Guest Up&away Posted April 23, 2009 Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 If I were to do it again I would 90 on the r-22 and 10 in the r-44. That will probably be one of the two machines you will start out in. Then think about putting the money you saved towards a Gas Plant Operators Course cause that just may be one of the first jobs you will be doing and it looks real good on a resume. Good luck. If a company is hiring a 100 hour pilot they don't care about what endorsements you have. The hours they train you count towards the endorsement and they will put more hours into training you on the aircraft you will be flying then you will need for the endorsement. Plus they train you with there operational requirements in mind. Teaching what you need for there operation. A endorsement is a WASTE of money for any pilot to pay on his own. The endorsement is chump change for the company. The gas plant operators course is a better idea for getting a job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoolHandLuke Posted April 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 If I were to do it again I would 90 on the r-22 and 10 in the r-44. That will probably be one of the two machines you will start out in. Then think about putting the money you saved towards a Gas Plant Operators Course cause that just may be one of the first jobs you will be doing and it looks real good on a resume. Good luck. Thanks Plumber, Stupid question....is the "Gas Plant Operators Course" the same as "Turbine Course" that Canadore offers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoolHandLuke Posted April 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 Firstly, a deep thanks to all of you for sharing your experience with me. The problem is that I know just how tough it is going to be to get my first gig and I want to have an enticing CV. I hear so many stories of people doing everything short of donating organs to obtain their first job and I know that this time is critical for me. Like most, I am driven by an obsession to fly and have great work ethic. I respect all of your advice. Right now I am considering adjusting my training to 90 Hrs Schweitzer 300 : 10 Hrs Bell 206 and will look at acquiring an endorsement on the R44. I still want to do time in the 206 because if there is a chance it could potentiate my chances of procuring a job I feel it is worth the cost and ......I NEED to fly it!! Would you guys ever consider putting yourselves through the Advanced Mountain Flying Program at Penticton, BC? (For personal safety/development or to increase job prospects?). I know my first employer will train me up to their standards but at the end of the day I feel I have to develop myself into a professional pilot. I get the impression that quite a few pilots are "free agents" in that they fly month-to-month and in this case very much need to look after their own educational needs. I am sorry I currently work in a very traditional setting and find myself trying to wrap my head around the aviation industry. I picture myself trying to get on with a company that I can stay on with for my whole career, a company I can share a beautifully mutual, symbiotic relationship! Is this a pipe-dream? Cheers for now. Once again thank you so much for all the advice and support. I hope to continue to learn from all of you, as colleagues, as time passes on. Ciao, CoolHandLuke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest plumber Posted April 24, 2009 Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 Thanks Plumber, Stupid question....is the "Gas Plant Operators Course" the same as "Turbine Course" that Canadore offers? Not a stupid question at all. I had no idea about it either before I started flying. The G.P.O is a course that S.A.I.T offers. It teaches the ins and outs of operating gas plants ( as in the natural gas and oil field type facilities) Has nothing too do with helicopters at all. What it is good about it is a job called Pilot/Operating, in which you fly out to these sites and work on them. It pays well and you can fly from 200 to 400 hrs a year. Alot of guys have started out this way and If you have the GPO you will have the advantage over someone who doesn't have it. As far as not getting a 44 endorsement. I have never met a helicopter company owner who thought of any amount of money they can save on endorsements and training as chump change. Some may disagree but watch the color change in the bosses face when you call it that while burning his fuel and wearing out his parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
epicyclic Posted April 24, 2009 Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 Firstly, a deep thanks to all of you for sharing your experience with me. The problem is that I know just how tough it is going to be to get my first gig and I want to have an enticing CV. I hear so many stories of people doing everything short of donating organs to obtain their first job and I know that this time is critical for me. Like most, I am driven by an obsession to fly and have great work ethic. I respect all of your advice. Right now I am considering adjusting my training to 90 Hrs Schweitzer 300 : 10 Hrs Bell 206 and will look at acquiring an endorsement on the R44. I still want to do time in the 206 because if there is a chance it could potentiate my chances of procuring a job I feel it is worth the cost and ......I NEED to fly it!! Would you guys ever consider putting yourselves through the Advanced Mountain Flying Program at Penticton, BC? (For personal safety/development or to increase job prospects?). I know my first employer will train me up to their standards but at the end of the day I feel I have to develop myself into a professional pilot. I get the impression that quite a few pilots are "free agents" in that they fly month-to-month and in this case very much need to look after their own educational needs. I am sorry I currently work in a very traditional setting and find myself trying to wrap my head around the aviation industry. I picture myself trying to get on with a company that I can stay on with for my whole career, a company I can share a beautifully mutual, symbiotic relationship! Is this a pipe-dream? Cheers for now. Once again thank you so much for all the advice and support. I hope to continue to learn from all of you, as colleagues, as time passes on. Ciao, CoolHandLuke Hey Luke... I wouldnt waste your $20,000 on a mountain course at 100hrs. the reason for that is at 100hrs you are still getting familiar with flying a certin type and flying in general. Mountain Flying is very advanced flying, and any employer with any common sense wont send you there in your first 500-1000hrs anyway. the precision and techniques that will be tought to you on your 25 hour course can become very overwhelming and in the end, information overload. If you figure a 20hr course @ 100hrs. is basically 1/5 of your total experience. Pentiction has a great course....but my advice would be to gain some realistic experience first....then when you are ready...your employer will pay for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coastal Posted April 24, 2009 Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 CHL, I did consider doing my 206 endorsement at Canadian's school in Penticton and found the cost was going to be considerably higher than other places. I've heard nothing but good things about their mountain course there, however I think you'll find it will cost alot of money. I'd recommend calling them and having a chat. I did that when I was considering my endorsement there and I found the guys super helpful and honest. I think alot of people, myself included, would say don't bother paying for the mountain course out of the gate. That is, unless you have alot of spare cash and can afford to do it. If the mountains are where you want to fly eventually then if you play your cards right and show loyalty to the right company, they will train you up yourself. It's not a pipe dream to work for the same company for your entire career. It might not be the most common thing but it does happen. C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Posted April 24, 2009 Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 90 R22/300CB, 5 in the R44, 5 in a 206 will do fine. If you can afford 20 or even 40 hours turbine, save your money! You'll need it for the many road trips, and a few burns around the field once or twice a year to keep your hands and feet in shape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
18speed Posted April 24, 2009 Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 We just hired a low time pilot because he had done his training all on the Jet Ranger, yes all 100 hrs. The reason for our thinking is he is just is more proficient at flying the 206 out of the gate compared to some one with all piston time, less training dollars for us and he got a job. When you look at the big picture doing all your training on the Jet Ranger makes the most of your 100 hrs, and really does not cost that much more. I did all my training on the Jet Ranger in North Bay, then proceeded to go out my first year on a Astar fire fighting, never looked back, but my deal was a little different. Leon Marchenski Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coastal Posted April 25, 2009 Report Share Posted April 25, 2009 When you look at the big picture doing all your training on the Jet Ranger makes the most of your 100 hrs, and really does not cost that much more. Cheapest training rate for 206 I've seen = $850/hr Cheapest training rate for R22 I've seen = $425/hr hmmmmm.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Up&away Posted April 25, 2009 Report Share Posted April 25, 2009 Not a stupid question at all. I had no idea about it either before I started flying. The G.P.O is a course that S.A.I.T offers. It teaches the ins and outs of operating gas plants ( as in the natural gas and oil field type facilities) Has nothing too do with helicopters at all. What it is good about it is a job called Pilot/Operating, in which you fly out to these sites and work on them. It pays well and you can fly from 200 to 400 hrs a year. Alot of guys have started out this way and If you have the GPO you will have the advantage over someone who doesn't have it. As far as not getting a 44 endorsement. I have never met a helicopter company owner who thought of any amount of money they can save on endorsements and training as chump change. Some may disagree but watch the color change in the bosses face when you call it that while burning his fuel and wearing out his parts. A 100 hour pilot is going to get about 20 hours minimum training before heading out on his or her own by the company that hires them on the aircraft they will be flying. Those hours are more then is needed for the endorsement. Your better off saving your money and buying a couple hours before you go for a job interview to smooth out your flying. A 100 hour pilot will become rusty very quickly after a few months not flying. Your turns will not be smooth and you won't have a good feel for the aircraft. The way you present yourself at your interview will get you the job, not a 5 hour 206 endorsement on a 100 hour pilot. Flying the helicopter is 30% of the job. The other 70% is your personality and ability to get along with people. You can be the best flying 100 pilot that applys for the job. But if you can't get along with the customer you will find your career very short and always looking for another job. Hiring a 100 hour pilot and putting 20 hours into him is a investment and its a cheap investment. Its a write off and sometimes government progams help with this training. If a employer is looking to hire a 100 pilot they know whats involved before they make this decision. There's a lot of guys sinking money into extra turbine time, 206 endorsements, mountain courses that can't find a job. Spend your money wisley its expensive for the average person. Save some in case you don't find a job the first year, you will need it to buy a few hours to get back in the swing of things looking for work after more then a year off not flying. Everybody has a different opinion on this and this is mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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