Aeroplane/Helicopter?

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Newguy
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Aeroplane/Helicopter?

Postby Newguy » Wed Jul 25 2012, 12:22

Hi Everyone,
I am soon to start my CPL(H) and have been spending a lot of time at the airport watching aircraft (both fixed wing and helicopters obviously) come and go which got me thinking.
Is it possible (as I'm new to the industry) or does anyone here fly both fixed wing possibly a jet and a helicopter? As I saw what looked like a Lear Jet land and shortly after a helicopter take-off and thought that would be the coolest job ever to work for a company that had both (if there are any companies that do?) and to be able to fly both.
The second part to my question is, if it is possible how long would it take me or someone to be able to do that? I know I know, how long is a piece of string but just after some general info that's all.

Thanks for your responses if any.

Newguy.
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FerrariFlyer
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Re: Aeroplane/Helicopter?

Postby FerrariFlyer » Wed Jul 25 2012, 13:21

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Eric Hunt
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Re: Aeroplane/Helicopter?

Postby Eric Hunt » Wed Jul 25 2012, 23:08

Plenty of us are dual rated. But there are problems with time delays, crew duty times, aircraft preparation and so on.

If you are flying a jet for a rich dude, he wants to land, open the door, leap into the helicopter and be gone. You as the jet pilot won't be fast enough to shut down and put the jet to bed, pre-flight the chopper and get airborne. No time to plan or anything.

I previously had a similar job but I specialised in the chopper side, it had to have one engine running (rotor brake on) when the boss hopped on board out of the jet. The current richest dude in the country started to get his jet pilots qualified on his helicopter, but they decided it was too hard, and anyway, when they landed the boss in WA and the chopper is in QLD, how does that work?

To answer your question, yes it is possible, but highly unlikely. A rich dude doesn't want a newly-licenced pilot flying him around. Same as a P-plater doesn't drive his limo.
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Re: Aeroplane/Helicopter?

Postby Amigo Pilot » Thu Jul 26 2012, 01:12

I did one stint in the Mediterranean for 6 months flying a rich man, his family, his concubines, etc from the airport to his private yacht. All precision timed by his efficient assistant. He steps off his G5, steps on board helicopter with his people, then I transfer him off shore. They get out, go into the big state rooms, I go back to airport for the luggage and sometimes some low ranking employees in his entourage get a ride to lug the baggage. Drop off luggage etc, sometimes I get instruction to pick up newspapers or documents in a 3rd trip or specially prepared food for his concubine if his wife is away.

Sounds good but in essence very boring job, all day waiting for phone call - often weeks without flying. Sometimes he wants a flight in bad weather and it is hard to say no. Frightening man when he gets angry. However I talk to his 2 plank pilots a lot. They get paid more, the flying is easier but they love sitting in the chopper and we all agree the chopper flying is more interesting.

So, generally speaking, to make more money - go for the planks and hope to land an employer with good kit, good safety training, overseas travel etc. To have more interesting flying, lower salary, go for the helicopter side. Just my observation.

I feel Eric is right and you can't do both (plank and heli) with one rich boss unless you look like Elle Macpherson (or a young supermodel) and he likes you - in which case you'd be better being one of his new wife, girlfriend, concubine etc - far more money, houses, etc. :lol:
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cassidy_copter
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Re: Aeroplane/Helicopter?

Postby cassidy_copter » Thu Jul 26 2012, 04:09

Check your Personal Messages.
Never take "No" for an answer.
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JT
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Re: Aeroplane/Helicopter?

Postby JT » Fri Jul 27 2012, 11:38

I'd highly recommend at some point in your career aiming to get both ATPL(A) and ATPL(H) on your licence.
Opens up 100% of the aviation industry for employment prospects, when one thrives and the other suffers. etc.

The airline I work for offers it's Pilots the opportunity to take up Roster On, Roster Off (RORO) on reduced pay (Still more thane enough). You can fly a jet on RPT ops for a roster and then fly helicopters on the month off. Let's you enjoy the best of both worlds, staff travel benefits world wide and the unmatchable enjoyment from helicopter flying.

Some people might say different, however each to their own.... I know many very experienced helicopter guys with thousands of hours who are interested in airline or fixed-wing jobs but their hours won't help them into an airline. They still need to log a certain amount of fixed-wing time in multi-engine, multi-crew, IFR all that jazz. Flip the coin to the other side and there are experienced airline pilots who then need to start at the "bottom" of helicopters and work their way up. Although that is doable on time off for the airline job or getting 6-12 months leave with out pay to go build helicopter hours while keeping your seniority at the airline, etc. Up to you how you want to do it.

I made the decision a while ago, to pursue fixed-wing hours over Helicopter hours after working in the helicopter industry for a few years. Although my helicopter hours stagnated my fixed-wing experience grew and now I am grateful to be reaping the benefits of my efforts, now time permits me to put some more effort back into helicopters
and keep that moving. That's just the way I have done it. One person I work with is a very experienced helicopter ATO/Check and trainer who still does helicopter duties and is now flying as a Co-Pilot on a B737. There are many of us who do it and there are also many who aren't interested in both. Neither makes you better than the other. I love both and feel like there aren't enough years in life to do everything I want to do in aviation!!

Feel free to PM me if you want more info, that's all just my opinion.
Good Luck and enjoy the adventure.
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Re: Aeroplane/Helicopter?

Postby Jabberwocky » Fri Jul 27 2012, 12:51

Good to see you back JT. Been a while between posts :)
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muppet
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Re: Aeroplane/Helicopter?

Postby muppet » Sat Jul 28 2012, 02:25

Very good advice JT. I have a lowly CPL A to go with my ATPL H and wish I had pursued the fixed wing side a little further as you have done. (All too hard to catch up now cos too busy...) Each person has their own preferences, choppers seem to be more appealing for the enjoyment (I think that is the general feeling?), but fixed wing gives you better rewards. The chopper life is by comparison a little harder in my view, and you still often put up with lots of 'not so much fun' negatives long after you think you should have to. eg A senior FW pilot has engineers run around after him/her, fuels and prepares the aircraft, someone brings him/her dinner and coffee etc and you stay in flash hotels with sexy receptionists. A senior chopper guy will be run off his feet organising three FCCCs in a day, will often fuel his own chopper, engineers get pleaded with to do things and he/she is most likely to find their own overnight accommodation or be sleeping in some grass hut in PNG. The closest I think helo folk get to 'cushy' is offshore. But no hostie and pretty boring.

JT may have provide balance on this, but when I compare my lot (as a 10 yr + chopper driver) with that of F/W mates flying wide-bodies, then their life is by far simpler, easier and on an hourly basis, far better remunerated. They are jealous of the thrills in my job (which is pretty cool), I envy their lifestyle and time off. JT has the best of both worlds by the sounds of it, but not many can make that work successfully as a few other have commented. Whatever you do Newguy, keep your eyes wide open and talk to folk in each sector to see which is going to suit you best. And if you are REALLY smart, you will work out which career is going to work best for the other MORE important aspects of your life, like your family...
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Re: Aeroplane/Helicopter?

Postby Spock » Mon Jul 30 2012, 01:03

I guess one other thing you must consider when flying is your health...I've been flying the planks for over 28 years and with back of the clock flying and irregular shifts, it takes its toll on the body. Yep the money is better but there are some sinister disadvantages in Airline/ Corporate fixed wing flying. My floppy wing mates always appear to look healthier and enjoy there jobs a little more as I believe there is less stress.

So 4 years ago I decided to join them to see what its all about..and I love it !! I only fly part time choppers but it is an awesome ride.

:lol: :lol:

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