Expert: David A. NewMyer - 11/3/2009

Question
Hi Mr. NewMyer

My name is Andrew Hershey and i want to get into the field of commercial helicopter piloting and I'm not completely sure how to do it. Right now I am sixteen and in my junior year of high school, and I am trying to find a college that offers a degree that allows me to pursue a career in commercial helicopter flight. I have already looked at Liberty university and it looks good, but i just want to check all possible avenues. I also have come to realize that this is a very rare field that people want to go into. I really don't care about what job i would get as long as i get to fly I'll do it. I'm just concerned with how to get flight hours and finding a place to start.

I guess that all I'm asking is that i just want to know what is a good college, preferably on the east coast, that offers a helicopter training program and offers a degree in Aviation. If you could help me get started that would be much appreciated!

Sincerely,
Andrew H. :)

Answer
Hi, Andrew:

Nice to hear from you.  I will try to assist!

First of all, you are right, entering the commercial helicopter flying business via a university is a rare way to get into the aviation field.  The reason for this is that the vast majority of helicopter pilots get their start in the military.....all branches of the military (Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard--although the Coast Guard is technically not part of the Dept of Defense, rather, they are part of Homeland Security) fly helicopters.  So, all of them train helicopter pilots---the largest user right now is the US Army, which trains the majority of its helicopter pilots at Ft. Rucker, Alabama.

Second, the above does not mean that you can not do your training via the civilian world.  The difference is that, out here in the civil world, you will largely pay for your own training while in the military, the military pays (and you pay that back by committing to work for them for a period of time, generally, six to ten years depending on the branch of the military).

Third, there is a directory of collegiate aviation programs entitled THE COLLEGIATE AVIATION GUIDE that is available from the University Aviation Association.  Contact them at www.uaa.aero or via phone at 334-844-2434 to order your copy.

Because it is so expensive, only a few universities and colleges offer helicopter training....I believe that the University of North Dakota offers it here in the midwest (they are way in the upper midwest!!!).  I have heard in the past that Embry Riddle in Florida offers it, too, but, I am not sure.....check that guide that I listed above or check the internet to find out more.  The school where I work, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, offers an excellent Helicopter Maintenance Specialization within its B. S. in Aviation Technologies....but, we do not offer helicopter flight training.  But, getting the maintenance background might be really good for your job prospects later on....

In general, the number of civil helicopter jobs is relatively small compared to those in the fixed wing commmunity....there are a lot of helicopter flying jobs down on the Gulf of Mexico to support off shore oil drilling and platforms, etc.  There are also a lot of helicopter flying jobs in law enforcement, at the federal state and local levels.  There are also some helicopter flying jobs with corporate flight departments, but, many of those pilots are dual rated in both jets and helicopters.....and, of course, there are a fair number of helicopter flying jobs in EMS (Emergency Medical Services), working for hospitals or for contractors who serve hospitals or for government agencies who do specialized rescue flying, etc.  And, the Federal Aviation Administration forecasts for civil turbine helicopters is forecasting quite a growth...you can check that out at the FAA website at www.faa.gov

Usually, the place where you do your training will give you an idea of where you can go to get work.

I hope that this answer helps....best wishes,

Dave NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
http://www.aviation.siu.edu