Expect to pay $500-$600+ per hour at ATP flight school

[Air 1]

For real though! What is a GOM outfit?

Gulf of Mexico. Some companies that fly workers to and from oil rigs will hire at around 1000-1500 hours.

 

[mcjohn]

REEALLY? That might be a good place to be right now. Thanks. I've always wanted to fly helicopters but I knew I could never afford it and I knew that I wouldn't join the military so it's one of those things that I definetly have planned on doing after I'm making 100k a year. I'm surprised there is such a great civilian entry level opportunity such as this! Damm I want to fly those things!

 

[Air 1]

Check out http://www.verticalreference.com. They have some good forums and job posting sections. There are a few tour companies who hire really low time pilots. There is an outfit in the Smoky Mountains in TN who has a posting for a position or two. They want 500 hours. They say Jetranger and R44 experience is good, but I don't think its required. They have I think 3 or 4 Jetrangers and an R44.

 

[mcjohn]

OLY SH!T. I live in right next to the smoky mountains.

 

[Air 1]

I'm not too far, just a couple of hours. I don't know their reputation, but it'd be a good place to get some turbine hours. Sorry to hijack this thread.

 

[mcjohn]

Turbine hours? I'm a fixed wing pilot so far. If I log turbine hours in a helicopter would that affect hireability in the fixed wing world?

 

[Air 1]

I'm not sure, but I wouldn't think so. You may want to ask someone else on that one. I know that some airlines, such as Southwest, do not count ANY helicopter time, so that may be something to think about.