Really, you have to use GI Bill (former military), personal funds, loans, or scholarships to cover your training for the most part knowing if you choose a good path you'll be making twice what you would in the majority of the helicopter world.
The RTAG (Rotor To Airline Group) FB site has people constantly posting links to help you in your journey. Great resourse to ask questions and get linked up.
Their charity site has a page that describes some ideas (not perfect, but helpful):
https://www.rtag.org/about/news-updates/vets-can-become-airline-pilots-for-free?fbclid=IwAR05nTWRYLQVWvY7fr0WiGSwukIwVQUki8NGNDcLSWu4hOgCDaB7RdiaHUw
There are plenty of naysayers who will tell you that you can find helicopter jobs that start or get you to over $100K in little/no time but they're either in the gulf or you happen to know someone (fire, utility, VIP, etc.), so if you're under age 50 my hat's off to you to consider persuing this. It's definitely worth it.
You can piece through what various bonuses you'll get depending on the airline/operator to be used towards paying back fight training at this site: https://www.airlinepilotcentral.com/airlines (also check out their forums for links to help you on your path).
The key thing is getting your ratings. Some small Part 135 operators will take you with just a commercial airplane with multi and you can make over $100K in no time. That can help you jump to the airlines. Airlines are hurting so bad now that their mins are dropping consistently depending on how much and how good your helicopter experience is.
To be clear: NOBODY says "I wish I had less money", "I wish I'd have waited a few more years to retire", or "I wish I'd have stayed in the helicopter world". Make the jump!
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+5/-0 Airplane Andrew 2/16/2022 1:05:47 PM