My Rotor To Fixed Story  

I am posting this not to start a flame war, but just to give my story in case anyone is considering leaving helicopters for fixed-wing.

In 1996 I was working a couple of week external load operation out of an airport in the mid-West. While there I got to know quy who ran a charter outfit with Cessna jets. Just before I left told him I had a multi-engine/instrument rating but at best 200 hours total airplane, and kind of would like to fly jets someday. He said, come to work for us. That he would train me.

So I did. Started at the bottom again at age 34 making low co-pilot wage....One of the reasons why I did not like airlines is I like change, diffferent places, etc., and helicopters doing the external load work around the U.S. was doing that.....Well I fell in love with the charter jet world, and began the steady climb. 

Now I have not always worked charter, and did not give up heliopters then. Did have a 14 year stint doing both jets and helos for a rich guy.

Today I am only charter jets in a Gulfstream and love it. I make just over 200k a year, not the highest pay, not the lowest, but like working for these guys. And my schedule is a solid 2 weeks on the road and 2 weeks at home. If I do workover, am paid a daily rate at 1.5

When you hear people say, well charter or private jet is all ways on, no schedule. That might be true at some places, but they cannot keep anyone for long. And some of those where you are on that always on call, except vacation time. It can be with a principal like a friend of mine works for. 200k a year, and gone about 90 days a year. Rest of the time, at home. Has been there about 12 years and you cannot drag him out of it.

Just know for me, leaving full time helo for jets, leading to international jets, was the best choice for me. Never have regrettted it. Have been around the world more times than I can remember. Been to more places than I can often remember, and done adventures there. And met, even got to know a little some of the more famous people in the world.

All helo is great for some, and no slam towards them. I just knew in the long run, it was not for me.