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Raintown
Posts:1
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| 01/30/2008 2:39 PM |
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OK - It's time for me to do something worthwhile, and time for another career. Some questions for you guys though, first. All of the schools are saying "yeah - no problem", but I'd thought I'd hit you guys up first. Mind you, I wrote to several of the schools (ones that got the good grades in other forums), and many responses were personal, well informed and direct. I just thought I'd hit up the guys who are LIVING it - see if I could get some straight facts...
I'm 42 years young, 6'5" and about 235 lbs. Yeah - big. But in an athletic way. I'm no fattie, just "big-boned" (Cartman joke...) Anyway, I know I can lose about 15 lbs., but what're your views of my height and age??? I have been around airports most of my life - many of my friends have some exotic airplanes (Pitts and Waco's, Etc.) and I have around 150 or so hours (NOT logged! I was a student pilot and ran outta cash when I got married). My PIC fixed-wing hours don't mean crap to anyone, other than myself, as I've become quite good and understand the principles of flight well. I've hung around airports and have been in helicopters, although I have not piloted any.
I'm living in SW Florida, and plan to relocate to an area which has the training available (any school suggestions appreciated...). In a nutshell, I know I can do this, but can I become employed, and I'd love your ideas on how to market myself - what areas would you specialize in (mountain, law enforcement, off-shore, lifting, etc.)?
I appreciate all of your comments - thank you guys in advance, and fly safely.
Rob - raintownmusic@yahoo.com |
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host
Posts:9
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| 02/02/2008 2:28 AM |
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Rob,
I would suggest looking into AirLog. Their parent company, Bristow, recently purchased two flight schools. Helicopter Adventures in Florida and another in Louisiana. Their goal is to produce offshore pilots from their own flight school. Not a bad way to work your way into a legitimate flying job.
Butch |
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RonB
Posts:2
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| 07/25/2008 6:22 PM |
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If you can afford the training and have the time to commit to it I say go for it! Life is too short.
I too got fed up w/the corporate world and all the BS that went along with it. Left a good paying Mechanical Design job
in a top aerospace manufacturing company and went back to school to get all my licenses to be a Commercial Helicopter pilot.
I've not regretted it for a minute.
I started when I was 45, have been at it for about a year and half and am just about thru it all. Fortunately for me, I've had a tremendous amount of support from family and my wife to be able to quit my job and pursue my dream career choice. Something I've wanted to do since I was a kid.
However with the market as it is today, loans can be tough so the more cash you have stashed away the better off you are. Do your research on what happened to Silver State Helicopters and don't fall into the traps students did with them. Big black eye for us all in the industry.
You mentioned being married, don't know if you have kids, but having a young family, trying to study your brains out, fly, ground schools, meetings, exams, flight checks with really use up your time.
Hope that you go for it and make it a new career. Its a good time because the industry is really looking for good pilots.
I'm currently working on my CFI license and hope to be all done soon and working in the industry. I'll take having my office
be the cockpit anytime over a cubical again!
Good luck!
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