Fixed wing v rotor
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Simple Answer:- Less Helicopters - Less (Quality) Pilots
- More Aircraft - More Pilots
In any case the principle is simple, the demand is directly proportional to the number of machine flying.
The commercial Heli World is hard than the commercial FW Wolrd is too.
The differences between is only that one machine have RotorWings and the other have a FixedWings.
The rest to choose is passion and challenging work on.
Hope to be clear,
Emanuele (One of the lucky which become a RW pilot)
Hovering AND talking
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The supply and demand ratios are somewhat skewed though for rotary since hours and experience requirements are so much higher. There really isn't anything in the fixed wing world compared with SAR, Police, Air Ambulance. It IS highly skilled. The jobs ARE there but only if you have 2,000 hours, IR, night, etc.
Cheers
Whirls
Cheers
Whirls
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A very high one . Coastal rotary pilots are usually from a naval background and the Police and Flying Quacks are majority Ex-military because of, as mentioned before, the need for high hours. I looked into the choppers myself before opting for fixed wing before i started any kind of training. My mind was made up purely because of the chances of getting a job when trained. Still you've gotta live the dream
Hovering AND talking
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Anyone know what % of Police, Air Ambulance and Coastal Rescue helicopter pilots come from military background?
Cheers
Whirls
Fixed wing - costs a fortune to get trained - great fun to fly - hard to find that first job - good pay.
Rotary - costs much more to train - lots more fun to fly - even harder to find that first job - poor pay.
Take your pick.
PM
Rotary - costs much more to train - lots more fun to fly - even harder to find that first job - poor pay.
Take your pick.
PM
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Pilotmike it sounds as though getting any sort of career flying -either FW or Roto - is going to be tough and expensive. I don't know why my kids want to go into jobs that seem so difficult to get into. (my son wants to go into medicine and the chances of even getting offered a space at Uni seems almost insurmountable
) but it seems the more obstacles they are faced with, the more determined they are to reach their goals.
) but it seems the more obstacles they are faced with, the more determined they are to reach their goals.
Go for it!
I'm sorry if my rather glib, 'tongue in cheek' comments came across as negative.
The reality is that we fly because we love it. The bonus is that we can be paid to do so. But as with any job, it is a job, with all the downsides, so the joy of flying can get rather tarnished with time.
Becoming a pilot will always be expensive, but as with any other rewarding career or profession, it brings its own rewards along with its challenges. Your daughter should follow her dream, and she's very lucky to have a mother like you who is helping to support her.
As you rightly say, we all thrive on challenges. Professonal flying will deliver those challenges in spades - not least the worry of financing the training! The rewards should follow.
Best of luck to your daughter in her pursuit of her dream, whichever route she chooses to go. I had the same dilemma, and went both rotary and fixed wing. She will find her own path sooner or later, one that's right for her.
For both of your offspring - their determination and hard work will be rewarded if they truly believe in thier goals - go for it!
PM
The reality is that we fly because we love it. The bonus is that we can be paid to do so. But as with any job, it is a job, with all the downsides, so the joy of flying can get rather tarnished with time.
Becoming a pilot will always be expensive, but as with any other rewarding career or profession, it brings its own rewards along with its challenges. Your daughter should follow her dream, and she's very lucky to have a mother like you who is helping to support her.
As you rightly say, we all thrive on challenges. Professonal flying will deliver those challenges in spades - not least the worry of financing the training! The rewards should follow.
Best of luck to your daughter in her pursuit of her dream, whichever route she chooses to go. I had the same dilemma, and went both rotary and fixed wing. She will find her own path sooner or later, one that's right for her.
For both of your offspring - their determination and hard work will be rewarded if they truly believe in thier goals - go for it!
PM
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As the holder of both ATPL(H) and ATPL(A) I have to say that the two types of flying are poles apart. I flew helicopters all over the globe for the best part of 20 years and absolutely loved it. There is nothing that compares to the flexibility of a helicopter nor the 'hands on' seat of the pants flying.
Why, may you ask, did I leave the 'chopper' world when it was so much fun? To be basically honest I was getting a bit jaded towards the whole thing and needed a change. Why even mention this? Basically because everything becomes mundane after a long time. Therefore I have to say go with what you feel you would enjoy the most!
Flying airliners is great for the bank balance in comparison to choppers but in all honesty its monkey see monkey do and play with the autopilot buttons. Helicopter flying can be immensly challenging and enormous fun, coupled with the right job e.g. SAR/HEMS it can also be extremely rewarding.
I found it no problem at all to switch from flying heavy helicopters to flying airliners. To be honest it was a bit of a step down in the handling department. So, if you really can, try and get the helo job, CHC need people at the moment, and after you can always try the fixed wing route if your lifestyle changes or you need a change.
In all cases good luck and enjoy
W2P
Why, may you ask, did I leave the 'chopper' world when it was so much fun? To be basically honest I was getting a bit jaded towards the whole thing and needed a change. Why even mention this? Basically because everything becomes mundane after a long time. Therefore I have to say go with what you feel you would enjoy the most!
Flying airliners is great for the bank balance in comparison to choppers but in all honesty its monkey see monkey do and play with the autopilot buttons. Helicopter flying can be immensly challenging and enormous fun, coupled with the right job e.g. SAR/HEMS it can also be extremely rewarding.
I found it no problem at all to switch from flying heavy helicopters to flying airliners. To be honest it was a bit of a step down in the handling department. So, if you really can, try and get the helo job, CHC need people at the moment, and after you can always try the fixed wing route if your lifestyle changes or you need a change.
In all cases good luck and enjoy
W2P
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pilotmike thanks for the encouragement.
Guess the best advice is if she doesn't try both she may always wonder what if...
Will try to get her a trial lesson in helicopter, she may hate it, though judging from replies here it sounds very unlikely.
Guess the best advice is if she doesn't try both she may always wonder what if...
Will try to get her a trial lesson in helicopter, she may hate it, though judging from replies here it sounds very unlikely.
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Orlando Flight Training for JAA PPL
Been looking on various threads but can't find anything relevant.
Anyone know about Orlando Flight Training for JAA PPL? It costs £3,693 for 21 days including accommodation , 45 hours Cessna 152,25 hours Dual Instruction,JAA written exams,JAA Skill test and Evening unlimited ground school. Is this a good deal?
Anyone know about Orlando Flight Training for JAA PPL? It costs £3,693 for 21 days including accommodation , 45 hours Cessna 152,25 hours Dual Instruction,JAA written exams,JAA Skill test and Evening unlimited ground school. Is this a good deal?
Hovering AND talking
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With all these deals, be prepared to factor in extra costs, not least the cost of not being able to complete the course in minimum hours.
I maintain that 3 weeks is pushing it to get a PPL, even for fixed wing(!!!) as this doesn't allow for serviceability and availability of the aircraft. Sure, weather shouldn't be too much of a problem but there are other factors.
Therefore, budget on the course taking longer than the required flying hours and longer in terms of accommodation.
Cheers
Whirls
I maintain that 3 weeks is pushing it to get a PPL, even for fixed wing(!!!) as this doesn't allow for serviceability and availability of the aircraft. Sure, weather shouldn't be too much of a problem but there are other factors.
Therefore, budget on the course taking longer than the required flying hours and longer in terms of accommodation.
Cheers
Whirls
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go fixed wing
After having flown helicopters for 13 years I am very happy to go fixed wing again.
The flying might look like fun but even that gets routine after a while.
At the moment the career prospects are good in the fixed wing world,which is much,much bigger than the helicopter market which in turn means you might actually earn your invested money back(even if it takes a while)
I flew helicopters for several offshore companies for all these years and that is where the good money and good rosters are,but the flying is 20 times more boring than any fixed wing job because the only thing you see is water and ugly steel constructions in the middle of the ocean
I wish you luck in deciding which route to take
The flying might look like fun but even that gets routine after a while.
At the moment the career prospects are good in the fixed wing world,which is much,much bigger than the helicopter market which in turn means you might actually earn your invested money back(even if it takes a while)
I flew helicopters for several offshore companies for all these years and that is where the good money and good rosters are,but the flying is 20 times more boring than any fixed wing job because the only thing you see is water and ugly steel constructions in the middle of the ocean
I wish you luck in deciding which route to take
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Orlando Flight Training PPL(A)
I did my PPL(A) with them in November 2003. I did it in exactly 45 hours. I'd arranged 4 weeks over there to do it but got it done in 22 days including all 7 ground exams, medical and RT practical assessment. That also included 3 days of poor weather, a 1 day air space restriction because George W Bush was visiting his brother and 3 nights out in Orlando. My instructor only worked 6 days a week too. It can be done without too much difficulty but I'd recommend taking a couple of extra days just to make sure.
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Hi Captain_Slackbladder
A couple of quick questions.
What was the accommodation like? On the web page it says you could upgrade to a hotel.
Were there many other people from UK doing the same course or were they mainly from the US?
What age range were the students?
MB
A couple of quick questions.
What was the accommodation like? On the web page it says you could upgrade to a hotel.
Were there many other people from UK doing the same course or were they mainly from the US?
What age range were the students?
MB
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Trial helicopter flight
What should I look for when choosing a flying school to have a trial helicopter lesson?
Are some helicopters easier for beginners to fly than others?
When I took a parachuting course I was told to avoid jumping at one particular airfield in the South of England as their safety record was not good. I wonder if that applies when flying as well as falling.
Are some helicopters easier for beginners to fly than others?
When I took a parachuting course I was told to avoid jumping at one particular airfield in the South of England as their safety record was not good. I wonder if that applies when flying as well as falling.
Hovering AND talking
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Are some helicopters easier for beginners to fly than others?
However, the R22 is more common (because it's quite a bit cheaper).
I would use the opportunity of the trial lesson to check out a local school and make sure you ask the instructor as many questions as you can think of.
Near to Salisbury, there is Bournemouth Helicopters (Schweizers) and Fast Helicopters at Thruxton (R22s I think). Both are reputable.
Cheers
Whirls
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The accommodation was not bad. I was in an apartment with 2 others. We each had our own room and plenty of space. It's a bit friendlier and slightly cheaper than a hotel. There were lots of people from the UK when I was there. Ages varied from 18 to 40+ and everyone was pretty friendly. I had a good instructor who was actually from Norway and I heard mostly good things about the other instructors. I can't really fault the place for getting a PPL(A). There was optional ground school in the evenings. Some classes were more useful than others (navigation was, the rest were not) and I ended up not going to many. If you have to do the ground exams there too, like I did, get the PPL(A) Confuser. It's basically a big question bank and it helped me a lot.
