Long shot - helicopters help

[Pilot Pete]

As some of you may know I had to sell my Ultima (and every thing else), to fund my retraining to be a helicopter pilot.

Well I'm all done now with my CPL and I passed my Instrument Rating a few weeks ago, so I am job hunting at the moment.
But that's not a good thing in the current credit crunch climate and the big helicopter companies are not hiring until into the new year....

So I'm trying to find some work or something to do until they start hiring.

So my question is
Do you know anyone who owns a helicopter?

I can come a long as a safety pilot,
Just to sit in the left hand seat or help with the radio, planning the route or working out the fuel, extra pair of eyes or decision on weather etc
Fully fly it (depending on type Bell 206, 300CB in Europe)
I can go any where in the world, so even if it is a one off flight to Spain or somewhere it would be helpful, all hours are good hours.

I'm also doing a type rating next month on a R44 and should be able to get hold of an aircraft, if anyone needs flying around, to a wedding, blah blah
Mates rates of course.

Peter

[japhilip]

Try Arena Aviation (just Google it). They're based in Redhill, and have a number of Heli's they use for aerial filming and charter work, they run the BBC and Sky news aircraft.

Nothing may come of it, but they may be happy for you to go along to observe etc, they're a friendly lot down there.

Unfortunately, I no longer know anyone on their aviaion side of the business, so can't give you a name to contact.

The least they can do is say no.

[Pilot Pete]

Thanks I don't have a Squirrel type rating (which is what they fly) and normally charter companies fly single pilot, as it's an extra customer or fuel they can take or burn less fuel.

But I'll give them a call, quite right not harm in asking.

[738 driver]

Pete, if I were you I'd start to hang round some of the bigger operators, Scotia etc. Offer to go in and help with the plates, general office work.... just as 'work experience'. If you manage to get your foot in the door that way it may lead to some jump seat rides where you will see more of the commercial side and how the training fits in operationally.
If you really want to put yourself at the top of the list why not give it the big sell " I'm so confident I could be an asset to you operation that I'm prepared to part self-sponsor using the funds I have for a R44 rating"...you know that type of thing. Thats how it is in fixed wing, self sponsored type ratings etc!!
Good luck and keep you chin up...............the training is a tough climb, getting the job can seem almost vertical!
Sooner you get one though the trip to Ultima will be on your horizon.

Edited by 738 driver on Friday 28th November 13:28

Edited by 738 driver on Friday 28th November 13:31

[Gulf -LS7]

I know nothing about helicopters other than they are ace....

We have Tern Hill Airfield near to us (Shropshire) and there are loads of Helicopters flying about apparently its a training school?? it may be worth a google to see if there is anything for you. Good Luck!!

[highflyer]

Tern hill is a training school for the military and police helecopters NOT civilian.

Nothing going in the states Peter?

Edited by highflyer on Friday 28th November 16:01

[GTR One]

Hey as a fellow pilot (faster fixed wing of course ..and that's not the one on the GTR) appreciate your dilemma. How doing the FI course and do some FI work to build the hours?..maybe not Ultima building money..but the day will come..

Liam

[738 driver]

It a good route to go Liam but just like fixed wing there are minimum experience hours required as well as the course costs, heli flying in the UK is normally around double the hourly rate of fixed. So... with hours building, course costs and test fees etc, Pete might well be eating into the first few stages of his Ultima build.
Instructing is good though, did it part-time for 3 yrs at BPL... 99% of trial lessons getting them to take off and land themselves....was excellent fun and great experience, enjoyed it so much I still keep the rating current.
Get your face around the companies Pete, some winter jump seats out to the rigs will good experience too.
If Im not mistaken one of the heli boys at BPL has an Ultima, its black and I think has a Cossy motor fitted? I dont know him pesonally as whirly birds are not my cup of tea and there are several schools over there but I have seen it in the various car parks several times.
Good luck.

[Pilot Pete]

Thanks for your thoughts.
FI is an option but I need 100 PIC hours to start and I'm 10 or so shy, so I'm going to do my R44 type rating up in Leeds, then hopefull I can fly to the companys and hand my CV's out.

The big players are in need of pilots, but are busy training and building new hangers at the moment, so I just need something untill they start back up again.

Going back to the US is an option, but I would ahve to go for the full 2 years on the visa, but I'd rather stay in Europe and not teach given the option.

I've found a ferry flight up to Yorkshire and back in a few weeks so that will keep me going for a bit.

[ROWDYRENAULT]

Pete: I ferried two different Bell 412s last year one from Seattle to Houston the other from Canada to New Mexico. In both instances I was hired to accept the 412s out of heavy maintenance then reposistion them for the customer. If anything comes up in the near future I will get in touch. Lee Benson, Chief Pilot, Los Angeles County Fire ret.