Just a short note to say thanks to all who responded - it's amazing what you
can learn on the internet! Sounds like my friend might be better off
becoming a trucker...

"The OTHER Kevin in San Diego" skiddz "AT" adelphia "DOT" net wrote in
message ...
On Wed, 4 May 2005 09:13:47 -0700, "None" wrote:

Sorry if this is a FAQ - a friend of mine heard a commercial on the radio
to
learn to be a helicoper pilot from Silver State Helicopers. He doesn't
know
much about the internet, but asked me if I could find post on this group
for
him.

The SSH seminar is one big sales pitch so take EVERYTHING that's said
with a grain of salt. A BIG one. Search this group for Silver State
Helicopters and see what others (including myself) have said. Also
hit up www.justhelicopters.com and check out the forums for more
feedback.

* Is learning to be a helicoper pilot a reasonable thing to start to do
at
53 years of age?

Personally, I'd think REAL hard if I were 53 and starting such an
adventure. I started at 39 and it took me nearly 10 months just to
get my private helicopter rating. (Passed my check ride on 3/7 of
this year) I anticipate having my CFII by the end of 2005 and then the
real work can begin as I work towards the magic 1,000 hour mark.

* How long does it take before you can start earning a living doing this?

I estimated it would take me about 5 years to be able to really make a
decent living flying helos, but the reality is it will probably take
much longer since I'm focusing on a specific type of flying. (Fire
fighting with S64 Skycranes) Unless you're very well off or win the
lottery, you're going to have to instruct to get to the thousand hour
mark you'll need to be at to even THINK about flying for a living.
Yes, there are ads for jobs that require only 300 hours, but they
probably don't pay much and I'd bet they're less than "safe". (in as
much as flying can be considered "safe")

Since I started I've picked up a job in the aviation field, and I do
"fly" quite a bit, but it's in simulators (Some of which I can legally
log) so my experience is quite the exception.

* What would I expect to spend in tuition?

SSH's price is right around $55,000 to get you to your CFI. HOWEVER,
SSH says you'll get 175 hours for this fee. Guess how many hours you
need to be able to instruct.... If you guessed 175, you're 25 short.
Who do you think is gonna pick up the tab for that extra 25 hours at
$200/hour?? That's comin' outta your pocket unless you can weasel
that into your financing.

That $55k assumes you've got half a brain and some coordination and
can absorb all this information *AND* fly safely within a reasonable
time. I know some people who are knocking on the 100 hour mark and
have YET to get their privates. (Hell some are pushing 60 and not yet
soloed!)

There is a LOT of information to learn as you progress through your
training and it never, ever stops. You'll keep learning as long as
you fly and if you don't, you probably won't last too long. You've
got to be committed (Yeah, in THAT way too! ehehhe) to the task at
hand. I spent all of last summer with my nose buried in books at the
exclusion of pretty much everything else. The payoff was well worth
it in the end.

* Any other recommendations for schools?

What part of the country is your friend in?? Is he/she willing to
relocate??