Originally Posted by RocknFnRoll (Post 2255226)

Just wondering why you're making the transition? Is flying for an airline something that you've always wanted to do?

I'm only curious because I'm considering transitioning from FW to rotor's. I'm currently at 700 total time, I'm 1,000 hr R-ATP eligible, and I've probably just been reading the forums too much lately because I'm now hesitant about the 121 life after working towards it these past few years.

Right now I fly for a traffic watch op where I'm the only airplane in a fleet of copter's. Working closely with them is what created the desire to transition. I'd potentially be trying to pursue the police helicopter route.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Originally Posted by PiedmontFlyer (Post 2254992)

Piedmont will help you make the transition at little or no cost to you. You can email [email protected] for details.

Originally Posted by RocknFnRoll (Post 2255226)

Just wondering why you're making the transition? Is flying for an airline something that you've always wanted to do?

I'm only curious because I'm considering transitioning from FW to rotor's. I'm currently at 700 total time, I'm 1,000 hr R-ATP eligible, and I've probably just been reading the forums too much lately because I'm now hesitant about the 121 life after working towards it these past few years.

Right now I fly for a traffic watch op where I'm the only airplane in a fleet of copter's. Working closely with them is what created the desire to transition. I'd potentially be trying to pursue the police helicopter route.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Originally Posted by RocknFnRoll (Post 2255226)

Just wondering why you're making the transition? Is flying for an airline something that you've always wanted to do?

I'm only curious because I'm considering transitioning from FW to rotor's. I'm currently at 700 total time, I'm 1,000 hr R-ATP eligible, and I've probably just been reading the forums too much lately because I'm now hesitant about the 121 life after working towards it these past few years.

Right now I fly for a traffic watch op where I'm the only airplane in a fleet of copter's. Working closely with them is what created the desire to transition. I'd potentially be trying to pursue the police helicopter route.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Originally Posted by HighFlight (Post 2255411)

Do you want to retire with thousands in the bank (Helo) or millions (airlines)? It's all about choices and being where you want to be.

Originally Posted by flyingagain (Post 2255232)

This might be of interest to the ex-mil guys:
Rotor Transition Program | Envoy Air

Originally Posted by StickPig (Post 2255594)

He said he's not mil. The rotor transition is covered in another place.



Having done both 121 airplanes and the rotary world, a few thoughts...



Fixed wing...



1. Not as much fun, but you're also not simply "waiting" for a catastrophic failure of something that leads to an autorotation taking you plummeting like a rock to almost serious injury or impending death.

2. Job market. You can almost pick anything (121, 135, 91) or any sector and it's relatively easy now to find something that will pay your bills and almost always lead to better paying and higher QOL rewards. Most employment within the fixed wing community leads to the next better job, and with vast options.

3. Employers in almost any sector will keep their airplane departments before their helicopters. The cost per flight hour is absolutely atrocious in the rotor world.

4. Travel. Definitely more opportunities to see the world on someone else's dime. That's huge for me.



Rotary...



1. Fun as hell. There is nothing like flying a few hundred feet off the deck at 120 knots. I'm still searching for that feeling. You also are hands on (some guys take this as a con), but nothing replaces being hands and feet in control of a few thousand pounds of machinery, making it do what you want.

2. The jobs that ARE out there, almost always get filled by networking, especially the high paying corporate gigs. But landing them can set you up to fly some of the most exquisite airframes ever built.





As far as longevity is concerned, I believe the fixed wing community has the most positive outlook in terms of money and QOL. If you can find a job doing both, dual qualified pilots tend to make more money, and you get to experience the pleasure of both worlds.



Just my 0.02c.



Best of luck to you!

Originally Posted by StickPig (Post 2255594)

He said he's not mil. The rotor transition is covered in another place.

Having done both 121 airplanes and the rotary world, a few thoughts...

Fixed wing...

1. Not as much fun, but you're also not simply "waiting" for a catastrophic failure of something that leads to an autorotation taking you plummeting like a rock to almost serious injury or impending death.
2. Job market. You can almost pick anything (121, 135, 91) or any sector and it's relatively easy now to find something that will pay your bills and almost always lead to better paying and higher QOL rewards. Most employment within the fixed wing community leads to the next better job, and with vast options.
3. Employers in almost any sector will keep their airplane departments before their helicopters. The cost per flight hour is absolutely atrocious in the rotor world.
4. Travel. Definitely more opportunities to see the world on someone else's dime. That's huge for me.

Rotary...

1. Fun as hell. There is nothing like flying a few hundred feet off the deck at 120 knots. I'm still searching for that feeling. You also are hands on (some guys take this as a con), but nothing replaces being hands and feet in control of a few thousand pounds of machinery, making it do what you want.
2. The jobs that ARE out there, almost always get filled by networking, especially the high paying corporate gigs. But landing them can set you up to fly some of the most exquisite airframes ever built.


As far as longevity is concerned, I believe the fixed wing community has the most positive outlook in terms of money and QOL. If you can find a job doing both, dual qualified pilots tend to make more money, and you get to experience the pleasure of both worlds.

Just my 0.02c.

Best of luck to you!