RTP at 54 years old?
06-20-2017, 05:53 AM
#1
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Joined APC: Jun 2017
Posts: 38
RTP at 54 years old?
Hello all
Quick background: 54 years old, 55 in December. Started flying helicopters in the military way back in 1988. Exited the military in 1997 and have been flying helicopters commercially since. Just over 6000 hours with plenty of PIC time etc. IFR commercial rating with helo APT written done a few months ago. Zero fixed wing time.
Currently flying offshore in support of the oil and gas industry. Low oil prices have caused major downsizing and downgrades in addition to no pay raises in two years with none on the horizon. Downturn expected to last 5+ years and may never fully recover. Making 85K right now and working 14 days on, 14 days off.
It looks like I would qualify for RTP and even better, Sky Warrior for flight training is only 30 minutes from my house. It looks like I could even keep working 14/14 and do my FW time building on my 14 days off.
I've been researching a "day in the life" of a regional pilot etc. and I'm totally OK with being gone, commuting etc. I'm single and kiddos are all grown up. I'll need to work as much as possible anyway to make my mortgage etc.
Realistically, how long would it be before I'm back at the 85K level? Definitely not planning on the majors unless I get really lucky so probably will retire as a regional captain. Good 10 years of flying left if everything goes right.
Also, no GI bill or any military education benefits. Is it possible to make it through all training without any out of pocket?
Thanks for reading.
Quick background: 54 years old, 55 in December. Started flying helicopters in the military way back in 1988. Exited the military in 1997 and have been flying helicopters commercially since. Just over 6000 hours with plenty of PIC time etc. IFR commercial rating with helo APT written done a few months ago. Zero fixed wing time.
Currently flying offshore in support of the oil and gas industry. Low oil prices have caused major downsizing and downgrades in addition to no pay raises in two years with none on the horizon. Downturn expected to last 5+ years and may never fully recover. Making 85K right now and working 14 days on, 14 days off.
It looks like I would qualify for RTP and even better, Sky Warrior for flight training is only 30 minutes from my house. It looks like I could even keep working 14/14 and do my FW time building on my 14 days off.
I've been researching a "day in the life" of a regional pilot etc. and I'm totally OK with being gone, commuting etc. I'm single and kiddos are all grown up. I'll need to work as much as possible anyway to make my mortgage etc.
Realistically, how long would it be before I'm back at the 85K level? Definitely not planning on the majors unless I get really lucky so probably will retire as a regional captain. Good 10 years of flying left if everything goes right.
Also, no GI bill or any military education benefits. Is it possible to make it through all training without any out of pocket?
Thanks for reading.
06-20-2017, 07:21 AM
#2
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Joined APC: Jun 2017
Position: RW instructor pilot and Maintenance test pilot
Posts: 177
Hey man, when we apply and interview, each of us gets a personalized quote for training cost from Greg at Sky Warrior (the time building flight school) based on each person's experience.
After my conversation with him regarding the RTP, you'd ballpark be looking at around $8300 out of pocket. That being said, you ARE given that sweet signing bonus available day 1 in this program to alleviate the cost of the training.
Also, I don't want to be mean, but my understanding is that this isn't a "hang out and build time at your convenience" thing. The idea is that they're flying the bill, so they want you there as quickly as possible. Taking half a month off, literally doubling the expected time to complete the course, is probably frowned upon.
Regarding pay, I can speak only based on conversations with pilots and data on the sites: if just flying the basics (not on reserve) the people I know are in the $70k market. They said if they chased the critical/overtime they could easily hit $80+.
Hope this helps.
After my conversation with him regarding the RTP, you'd ballpark be looking at around $8300 out of pocket. That being said, you ARE given that sweet signing bonus available day 1 in this program to alleviate the cost of the training.
Also, I don't want to be mean, but my understanding is that this isn't a "hang out and build time at your convenience" thing. The idea is that they're flying the bill, so they want you there as quickly as possible. Taking half a month off, literally doubling the expected time to complete the course, is probably frowned upon.
Regarding pay, I can speak only based on conversations with pilots and data on the sites: if just flying the basics (not on reserve) the people I know are in the $70k market. They said if they chased the critical/overtime they could easily hit $80+.
Hope this helps.
06-20-2017, 08:26 AM
#3
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Joined APC: Jun 2017
Posts: 38
Hey new guy
Yeah that definitely helps a lot. I think the target for time building at Sky Warrior is 90 days if I remember correctly? A few of the other guys down here in the Gulf are bailing to the RTP and were told it's OK to keep working as long as they were making a good effort at time building. I'll have to double check but if I can't work during that period then it will probably be a show stopper for me. No way could I take 3 months off. Really hoping they're somewhat flexible on this.
Do you know the schedule at Sky Warrior? Could I fly 4 to 6 hours a day?
Thanks again for the info.
Yeah that definitely helps a lot. I think the target for time building at Sky Warrior is 90 days if I remember correctly? A few of the other guys down here in the Gulf are bailing to the RTP and were told it's OK to keep working as long as they were making a good effort at time building. I'll have to double check but if I can't work during that period then it will probably be a show stopper for me. No way could I take 3 months off. Really hoping they're somewhat flexible on this.
Do you know the schedule at Sky Warrior? Could I fly 4 to 6 hours a day?
Thanks again for the info.
06-20-2017, 11:15 AM
#4
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Joined APC: Dec 2016
Posts: 23
I did it while working in the same industry as you but was one month on and off. I didn't have as much time to build, but PSA was definitely willing to work with me around my schedule. It is possible to fly 4-6 hours a day at Skywarrior. I think if you can give them a good projection and have a plan you can do it while off hitch.
Originally Posted by rdavid2792
Hey new guy
Yeah that definitely helps a lot. I think the target for time building at Sky Warrior is 90 days if I remember correctly? A few of the other guys down here in the Gulf are bailing to the RTP and were told it's OK to keep working as long as they were making a good effort at time building. I'll have to double check but if I can't work during that period then it will probably be a show stopper for me. No way could I take 3 months off. Really hoping they're somewhat flexible on this.
Do you know the schedule at Sky Warrior? Could I fly 4 to 6 hours a day?
Thanks again for the info.
Yeah that definitely helps a lot. I think the target for time building at Sky Warrior is 90 days if I remember correctly? A few of the other guys down here in the Gulf are bailing to the RTP and were told it's OK to keep working as long as they were making a good effort at time building. I'll have to double check but if I can't work during that period then it will probably be a show stopper for me. No way could I take 3 months off. Really hoping they're somewhat flexible on this.
Do you know the schedule at Sky Warrior? Could I fly 4 to 6 hours a day?
Thanks again for the info.
06-20-2017, 04:19 PM
#5
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Posts: 38
Originally Posted by Frogamazog
I did it while working in the same industry as you but was one month on and off. I didn't have as much time to build, but PSA was definitely willing to work with me around my schedule. It is possible to fly 4-6 hours a day at Skywarrior. I think if you can give them a good projection and have a plan you can do it while off hitch.
06-20-2017, 06:54 PM
#6
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2017
Position: RW instructor pilot and Maintenance test pilot
Posts: 177
Originally Posted by Frogamazog
I did it while working in the same industry as you but was one month on and off. I didn't have as much time to build, but PSA was definitely willing to work with me around my schedule. It is possible to fly 4-6 hours a day at Skywarrior. I think if you can give them a good projection and have a plan you can do it while off hitch.
And that may very well change things for me in my position. I may well start at PSA Mick sooner than expected.
07-28-2017, 07:12 PM
#9
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Joined APC: Jul 2017
Posts: 19
Was just looking for an update on the OP's situation. What is the latest word about bending SkyWarrior's and PSA's timeline to get your training completed and still allow you to work?
I'm in a similar situation, except I have all of my ratings and just need another 150 hours FW PIC. I would need to work, and I live 3 hours from P'cola.
John
I'm in a similar situation, except I have all of my ratings and just need another 150 hours FW PIC. I would need to work, and I live 3 hours from P'cola.
John
07-28-2017, 07:44 PM
#10
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Joined APC: Oct 2015
Position: Gear slinger
Posts: 2,898
Originally Posted by CWOMaddog
Was just looking for an update on the OP's situation. What is the latest word about bending SkyWarrior's and PSA's timeline to get your training completed and still allow you to work?
I'm in a similar situation, except I have all of my ratings and just need another 150 hours FW PIC. I would need to work, and I live 3 hours from P'cola.
John
I'm in a similar situation, except I have all of my ratings and just need another 150 hours FW PIC. I would need to work, and I live 3 hours from P'cola.
John
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