Pilot Journey Forums

Hello,
        Here is my situation, I'm currently stationed in San Diego, enlisted in the Marine Corps until 2009.  I want to begin helicopter flight school early next spring but have only 3 years until my enlistment is up and i move back to ohio.  Early this year i had an orientation flight and absolutely loved it.  My dreams are to become a Med Flight pilot back in ohio, so any advice or ideas on paths to take would be greatly appreciated. Now my questions are: should i go fixed wing and get my private license there then go to rotar wing or go all rotar wing training?  I was also wondering if there are any facilities in the San Diego area that anyone reccomends.  Now keeping all this in mind I'd like to stay as cost and time efficient as possible. Being in the military is probably the biggest obstacle i have to overcome to make my dreams come true.  Thanks for any information or advice.

JJ

I'm "airplane" only. But I see you don't have any answers yet, so I thought it would be good to say -something- at least.

About 90% of the "bookwork" toward airplane or helo is identical. So either way you go first, you'll only need to go another 10% to arrive at the other's "requirements"...so far as bookwork. If you get airplane rating 1st, then you'd still need to take a "Helo written" test when the time comes. But you'll already know 90% from taking the "airplane-written".

Obviously, the flying skills are different. But you will fly -either- machine in airspace that's regulated identically. That's what I'm talking about in "bookwork".

Helo training isn't as cheep as airplane training. But you probably already know that.

If there's any way you can get the USMC to pay for training, then I suggest you go there first.

They say the Medivac pilots are the 'best of the best". And I would sure be careful to keep my credentials as respectable as possible. I would think a "professional pilot" curriculum in a college would be most respectable. I don't think a "Certificate of Recommendation from Joe's Gyros" would be good.

Probably, you should just walk right up to your prospective employer, tell him what you want. And he will tell you what it takes. Also, I would think you have lots of resources available right there in the Marines. You need to start asking the right questions to the right people.

After training, "flying time" will win you points. Somehow, you need to start accumulating TIME.

There are several on this forum that are in San Diego. I'm sure they'll jump in soon to tell you about schools there.

Thank you for your input. I appreciate it.  So what i got is, i need to get a degree in some sort of career aviation, correct? And i also need to be the "Top Gun" of my flight school whichever i may choose.  So sounds pretty basic for any job, be the best of the best.  As far as keeping my credentials respectable, how do you mean.  Obviously have a clean safety record but what else?  I mean I'm 20 years old i'm not an alcoholic and i dont do drugs and i am very well disciplined with a good attitude, so what else can i do to win the hearts over of my possible employers. Thanks again!  Any more information from anyone is greatly appreciated.   :)

Does anyone know anything about Silver State Helicopters flight academy?  I've become more and more interested in them as my researching progresses.  But I've also heard that there are some down falls to taking a program built like theirs, due to the fact that you pay for everything.  I've heard that people havent been trained for what they paid for.  Like I said I'm very interested in there program because it sounds like a great deal, everything in one shot and they seem quite popular.  Any opinions or experiences?

Hi JJ,

Welcome to the forums!

I would suggest San Diego Flight Training International at Montgomery Field in Kearny Mesa.  After your private you can get the military to pay for your other ratings :)

Also, it is much cheaper to get your fixed wing (airplane) first then do the rotor wing (helicopter) next.

I used to live in San Diego and work for San Diego Flight Training, the number there is 569-1822 and the website is www.sdfti.com - you can also see their ad here on Pilot Journey.

http://www.pilotjourney.com/Aviation_Schools/Flight_Schools/San_Diego_Flight_Training/

Gary

Go to your benefits package/office.  Ask specifically about VA benenfits on civilan FAA pilots license.  The VA benefits will reimburse around 80% of your training.  Problem is, you must get the approval first.  And you will be limited in which schools you can go to (for the 80% reimbursement).  The school needs to be what is referred to as 141.  A bit more paperwork, but the end result is $$$ back in your pocket.

I do second the notion of getting your fixed wing first being "cheaper" then getting your rotorwing.  This goes to the fact that an airplane is about 1/2 the rental rate of a helo and once you have your Private Pilot License (PPL), the rotorwing add on is just a minimum of around 10 hours.  This should be a no brianer for your experience.  I would think, with your aviation knowledge from the military, you would need around 45 hours of 141 fixed wing training in the San Diego area.

Brian

Thanks alot Gary and Brian. Your information is very helpful. Ill look into the schools you mentioned.  Does SDFTI only offer fixed wing programs?So after getting my private license for fixed wing i would go to another facility to get my private for helo correct?  then should i stick with that same institute for my further ratings or shop around? what looks better on a resume?  also do you know if my va benefits only cover part 141 instruction or both? Boy lots of questions huh?   thanks alot guys.  :)


JJ

I am not familiar with the flight schools in your area.  I am sure, however, that VA benefits will pay approx. 80% if you go thru a 141 program once you are discharged.  Now, while you are active, I am not sure.  Also I am fairly positive that VA benefits will not pay for 61 training.  From your military training, the 141 training will be a piece of cake.  141 is more paperwork and more structured.  The benefits from the structure means less REQUIRED flight time.  You will fly with more than one instructor, which is not required for 61.  What this allows is a set of checks and balances (alot of 61 schools will also do this, though) for the student and company (instructor).

Now to address your questions about your resume.  You will find out that it does not really matter where your training is recieved, with the exception of the flight universities such as Embry Riddle.  You will however turn a lot of heads with your military background.  I have seen many companies that appear to hire ONLY ex-military.  No joke.

Good luck,
Brian

Thanks alot Brian. I'm thinking 141 is what I'm going with.  Any other advice would be great. Thanks guys.


JJ

I will second what Brian mentioned, about some companies seemingly hiring ONLY ex-military pilots.  I am a volunteer EMT in Maryland, and consequently run a lot of calls with the Maryland State Troopers - the Troopers act as Maryland's med flight helo's (as a side note, MSP has never charged a single patient for transport...)  I know they think very highly of ex-military, especially if they recieved their training FROM the military.

I would see if you can get flight training through the Marines.  It's worth a shot, anyhow, and you might be surprised what asking will get you...

Hey guys thanks so much for the info, you guys are great.  As far as training goes with the Military, I'm enlisted which means i would have to transition to an officer to fly which also means another long enlistment. Not really what I'm looking for.  But as far as experience I'm an airframes mechanic so do you think that would contribute toward my career as a Med Flight pilot or not as much as I'd like?  Also what other sort of training could i do to be a more likely candidate for this type of job?  Thanks a mill guys.

On an ending note i do know that on base they offer a ground schooling at a lower price than out on town, would it be a no brainer to take that ground school or should i stick with whatever flight school i decide?


JJ

Smaller flight departments LOVE A&P's.  If you got your IA, it would be more icing on the cake!  Good luck!!

Brian

Sorry I am late responding...yes SDFTI only offer fixed wing.

OK so here is what my hopefully future job requires to even be considered.  These requirements are to become a medical pilot. Any advice or tips on how to reach these requirements as cost effective and in a timely manner?  Also what sort of jobs before this can i do to build up time and good experience for this type of job?

Commercial pilot certificate
 
 Rotorcraft helicopter rating
 
 Instrument helicopter rating
 
 2000 rotorcraft flight hours
 
1000 PIC rotorcraft flight hours
 
100 PIC rotorcraft night hours
 
ATP certificate is encouraged
 


Thanks Guys    JJ

The most cost effective way is to become an instructor, in your case an instructor in the military.  That may not be possible on your current plan, but it is my 2 cents.  Otherwise, you can become a civilian instructor in your area, but the demand is usually not there for rotorcraft instructors.

Brian

I know an acquaintance of mine recently got a job as a corporate pilot - he flies both the company's jet and their helicopter, when needed.  When he started, he was not PIC, but the hours in-flight counted.  Then, as he progressed with the company, he was given PIC duties, which just added to his hours.  Granted, he has no desire to become a flight medic, such as you, but this may be one way to build some hours, and get paid for it in the process.  However, I don't know what would be required to get hired, either...so maybe this whole thing is off-base.

   I believe some of the answers to your question are incorrect but it can be checked.  The VA will only pay for training once you have already obtained a private pilot certificate. The rate was 80% some years ago, but I believe it is much lower now. It does not matter whether your initial training comes from a Part 61 or a Part 141 course of instruction.  I am rated in both airplanes and rotorcraft and have several thousand hours in each category. After an initial investment of $835 I earned the money back and actually was paid for my additional flight training.

   The least expensive way for you to obtain the ratings is to get the airplane ratings and then do an " add on" rating for rotorcraft. The earlier comments about the experience of flying under the same or nearly same regulations being valuable is correct. Go to an airport, meet other pilots, make yourself available to fly with anyone who will let you come along, network with working and recreational pilots.

   Get your civilian mechanic's certificate and , if possible, trade mechanical work for flight time with others. Being a flight instructor is not the only or necessarily the best way to build flight time. Having both ratings will make you more desirable in the corporate job market.

   Does your base have an aero club, if so use it. I am not completely sold on 141 flight schools and with over 9000 hours I have never attended one.

   Unless you fly for a smaller helicopter company, how do you expect to amass 1000 hours of helicopter PIC and 2000 hours of helicopter flight time?  Remember the insurance issue.