Expert: David A. NewMyer - 1/9/2010

Question
Hi i want to be a helicopter pilot and work to put out wild-land fires and dump the water bucket, and work for search and rescue, and also possibly work with law enforcement in searches for escaping criminals and situations like that. Is there a job that i can do all of those or would i have to pick one? Is there a lot one can do with a helicopter license or is it better to have a plane license? and would it be best to go through air force or through regular college and whats the best college for what i want to do? Sorry for soo many questions but your answer would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Alex

Answer
Hi, Alex:

Nice to hear from you---I will try to assist you with some answers.

If you truly want a helicopter career related to fire-fighting and/or related to law enforcement, there are a couple of things to keep in mind:

1.  The vast majority of those seeking a civilian helicopter career start their careers in the U. S. military.  Remember that ALL branches of the military---Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard (technically part of Homeland Security and not Dept of Defense)---fly helicopters.  Therefore, they all provide training for helicopter pilots.  The Army, in particular, which flies mostly helicopters, is a large trainer and provider of helicopter pilots in general.  So, once these pilots finish their military careers, many of them begin looking for civilian jobs as helicopter pilots.  Therefore, they are formidable competition in the job market.

2.  The availability of civil helicopter training is limited due to the costs of providing this training and also due to the fairly limited job market in the civilian world---it is largely in government agencies in general, in law enforcement and in corporate/business aviation.  There are few if any helicopter airlines, for example.  With a limited range of helicopter training providers, getting the training is tough.

3.  In addition to training limits, once you are trained on the civilian side, the question then becomes:  Where do I get experience flying helicopters once I get my basic license or licenses?  On the military side, they train you and then put you to work....and, you gain experience that way.

4.  Another consideration is that you should also get some sort of college degree---that is tough to do and also fly helicopters (only a few college aviation programs provide helicopter training).  But, you CAN get your college degree at an aviation college or university and get your basic helicopter ratings---but, with little operational experience.  

5.  Another thought would be to join the military and gain the helicopter training/experience and then use the military benefits to get your college degree. One problem is that the only military branch that will likely take you without a college degree to become a pilot is the Army....the rest usually require a degree to commission you as an officer (which you must do in the service to fly).

As far as getting a "fixed wing" vs. a "rotorcraft" license---I think it is good to have both for flexibility in your career.  Getting both takes time and patience.  However, the tougher training to get is on helicopters....so, figure out what the best way for you to get that training is and then add on the fixed wing licenses later.

I hope that this answer helped.  Let me know with a follow up question if I can help further.

Best wishes,

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