Flight Instructor

[Reckless_Havoc]

Just got hired as a Helicopter Flight Instructor at Hillsboro Aviation. Once I get my 141 checkout I can do helicopter demos for $69.00.

[mr2peak]

Nice I'm looking at going to ATP

[HellzMindPlaya]

Lucky bastard... So did you end up learnig to fly through Hillsboro Avation, or did you learn elsewhere? Any idea what it would cost to learn for someone with no avation experience. Lately I have really wanted to learn how to fly a helicopter, but I have just figured it would be stupid expensive and that I would never be able to afford it with or without loans or aid or whatnot.

[AmosTheRocker]

Lucky bastard... So did you end up learnig to fly through Hillsboro Avation, or did you learn elsewhere? Any idea what it would cost to learn for someone with no avation experience. Lately I have really wanted to learn how to fly a helicopter, but I have just figured it would be stupid expensive and that I would never be able to afford it with or without loans or aid or whatnot.

This.

I would jump all over an opportunity to learn to fly.

[PNWDan]

Just got hired as a Helicopter Flight Instructor at Hillsboro Aviation. Once I get my 141 checkout I can do helicopter demos for $69.00.

:up:

[Reckless_Havoc]

Nice I'm looking at going to ATP

Awesome! Airplane or helicopter?

Lucky bastard... So did you end up learnig to fly through Hillsboro Avation, or did you learn elsewhere? Any idea what it would cost to learn for someone with no avation experience. Lately I have really wanted to learn how to fly a helicopter, but I have just figured it would be stupid expensive and that I would never be able to afford it with or without loans or aid or whatnot.

I learned how to fly at Hillsboro Aviation. Price wise, you're looking at roughly 75k. Helicopters are a fair bit more expensive than Airplanes. Get a loan or if you have military experience you can use some of your VA benefits to get your training paid for. Well worth the money. There's nothing better.

This.

I would jump all over an opportunity to learn to fly.

Find a way and do it. It's so worth it!

[hoveringuy]

I have my ATP and I'm typed on the DC-9, but I have 1500+ rotary wing and that's what's been the most fun for me. Will finish my 10 hours dual on the R-22 at some point so I can go joy riding solo.

[Mikhail Bakunin]

I can do helicopter demos for $69.00.

What's that include?

[HellzMindPlaya]

Are there really any jobs out there that I can use the $75k in school to make money and pay back huge debt I would incure? Or are jobs pretty slim pickings, and would I be learning just to learn? Any clue what a helicopter pilot can expect to make just starting out? And are the jobs usually looking for someone with something like 2+ years of experience, or will they usually hire someone fresh out of school?

[JBird]

Very cool! Nice job. I might take you up on those demos.

[hoveringuy]

Are there really any jobs out there that I can use the $75k in school to make money and pay back huge debt I would incure? Or are jobs pretty slim pickings, and would I be learning just to learn? Any clue what a helicopter pilot can expect to make just starting out? And are the jobs usually looking for someone with something like 2+ years of experience, or will they usually hire someone fresh out of school?

I had a buddy that was a Captain with PHI in Louisiana (Petroleum Services, Inc) flying the service worker out to the rigs in a Sikorsky. He was making around $80k and was, as he called it, at the top of the industry. He lived on a barge 2 weeks each month and hated it.

I have another friend that flights EMS and makes around 60k.

Most of the money goes to retired military because they have the hours and experience, tough to start civilian and work your way up.

[Reckless_Havoc]

Demos are pretty short. About 15 minutes from start to shutdown. But you get a quick flight and the opportunity to take the controls for a few minutes. I've never heard of someone complain about their demo.

As far as jobs, there are a lot of jobs out there that pay over 6 figures. The hardest job to get is the first one. Typically you make next to nothing as an instructor until you can get around 1500 hours. Then you can move on to a turbine job somewhere. My instructor just went to Papillon flying Grand Canyon tours for about 50k or so a year. There's definitely money to be made, but the reality is, you don't become a pilot to get rich.

I know a guy flying SIC in S92's for PHI as well. Wonder if it's the same person. If so, I know if he gets a PIC checkout he'll get a nice pay bump.

[bmwguy325is]

If any of you are VA I am flying helicopters at www.ulaheli.com. They have a Bell 206b3 for IFR-CFII. They also do r22 and 44.
Its all High density alt and out of a class B airport. Plenty of mountain time.

[Matt-B]

Once Im in the $, I might hit you up, never been in a helicopter :)

[HellzMindPlaya]

Yeah, I realize you don't probably do it for the moneys, just would be helpful to be able to pay back lots of debt... Would be one hell of a spendy hobby otherwise.

I may have to take you up on one of those demos as well... Almost shouldn't though because I have a feeling I get up there and I am going to be hooked.