Expert: David A. NewMyer - 7/6/2004

Question
Mr. NewMyer,
 It seems that to have a career as a pilot one must go through the military to log hours.  My daughter would like to become a helicopter pilot and work with search and rescue operations.  She is considering attending the Coast Guard Academy for the training & work, but we don't like the 9 year committment that comes with that.  If she were a young man, it would be different, but should she marry and have children, she wants the freedom to spend her time at home and not have her time and schedule dictated by the government.
 I realize training is available elsewhere, but realistically, are there job opportunities for someone without the military training and hours?  

Answer
Jenni:

Thanks for your question.  I will try to assist.

Someone who wants to be both a helicopter pilot and wants to conduct search and rescue missions has severely limited their career outlook.  First of all, there are many fewer helicopters registered to fly in the US than there are fixed wing aircraft.  Second, most search and rescue missions (due to their connection to either the military or law enforcement) are connected to the government in some way.  So, the first issue to address is whether or not she is totally fixed on flying helicopters and second, is it true that all she wants to do is fly search and rescue missions?  

To illustrate there are about 8000 registered civilian helicopters in the USA and over 220,000 registered fixed wing aircraft....

In short, there are many more careers for what she seeks in the military and government world than in the civilian world of aviation.  Realistically, those who come out of military helicopter careers will also have an advantage over anyone trained in the civilian world due to the experience they exit the military with.

I hope that this helps.  I know that it is not a rosey picture, but, it is how I see it.

And, as far as civilian helicopter flight training, it is expensive, and, the problem then (after training) is gaining the proper experience to competer for the few jobs that might be out there in civil search and rescue (via law enforcement agencies).

Let me know if you need anything else,

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