Newbie keen to start new career: fixed wing or rotary CPL?

Daz · Post by **Daz** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 8:29 pm

After 17 years in the ski industry, I want to expand my horizons. Being an avalanche technician is a hoot, but the job is seasonal, and the pay isn't great. Also, I'm 36. If I blow up a knee or something, I'm pretty much done.
Flying has always been a dream of mine, and as it happens, I may soon have the freedom to pursue that dream

I've always thought helicopters would be both challenging and fun to fly, but the cost of training and what I thought was a very small job market has put me off. Lately, I'm getting the vibe that there is a bit more demand for pilots.

But, I also like the idea of flying small to medium sized fixed wing planes, and the flight instruction seems to be a lot cheaper. Also, I would imagine that the job market is larger and more diverse.

I understand that the wages aren't high at the entry level, and that many heli (and some FW) jobs are seasonal. Hell, as an avalanche tech I'm no stranger to seasonal work and near-poverty. FWIW, I'm not aspiring to fly commercial airliners whilst wearing gold epaulets - I'd prefer smaller operations with a more hands-on feel. Oh, and I'm definitely not above getting dirty or being cold

Are the career prospects in the fixed wing market significantly higher than in the helicopter market?

Is the rotary CPL worth the extra tuition?

I realize tha there are as many asnwers to this as there are people on this forum - and I'd love to her 'em all

Cheers!
Darren in Invermere

mellow_pilot · Post by **mellow_pilot** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 9:20 pm

17 years in the industry, why not combine skill sets and aim to work for a heli-ski company. You might have a better chance than someone who knows nothing about mountains/av-control etc. Just a thought.

Daz · Post by **Daz** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 9:38 pm

In a perfect world, that's what I'd like to do. Heck, RK Heli-Ski is literally across the street from my workplace, and CMH is just up the road.

What sort of extra accreditation does winter/mountain heli work require, or is it just a whole whack 'o' hours?

mellow_pilot · Post by **mellow_pilot** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 9:46 pm

Do yourself a huge favour, go ask them!! If they're right across the road, you've got nothing to lose. (take coffee)

sky's the limit · Post by **sky's the limit** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 9:48 pm

Daz wrote:In a perfect world, that's what I'd like to do. Heck, RK Heli-Ski is literally across the street from my workplace, and CMH is just up the road.

What sort of extra accreditation does winter/mountain heli work require, or is it just a whole whack 'o' hours?

Heli-skiing is one of the more challenging environments we work in, for a number of reasons. Most Operators look for a minimum of 2000hrs, with LOTS of mountain experience, and experience on type. Most people I know heli-skiing have an excess of those requirements.

Accumulating experience on glaciers, above the tree line, and in winter Ops takes some time, but of course it can be done if you want it bad enough. ENtry level positions in the mountains are very hard to come by however, so some flatland work is often required first - not always a bad thing either, particularly in the Arctic, lots of experience to be gained there.

Proficiency in the mountains is a learned skill, and one that can't be taught over night, working helicopters in these environments is serious business, and something that many many people aren't cut out for. Again, if you want it bad enough, you'll learn.

As for your choice, if you WANT to fly helicopters, don't fly airplanes, you'll regret it. I started FW, then converted after several thousand hrs, never go back. If you have an questions, feel free to PM me.

Good luck,

stl

Of course, stopping here for lunch, is a nice reward.

altiplano · Post by **altiplano** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 10:42 pm

If I blow up a knee or something, I'm pretty much done.

That's the right idea. Knee, ankle, whatever... when you can no longer do the career you have devoted so many years to you need retraining. Who provides said retraining at limited cost to you? EI, WCB, some gov agency no doubt. Get your heli license paid for. Shit, you could probably fake it.

BTW - I fly fixed wing IFR and if I were to do it again right now I would go for my rotary... Better money compared to 90% of the fixed wing jobs, super interesting and so much variety. Not that I'm complaining too much, I still do love what I do, I just find myself thinking lots about "what if?"

Good luck with whatever you do...

FastFlyBy · Post by **FastFlyBy** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 11:06 pm

sky's the limit wrote:

As for your choice, if you WANT to fly helicopters, don't fly airplanes, you'll regret it. I started FW, then converted after several thousand hrs, never go back. If you have an questions, feel free to PM me.

Just wondering why you say that.

I have always wanted to go rotary one day. It probably won't happen but I'd still like to learn to fly them.

sky's the limit · Post by **sky's the limit** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 11:14 pm

FastFlyBy wrote:
sky's the limit wrote:

As for your choice, if you WANT to fly helicopters, don't fly airplanes, you'll regret it. I started FW, then converted after several thousand hrs, never go back. If you have an questions, feel free to PM me.

Just wondering why you say that.

I have always wanted to go rotary one day. It probably won't happen but I'd still like to learn to fly them.

I'd say the same in reverse. If you WANT something, settling for anything else is not going to cut the mustard in the long term. If his heart lies in rotary, and given his age, I'd strongly suggest he goes that way first. If it were the other way around, I'd say the same thing.

When I started flying, helicopters weren't even on my radar, but when they were, off I went and haven't really looked back. I loved most of my time in FW, but I fell out of love with it before really considering RW, so no regrets at all.

Hope that helps,

stl

altiplano · Post by **altiplano** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 12:25 am

STL

Just noticed... moderator now, eh!

2milefinal · Post by **2milefinal** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 5:02 am

Do the Helicopter thing.
Its sooo much more fun.

summitx · Post by **summitx** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 8:08 pm

I have a fair amount in common here, 25+ years in the avy business and used to combine it with a summer flying job. It was fun but a passion career. If you think the pay is poor in the avy patch try flying vfr for a living. Its a single mans job and as the family came along I couldn't be away all winter chasing avalanches and away all summer flying in the bush. It was sure fun while it lasted and I would not trade it for anything. Still manage to fly regularly, lucky for that. As to your question I would spend the extra and go heli. Much better pay (i think) and just a better profession than fixed wing vfr. Be prepared to spend some time out east to build hrs before getting that mountain job. Good luck with it .....go with the passion and stay safe.

Krashman · Post by **Krashman** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 8:23 pm

I'm in fixed wing myself... and thats where I'd like to stay but there are a few guys that I share a hangar with who are big rotary geeks... most of them did they're private license FW and then did the cpl course... one guy even left rotary for fixed and then came back.

If the bush is your thing then rotary is the way to go... I even have fun going with them on trips! There are very few rotary jobs in the major centers compared to fixed.

But either way I think you'll find if you really love aviation and your ready to but in a decent effort and time it will be prosperous for you both financially and psychologically. you'll have a great time!