Becoming a helicopter pilot is a life-long dream for most. Whether you want to become a commercial pilot or just take some lessons, there are a few things you must keep in mind in order to get your license. This guide will help you understand the basics and give you some tips in getting your license.
The first thing you should consider is why you want to be a helicopter pilot. As wonderful as it is to fly, you must understand that will be a costly endeavor and will require a lot of time and capital. This can be done slowly over time if you just want lessons but if you plan to make a career out of flying, you are going to have to commit that this is the path you want to take. Some Helicopter Schools charge as much as 5000 dollars just for basic training and instruction.
The next bit of business is to make sure you pass the physical. All helicopter pilots are required to pass a special physical to make sure they are fit to fly. This is not too difficult to pass but it something to keep in mind. When you have this out of the way, you will need to start researching helicopter schools. You shouldn't have a problem finding a local school. You can call your local airports and heliports who will point you in the right direction. Another place to look is online. There are quite a few helicopter school directories that will give you local results. If all else fails call your local community colleges and university as they sometimes have programs. This is actually a good way to go if you want to become a commercial pilot.
To continue on about commercial piloting, it is very important to find a school that specializes in your field of interest. For example, the requirements will be far greater to become a law enforcement or government pilot. The good news is that you can apply for grants and special programs to cover your training and school costs. Corporate and ENG (Electronic News Gathering) will be much more relaxed as far as piloting goes but a lot more stressful in terms of having to be on call more frequently, especially when it comes to EGN. Corporate can be anywhere from personal transport for global companies or drop off/pick up for oil rigs.
All the careers mentioned are available to anyone who has the drive and the determination to be a helicopter pilot. With a large portion of Vietnam Era helicopter pilots heading towards retirement, there is great compensation and benefits as it is vital to replace them with a new generation of well trained pilots. When you do enroll in class do not miss any days or lessons. This is not like your History class you can blow off. You need to take this very seriously as you will be responsible for the lives of others. Now that you have a basic outline, it's time to write up a plan and get working on your dream.
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