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Answering Some Questions About Helicopter Pilot Training

If you're looking for a very rewarding and exciting career, you might consider helicopter pilot training. There are many different career opportunities for someone who is skilled in operating a helicopter, and this type of job is very unique, as it doesn't keep you in a stuffy and boring office all day! If you've considered getting helicopter pilot training, note a few questions you might have about this type of course and career, and then discuss this option with a school representative as needed, so you know if it's the right choice for you.

How long does it take?

Training to be a helicopter pilot will vary according to your own skills and expertise, as you need to pass the bookwork part of the course and also have a flight instructor work with you in the air; he or she will then determine when you're skilled enough to pass this part of the instruction. Some students may take longer to learn all the mechanical aspects of operating a helicopter, and some may need more time to get accustomed to the helicopter's controls while they're in the air. Because each student is different in their rate of learning these aspects of being a pilot, there is no way to determine how long it will take you personally to pass these courses and actually get your own license.

Will having a pilot's license make the work faster?

Flying a plane and flying a helicopter are very different, much like driving a family sedan and driving a big rig are different, even though both involve some basic similarities. Because of their differences, having a pilot's license won't necessarily make your helicopter training coursework move any faster. However, if you have a certain comfort level with controlling a flying aircraft, this can allow you to master the controls of a helicopter much more readily, so that you might get through that part of your course faster than other students.

What types of jobs are available after training?

Helicopters are used to report on traffic or may be hired by police departments when they need to follow someone from the air. Private transportation companies may also offer helicopter rides to clients to avoid road traffic. Tour groups may offer scenic flights in helicopters over area attractions, including mountains, desert areas, the outback, ruins, and the like. Helicopters can even be used in construction as a way to lift heavy equipment that cannot be accessed by a crane or other such machinery.