Pro's and Con's of Converting

ScudRunner · Post by **ScudRunner** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 5:42 pm

Ok Im a fixed wing driver and a bush one at that. I recently took a IFR job doing scheds and Im bored out of my skull. I keep looking down from FL220 wanting to land on roads and clearings and buzz that moose.

STL has been very helpful in his proding me to convert to flying a ceiling fan.

What do you guys think that have converted over?? worth it? Pros and Cons.

Cheers ..

sky's the limit · Post by **sky's the limit** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 9:30 am

. wrote:
STL has been very helpful in his proding me to convert to flying a ceiling fan.

Does this mean I can't reply???? Damn......

STL

rotorfloat · Post by **rotorfloat** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 9:33 am

Your only regret is that you didn't do it sooner

fl390 · Post by **fl390** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 11:17 pm

I am a fixed wing guy that decided to make the switch.Iam starting my first job next month and Iam so excited about it.There are a few pros and cons to switching but for me flying helicopters is always what I wanted to do in the first place.The difference between flying the two is huge.To me flying helicopters is alot more rewarding but I know Iam in for a big learning curve this summer but I cant wait for it to come.

No regrets yet and from how it lookes now,
I dont think there will be any.

cheers,
Fl390

Glory. · Post by **Glory.** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 7:16 pm

yup, it is way better.

The 60 hour minimum is just that, a minimum. At the school Im at right now we have a guy converting and hes saying it will take him longer than 60 hours, so have some backup money.

sky's the limit · Post by **sky's the limit** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 9:17 pm

I got by in 60hrs without too much trouble, but depending on your FW background, it may not be enough. A strong Bush background with some tail wheel time like .. has, will be a good foundation for the rotary conversion. As would lots of float time, and/or mountain work.

Flying helicopters is ALL about understanding the environment you are working in, mountains, wind, altitude etc etc, and those types of FW experience will greatly help. That and the obvious comfort with decision making in tough places/weather/customers.... after all customers are 80% of the job.

But I already told him that on a beach in Vietnam last fall....

Lol

STL

ScudRunner · Post by **ScudRunner** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 9:06 am

Right on, all good info just weighing the options. Its too late for me to convert for this summer, but next ill be prepared for the next convert over the winter.

All good info everyone seems to be happy they converted. And like someone said your only regret is you didnt do it sooner.!!

app flap · Post by **app flap** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 8:14 pm

its all about going fast man, who cares about hovering, and slinging shit, and making money...

WHATEVER! its all about going fast, and helicopters can't do that! pshhaw

rotorfloat · Post by **rotorfloat** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 7:18 am

Sounds like someone else is considering converting!!!

sky's the limit · Post by **sky's the limit** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 9:09 am

Yeah, that's what I took from it too.... Lol.

STL

Glory. · Post by **Glory.** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 1:29 pm

hes in the denial stage.

Fully Articulated · Post by **Fully Articulated** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 7:22 am

Westland Lynx @ 400.87 km/h is pretty fast. Don't ya think?

Cheers,
FA

B18rules · Post by **B18rules** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 8:48 am

where would be the best place to do a conversion and what is the industry like as far as getting that first job?

fl390 · Post by **fl390** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 1:48 pm

I did my conversion with Greg Sanders (Tech Helicopters) in Prince George.Greg is great to train with and has free Accomadations.I did my conversion in about a month and a half and did my flight test at about 50 hours. With the spare 10 hours Greg and I did some long lining and mountain flying.It worked really well for me and I highly recommend him and his school.

As far as getting employment, I hear its the best it has been in a long time.
Seems alot of us low timers are getting jobs.

Cheers,

Fl390

The Mole · Post by **The Mole** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 8:42 pm

Pro's: when the sun goes down crack a beer
there always a place to land when you need a piss

con's: can't think of any suns gone down and i started drinken.

Flyinguy · Post by **Flyinguy** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 1:23 pm

I know you can convert a fixed wing commmercial pilots license into Heli.. but can you convert a private fixed wing license into a private heli license?...
I don't think you can.. but all i could do is ask.. thanks!

Blakey · Post by **Blakey** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 3:57 am

app flap wrote:its all about going fast man, who cares about hovering, and slinging shit, and making money...

WHATEVER! its all about going fast, and helicopters can't do that! pshhaw

I don't know, this looks pretty exciting to me!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGu45s1_QPU&NR

sky's the limit · Post by **sky's the limit** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 8:53 am

Flyinguy wrote:I know you can convert a fixed wing commmercial pilots license into Heli.. but can you convert a private fixed wing license into a private heli license?...
I don't think you can.. but all i could do is ask.. thanks!

Having a helicopter Private isn't worth your time. It's a license to kill yourself as there just isn't enough time to learn what you need to know in a Private. Helicopters aren't like airplanes, currency and a high level of proficiency is required at all times, so I'd recommend looking at the CPL(H) at the minimum for training.

STL

Ogee · Post by **Ogee** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 6:57 pm

I've done it and I tell people this. You fly an airplane. You operate a helicopter. Each of them has its good points and they are useful for different jobs in different places.

Fixed wing experience is very relevant to helicopter flying. I don't know that helicopter experience is of much use in fixed wing, other than reading maps and operating the radio. You have more decision options in a helicopter in weather situations and the like and it can be dangerous to forget that those aren't always there in an airplane where there limited places you can get back down on the ground.

Money wise, yes, helicopters probably put a few more bucks in the pocket over the long run, if you are comparing bush flying with choppers. Job wise, the key is to find heli companies that don't have their heads up their asses and recognize that fixed wing PIC is almost as valuable as heli PIC, after a certain point.

Pro's and Con's of Converting

Pro's and Con's of Converting

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