hooker23

Hey
I'm new to the forum. Are there any former military helicopter pilots out there flying cargo? I'm a CH47 IP in the Army and cargo is kind of my thing. Am curious about your experiences. Any info on how much my rotary wing time counts and if most operators count it towards total time? I know Fed Ex doesn't but my sights aren't set that high yet. Thanks for the info.

Octobersky

Hooker,

A lot of "Regionals" count R/W time or at least some of your R/W time. Most "Majors" don't count a single second of it.

Trijetter

Get a hold of the guys at Army Pilot to Airline Pilot -APTAP.org or do a google search for it. Its a great networking site for military pilots (all branchs) to make contacts in the industry, especially rotor pilots. They have help alot of guys get over the rototr hump in the industry.

Octobersky

APTAP.org's main page is gone. Rich was gone too much to keep it going, but let the message board. Try this link. These guys won't steer you wrong. They will give you the straight poop and throw a lot of info/jobs your way. Good luck.

http://aptap.forumco.com/default.asp

Vito

I have a question for helicopter pilots. I friend of mine is thinking about flying helicopters as a career, he said He found fixed wing flying boring (C-152) How is the job market for young inexperienced helo pilots and what would be the highest salary a helicopter pilot can aspire to?
Thanks in advance

Blackhawk

Here is the email address for Randy Hotton, guy in charge of hiring at USAJet. They are US Army friendly. Also second the APTAP site. There are several others there who can help you get on with USAJet; they have been looking for people for recent classes.
[email protected]

hooker23

Vito
The helicopter market always needs pilots. One way to get the ratings is through the military. This is obviously the easiest financially but you have to want to serve the country or you will go nuts in the military. If you haven't heard there are several wars going on and the chance of deploying as a military helo pilot is 100%. I am a warrant officer in the Army and love my job. The deployments suck being away from family but that is part of the job. I think the highest paid helicopter pilots are probably military or corporate. Civilian helo jobs usually start out at a higher pay than fixed wing jobs, but the potential isn't as high. The civilian helo jobs are usually in pretty austere areas. If I get out of the Army, I'll probably finish my fixed wing ratings and get a job flying fixed wing. Unless I can find a nice paying medevac job.

Vito

Hooker23,
Thanks, I'm a C-17 driver myself, I was asking for a friend of mine...He wants to go to HAI (Helo adventures Inc) in florida....His info was a bit sketchy, and since my friends daughter may marry the kid I was curious what kind of future she may have. He's definately not the mil type...talks alot, and not alot of substance........anybody know about HAI??

LAfrequentflyer

I haven't heard anything about them...My father flew for PHI in Lafayette, LA for 24+ years and loved it...He was xAF...A few of the non-military pilots went thru a school in Mississippi called Vortex Helicopter (something like that...they are located at Gulf Port , MS...) and enjoyed the experience...Starting pay in in the 40s and depending on how much extra flying (within regs) you want to pick up you can make a btwn 65 - 80K....You'll earn every $$$ - helo / GoM life-style is not for everyone...I know a few pilots (line and training department) there - if you have any questions ask and I'll get an answer for you...

PM me if you want to know more...

-LA