looking for some info i cant find.

DJROCKETODD · Post by **DJROCKETODD** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 3:16 pm

I am looking into being a heli pilot but had a few questions. Mainly many compnaies only hire people with say 1000+ hours, how do you get those hours? or is it bush camp jobs that you have to tough it out on to get the hours? As well to get endorsements on different aircraft does you employer pay for that and what does it entail?? Sorry for being such a noob, but after reading alot of the negative stuff I'm trying to figure out as much as I can and weigh weather it is worh it to be a heli pilot......

Thanks in advance,

Todd

heliworld · Post by **heliworld** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 3:33 pm

Hey todd...bush camp jobs are definately something you need to be willing to do and be prepared to spend some time being a hangar slave first. Generally a reputable company will pay for your endorsement which usually only entails around 5 hours of training on type. But in the end it all pays off...I wouldn't change my job for the world! Contact a few schools, and companies they will be able to provide you with more info.

angry inch · Post by **angry inch** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 7:00 pm

Hi Todd,

I'm a fixed wing guy, but have been around heli ops a fair bit. I think now is the best time for you to do some leg work & get out and meet a few people who are doing it.

I recommend that you visit a few flight training units & get a tour & talk to some of the students. I also think it is a good time for you to visit some operators if you have a chance. Since you have Zero experience at the moment, you won't feel as intimidated or be worried about asking foolish questions, or feel that you are supposed to know what your talkin' about etc.

Getting to know people (especially them knowing you) is very important. If you have a good personality, it will come easy & beleive me, when you're first starting out, it's more about who you know... Once you have that license in hand and a hundred hours or so in your logbook, that's where the "real learning" begins.

"STL", our Avcanada heli Guru, is away on vacation spending some of the huge bucks he makes as a heli pilot.. I imagine he could be of some help, as he usually is... there are several others as well, but I wouldn't hold out too much for info here, although it can be an excellent resource once you filter through some of the junk.

In my opinion, getting out there & meeting the people is the way to go. It's hard to just go knocking on doors, but with the right approach, I think you'll find out what you need & more...

good luck

donnybrook · Post by **donnybrook** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 2:47 pm

in the canadian vfr world, camps are your bread and butter. if you consider it to be something to be "toughed out" then helicopters probably aren't the best option! you still might be rolling your own fuel drums through the mud when you are 50 years old... of course there are ifr helicopters, should you decide to do that....!

sky's the limit · Post by **sky's the limit** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 5:38 pm

donnybrook wrote:in the canadian vfr world, camps are your bread and butter. if you consider it to be something to be "toughed out" then helicopters probably aren't the best option! you still might be rolling your own fuel drums through the mud when you are 50 years old... of course there are ifr helicopters, should you decide to do that....!

I had a response all lined up, but this ums it up well. I spent 4 months in camp this year, flew %70 of my hours in camp. You make your money there, Base Work is much less lucrative.

As Angry Inch says, get out there and speak to people mainly the operators, but also a couple schools. ALL schools want your money, so take it with a grain of salt.

If you got flip through the "Pics from a swamper" thread in the Bush forum, you'll see what my summer at camp looked like, it was a pretty good spot. Mind you, working in the mountians will take some time to build up to, but it's where the good work is.

Yes, I'm in Asia, eating my face off.... Lol, enjoying some bulk time off after a busy year.

Hey Inch, you done work just yet?

stl

DJROCKETODD · Post by **DJROCKETODD** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 8:16 pm

Thanks for the advice so far. I guess what I meant by toughing it out in camp work, I was more referring to how long or what are the chances of getting the jobs like heliskiing and helihiking? Is everyone trying to get into these jobs so only the 'elite' get in?

Is working for operators that do the camps work the best way to get the hours as well, ie are they the most willing to give low hours people flying time?

Is there any industry or company or ways to not spend 2-4 years on the ground on hangar duty??

Also would it be too ealry to talk to companies if I havent even started training?

Is it better to go to a school that may hire their own recruits?

How can I figure out what compnaies are ruinning tour operations and what companies are running bush operations?

With all these companies looking for 500-1000+ hrs, long line experience, forrestry mmounrtain certificates? What compnaies pay for the training for these or is that mostly out of pocket?

Thanks a million, If there are other forums / commuinities that have some good information I am definately up for doing a bunch of reading !!!

Cheers,
Todd