Welcome to Lift-Off, our latest newsletter packed with insights on helicopter pilot training and building a career in aviation
Todays article focusses on how to become a professional Helicopter pilot
Between the dream of becoming a helicopter pilot and the day you land a rescue helicopter on a busy highway, there are not only years of hard work, but also many important decisions to make. For a long time, I thought that as a German, the only way to pursue this career was through the military. Of course, the military or police can be great options, especially since the training is covered. However, the selection criteria are very strict, and you’ll also need to commit to serving as a soldier or becoming a police officer first.
In the civilian sector, there are several different paths to becoming a helicopter pilot, and it’s important to thoroughly research which one is right for you. Training in Europe may seem appealing at first glance, but when you look closely at the costs and job opportunities after training, the situation becomes less promising. European flight schools often don’t give a completely honest picture of the job market. On the other hand, training in the U.S. isn’t always perfect either, especially if you choose a school that doesn’t offer the right visa or if you have to go through an expensive and time-consuming conversion process to obtain your EASA license after your time in the U.S.
At Hillsboro Heli Academy, we offer a combined FAA and EASA training program, but even we may not be the right fit for every aspiring pilot. Due to the visa regulations, our training must be completed full-time. If you choose the combined FAA and EASA program, you can expect to finish in around 18-20 months, but it’s an intense learning experience with very little free time. From our experience, students over 40 years old often struggle with the workload.
To help you find the right flight school, we’ve put together a list of important things to consider on our website: Get Started at Hillsboro Heli Academy.
FAQs
On our website, we’ve created a very comprehensive list of common questions about pilot training. You should definitely take a look at it! http://en.flyhaa.de/faq
Webinars
We regularly host webinars and live events around Europe, where we share a lot of information about the training and the career in the helicopter cockpit. You can watch the recording of our latest webinar here: