Callous
New Member
I have been in the helicopter industry since 5-04. I got my first job (lucky), the day after my commercial checkride flying pipeline patrols. Instructing seems to be the way to go, however there are gulf jobs out there if you have an instrument ticket where you fly multi eng helos offshore as sic. My second job in the industry was offshore, but it was not for me. I did some part time work as a news pilot in Houston before moving to East TN to fly Tours, and I have logged almost 1700 hours since April 06. I am moving back to Texas and will probably end up flying EMS...maybe corporate. I am planning on building a little more multi f/w time to try to get my foot in the door at a regional since I am dual rated.
Overall the helicopter industry is growing like a weed. If you notice all of the helicopter manufacturers are backordered, there are jobs popping up everyday, and yes...the pay is usually double for a first year pilot (not instructor) compared to airlines...but the airlines do have better "fringe" benefits.
Feel free to ask if you have other questions! I am glad to be back online here, and enjoy helping out fellow or future aviators!
Christian
Where does the Helo pay top out? I mean, if you have to spend 70k just to start, how much are you making after 5-10 yrs in the game?