| Author |
Message |
James Lee (Aventino)
Junior Member
Username: Aventino
Post Number: 85
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 03, 2003 - 5:26 pm: | |
Did my PPL a wee while ago. Cheapest is to buy into a smallish (4-6 people) syndicate as the initial outlay goes way down and costs are at a non-profit level, same as if you owned the machine yourself. Downside is trying to get out as syndicate shares aren't always easy to move. In addition to training, R22s are used for cattle roundups downunder and a little sling load work though it's not really designed for it. From memory the insurance costs were a fair bit higher if the machine was used primarily for training, ie. you leased it out to a school. Next cheapest method of obtaining PPL is to dry hire a decent chunk of block time, say 50 - 100 hours as it gives you some leverage with the cost. But flight schools might be keen to negotiate down to a level that makes your messing about with any of the things I've mentioned not really worth it.
One last point, if you want to eventually do this commercially then you are probably going to need to initially instruct to get to 500 or 1000 hours or so where you are more likely to get decent employment. Find a flightschool who may be able to offer you that foot in the door if you do your training with them. You shell out your hard earned money to do your PPL and possibly CPL & instructor rating with them and in return they give you some employment instructing to build experience. You won't necessarily get anything carved in stone but you are trying to get going in the right direction from day 1.
As I said, all depends on whether it's a hobby or a profession. |
Adam (Fasttalk)
Junior Member
Username: Fasttalk
Post Number: 154
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 03, 2003 - 3:00 pm: | |
I think there is only one helicopter school in Vegas that operates out of N Las Vegas Airport so you might hve an oppertunity with a small aircraft.
I realy enjoy flyng, I am just doing it as a hobby, I do not think I will have a need for a commercial, even though I will probably take it when I have enough hours.
Email me directly if you have any other questions.
[email protected] |
jeff ryerson (Atheyg)
Member
Username: Atheyg
Post Number: 430
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 03, 2003 - 1:54 pm: | |
Adam,
I am located in Las Vegas and was planning to get just a commercial license.
Most I have talked to even with the fixed wings say businesses in aviation on the lower end (piston powered)do not make money including flight schools, my thoughts were if you could make money with a small copter it would be a fun way to build time if you ever wanted to grow to the Jets which you would have more opportunities for business, I agree and think opportunities are limited to make money with them maybe such things as aerial photography or pipe line inspections but it doesn't sound like something that would keep you very busy.
How do you like flying one? |
John Do'h (Combover)
Junior Member
Username: Combover
Post Number: 62
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 03, 2003 - 1:49 pm: | |
JORDAN: I have a peak loss of about 40db at one frequency (both ears) that tapers down to normal. The flight surgeon said my hearing loss was almost identical to flight crews that didn't wear their hearing protection. My dad was in the air force and I hung around the runway and planes a lot, so it made sense.
I would check and see whether you're even eligible for flight crew status. I had friends who "passed" the initial physical and enlisted only to find out that they didn't qualify physically for what they wanted to do.
|
Jordan Witherspoon (Jordan747_400)
Intermediate Member
Username: Jordan747_400
Post Number: 1860
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 03, 2003 - 12:24 pm: | |
John, can you explain your hearing loss a bit mroe to me? I was born deaf but through lots of operations I can technically hear in the "normal" range now. Im considering joining the Air Force and going into the flight program so I could use some information on limitations I might have.
You can reply here or send me an e-mail to [email protected]
Thanks |
Ken Thomas (Future328driver)
Member
Username: Future328driver
Post Number: 551
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 03, 2003 - 7:13 am: | |
Check out www.skyhelicopters.com in Dallas. I have been considering getting my rotorcraft rating from them and they use their R22s for other purposes than training, so this mught give you some ideas. In Dallas, an eggbeater rating costs about $13k. |
Adam (Fasttalk)
Junior Member
Username: Fasttalk
Post Number: 149
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 02, 2003 - 11:06 pm: | |
Jeff,
I recently got my Private Pilot Helicopter Licence, I am currently completing my R44 transition.
I am considering buying a new R44 Raven II, I have done a lot of research and have not been able to find any great ways to recoup or offset my investment.
From what I hear the biggest problem is Insurance, I have spent a lot of time talking with the owner of my flight school who owns 3 Sc300CBs, 4 R22s and an R44, If you buy a newer r22/44 you may be able to find a flight school to rent/lease from you, but I would make sure you are real comfortable with how they will maintain your aircraft. not sure if they would want to get involved with an older Robbie.
Are you planning to get your CFI or just private? Where are you located? |
John Do'h (Combover)
Junior Member
Username: Combover
Post Number: 55
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 02, 2003 - 3:25 pm: | |
I scored a 99 on the ASVAB + college degree(magna cum laude) and the Army still wouldn't take me-for anything-due to a high frequency hearing loss. Civilian route is my only choice.
Thanks Jim |
jeff ryerson (Atheyg)
Member
Username: Atheyg
Post Number: 424
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 02, 2003 - 3:23 pm: | |
Mike,
Im 38, way too old and set in my ways for the Military plus I already have a business that keeps me real busy, but I am always looking for other business opportunities or a way to recoup an investment in something unnecessary as this. |
Mike Clark (Vipersrt)
Junior Member
Username: Vipersrt
Post Number: 123
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 02, 2003 - 3:11 pm: | |
I am not sure how old you are, but military training could save you a bundle. The Marine Corp has a flight gurantee if you qualify. That would just be one route. |
DGS (Dgs)
Member
Username: Dgs
Post Number: 292
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 02, 2003 - 3:08 pm: | |
I doubt there's much commercial use for the smaller piston choppers. The homebuilts require you to relocate the battery depending on whether you're carrying a passenger.
Subtract fuel load from useful load and you get what's called "payload". Even the Sikorski S-22 has a surprisingly small payload. (But they're quick. It's a bit disconcerting to be flying along in a Cessna 182 and be passed by a helo.) |
Jim Schad (Jim_schad)
Intermediate Member
Username: Jim_schad
Post Number: 1794
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 02, 2003 - 2:54 pm: | |
I'll ask my friend. He is a chopper pilot for the Navy and looking to move in to the civilian world so I am sure he has thought about this. |
John Do'h (Combover)
Junior Member
Username: Combover
Post Number: 54
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 02, 2003 - 2:51 pm: | |
Funny, I was gonna post on the same thing, except...anyone know what the career opportunities are for chopper pilots, pay, hours, etc? I'm in northwest if that matters/helps. |
jeff ryerson (Atheyg)
Member
Username: Atheyg
Post Number: 423
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 02, 2003 - 2:42 pm: | |
I was looking at getting a helicopter pilots license, it seems it will cost about $20k, what about purchasing a R22 and hiring a commercial pilot to save training costs?
Just curious, can you make money with a helicopter as a business?
I am talking with the cheaper r22s-r44s or old piston Bells not the big buck Jet Rangers?
Thanks |