Expert: David A. NewMyer - 9/18/2003

Question
I am currently looking into a aviation career but am not sure of the path to take. I live in Edmonton, Alberta if that has any relavince. I am wondering if the better path in heleicopter or fixed wing. There seems to be a problem with getting a job after completion of your fix-wing com lic because of the many hours needed to get into airlines. Mainly I am just looking for guideness on the path I should be taking for the best career and employability. Thank you for your time.

Answer
Hi, John:

Thanks for your question.  I will try to assist!

As far as helicopter vs. fixed wing, the chances for employment OVERALL are better in fixed wing in that there are LOTS more fixed wing aircraft out there than there are helicopters.  For example, there are 6800 US registered helicopters (in round numbers) while there are 211,000 general aviation and 6400 airline fixed wing aircraft, for a total of 217,400....so, over 210,000 MORE fixed wing than helicopter aircraft.  Not all general aviation aircraft are professionally flown, but, the numbers are still staggerinly in favor of fixed wing.  I do not know the Canadian numbers, but, I am sure that, proportionally, it might be true that there are more helicopters in proportion to fixed wing there.  But, due to the distances that one needs to cover in Canada between population centers, I would think that fixed wing is still key as an employer.  

Another problem with rotorcraft ratings is that places to earn them are few and far between and the cost is relatively high as a result.  Finally, in the USA (and, I assume, it is the same in Canada) the majority of helicopter pilots are trained in the military and then they get out of the military and look for a civilian job.  These folks are sometimes tough to compete with if you are a totally civilian-trained pilot since your experiences in flying helicopters will likely be more limited.  While this is true on the fixed wing side, the relative numbers of jobs out there on the fixed wing side make the competitive situation a bit more easy.

The point you make about the numbers of flight hours of experience needed to work your way into the airlines is a good point.  Here in the USA, I tell our four year degree graduates in Aviation Management and Flight who typically come out of Southern Illinois University's Aviation Flight and Aviation Management programs with 250 to 400 hours of flight time that it will be an average of five to ten years before they have a shot at a BIG JOB.  Such jobs would be a job with a major airline, a corporate flight department or something similar.  Normally, such jobs require about 2500 to 4000 hours of total PIC (pilot in command) flight time, of which 1000 should be PIC in turbine (or jet) equipment.  This means that, prior to arriving at the BIG JOB, you need to gain at least two years (or more) of Captain experience flying for a smaller regional airline, a charter company or some other company or agency that flies some sort of turbine equipment.

A final thought/question is:  Do you have a bachelor's degree?  This is key these days as that is one way that some aviation employers screen applicants....those that have a degree are competitive and those that do not have one are less competitive.

In terms of a path:

1.  Make sure you have a BS or BA degree to remain competitive

2.  Earn the necessary flight certificates to fly multi engine aircraft on a commercial basis

3.  Go out and build your flight experience, which may go about like this:

A.  A year or two flight instructing

B.  A year or two with a specialty flying company (pipeline inspection, wildlife surveys, bank check flying, charter company, etc)

C.  A year or two with a company with multi engine aircraft (to earn at least 150 to 300 hours of multi engine time to allow the transition to multi engine turbine employment)

D.  A year or two with a regional airline, charter company or small corporate flight operation building right seat time so you can transition to Captain.

E.  At least two years with a regional alrline, charter company, or small corporate flight operation AS A CAPTAIN ON A TURBINE AIRCRAFT.

If you add the above up, it is a minimum of six to a maximum to ten years just to get ready for the transition to THE BIG (fixed wing) JOB.

I hope that this helps clarify what is in front of you.  Let me know if you have additional questions.

Sincerely,

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