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Fixed Wing/Rotor

Fetter

Fetter

Registered User
I would like to ask the rotor wing community-

Why did you choose helicopters? (assuming you wanted to follow that pipeline)

It sounds to me like rotor experience would lead to a more interesting field of work in the civilian world. I just don't see much excitement in flying an airliner, which would be the ideal job if one left the military as a fixed-wing pilot. EMS, police work, firefighting, logging, construction, ENG, and SAR sound like pretty cool careers to me and these are mostly rotor jobs. Did this influence your decisions or is it just that helicopters are more interesting to you personally?
 
Brett327

Brett327

Well-Known Member
None
Super Moderator
Contributor
Fetter said:
I would like to ask the rotor wing community-

Why did you choose helicopters? (assuming you wanted to follow that pipeline)

It sounds to me like rotor experience would lead to a more interesting field of work in the civilian world. I just don't see much excitement in flying an airliner, which would be the ideal job if one left the military as a fixed-wing pilot. EMS, police work, firefighting, logging, construction, ENG, and SAR sound like pretty cool careers to me and these are mostly rotor jobs. Did this influence your decisions or is it just that helicopters are more interesting to you personally?
Click to expand...

The real answer: They didn't have jet grades. :D

Brett
 
P

plc67

Active Member
pilot
In my case I couldn't get Keystone Helicopters to hire me for pipeline patrol in a Jet Ranger so I had to eventually settle for a 767.
 
HAL Pilot

HAL Pilot

Well-Known Member
None
Contributor
plc67 said:
In my case I couldn't get Keystone Helicopters to hire me for pipeline patrol in a Jet Ranger so I had to eventually settle for a 767.
Click to expand...
Gee, that really sucks......giving up helos to be a 767 Captain at the highest paying airline in the country......:eek: :D
 
Fly Navy

Fly Navy

...Great Job!
pilot
Super Moderator
Contributor
Fetter said:
I would like to ask the rotor wing community-

Why did you choose helicopters? (assuming you wanted to follow that pipeline)

It sounds to me like rotor experience would lead to a more interesting field of work in the civilian world. I just don't see much excitement in flying an airliner, which would be the ideal job if one left the military as a fixed-wing pilot. EMS, police work, firefighting, logging, construction, ENG, and SAR sound like pretty cool careers to me and these are mostly rotor jobs. Did this influence your decisions or is it just that helicopters are more interesting to you personally?
Click to expand...

And get paid pennies to do it.
 
M

MasterBates

Well-Known Member
Helos on the outside do not pay as well as airlines. I made decent money for a 22 year old guy as a comm helo pilot, but it is NOWHERE near what I make now as a LT, or what I would be making as an automotive engineer.
 
Fetter

Fetter

Registered User
plc67 said:
In my case I couldn't get Keystone Helicopters to hire me for pipeline patrol in a Jet Ranger so I had to eventually settle for a 767.
Click to expand...

That is strange, I was under the impression that military pilots were getting bought up in the civi helo business. Especially with so many vietnam era pilots retiring.
 
P

plc67

Active Member
pilot
Er, this happened in 1977. The Army had pumped out a couple of hundred helo pilots a week for quite a few years so the market was a bit saturated. And, unfortunately, you're right; many vietnam era pilots are retiring.
 
F

flashypants

Whoa.
pilot
Brett327 said:
The real answer: They didn't have aviator grades/eyesight. :D

Brett
Click to expand...

Oh wait, that's an answer to a totally different question.

That question being: Why did you choose NFO? (assuming you wanted to follow that pipeline)

It sounds to me like pilot experience would lead to a more interesting field of work in the civilian world. I just don't see much excitement in riding in an airliner, which would be the ideal job if one left the military as a NFO. EMS, police work, firefighting, logging, construction, ENG, and SAR sound like pretty cool careers to me and these are mostly pilot jobs. Did this influence your decisions or is it just that riding b!tch is more interesting to you personally?
 
Fly Navy

Fly Navy

...Great Job!
pilot
Super Moderator
Contributor
flashypants said:
Oh wait, that's an answer to a totally different question.

That question being: Why did you choose NFO? (assuming you wanted to follow that pipeline)

It sounds to me like pilot experience would lead to a more interesting field of work in the civilian world. I just don't see much excitement in riding in an airliner, which would be the ideal job if one left the military as a NFO. EMS, police work, firefighting, logging, construction, ENG, and SAR sound like pretty cool careers to me and these are mostly pilot jobs. Did this influence your decisions or is it just that riding b!tch is more interesting to you personally?
Click to expand...

Someone is a WEEEE bit sensitive.
 
gregsivers

gregsivers

damn homeowners' associations
pilot
Aw come on, I liked flashy's post. Good natured AW ribbing.

Now for a real answer to the original question. True I didn't have jet grades in primary, but by that point I didn't want them anyway. After a few flights in the 34 I discovered how much I hated wearing the chute and the O2 mask, and being stuck in something small and narrow (yeah I know the jets are wider than the 34) with restricted maneuverability. (pilot not plane) And then came the solo flights, I got so damn bored flying by myself, I decided that I didn't really want to do that. Call me lazy/underachiever, but I didn't want to put in the effort it took to get jets either. I didn't want to do that much studying in primary and advanced. (turns out I ended up doing a sh!t-ton for the ATO phase of the HSL FRS, but thats another stury) To make a long story short, from the first flight in HTs I knew helos were for me. There wasn't a day in advanced that I didn't look forward to going to work, I love flying helos and I'm glad I selected them.
 
Fly Navy

Fly Navy

...Great Job!
pilot
Super Moderator
Contributor
gregsivers said:
Aw come on, I liked flashy's post. Good natured AW ribbing.
Click to expand...

Sounded like some hate in there ;)

After a few flights in the 34 I discovered how much I hated wearing the chute and the O2 mask
Click to expand...

Yeah, it sucks. I hate the mask... and I wear it every flight.

and being stuck in something small and narrow (yeah I know the jets are wider than the 34)
Click to expand...

So you like them fat and wide? :D

And then came the solo flights, I got so damn bored flying by myself, I decided that I didn't really want to do that.
Click to expand...

This is bad headwork, and it's not something you would know or anyone in Primary for that matter (nor did I). You're flying a T-34 solo on flights where... you don't do anything. It's quite a bit different when you're doing a defensive intercept on strikers heading for your boat, flying in section, defending against missile shots, taking your missile shots, going to the merge, oh sh!t it's 2 vs 3, blah blah blah. Trust me, that's not boring.
 
Brett327

Brett327

Well-Known Member
None
Super Moderator
Contributor
Fly Navy said:
Someone is a WEEEE bit sensitive.
Click to expand...

I agree, so touchy. It's funny how that line always flushes out the 'tards. :icon_roll I'm secure in my designator, among other things - how about you? :D

Brett
 
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