Looking to convert FW to RW

[Gnomon]

Hi,

New to the forum, but I read through the list of threads linked here.

I'm a commercial FW pilot with a multi rating and 450 hours. I checked out a couple of Ontario schools to get a sense of what it would cost to convert to RW, but the range of prices was shocking. Can anyone point me in the right direction to try and price this? Also, any other relevant threads you can point me towards would be most welcome.

Thanks

Gnomon

[Gnomon]

I guess the essence of my confusion is the difference in price between doing the 60 hours as all piston, versus some percentage of turbine plus piston.

Is getting turbine time critical? Would 50 hours piston plus 10 hours turbine be sufficient?

[All Sides]

I think you will find that you will get very little credit from the companies for your fixed wing time, if a lot of it is bush/float time then maybe a bit.

I was told from more than one CP of large rotary-wing companies that unless you have significant bush experience that you are better off doing the full 100 hours. I did the conversion with 7500 hours of F/W and most of it was bush/float time, even then it was difficult getting a R/W job.

Not sure what you were quoted for the 60 hour conversion, but an R22, Bell 47 or a Hughes 300 etc. etc. will probably run you $425-475 an hour (ball park) 60 times $450.00 = $27,000 ++++++

Do your homework before you jump in................

[Gnomon]

Thank you for the info. Yes, for that kind of investment, research is definitely called for. The 30-35K figure is what I've been seeing for 60 hours of piston. With half of that time in turbine it looks like twice as much.

Rob

[All Sides]

At the end of the day, you have been through all the F/W BS, so you know how the game is played and made it. You will have to do it all over again......................... only you know if you would do it all over again, because you likely will to get into R/W.

It's the million dollar question, whether to get some 206 time, or not? Personally I would buy the type rating (4-6 hours), but no more than that.

Your best source of information is talk to the operators themselves, they have nothing to gain by BSing you. Also they might remember you inquiring before you take the leap and might want to hire you??????

Long before I made the leap I was told, " save your money, you are paying $40,000 to live in a tent". You can raise that to $60,000 and still be living in a tent, if you are lucky enough to get a job moving mineral exploration drills.

Research. research and research some more.............

[The Mole]

Do it as cheap a possible. Try and get the best instructor you can find. There are some really good ones out there. DO NOT get a 206, R44 or any other endorsements. Its a waste of money. I cant stress this enough. It makes zero differences for getting that first job. Any company that hires you will have to put training into you. Between 10-25hrs usually for a low time pilot. Hiring is usually done on references, personality and work ethic. Theres a 90% failure rate in getting that first paid flying job.

Do not spend the money unless you really,,, really,,, really want to be a professional helicopter pilot.

[All Sides]

Do not spend the money unless you really,,, really,,, really want to be a professional helicopter pilot.

\

Very Good Advise

[Dhc6to8]

Edited for lack of good taste... sorry.

[donnybrook]

Dhc6to8,

Do you have a problem with Sean or something? 'Cause you sound like a bit of a dick naming names like that....

[smokeandmirrors]

Hey Mr 6to8.....You sound like a very disgruntled person. First off, You should get your facts straight. I paid for every hour of initial training I ever did! VIH took on 3-4 low time guys every year for years when they were running there flight school.

If you have any more questions, shoot me an email since I would like to have a chat with you!!

sfudger@vih.com