Im Back

Finally able to post again. Just have not had the time recently with school, work, and the training. I was able to start my commercial and had the chance to take some awesome trips down to North Carolina and over New York City...two of the coolest flights ever. I had beautiful weather for both trips. So, right now im just trying to get my commercial check ride scheduled and move on to some CFI training!

Life After CFI

Ive been thinking alot lately about what I would want to do after i got my 1000 hours (the usual requirement to get a "real" flying job). Im really interested in going to Canada or Hawaii...but who wouldnt be. Canada offers an awesome environment with all the high altitude flying and Hawaii is...well Hawaii. I want to try to avoid going the Gulf if I can. I got into flying for the excitement and its just not exciting flying back and forth over the ocean. The US Border patrol only requires 1500 hours total time and they do some pretty awesome work and have some pretty awesome benefits. I would enjoy Vegas tours but for how long? Would I like flying the same route over and over again? I took my first helicopter ride with a tour company out of Vegas and how cool would it be to come full circle and get hired by them?! Its all a very long ways away though...CAN NOT WAIT to start working on my commercial license.

Fixed Wing??

My dad did some training in fixed wing with a private instructor working out of the local airport. Unfortunately he never finished because the instructor had decided to take a corporate flying job. My dad recently ran into him and told him about my current endeavor. Jim (the instructor) apparently offered to give me some training in Champs if I wanted to build time toward my commercial helicopter license and save a little money. Unfortunately though with the PIC requirements for the commercial license it would only be beneficial to get about five hours in fixed wing anyway. Who knows though...I like anything that flies...maybe ill check it out.

Well hello there

Hey folks!
Im new to the whole blogging so hang in there while I iron things out. I plan on the main subject of this blog to be about my helicopter training and hope to be able to update often as i progress through the experiences and ratings. Im hopeful that it will eventually turn into a career in Law Enforcement or EMS, although I think I would enjoy any type of flying.

I started training for my private license back in august of 07. I was in my freshman year in college and after alot of research I decided that i really wanted to learn to fly helicopters. I booked an intro flight and have been absolutely hooked ever since. While it was the most expensive decision I've ever made it is absolutely the best one.

I Just recently finished up my instrument rating. It's said to be the most difficult rating to get through so im glad to have now completed it. I really enjoyed learning the terminology and all of the systems. Its really incredible how all that information and technology can come together to get you where you need to go when you can't see a darn thing. I cant wait to start training for the commercial license. Ive only got about 95 hours now so i plan on burning off some of the required 150 hours by flying a few family members and friends around. The plan is to start the training by the end of January. Ill also be taking three college classes and working part-time on weekends so I will be busy but it's absolutely worth it. During training for my private license I was taking five college courses, working part-time, and playing ice hockey with the universities club team....so im used to busy. And thank god for scholarships or this helicopter thing would never happen. Ill update more soon but please feel free to ask me any question you might have. Happy new year and happy flying!