Calling all helicopter pilots
 

Just wanted to see how many helicopter pilots were on this forum!:D

I was one for a year. My Certificate says I still am one. I might remember how to hover but I couldn't recite LTE for you if I tried.

Started out as a UH-1H pilot in the OK Army Guard in the early 80's...always enjoyed it. I have been able to get a few extra hours since then, but not many. The USAF kept me pretty busy on the fixed wing side after that. I'd go back in a second!

right here..........still lovin' it, it just doesn't pay as much.

Marine CH-46 guy for 6 years. Now airline guy.

Like the same says, Hooker and loving it. I would give my third nut for a C-27J slot though.....

Marine AH-1W pilot for 11 years. Now AD in the USAF.

Army...Air Cav.

I did it for a while many moons ago

Guard HH-60's and FDX. There are a few of us around.

Former Army Scout Pilot here.....10 years Cav/Attack, 15 years Army FW. Living the dream.......

Is it better to become a fixed wing pilot or rotatory? pay better?

Do you like to fly high and fast or low and slow. Do you like to pull G's or hover. Neither is better, it is what you like that makes it better. Pay is nothing to write home about no matter what you fly. If you are going straight civilian, fixed wing is a better option. Much cheaper training, much more job opportunity and opportunity for slightly higher paying jobs (generally speaking) in the FW community. There are much fewer helicopters in the world, thus fewer helicopter jobs. Most require quite a few hours as well.

Navy SH-60B's for 5 years, then E-2's for 6. Working as a contractor for NAVAIR now after a stint flying the whale with a shoddy cargo carrier.

Sponge

Better pay and more jobs in fixed wing, but rotary wing is the most fun you can have with your pants on. Truly the most fun I've had flying is in a helicopter. The second most fun is flying aerobatics in flight training (T-34C). Airlines are fun, but nothing compared to those first two.

Soon to be redeployed/retired -58D driver.

With pay and allowances, I grossed $116k this year, which is not too bad (I think FW guy's make more than that). Very high risk work, but a whole lot of fun. :)

AH-64D's. Still chasing the airline dream (nightmare?).

USMC UH1Es; PaARNG UH1Hs,OH6As and CH47As.

Currently flying the Eurocopter AS350B2 A-Star for the last five years. Before that, flew MD500's and MD520 Notars. I also regularly fly a King Air B200 and Cessna 210's. But I will "second" the guy who said helos are more fun than fixed wing ........... waaaayyy more fun. The younger guys tell me that helo flying also has a much higher CDI factor than fixed wing flying; but I'm an old guy now, so that stuff doesn't count for me anymore.

Trained in the TH-55 (Hughes 300) and UH-1 for the USAF at Ft Rucker, Alabama, in 1981. Transitioned to the CH-53 and flew them for 3.5 years at Sembach, Germany. Transferred to Hurlburt Field in 1985, and worked with the 1st SOW Safety office and flew the MH-53J (Pave Low) when the opportunity presented itself. Got out, and flew the Jet Ranger and AS-350D for PHI for nine months, then off to US Customs where I flew the UH-60. Around 1300 hours of chopper time. Enjoyed it, but like flying for the airlines now. Playing in the weeds is a blast though and I'd love to fly a helicopter again if the opportunity presented itself. Anyone have one available?????? ;)