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More questions from Curious George
Good questions as Helicopters don't get much attention. I have flown Fixed Wing and Rotary Wing both in the Military and in Civilian life so I will try to put in perspective your questions and give you my Opionions.
How do helicopters and planes compare for career's?
A: Both are valid career choices, allbeit few can merge the two into one career. I explain that a helicopter career is a local job, home every night, where a fixed wing career is a broader scope of experience, you get to see the country and possibly the world. You will spend time away from home, how much depends on the type of flying you do and the company. A rule of thumb is: the bigger the airplane, the bigger your suitcase is.
Are the midical requirements the same or different?
A: Yes, the same. There is absolutely no difference, or advantage being a fixed wing or rotorary wing pilot.
How much does the price of training differ?
A: ALOT. In fact for anyone interested in a Helicopter career I would recommend they do all the fixed wing rateings first and then do the helicopter stuff as an add on rateing. It will save money in the long run plus give you dual rateings, which equalls options down the road should you need them.
How does the income potential compare?
A: The single biggest difference is the money. Fixed wing pilots will always make more money than helicopter pilots. My last job was as Captain on a Bell 222 ( ie: air wolf ) and on a Citation 550. As a dual rated pilot I was makeing about 15K more than the Helicopter only pilots at the local hospital. When I left Helicopters all together my salary went up another 20K flying a Citation 650 swept wing jet. So the money is in bigger / faster more complex fixed wing aircraft. That being said the important thing is to do what you like, I know a lot of helicopter pilots who love flying helos so much they never wanted a fixed wing job. They think its routine and boring. I do miss helicopters but I will never go back to flying them as my main job. Each to his/her own.
How does the job market compare?
A: There are more airplane jobs than helicopter jobs. What helicopter jobs are out there are usually networked through the small helicopter community and that is primarily made up of Military pilots. Insuarance drives this business and no where is that more true than in helicopters, they are inherantly more dangerous requiring a higher degree of risk management than fixed wing. It would be foolish to think oneself marketable in the helicopter world with experience consisting of dual given in a R-22 ( reciprocating engine ) when there will pilots with many more hours of Military Turbine time and life experience / Maturity competing for the same job.
How about the length of time it takes to get rated?
A: All things considered going straight helicopter -vs- fixed wing should take no longer, but if you consider going fixed wing first then helicopter it will add about 35% more time to any plans.
TIA
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