Expert: Ismar Avdic, Eng. - 6/3/2007

Question
Hello, my name is Derek and im currently serving in the US Army. I have about four years left in my service and im possibly seeking a airline career when i get out of the Army. I was wondering would it be better to get trained in helicopters first, get out of the service, then transfer into fix wing aircraft in the airlines. I know its mostly my personnel prefernce on what i want to do but im was also thinking it might be better to get a early start in the airlines to start progresing my way to senority. Ill will be 24 years old when or if i get out of the military. Money is somewhat of an issue on flight training but i was also what i could use my GI bill on. I will have about $70000 for school using my GI bill. Sorry if i made my question somewhat confusing. I appreciate your time and your feedback.

Answer
Hi Derek!
Being in US Army is really fantastic thing regarding the aviation and especially pilot training. In my opinion if you are already there, get use the possibility if you can get helicopter training, because that is most expensive training in civilian world in USA or everywhere. Transition from helicopters to fixed wing aircraft is really not that hard when you got grasp concept of helicopters and helicopter training. With $70,000 on GI bill will bring you a far away in civilian world on fixed wing airplanes. With that bill you can get even type rating and first job in Boeing 737 possibly. However same amount would not even touch the ice berg of helicopter training, because the helicopter training is usually triple time more expensive.
Again this is my suggestions, because that is what I would do.

Good Luck
Ismar