Well Mr. Monkey.... Far be it for me a lowly lurker and armchair pilot
to step in here when others far more qualified are giving such good
advice..... But let me make my comments.

I currently work as a software engineer

First as everyone will tell you, I'm sure - DON"T give up your day job.

Now as they are starting to tell you - Don't expect to be flying a
copper chopper, medical chopper, TV chopper, or oilrig chopper
anytime soon.

Now you will notice that a large segment of your potential employers
has just disappeared..... Oh what to do, oh what to do.

Well..... as you have stated - YOU currently work
as a software engineer.

In your shoes I would start approaching the small, tiny, out of the
way, miniscule mom and pop operators and have a serious talk about your
abilities as a software engineer and how you could seriously help them
improve, promote, and maintain their computer systems particularily on
the web. And at the same time how you want to become a helicopter pilot
and gain experience ( hours ) as a pilot.

Take a look at how many small companies ( not just helicopter or
aviation companies ) that have an absolutely lousy web site.

No pictures worth a spit, no rah rah and very little reason to deal
with them when they are in the middle of the stagnant majority.

SAFARI helicopters is a very good example of this.

They actually manufacture helicopter kits and are about the only
company in the world that manufactures kits and yet for the past few
years their website has been stagnant and dull dull dull.

Yet if you asked them they would be the first to agree that they are
trying to get their customers attention and generate new leads and
sales through that website.

Imagine how many small helicopter companies are out there that have had
some buddy, relative, el cheapo programmer, or whatever design their
website and maintain it. Or who has set up their computer system for
business use with systems, hardware, softare that is now obsolete and
perhaps of limited use for todays and tomorrows market and business
requirements.

If I was you and actually got that helicopter license or was in the
process of seriously getting that license and actually looking around
the marketplace for a job I would start at the bottom of the barrel and
look for operators who wanted to improve their appearance and bottom
line and who could seriously use your help.

If I were you I would use a helicopter operation as a business model
and put together a substantial presentation as to how your skills as a
software engineer could help their business and by being employed by
them how they as an operator could help you gain the hours your want.

Isn't this how you would go about obtaining employment if you were
interested in entereing automotive manufacturing business, or shoe
business, or construction business, or............??????????