Becoming a commercial helicopter pilot
Discussion
Hi Furberger,
Cant give you specifics for the UK industry as I'm not there. However it's pretty much the same the world over. Very expensive to get a licence, incredibly difficult to get a start, as no one is interested in you until you have hours and you cant get hours without a job and so around it goes.
Lefty is only partially correct about the money. It is dreadful in the early years with exploitation rife. However the offshore companies pay (unless it's changed in the last year or so) in the vicinity of 90k for a captain and about 50k for a senior co-pilot. I have heard that there have been recent job losses in the North Sea sector, but it does tend to go in cycles.
A few guys I know, have trained at the Bristow Academy http://www.heli.com/ in the U.S. There is occasionally the prospect of staying on as an instructor when licensed, but you would not want to rely on it.
I think you will find that most guys who make successful careers as helicopter pilots have wanted to do it for as long as they can remember, and have spent a decent amount of time putting it before anything else and have put up with a lot of crap for a long time.
The point I'm trying to make is that unless you really really want it, or have vast resources of money, I'd suggest you think long and hard about it before making the jump as it could cost you a lot of money and heartache.
That said if you want it badly enough, you can make a very rewarding career out of it.
For more info, have a look at http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads-23/ Make sure you use the search function before you ask any questions as they can be a bit of a grumpy and fickle lot!
As Lefty said, sorry to be a bit pessimistic about it, but I do feel I have painted you a reasonable picture. I dare say there will be a few U.K commercial drivers on here who might be able to add a bit more locally relevant info.
Cheers M2A
Cant give you specifics for the UK industry as I'm not there. However it's pretty much the same the world over. Very expensive to get a licence, incredibly difficult to get a start, as no one is interested in you until you have hours and you cant get hours without a job and so around it goes.
Lefty is only partially correct about the money. It is dreadful in the early years with exploitation rife. However the offshore companies pay (unless it's changed in the last year or so) in the vicinity of 90k for a captain and about 50k for a senior co-pilot. I have heard that there have been recent job losses in the North Sea sector, but it does tend to go in cycles.
A few guys I know, have trained at the Bristow Academy http://www.heli.com/ in the U.S. There is occasionally the prospect of staying on as an instructor when licensed, but you would not want to rely on it.
I think you will find that most guys who make successful careers as helicopter pilots have wanted to do it for as long as they can remember, and have spent a decent amount of time putting it before anything else and have put up with a lot of crap for a long time.
The point I'm trying to make is that unless you really really want it, or have vast resources of money, I'd suggest you think long and hard about it before making the jump as it could cost you a lot of money and heartache.
That said if you want it badly enough, you can make a very rewarding career out of it.
For more info, have a look at http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads-23/ Make sure you use the search function before you ask any questions as they can be a bit of a grumpy and fickle lot!
As Lefty said, sorry to be a bit pessimistic about it, but I do feel I have painted you a reasonable picture. I dare say there will be a few U.K commercial drivers on here who might be able to add a bit more locally relevant info.
Cheers M2A
If you train etc in the UK, Bank on circa £100k cost to get you to the starting gate of a co-Pilot North sea job (paying £45 - 50k) when and if they need any !
Cost about £60k to get you an instructor job paying as a freelance probably £25 - £30k per year...when and if they need any !
Don't forget there are at least 14 theory exams to do as well (its not all just the fun of flying) for the commercial, and medicals to pass...
Its a long hard & expensive slog and jobs are few and far between..
PS: How did you get on with your trial lesson (assuming you have at least been in a helicopter before deciding that was the job for you) - did they tell you that you were a natural, and there is an upcoming shortage of pilots due to Vietnam retirees ;-)
Cost about £60k to get you an instructor job paying as a freelance probably £25 - £30k per year...when and if they need any !
Don't forget there are at least 14 theory exams to do as well (its not all just the fun of flying) for the commercial, and medicals to pass...
Its a long hard & expensive slog and jobs are few and far between..
PS: How did you get on with your trial lesson (assuming you have at least been in a helicopter before deciding that was the job for you) - did they tell you that you were a natural, and there is an upcoming shortage of pilots due to Vietnam retirees ;-)
Edited by Work too hard on Wednesday 2nd February 14:57
Edited by Work too hard on Wednesday 2nd February 14:58
With regard to salaries, my mates son is a chief pilot and is on about £50k. He's 35 and has been flying since he left uni at 21 or so, trained in the RAF and served for a few years before going commie about 7 years ago.
Whilst £50k is considerably higher than the average UK income it's not much for such a skilled job with a high level of responsibility and a lot of risk...
Whilst £50k is considerably higher than the average UK income it's not much for such a skilled job with a high level of responsibility and a lot of risk...
Lefty said:
Bristows/Bond in Aberdeen. Not great money these days though...and I doubt they will be running their own training schemes.
I think that most offshore pilots come through the forces.
Sorry to not be more positive!
My father used to be a navigator for Bristows back in the 80s.I think that most offshore pilots come through the forces.
Sorry to not be more positive!
In answer to the OP, I believe it costs about £40-£50k
Try here http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads-23/
Do a search first, but any questions will be answered (mainly) by professional helicopter pilots, situated all over the world.
Do a search first, but any questions will be answered (mainly) by professional helicopter pilots, situated all over the world.
I looked long and hard at this question a couple of years ago, when I was around your age now.
As above it boils down to money. It will cost circa 100k to get qualified to get a job which pays around 30k. That takes into account you getting a job, which is near on impossible is todays climate. I talked to a pilot at the Silverstone GP two years ago, who put me right off the notion. His comment was, after spending the money, you will meet someone who is just out of the army and has 10 times the hours you have and is willing to work for nothing. This guy has an army pension and is willing to fly foc.
If you want excitement, do a fixed wing plane licence. They are so much cheaper to fly.
Milo
As above it boils down to money. It will cost circa 100k to get qualified to get a job which pays around 30k. That takes into account you getting a job, which is near on impossible is todays climate. I talked to a pilot at the Silverstone GP two years ago, who put me right off the notion. His comment was, after spending the money, you will meet someone who is just out of the army and has 10 times the hours you have and is willing to work for nothing. This guy has an army pension and is willing to fly foc.
If you want excitement, do a fixed wing plane licence. They are so much cheaper to fly.
Milo
I did a CPL (H) in Queensland back in 2001 for a bit of time out from London work. One of the best years of my life - landing on volcanoes, flying over the beaches and outback. Sling loading, cutting tree branches with the blades in hover to land in jungles.... you get the idea. Also one of the best instructors in the world - Mike Becker. Still is to this day.
It beats driving in rush hour down to Redhill to be told it's too rainy today. Plus cheaper - so don't discount the foreign schools - some are great and you fly every day
It beats driving in rush hour down to Redhill to be told it's too rainy today. Plus cheaper - so don't discount the foreign schools - some are great and you fly every day
My brother spent the best part of 15 years, training and flying professionally. The training cost >£50k in the US and he's worked all over the world, living anywhere from tents in Africa to a tuna fishing boat in the pacific. It's been a vicarious existence for him. He's now got a flying related job in the UK, but he's not flying for a living any more because he was just having to give up too much to follow his dream.
Suggesting the Forces route (TA or otherwise) is somewhat flawed.
Couple of things....first, the military will expect a return of service for training (usually at least six years after wings), and even then you still won't actually have a recognised license, just lots of hours/experience.
Couple of things....first, the military will expect a return of service for training (usually at least six years after wings), and even then you still won't actually have a recognised license, just lots of hours/experience.
Crossflow Kid said:
Suggesting the Forces route (TA or otherwise) is somewhat flawed.
Couple of things....first, the military will expect a return of service for training (usually at least six years after wings), and even then you still won't actually have a recognised license, just lots of hours/experience.
That's assuming they'll even train you. Budgets are tight and recruitment is down, so I'm not sure they have the capacity to train TA pilots from scratch.Couple of things....first, the military will expect a return of service for training (usually at least six years after wings), and even then you still won't actually have a recognised license, just lots of hours/experience.
Maybe if you've just left the army as a pilot and wanted to carry on they'd keep you current.
A guy I know was a TV Sound Engineer and just upped and went to the States to train to be a helicopter pilot.
Said it was cheaper than the UK and better weather as based in California. Seems to be doing ok out there now but he did go years ago and he is always upping his qualifications and getting to grips with all sorts of amazing machinery.
Said it was cheaper than the UK and better weather as based in California. Seems to be doing ok out there now but he did go years ago and he is always upping his qualifications and getting to grips with all sorts of amazing machinery.
croyde said:
A guy I know was a TV Sound Engineer and just upped and went to the States to train to be a helicopter pilot.
Said it was cheaper than the UK and better weather as based in California. Seems to be doing ok out there now but he did go years ago and he is always upping his qualifications and getting to grips with all sorts of amazing machinery.
That's assuming you can get a work permit.Said it was cheaper than the UK and better weather as based in California. Seems to be doing ok out there now but he did go years ago and he is always upping his qualifications and getting to grips with all sorts of amazing machinery.
Gassing Station | Boats, Planes & Trains | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff