Heliocopter pilot as career change?

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............??????????

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 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.

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

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)

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.

NewsMonkey wrote in message t...
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

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

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

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