Corporate Helicopter to Fixed Wing
 

Hello everyone, I am a corporate helicopter pilot in the North East flying both 135/91. Current flight times are 5300 TT, 230 Instrument time, 120 fixed wing, 25 MEL. I currently hold ATP Rotorcraft, PPL/SEL with instrument rating, and finishing up my MEL commercial pilot certificate.

I am interested in getting into the fixed wing side of the house to full fill my life long dream of flying jets, and to have an opportunity to make more money in the long run. I am looking for suggestions, recommendations, and tips on best way to break into the jet airplane flying.

Am I even marketable with my current times? PS: Not looking to get into the regional airlines due to pay cut I can’t effort to take.

Thanks so much in advance for any and all info.

I doubt it! Especially since you don’t want to do what it takes to get fixed wing time ie: “pay cut”.

Once you meet FW ATP mins, you can either go to a regional, or try to slog it it out in FW 91/135. Regionals will be faster, so less exposure to low pay. Entry-level 91/135 won't pay that well either.

As far as the majors are concerned, you have 120 hours. They are hiring civilians with somewhere between 2500 (extreme low end) and 10,000+ FW hours with 2k-8k FW TPIC.

The helo experience will give you a couple extra points on the app, and will be something to talk about at an interview. That's about it.

Can you get into a corporate jet, perhaps the one you’re presently flying for now? I can see lots of corporates making guys dual-rated as it becomes harder to find good fixed wing pilots.

GF

I'm in a similar situation. Although, I know I'll have to take a pay cut..

I've read on both Skywest and Republic job postings that they require 250FW Time, Skywest specifies its PIC, Republic does not.

My question is.. Whats the likelihood at this point of getting hired on at that minimum.. I've got 4k total time, and only 125 fw right now. (MEL Comm/Inst). Trying to decided if I should go to a local commuter flying a C208 for a year to get more fixed wing time, or just bang out another 125 hours and go right into regionals.

Thanks for the input!

Being “qualified” and experienced are two different things! Flying the line, even as a 135 pilot, gives you some experience to make the leap RW to RJ. It’s not rocket science but it is a leap. Hate to see people take a pay cut but if you look at the big picture, potential earnings are much higher in fixed wing.

PS I have 15000 total with mostly heavy jet, when I retire, what kind of helicopter jobs are available to me with a 50 hour commercial rotor wing add on, R22 time? Oh, and I really need 100k plus a year because I don’t want to take a pay cut. Sorry for the Sarcasm.

We are obviously looking for advice, not your stupid sarcasm. Get of your high horse and get over your self. We are here asking questions because we are looking for useful information.

You are pilot, not a rocket scientists so get over your self.

Okay, thanks! Reality check. It’s simply comical and absurd to think Helicopter pilots can waltz into a six digit career with an add on rating and no experience. For the most part, you guys are freakin dangerous! If you want to crack into fixed wing, you need to get the training and experience flying fixed wing IFR and that doesn’t mean I follow roads! Once again, sorry you have to take a pay cut to do so!

Your initial statement makes you come off like the person “on a high horse”. A lot of us had to pay their dues working many years with Regionals to get the experience necessary to get hired by a Major....and Yes, we couldn’t afford the pay cut either so go screw yourself you pompous ass! Try not to be so condescending the next time you are looking for advice!

And what makes you assume that “Helicopter guys are dangerous?” We fly the same clients, IFR, oh and btw VFR, shoot the same ILS/GPS approaches as you, dual crew environment, busiest most challenging airspace in the world, exposed to it pretty much all day, everyday. We don’t climb up to FL380 and get up to walk around, or take a pee break to let the other guy watch the autopilot. We hustle, safely and professionally.

Your last statement is just as ignorant as your previous few. I bet you dollar to dollar, that I could perform your job with minimal in house training. And I also bet you, that you would fold like a deck of cards, if you had to operate in the environment that we are operating in.

Again, get off your high horse dude. You are just a pilot, not a brain surgeon.

People like you is what’s wrong with the aviation industry.