Expert: David A. NewMyer - 1/11/2011

Question
Hello there i am Daniel, i have been wanting to be a pilot since a young age and i know within my heart its a passion of mine and that its something i want to pursue as a career, i used to be in the cadets and have have flying experiences, but helicopters really stand out for me due to there diversity. I am 19 now and the one question that is bothering me is that if i spend money on a helicopter license roughly £11,000 then will it improve my chances of getting into the military as a pilot? i just don't want to waste money.

Thankful for your time

Answer
Hi, Daniel:

Thank you for your question, I will try to assist!

First of all, keep in mind that helicopter flying is only a portion of total flying in any nation.  Helicopters are able to go into locations that can not be served by aircraft (such as off shore oil rigs or the tops of buildings), but, on the other hand, there are significantly more aircraft to be flown (in general) than there are fixed wing aircraft.  Here in the USA, the number of helicopters equals about 5% of the total number of fixed wing aircraft.  Even if it was twice the number in the UK, that is only 10% of the number.....  So, my recommendation to you is to eventually learn to fly both types of aircraft (fixed wing AND helicopters).  Since fixed wing flying jobs in both the military and the civilian world are more prevelant, then, you will have more flying options available to you.

The other thing I would do is to contact military recruiters in your nation and find out what it is that they are looking for in recruiting military pilots, especially military helicopter pilots.  I am guessing that they will want you to have a university degree with some good, solid mathematics and sciences coursework.  So, make sure that you have the sort of background that they want in the military so that you will have as good a chance as possible to be selected.  The reason for this is that you will want the military to pay for your flight training and NOT you or your family!  In other words, why pay the 11,000 pounds to learn to fly helicopters privately when the military can pay you to fly?  And, more important, once the military trains you, they put you to work flying for them.  If you pay 11,000 pounds to learn to fly helicopters privately, then, where do you get the experience on helicopters from there?  I doubt there are any civilian helicopter operators who will hire you with just your basic license and no experience.  

As far as the question about earning your helicopter license privately and then using it as a way to get into the military:  Check with the military.  I am guessing that they look at quite a number of factors in selecting their helicopter pilots but I doubt that very many if any at all come into the military with the license already completed.  The military WILL want to know about your aptitude to learn to fly as well as your prior academic success, especially as it relates to subjects that have something to do with flying.

In saying all of the above, I am not telling you to ignore what it is you are interested in--if helicopters appeal to you, then, do all you can to work toward the goal of flying helicopters.  Just be practical about it so that you are eventually able to achieve your dream!

Best wishes to you,

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