Continuing Add-on training
Hey all,
I started training for my Private Add-on about 2 years ago in the R-22 (I second what NWA Guy says about that ship -- frenetically fun to fly), but was doing the training out of town -- then comes 9/11 and my company's jumpseat privileges were dropped. Helicopter training just got a heck of a lot more expensive (for me at least) than it already was.
After starting the training, I realized just how fantastic it would be to have a job doing this as well as fly a jet around the country (i.e. be dual rated), so now I'm thinking of adding the R-H to the Commercial-Instrument, get a little turbine in a Hughes 500, and pray some corporate giant with jets and helicopters will hire me. I will likely go ahead with the CFI-H, because 100 or so hours in a trainer ain't gonna cut it transitioning to an S-76C+.
That was my story, now here's my dilemma/question: I'm looking to continue with my training (if I can even pick up and hover after eight months out), but I wonder if I should find a closer flight school, maybe take a short leave of absence and finish up at least the Private, if not the Instrument too. That said, changing flight schools may mean changing helicopters. Has anyone flown different trainers (Schweizer, Bell, Robbie) and if so can you post their relative merits? I'm not supposing I'll have too much difficulty transitioning (with only 10 hours, it's not as though I've got a lot of habits bad or good); I already know that there are some differences (like in the Schweizer you roll the throttle up counterclockwise, etc.). Any thoughts on whether or not the LOA is a good idea, or should I just plug away at it as I get the time (this training is going strangely like my PP-ASEL, though in that case money was the limiting factor, not time off)?
Thanks in advance for any replies, and thank you msw, NWA Guy and bobbysamd for your information already.
Pilatus: flying a helicopter is about the most fun you'll ever have for $180/hr (unless you're in EHAM, but that's a different kind of fun). I've learned a considerable amount about flying even in the limited amount of time I have in them. As to how rewarding it is, that would depend on what your 'aviation goals' are. Assuredly you'll get a different perspective on the world from above, especially getting there (up, that is). You'll learn different applications of the same aerodynamic principles you learned in your fixed wing training. As msw said, it is challenging flying -- like soaring (which I see you've done), you need to be in tune with your aircraft at all times. Worth it? Unequivocally yes.
Regards,
Starsailor