were realistic to think that I could find a job as
> a commercial helicopter pilot to provide/supplement my income I would
> invest the time and money (approx $20,000) it would take to earn my
> commercial rating.
>
> Thank you in advance for any advice or comments.
>
> - David )
>
>
>
>

[Max T, CFI]

$20K sounds about right to get the commercial helicopter. I think initially
your bigger opportunity to fly for hire will be as a helicopter CFI. Just
had my first helicopter lesson last week, and the CFI, who has about 400 hours
in helicopters, said he spent about $45K in training in checkrides (private
through CFII). Sounds like he feels he'll be teaching for another 6-12 months
before he'll get hired on either in the Gulf of Mexico or Grand Canyon, which
he said were the two biggest markets for turbine helicopter jobs at around $45K.
He said typical EMS jobs want 1000-3000 hours of experience.
Good luck!
Max T, CFI, ATP


Otis Winslow > wrote in message .. .
> I think the challenge will be getting insured as a low chopper time pilot.
>
>
> "NewsMonkey" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Hello All,
> >
> > I was hoping I might be able to get some feedback/advice from people who
> > have experience in the commercial aviation field. I am trying to make a
> > decision on whether pursuing a career, as a commercial helicopter pilot
> > is realistic.
> >
> > First a little (I promise) bit of background. I am a 34 y/o man in
> > good health and I currently work as a software engineer. My education is
> > that of a Biochemist but I entered the computer field, and left graduate
> > school, writing software during the "Dot Com" boom of the late 90's. As
> > most everyone knows when the bottom dropped out of the "Internet" era a
> > lot of jobs went with it as well as the security I had in the field. The
> > fact is that with economy still recovering and many, many software
> > development projects going over seas, jobs are still hard to find and
> > the salaries have been literally cut in half. All that being said, I
> > have started looking at possibly switching to other careers.
> >
> > I am a private pilot though I do not have many hours flying solo. In
> > fact, after I got my ticket I barley got to fly at all, mostly because
> > of money. In fact is has been about 5 years since I have flown solo and
> > I would need some instructor time in the cockpit before being ready to
> > go up on my own again.
> >
> > I have always looked at careers in aviation as something that I would
> > enjoy but since I never went the military route I figured I never had a
> > chance. Also the regular long time away from home that airline pilots
> > endure is something that would not be right for my wife and children.
> > Plus after what my flight instructor told me regarding the low pay that
> > pilot's get while trying to get their Multi Engine, and Turbine, etc...
> > Ratings? Let's just say from what he told me you don't start making good
> > money as an airline pilot until you are flying the 737 size jets and
> > higher.
> >
> > In any case I had the opportunity to speak to a helicopter pilot
> > instructor at my local airfield. He made it sounds as if civilian
> > helicopter pilots can get hired without military experience. Contrary to
> > what I had thought, he said that non-military pilots worked for
> > medieval, police, and news organizations as well as others. He went on
> > to mention tourism related professions out in Alaska and other
> > locations. I asked him if one had to own their own helicopter to be paid
> > as a pilot and he said not at all. He said that in his situation he
> > started instructing by leasing a Robinson helo and the business just
> > grew and grew. Now he owns 4 R22's and hires others to instruct for him.
> > Now this all sounds nice but he does have an incentive to get someone to
> > take lessons from him, hence why I am looking for outside opinions from
> > those who are already in the field.
> >
> > What I am looking for is a career that I would love going to everyday
> > and one that might allow me to support my family. I still enjoy writing
> > software and have had limited success writing commercial programs and
> > consulting, but if it were realistic to think that I could find a job as
> > a commercial helicopter pilot to provide/supplement my income I would
> > invest the time and money (approx $20,000) it would take to earn my
> > commercial rating.
> >
> > Thank you in advance for any advice or comments.
> >
> > - David )
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>

[Shiver Me Timbers]

Well Mr. Monkey.... Far be it for me a lowly lurker and armchair pilot
to step in here when others far more qualified are giving such good
advice..... But let me make my comments.

> I currently work as a software engineer

First as everyone will tell you, I'm sure - DON"T give up your day job.

Now as they are starting to tell you - Don't expect to be flying a
copper chopper, medical chopper, TV chopper, or oilrig chopper
anytime soon.

Now you will notice that a large segment of your potential employers
has just disappeared..... Oh what to do, oh what to do.

Well..... as you have stated - YOU currently work
as a software engineer.

In your shoes I would start approaching the small, tiny, out of the
way, miniscule mom and pop operators and have a serious talk about your
abilities as a software engineer and how you could seriously help them
improve, promote, and maintain their computer systems particularily on
the web. And at the same time how you want to become a helicopter pilot
and gain experience ( hours ) as a pilot.

Take a look at how many small companies ( not just helicopter or
aviation companies ) that have an absolutely lousy web site.

No pictures worth a spit, no rah rah and very little reason to deal
with them when they are in the middle of the stagnant majority.

SAFARI helicopters is a very good example of this.

They actually manufacture helicopter kits and are about the only
company in the world that manufactures kits and yet for the past few
years their website has been stagnant and dull dull dull.

Yet if you asked them they would be the first to agree that they are
trying to get their customers attention and generate new leads and
sales through that website.

Imagine how many small helicopter companies are out there that have had
some buddy, relative, el cheapo programmer, or whatever design their
website and maintain it. Or who has set up their computer system for
business use with systems, hardware, softare that is now obsolete and
perhaps of limited use for todays and tomorrows market and business
requirements.

If I was you and actually got that helicopter license or was in the
process of seriously getting that license and actually looking around
the marketplace for a job I would start at the bottom of the barrel and
look for operators who wanted to improve their appearance and bottom
line and who could seriously use your help.

If I were you I would use a helicopter operation as a business model
and put together a substantial presentation as to how your skills as a
software engineer could help their business and by being employed by
them how they as an operator could help you gain the hours your want.

Isn't this how you would go about obtaining employment if you were
interested in entereing automotive manufacturing business, or shoe
business, or construction business, or............??????????

[G.R. Patterson III]

Shiver Me Timbers wrote:
>
> Isn't this how you would go about obtaining employment if you were
> interested in entereing automotive manufacturing business, or shoe
> business, or construction business, or............??????????

It certainly isn't the way I would go about it. I may be completely out of date,
but I get the skills I need for the job first, then I apply for the position.

Sounds to me that's what Mr. Monkey has in mind.

George Patterson
Treason is ne'er successful, Sir; what then be the reason? Why, if treason
be successful, Sir, then none dare call it treason.

[Shiver Me Timbers]

> > Shiver Me Timbers wrote:
> >
> > Isn't this how you would go about obtaining employment if you were
> > interested in entereing automotive manufacturing business, or shoe
> > business, or construction business, or............??????????
>

> G.R. Patterson III > wrote:

> It certainly isn't the way I would go about it. I may be completely out of
> date,
> but I get the skills I need for the job first, then I apply for the position.

Yup.... I kinda realized I wasn't quite clear after I posted.

What I was trying to impress up him was that if he had a helicopter
rating and also had another marketeable skill that would be of true
value to a potential employer that he should put together a package
that highlighted those special skills to that company and why hiring
him would be mutually beneficial to both.

[[email protected]]

Shiver Me Timbers > wrote:

> > I currently work as a software engineer
>
> First as everyone will tell you, I'm sure - DON"T give up your day job.

I doubt that he plans to give up his day job. I think he has been
reading the writing on the wall. Software jobs have been evaporating
faster than a raindrop in the desert. Anyone who has a job in IT
knows that they wont be employed for much longer due to the influx of
H-1B's, L-1's and offshoring. He is probably just preparing for that
now so he will be ready to switch carreers when forced to do so.

While being a commercial helicopter pilot is a very glamorous job, it
might be more practical to go back to biotech. Biotech/medical is one
of the few industries that are still hiring.

Dennis H.

Dennis Hawkins
n4mwd AT amsat DOT org (humans know what to do)

"A RECESSION is when you know somebody who is out of work.
A DEPRESSION is when YOU are out of work.
A RECOVERY is when all the H-1B's are out of work."

To find out what an H-1B is and how Congress is using
them to put Americans out of work, visit the following
web site and click on the "Exporting America" CNN news
video: http://zazona.com/ShameH1B/MediaClips.htm

[Mark]

NewsMonkey > wrote in message >...
> Hello All,
>
> I was hoping I might be able to get some feedback/advice from people who
> have experience in the commercial aviation field. I am trying to make a
> decision on whether pursuing a career, as a commercial helicopter pilot
> is realistic.
>
> First a little (I promise) bit of background. I am a 34 y/o man in
> good health and I currently work as a software engineer. My education is
> <*Snip*>


I'm in the same boat.. errr plane.... I'm 37, have about 500 hours of
fixed wing (Commercial with Multi) time and looking for a change. I
also work in the computer field as a contractor (ie, all the work with
no benefits or security) and even though it pays well, I'm wanting
somthing more satisifying. I'm also married but we don't have any
kids. My wife is very supportive and is willing to move to let me
follow my dreams. So want am I doing about it? Well, I'm still
working my good paying job but working on expanding my flying
experience and hours.

I would LOVE to find a way to marry my love of computer and flying.
However I haven't found a niche for this (yet). I feel that I have a
good chance of making the switch. I have a good attitude and willing
to co-pilot for someone many years younger. I accept the fact that I
will be starting on the lowest level of the flying ladder but know
with proper training and hard work I will be able to succeed. Also,
with a CFI/II rating you will have a lot of advantages working in your
professional/computer field. I know I have a large pool of highly
paid engineers/programmers that want to learn to fly. So my advice
would be to learn to fly but keep working your day job. Get your
CFI/II rating and lobby your friends at work to take lessons. You get
paid to fly and you also have your good paying job till you have
enough flight time to get that flying job.

Once last thing, I think the most improtant part of getting a flying
job is attitude. Be positive, learn from your peers and respect the
younger pilots that have more hours.

[NewsMonkey]

In article >,
says...

> I doubt that he plans to give up his day job. I think he has been
> reading the writing on the wall. Software jobs have been evaporating
> faster than a raindrop in the desert.

Your are right on target. I like developing software. It's just that it
is getting harder and harder to find a job. Also job security is non-
existent. However, I still want to pursue doing something that I love to
do. Going to a job I hate everyday is a quick way to become bitter and
resentful and my wife and children don't need that.

The way I look at it is, I have a private pilot ticket so I could
apply my hours towards getting a Commercial license. Yes it is
expensive, hence why I am wondering if there would be any job
opportunities, but if there is a potential to make a living at it in the
end, then I think it is worth it.

Why helicopters? Well a few reasons. 1) Because every time I see one of
those amazing machines I am awestruck. I remember times in my flight
training at my local airfield where I would become distracted watching
the national guard helicopters training on the same field. My instructor
had to chew me out to pay attention to my own approach and forget about
the choppers. 2) Helicopters are more of a utility aircraft. From being
able to lift timber up to a mountain construction spot to searching for
and retrieving lost hikers. It just seems to me that there would be many
opportunities for a helo to make money for a business as opposed to a
plane. 3) Time at home. I have known a few airline pilots and they are
away for 1-2 weeks at a time. Not something I want to do.

You have all brought up very good points. Let me address a few..

"it might be more practical to go back to biotech. Biotech/medical is
one of the few industries that are still hiring."

Good point! The problem for me is that without a Ph.D., I would be a
lab rat. Stuck performing the experiments that other researchers came up
with. I knew many friends in graduate school who got their Masters
Degree in Biochem or Microbiology and most of them are frustrated
because they spent all this time learning how to be researchers but
because the do not have their doctorate the can never advance beyond
"lab rat". I should also say that one of the reasons I left grad school
before obtaining my Ph.D. was the rampant corruption I saw within
research. The dollar drives everything, from the awarding of grants and
research dollars to the appointment of researchers to faculty positions.
Principal researchers are pressured to churn out published articles,
regardless of their efficacy and validity, because grants are not
awarded to those who do not publish. I could go on and on, but I think
you all get the point.

"Now as they are starting to tell you - Don't expect to be flying a
copper chopper, medical chopper, TV chopper, or oilrig chopper
anytime soon."

Your right. This is where I am wondering if I will ever be able to get
enough time and experience for someone to hire me. I mean is someone
ever going to trust me to fly a multi-million dollar helicopter?
Especially when there are ex-military pilots out there with tons of
turbine engine time.

Let me close with another question. If one has a commercial ticket,
what does it take to get to a CFI level? Can one make decent money doing
this while gaining hours to convince a company they are good enough to
hire? Thanks for all the feedback everyone!

- Derek (Mr. Monkey) :)

[G.R. Patterson III]

NewsMonkey wrote:
>
> Can one make decent money doing
> this while gaining hours to convince a company they are good enough to
> hire?

In central New Jersey, the clerks at Home Depot make more than CFIs. The hourly
rate's about the same, but the hours are better at the Depot.

George Patterson
Treason is ne'er successful, Sir; what then be the reason? Why, if treason
be successful, Sir, then none dare call it treason.

[Max T, CFI]

You may want to go to the forums on justhelicopters.com and verticalreference.com
and get feedback from working helicopter pilots. Both websites were apparently
created by EMS pilots who were filling their spare time (one joked that EMS means
"Earn Money Sleeping"). Also, I was thinking you had your commercial airplane license
when I commented on the $20K figure below. If you're a low time pilot, you'll also
have to add in additional cost to get you to the 250 hour time required for a commercial,
and it would be cheaper to build the time in airplanes.
Max T, MCFI


Max T, CFI > wrote in message news:4ckac.137249$1p.1789941@attbi_s54...
> $20K sounds about right to get the commercial helicopter. I think initially
> your bigger opportunity to fly for hire will be as a helicopter CFI. Just
> had my first helicopter lesson last week, and the CFI, who has about 400 hours
> in helicopters, said he spent about $45K in training in checkrides (private
> through CFII). Sounds like he feels he'll be teaching for another 6-12 months
> before he'll get hired on either in the Gulf of Mexico or Grand Canyon, which
> he said were the two biggest markets for turbine helicopter jobs at around $45K.
> He said typical EMS jobs want 1000-3000 hours of experience.
> Good luck!
> Max T, CFI, ATP
>
>
> Otis Winslow > wrote in message .. .
> > I think the challenge will be getting insured as a low chopper time pilot.
> >
> >
> > "NewsMonkey" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > Hello All,
> > >
> > > I was hoping I might be able to get some feedback/advice from people who
> > > have experience in the commercial aviation field. I am trying to make a
> > > decision on whether pursuing a career, as a commercial helicopter pilot
> > > is realistic.
> > >
> > > First a little (I promise) bit of background. I am a 34 y/o man in
> > > good health and I currently work as a software engineer. My education is
> > > that of a Biochemist but I entered the computer field, and left graduate
> > > school, writing software during the "Dot Com" boom of the late 90's. As
> > > most everyone knows when the bottom dropped out of the "Internet" era a
> > > lot of jobs went with it as well as the security I had in the field. The
> > > fact is that with economy still recovering and many, many software
> > > development projects going over seas, jobs are still hard to find and
> > > the salaries have been literally cut in half. All that being said, I
> > > have started looking at possibly switching to other careers.
> > >
> > > I am a private pilot though I do not have many hours flying solo. In
> > > fact, after I got my ticket I barley got to fly at all, mostly because
> > > of money. In fact is has been about 5 years since I have flown solo and
> > > I would need some instructor time in the cockpit before being ready to
> > > go up on my own again.
> > >
> > > I have always looked at careers in aviation as something that I would
> > > enjoy but since I never went the military route I figured I never had a
> > > chance. Also the regular long time away from home that airline pilots
> > > endure is something that would not be right for my wife and children.
> > > Plus after what my flight instructor told me regarding the low pay that
> > > pilot's get while trying to get their Multi Engine, and Turbine, etc...
> > > Ratings? Let's just say from what he told me you don't start making good
> > > money as an airline pilot until you are flying the 737 size jets and
> > > higher.
> > >
> > > In any case I had the opportunity to speak to a helicopter pilot
> > > instructor at my local airfield. He made it sounds as if civilian
> > > helicopter pilots can get hired without military experience. Contrary to
> > > what I had thought, he said that non-military pilots worked for
> > > medieval, police, and news organizations as well as others. He went on
> > > to mention tourism related professions out in Alaska and other
> > > locations. I asked him if one had to own their own helicopter to be paid
> > > as a pilot and he said not at all. He said that in his situation he
> > > started instructing by leasing a Robinson helo and the business just
> > > grew and grew. Now he owns 4 R22's and hires others to instruct for him.
> > > Now this all sounds nice but he does have an incentive to get someone to
> > > take lessons from him, hence why I am looking for outside opinions from
> > > those who are already in the field.
> > >
> > > What I am looking for is a career that I would love going to everyday
> > > and one that might allow me to support my family. I still enjoy writing
> > > software and have had limited success writing commercial programs and
> > > consulting, but if it were realistic to think that I could find a job as
> > > a commercial helicopter pilot to provide/supplement my income I would
> > > invest the time and money (approx $20,000) it would take to earn my
> > > commercial rating.
> > >
> > > Thank you in advance for any advice or comments.
> > >
> > > - David )
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[Robert M. Gary]

NewsMonkey > wrote in message >...
> In article >,
> says...
>
> > I doubt that he plans to give up his day job. I think he has been
> > reading the writing on the wall. Software jobs have been evaporating
> > faster than a raindrop in the desert.
>
> Your are right on target. I like developing software. It's just that it
> is getting harder and harder to find a job. Also job security is non-
> existent. However, I still want to pursue doing something that I love to
> do. Going to a job I hate everyday is a quick way to become bitter and
> resentful and my wife and children don't need that.

That's why I'm adding an MBA to my letters. It would be pretty hard to
keep flying if you let your income drop below the 6 figure mark.
-Robert

[[email protected]]

Its not impossible to make a carreer change to commercial
helicoptering, but it will be difficult. As someone already
mentioned, CFII's and clerks at Home Depot make about the same thing.
The difference is that Home Depot clerks aren't usually having as much
fun. At the same time, they aren't risking their lives either.

I know a CFII that just got a commercial job flying for the oil people
in the gulf (of Mexico) with less than 400 hours. So its not
impossible.



Dennis Hawkins
n4mwd AT amsat DOT org (humans know what to do)

"A RECESSION is when you know somebody who is out of work.
A DEPRESSION is when YOU are out of work.
A RECOVERY is when all the H-1B's are out of work."

To find out what an H-1B is and how Congress is using
them to put Americans out of work, visit the following
web site and click on the "Exporting America" CNN news
video: http://zazona.com/ShameH1B/MediaClips.htm

[NICC]

I'm sure I've come into this conversation way late, but I have to ask: 400
Hours & Flying in the GoM?? How much luck does this guy have?! (I say all
this with a smile on my face, so don't think I'm being sarcastic)
The lowest I've ever seen is 1,500 + IFR and 135 Check ride already in
place. Most won't even talk to you without an ATP.
I really don't care what or where I fly as long as it is in a safe
environment.
I don't have a CFI, just a normal old Commercial Heli ticket and have
managed to get over 600 hours so far (in two years). I must send out my
thanks to those heli operators who have allowed me to hitch rides over the
years.
When I first decided on this career change (from 10+ years in law
enforcement) the school I attended said there was no good reason to get an
IFR...but when they hired a CFII & purchased an IFR trainer it suddenly
became the most important thing they emphasised, of course by then I had
already blown almost all my $$ and was about 5 hours away from my licence.
Oh, well. We live and hopefully learn, right?
So, if you see someone advertising a job, ANY JOB, flying any heli (other
than R22), with an hour reqirement less than 645.2, you let me know!!!!!
Thanks for taking the time out to let me vent.
-J

> wrote in message
...
>
> Its not impossible to make a carreer change to commercial
> helicoptering, but it will be difficult. As someone already
> mentioned, CFII's and clerks at Home Depot make about the same thing.
> The difference is that Home Depot clerks aren't usually having as much
> fun. At the same time, they aren't risking their lives either.
>
> I know a CFII that just got a commercial job flying for the oil people
> in the gulf (of Mexico) with less than 400 hours. So its not
> impossible.
>
>
>
> Dennis Hawkins
> n4mwd AT amsat DOT org (humans know what to do)
>
> "A RECESSION is when you know somebody who is out of work.
> A DEPRESSION is when YOU are out of work.
> A RECOVERY is when all the H-1B's are out of work."
>
> To find out what an H-1B is and how Congress is using
> them to put Americans out of work, visit the following
> web site and click on the "Exporting America" CNN news
> video: http://zazona.com/ShameH1B/MediaClips.htm
>
>

[KG]

(Mark) wrote in message

<snip>

>
> I would LOVE to find a way to marry my love of computer and flying.
> However I haven't found a niche for this (yet).

<snip some more>

Years ago I worked for a company who sold a software/hardware
combination to pharmacies in every little town in the southwest.
Their field service engineers were all pilots. This allowed them to
have fewer field service guys and to provide quicker service with the
ones they had. To drive to some of the various places would have
taken 4-5 times as long. Our office was just a few blocks from Ft.
Worth Meacham Airport. They could take a service call and be on-site
in hours.

I keep hoping that I can find a similar company now that I have a
pilots license and 25+ years in the computer industry.

Kenny G.

[NICC]

I'm sure I've come into this conversation way late, but I have to ask: 400
Hours & Flying in the GoM?? How much luck does this guy have?! (I say all
this with a smile on my face, so don't think I'm being sarcastic)
The lowest I've ever seen is 1,500 + IFR and 135 Check ride already in
place. Most won't even talk to you without an ATP.
I really don't care what or where I fly as long as it is in a safe
environment.
I don't have a CFI, just a normal old Commercial Heli ticket and have
managed to get over 600 hours so far (in two years). I must send out my
thanks to those heli operators who have allowed me to hitch rides over the
years.
When I first decided on this career change (from 10+ years in law
enforcement) the school I attended said there was no good reason to get an
IFR...but when they hired a CFII & purchased an IFR trainer it suddenly
became the most important thing they emphasised, of course by then I had
already blown almost all my $$ and was about 5 hours away from my licence.
Oh, well. We live and hopefully learn, right?
So, if you see someone advertising a job, ANY JOB, flying any heli (other
than R22), with an hour reqirement less than 645.2, you let me know!!!!!
Thanks for taking the time out to let me vent.
-J

> wrote in message
...
>
> Its not impossible to make a carreer change to commercial
> helicoptering, but it will be difficult. As someone already
> mentioned, CFII's and clerks at Home Depot make about the same thing.
> The difference is that Home Depot clerks aren't usually having as much
> fun. At the same time, they aren't risking their lives either.
>
> I know a CFII that just got a commercial job flying for the oil people
> in the gulf (of Mexico) with less than 400 hours. So its not
> impossible.
>
>
>
> Dennis Hawkins
> n4mwd AT amsat DOT org (humans know what to do)
>
> "A RECESSION is when you know somebody who is out of work.
> A DEPRESSION is when YOU are out of work.
> A RECOVERY is when all the H-1B's are out of work."
>
> To find out what an H-1B is and how Congress is using
> them to put Americans out of work, visit the following
> web site and click on the "Exporting America" CNN news
> video: http://zazona.com/ShameH1B/MediaClips.htm
>
>

[Dylan Smith]

In article >, Shiver Me Timbers wrote:
>> I currently work as a software engineer
>
> First as everyone will tell you, I'm sure - DON"T give up your day job.

I'd agree with that; the day job can pay for the flying.

> In your shoes I would start approaching the small, tiny, out of the
> way, miniscule mom and pop operators and have a serious talk about your
> abilities as a software engineer and how you could seriously help them
> improve, promote, and maintain their computer systems particularily on
> the web.

The trouble is - on a small mom and pop shop, they simply won't have
enough work to keep a software person busy for more than an hour or two
a week at most. It just won't pay the bills. Added to that, the job
market is oversaturated with 'web designers'. If finding work in
software engineering is hard, finding work in web design related things
is much harder - probably as hard as getting an airline job.

If the software job's work hours is preventing flying, freelancing can
provide more time flexibility, so helicopter training can be fit in
between (and as a freelancer, you can also 'network' a bit more easily,
especially if you hang out at the airport and do freelance work for
business owners who happen to be pilots. You'd never guess how I've got
100% of my freelance work.). The best line of work is things that CANNOT
be outsourced - that require physical presence. Many small/medium
businesses have appalingly bad (worm/virus-ridden) LANs, no backups, and
no sysadmin to sort out the mess and make a network that works well.
They can't hire a full time sysadmin because they maybe only have an
hour a week of sysadminning that needs doing.

So do like the jets - become a fractionally-owned sysadmin :-) You can
provide general network/computer health services to a number of
companies, and if there's a few of them owned by pilots, then usually, a
bit of flight time comes with it ;-)


--
Dylan Smith, Castletown, Isle of Man
Flying: http://www.dylansmith.net
Frontier Elite Universe: http://www.alioth.net
"Maintain thine airspeed, lest the ground come up and smite thee"

[G.R. Patterson III]

Dylan Smith wrote:
>
> So do like the jets - become a fractionally-owned sysadmin :-)

And, if you're in the States, keep in mind when you're pricing your services that the
IRS wants an extra 15% for self-employed people.

George Patterson
This marriage is off to a shaky start. The groom just asked the band to
play "Your cheatin' heart", and the bride just requested "Don't come home
a'drinkin' with lovin' on your mind".