Airline Pilot Forums

By chance are there any former helicopter drivers out there now working in the fixed wing industry?

Check this out.. Sorry I didn't see your earlier thread where you asked the same thing

APTAP.org - Professionals Helping Professionals (http://www.aptap.org/)

Thanks. I have been to APTAP previously and it has a lot of good information. Are you a former helo guy? If so, I would be interested to hear your story.

PM me if you want.

Former helicopter, transitioned to civilian fixed wing, furloughed, now former fixed wing flying helicopters again, hoping for my fixed wing job back someday.

So yes, I go both ways.

Yep, former Army helicopter pilot, living the dream! PM's welcomed.

Former helicopter, transitioned to civilian fixed wing, furloughed, now former fixed wing flying helicopters again, hoping for my fixed wing job back someday.

So yes, I go both ways.


Very nice, can I ask who you're flying for/with now?

Very nice, can I ask who you're flying for/with now?


Yes you may.

I'm currently guard bumming in PA. Furloughed/outsourced from UNICAL after the great hiring spree of 2008. Still waiting on the mystical "pilot shortage" to materialize. Thank goodness age 65 passed when it did, otherwise I might have to actually be working instead of practicing for my own retirement.

Living the dream.:D (disregard any passive agressive sarcasm, it's just my way of ignoring reality.)

dosbo~

If you're willing to share, can I ask what route you took to get to the furloughed point in your career? Feel free to PM me if you wish.

Thanks

dosbo~

If you're willing to share, can I ask what route you took to get to the furloughed point in your career? Feel free to PM me if you wish.

Thanks

Left the Army in 97 at ten years flying H-64's. Worked a mid level management job pushing parts for a year and a half before I got tired of banging my head against the wall in a cubicle, during which time I joined the CO Guard flying UH-1's. In the fall of 99 I decided with the wife to change careers to be a F/W commercial pilot (check the pay scales from then and it was still a decent career). I did add on ratings for my F/W multi-comm and built 100 hours of multi time on my dime, I sold my retirement property at an airpark, and pretty much liquidated myself over the next several years to subsidise the expenses and lost wages.

Worked a year at Great Lakes building multi time, I knew they sucked when I went there and what I was getting into so no regrets. It let me stay in Denver with no commuting and was better for my family QOL wise.

Hired by AWAC in 2001 and was there until early 2008. Went through a concessionary contract, two domicile moves, loss of United flying and miscillaneous other BS. Overall I did enjoy much of my time at AWAC and I am dissapointed that they have changed so much over the years. Retired from the guard in 04 and moved east to improve quality of life at AWAC hoping that things would improve after the loss of UAL flying and starting the USAir flying.

Hired at United in 2008 during the brief window that was open. Some said I was stupid to leave AWAC at that point in time, but I got into 121 flying to fly at a major not stay at a regional so I moved on with no regrets. Shortly after being hired age 65 passed and oil went to $145, then Glen decided to park all the 737's and outsource much of that flying. So in late 08 I was on the street wondering what just happend to the past eight years.

Since then I flew some 135 in light twins for a year. I came to the conclusion that flying single pilot IFR in a light twin in the North East during the winter wasn't worth what I was being paid so I worked on rejoining the guard. I left my 135 employer shortly after getting back in the guard, I was too expensive for him and he just didn't have the flying to justify keeping me on so it was kind of a mutual decision with no hard feelings.

I am currently flying H-64's and enjoying being a guard bum even though the pay is somewhat irregular the wife and I have adjusted to it. I am no longer current fixed wing so until a recall happens I will be out of the fixed wing game and focusing on opportunities in the guard as they come up.

As I said earlier, Living the dream.

If you are just thinking of starting remember; it's all timing, luck, and who you know helps. Both my AWAC and UAL interviews had internal reccomendations from company check airmen who also happened to be in my guard unit in CO.

It's been quite a ride the past eleven years and I now have a lot of time to reflect on where I'm at in life, I also watch a lot of netflix. Work about ten days a month with the guard and pick up extra training with them when I can.

Hope this answers your question.

"I sold my retirement property at an airpark"

DANG! That is some true sacrifice right there! I hope your income improves to the point of owning that dream again.

Best wishes on a speedy recall,

Fails2FX

"I sold my retirement property at an airpark"

DANG! That is some true sacrifice right there! I hope your income improves to the point of owning that dream again.

Best wishes on a speedy recall,

Fails2FX

Props,

Thanks for the wishes.

As life turns out I currently have a house less than five minutes from a nice county airport. If/when income improves and I do get my own airplane for fun I can probably rent a T-hanger for less than what the upkeep at the airpark would have been.

Meanwhile I am biding my time in the guard and trying to learn to be satisfied with life as it is now. Since I quit trying to plan my life things are getting much simpler.

Up side is, I can return to United before anyone is hired off the street assumming they don't continue to right size.

dosbo,

Are you with the guard in Johnstown or Ft Indiantown Gap by chance?

new60guy,

get a few more posts and PM me. Be patient as I will be unavailable for the next couple of weeks.

Flew helos and fixed in the Army (active and guard) for 19 years. I am now flying H-60s again in the Air Guard.....

I have been flying at Atlas for the last 3+ years. Spent about 7 months on furlough at one point.....

I took the long road, but I have no regrets now and would not trade it for anything....

Yes, for those who have been asking that is the collective from a TH-57C.

HELI-HOG'N on Vimeo (http://www.vimeo.com/21181307)

This looks like some rewarding Helo flying in the civilian workplace!

I am about to jump from AD to reserves. Before I resign from AD I had some questions. What's a good side job for a reserve pilot in the northeast to build F/W time? I would be looking to get hired May of 2013 at which time I should have 2000 TT including 800 ME jet (400 ME PIC), (Comm Helo/ME/CFI Powered lift/ATP). I am considering regionals, NetJets, or part 135? Please advise.

I am about to jump from AD to reserves. Before I resign from AD I had some questions. What's a good side job for a reserve pilot in the northeast to build F/W time? I would be looking to get hired May of 2013 at which time I should have 2000 TT including 800 ME jet (400 ME PIC), (Comm Helo/ME/CFI Powered lift/ATP). I am considering regionals, NetJets, or part 135? Please advise.
Not a chance with NetJets, so save yourself some time and mark that choice off of your list.
What did you get your FW time in so far and will your reserve job be FW or RW?

USMCFLYR

Why would NetJets be off his list?

Why would NetJets be off his list?
Nearly 500 furloughed with possible projected recalls measured in years took it off my short list!

USMCFLYR

7532-
Assuming you're a V-22 guy, I have a question for you. Are they counting V22 time as ME? The last time this came up in a discussion it was still under review---never did get an answer and was curious if you could shed some light on that, or anyone out there with some knowledge of this subject.

Former Army Warrant Officer here. Flew helicopters, turbo-prop and jets. Once or twice all three in the same day! 10 years rotor wing, 15 years fixed wing. Retired after 27 years of service, now working for the world’s largest operator of the B737. PM me if you like.