wickedsprint

I took a helicopter lesson on Sunday...oh my gosh never have I had so much fun in an aicraft. INSANE control sensitivity...but also very responsive. Took me abut 5-10 minutes before I could fly it straight and level and do turns to a heading..etc. Hovering was a very humbling experience. I for the most part could keep it hovering for about 5-10 seconds before it went to hell..winds at 10-15 and 7100' density altitude at the field didn't help. One of the benefits though is that as soon as you become a CFI at around 200hrs total time..you are immediatly teaching students in something that is useful for your time building, unlike having to compete/wait for multi students. Downside being it seems less likely to get hired by your school in some of the schools I have talked to as they alreadyhave enough instructors(smaller market)..so you usually have to re-locate after the ratings it seems..but otherwise easy to find a CFI heli job if you don't mind moving.A lot less pay for the Holy Grail jobs compared to a major airline too.

I am absolutely hooked..nothing like flying (legally) at 400 feet over a city with no doors on a summer day.

Stetson20

Welcome to the "unrestricted aviator" world. ;-)

Timmay

Rotorcraft...that's something I CAN'T WAIT to do when I have the money to afford it as a hobby.

FlyingDog

Fortunately or Unfortunately my first rating was in a Helicopter...

The reason I said unfortunately is it kept me from getting my fixed wing because I liked it too much but could afford it soooo little...

Stopped flying for 10 years cause like a junkie only rotorcraft flight could get me off...

I started flying fixed wings again 7 years ago to build time so that I can fly for a living...

What a guy told me was unless you want to fly helis full time and can find a way (other than uncle sam to get 200 hours) go to the airlines make a good living and fly helicopters as a hobby...

With that said I am thinking of eventually doing an add on to an instructors rating just to satisfy the jones

But when you are young (23 when I started flying Bell 47's) Nothing is better than a dirt bike in the sky...

I could go on and on but I will stop...

wickedsprint

I WILL find a way to get a job doing it, even if it means living in South America or Africa for a few years to get hours living out of a tent. It's weird, my first fixed wing lesson was not a big deal, I never really cared for flying airplanes after that, and the training seemed mundane..like a means to an end..the certificate. I did not start having fun until we started doing short fields and soft fields. Now that I have a PPL I find flying for the most part boring...except approaches..I love approaches...or going to nearby areas that are essentiually wilderness and getting the altitude down a bit lower and having some fun circling all of the bluffs around here. I imagine an airplane with no doors or open windows like a cub or something would be a lot more fun.

I've had some basic aerobatic instruction...and that was pretty fun..but had nothing on this helicopter ride. This is the first time I have found myself obsessing over getting up to fly. Basically the same feeling when I got my first ratty motorcycle as a 12 year old..all I wanted to do was go riding..and master it and have had motorcycles ever since. I think the problem is that most GA aircraft are too similar to driving a car. I imagine if I got a tail wheel rating and instruction in a Pitts..I would be singing a different tune. But again, short of competition..or an aerobatic instructor..you're not gonna get much work flying a Pitts. I also do not have the stomache to have other people execute Pitts level aerobatics with me as a passenger. I don't do well as a passenger in light planes that are not being flown well. This is also why I did not really like getting my PPL, I HATED when instructors demoed manuevers, I can't even fathom letting a student do stuff. When the helicopter CFI ws flying around though..I felt totally at ease..I have no idea why...I really think I might be more oriented to them..plus most helicopter jobs are single pilot..another HUGE draw for me. I don't want a copilot.

the King

Control issues....

No, seriously letting students fly is scary the first few hours. Then you learn (the hard way) that if you pay attention, you can see their mistakes before it becomes life-threatening. Demonstration is a part of the learning process. Any reason in particular why you didn't like it? Just curious.

Spartan07

I really feel you on the rotary vs. fixed wing problem. I -LOVE- helos, absolutely love flying in them, watching them, and even just hearing them. My uncle is a retired Huey pilot and is an EMS pilot. If I knew that I could get through school and get the required hours to get on with his company I would be all over it.

However, 2k hours in a helicopter takes a while and most likely you will be doing it at near slave wages, moving about the country and being a slave of the weather and seasons.

I looked at the pros and cons of both fields and decided to take my uncle's advice and fly fixed wing. But if you don't have a wife and kid to worry about and can live a simple life then by all means go for the rotary wing side!

P.S - When an airplane loses its engine it becomes a glider. When a helicopter loses its engine it becomes a brick. Food for thought.

FlyingDog

Wicked - I can relate how fixed wing can't get you off like rotor -

I worked on the V22 project years ago at Bell when I only had a rotor rating - I heard the BA-609 was comming out and that is why I have my Fixed wing ratings.... Go for it

I have done about 200 Auto rotations - depends on the ship what your trajectory is....

LAfrequentflyer

Are you sure it becomes a brick?

My father lost an engine after takeoff at about 35 feet AGL 40 some miles off shore. Landed safely in Galveston Tx. Flying on one engine w/ passengers in a 206 on a hot/humid Gulf Of Mexico July day is no fun under ideal conditions. Managed to gain control before hitting the water, coaxed it up to 1,000 AGL. Unable to restart failed engine. Flew on one and made a run-on landing without so much as a dent in the skids. He did request the tower send 4 clean pairs of underwear for his pax. Every one had a good laugh about that.

Another time he had one engine explode at 4,500 AGL. Helo fell out of the sky and by the time he managed to regain control it was below 500 AGL. 3 miles from KLFT - another run on landing.

Oh well....The good old days of trying to get war stories out of the old man...

As far as pay goes - you'll live lean as a helo CFI but the guys on the line flying the Gulf Of Mexico are making 50K for a 7 on / 7 off schedule. Mostly in 206s, 407s, 412. Single pilot ships mostly and you really have to know your stuff - the interview is not difficult.

A lot of guys will just take work-over on their days off and clear over 100K. Cost of living is low in places like Lafayette, La and other Gulf cities.

Its not a bad life but it isn't for everyone. Mostly x-military guys have a easier time than a 20 something former CFI.

Best way to go is thru the military - helo training is very expensive. However, many schools have developed in the Gulf area to cater to the growing need for helo pilot.

Anyway, the single pilot aspect of the job was the most appealing to my father.


-LAFF

Spartan07

Alrighty LAFF, Mayhaps I should have been a little more specific If -all- engine power is lost then they become bricks that have a last ditch effort to slow down the rate of descent just before touchdown