| Learning to Fly |
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10 Reasons to become
a Helicopter Pilot |
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1.Flying
a helicopter is a challenging yet achievable
venture. Unlike airplanes, helicopters can
do much more than just transportation. The
versatility and accuracy of helicopters makes
them precision tools that are used to do surgical
tasks.
2.Rare are
the professions that can provide such a variety
of jobs. The list of tasks particular to helicopters
is innumerous but here are some of the most
common missions: |
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| Aerial Photography |
Search and Rescue |
| EMS (Emergency Medical Services) |
Executive Charter |
| ENG (Electronic News Gathering) |
Movies |
| Power line Patrol |
Security Patrol |
| Heavy Lift |
Scientific Survey and Research |
| Sightseeing Tours |
Fishing Boat Spotter |
| Offshore Oilrig Support |
Skydiving |
| Law Enforcement |
Heli Skiing |
| Fire Fighting |
Cattle Herding |
| Flight Instruction |
Test Pilot |
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3.Different
types of jobs bring different lifestyles
that can suit a large variety of personalities.
The outdoors person may want to work
in heavy lifting, fire fighting or search
and rescue in Oregon or Alaska,
while the cosmopolitan can get a position
flying ENG or Sightseeing Tours in New
York City. The younger pilot may
want to do heli skiing in Colorado or
British Colombia while the more mature
may do Corporate Charter or EMS. There
is room for the adventurous traveler
and for the married professional,
the country person and the city dweller.
4.As a helicopter pilot
you are an independent individual and
have full authority over your aircraft
and flight. Those with a leader’s
mentality can choose to fly for a small
company or in remote areas where
they can be in absolute control of everything.
Those who prefer to follow have the
option of working in a big company
where flight, schedules and itineraries
are dictated by the operating policies. |
5.The
job market for helicopter pilots is better
than ever and still growing. In earlier days
helicopters were famous for their deployment
in war, namely in Vietnam, but presently there
is an immense variety and demand for helicopter
jobs. Cities became bigger and crowded, technology
improved in every way, everything became more
affordable. When you turn on the TV, you will
see a helicopter or footage from a helicopter
in less than 20 minutes. Furthermore, the
military is not training as many pilots as
it used to, and the “Vietnam generation”
is retiring. All those factors are the cause
for such a huge demand in the industry.
6.Besides different types of jobs and locations
in the USA you can also travel all over the
world. If you work for a local company additional
certification may be required (depending on
the Country) but your company can pay for
it. If you are on an assignment from an American
company, nothing further will be required.
7.An American Helicopter
License is valid forever. Once you get it,
it’s for life. You will normally (some
exceptions apply) need to have a current medical
certificate and a flight review every 2 years.
8.In
our industry, companies pay for their pilots
training. Once a company employs you, sometimes
it’s necessary under certain conditions
for them to send you to factory training
on specific models of helicopter, one condition
that arises at times is insurance requirements
and the company pays for it. If the company
you work for needs to upgrade your license,
like ATP (Airline Transport Pilot) they
will pay for it.
9.Flying a helicopter is
a very rewarding job. As the Helicopter
Association International
(HAI) says, “Above all Helicopter
save lives” and we agree. Helicopters
fight fires,
assist populations in distress such as following
natural catastrophes, famine and other
humanitarian relief, evacuate critically
wounded people from all types of accidents,
support
grou nd
units in apprehension of criminals, save
stranded people in harsh environments
like mountains and seas, and the list go
on.
10.Last but not least flying
helicopters is fun. Its gives you an exhilarating
feeling to be up in the air
and able to do anything. One of Man’s
Oldest Dream is to fly like a bird. Well,
with a helicopter
you can do much better than a bird since
you can stop, go sideways and backwards
at
your convenience, and the view is breathtaking. |
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