To my helicopter brethren, 

AkA "Vertolot-chiks" (English phonetic spelling,  in Russian )

Flying helicopters is one of the best flying experiences a young pilot can have. I made my bones in the Army, UH1s and later Blackhawks. As a civilian, Super Puma, variety of Bell products, BK117, even the MI-17, and a demo hour in an S-92  Nothing compares to a Sikorsky, but I digress.

Along the way I got a Fixed wing add on, ATP, CFI/ CFII. Now 15,000 hours about half and half FW/ RW.  Someone on here (years ago) made the comment that a helicopter pilot was "overqualified" after logging 2500 hours. He was correct in some respects. The pay doesn't reflect experience in the helicopter industry. So if you can get a job flying helicopters, youre "qualified" the rest is overkill. 

I used to follow this site religiously, but lost interest in flying helicopters for a living. These days I'm a 64 year old Check Airman for a major Part 135 Fixed Wing operation. Flying 700-800 hours a year. I really enjoy this job, but everytime I see a S-76C++ at Bridgeport (BDR) or landing in the Hamptons (HTO) , I wish I could climb outta my starched wing and do at least one more trip around the pattern before  I retire.

Cant do it.

The pay cut would be high six figures. Not to mention the schedule and other benefits.

I'll admit, I'm still a in it "for the buck" which also comes at a price. The price is, putting on those "golden handcuffs" -- and making too much money to quit and maybe take the lower stress lower paying jobs.. Like flying a seasonal Caravan on floats ( fishing trips) in Alaska, perhaps.

Or "Earning money while sleeping " (EMS) in a quiet little VFR program somewhere. 

The point is, happiness isn't defined strictly by money.
If you like flying helicopters, and can afford it, do it.

Good luck to you guys, and

fly safe!

--Shooting Shark

I think I know why: a little nod to the Russian terrorist you so admire. anyhoo, I don't see your 135 check airman gig paying much. even at a "major" one lol. your so called career is most likely  a fantasy. it just doesn't smell right. 

happen is a sim? but you are flying 800 hours a year doing it lol

that is not the phonetic spelling, that's the translation to the English alphabet. it's nothing close to that. now, about the rest of your post as a check airman for a major 135 operation? lol

You possibly know so little? If you knew slightly less, you would starve and die from thirst with food and water right in front of you. Your few educated brain cells are devoted to putting food and water into your mouth. Don't hit your head. You are one blow to the head away from being a vegetable.

You are ignorant in addition to your stupidity. Have you never heard of training captains, and line check airmen? Dry up and blow away, sis.

Time you open your mouth, pick up a pen, or trot out your iPad keyboard, you put your ignorance on blast, sis. You are such a weirdo. You must be a murse or female EMT. If you don't consider NetJets, Flexjet, xojet, and wheels up major 135 carriers, you are deaf dumb and blind in addition to your derangement from your mental issues. Everything he said is true, and if you can't believe it then too bad and so sad. Why don't you dry up and blow away? You would be doing everyone a favor, and no one would miss you in the least. It would be as if you never existed, but better.

About EJM another Buffet owned great operator OF high $$$ FW's too!!!!!!!! Let these low life tards wallow in their own misery! They don't have a clue or knowledge/skill to move on/UP!!

I'll chime in. Shark is real ... I know him ... And what he said is 100% spot on. 

I'm in a very similar boat as him.

I flew EMS for almost a decade, and my favorite helicopter is the S76, and I fly a G650 for a living now. The money doesn't compare but I also miss flying medevac. 

He had a very legitimate reason for flyin the Mi, so don't let your imagination get the best of you.

Be well

on a porcupine the  p r i c k s  are on the outside

Congrats to you SS, output is the result of input or so you have figured out. I'm very happy in EMS making $110k to be home every day. I get to ride my motorcycle, play golf and travel to the lake cabin every other week if so inclined. Wife works from laptop so we have alot of flexibility. 5 years to go and by them I should have 2 $Mil in the 401K. The helicopter world has been good to us. I have made it my highest priority to stay out of the hospital politics and am having a blast.

Agreed, my friend. I'm glad you had a great career flying helicopters! 

it is about lifestyle -- I too ride and enjoy traveling with my wife. Grandkids will be a priority soon, when I retire and then have ALL my time. 

As for the 135 FW naysayers, they have no clue. $200k is the new normal. Advertised salary is just a starting point, --add pay differentials for OT, retention bonuses, performance incentive pay etc.. It adds up.

As for those vaxxed Libs, 

they're at home wearing their Covid masks. waiting for their latest booster shots, and more  "guidance" from the CDC. If  they don't end up in FAA medical limbo.

Covid vaxed are becoming infertile., too.

That means "bending the population cuve" for Gen Z, (one good side effect, I suppose.)

The New World Order and "Great Reset" will need fewer 

Useful idiots

nobody asked lol

he's greeting people in russian. care to explain?

Nearly 80 here, almost 50 years in aviation, ATP both FW and RW, lots of years overseas.  My career in aviation was a blast, even the bad days were good.  As to flight time 29 K. Money?, made a lot of that too.

Good for you SS, and enjoy your retirement as I know your 401K is a lot better off than mine!

Before opening mouth. 

shark guy is really a pilot. nobody except maybe the other pretend pilots like the weird guy® burrito bender.

You go with your racism. You just can't control it, can you?

doesn't have a racist bone in it's body and inclusive to all. google it bro.

shark guy is really a pilot. he's about as prolific a right wing troll as you'll find. that's his whole existance. nobody buys it except maybe the other pretend pilots like the weird guy® burrito bender. it's all an internet fantasy. the guy vouching for him pretending he's a "developer" was perfect. he was also, of course, a former 76 pilot now flying a "G650". lol

What's wrong with someone being right wing? You libs think that you can just have everything and are the only show in town? Some types of people have to exist to keep your kind from fKn' absolutley everything up you touch and or lay eyes on.

nobody said it was wrong, snowflake

It was a direct, and derogatory implication, as you purposefully meant it. No need to act ignorant when you are ignorant.

welcome to the consequences of your actions bro

Earn Money Sleeping as a retirement gig for 10 years, VFR twin, sleepy little program, after 50+ years of flying all sorts of aircraft and jobs we hung it all up.  Most fun was helicopter, best money corporate.

trust anyone who has to give me his, her, him, she 's resume prior to trying to make a point....   

exactly

Numbskull.

just don't care.  New generation of foolishness but whatever floats the boat.

Very well said.

Stay well

I sure wish I could fly the wonderful sikorsky again but it doesn't pay as much as my netjets simulator job so of course the moral of the story is money isn't everything lol

Sorry for the slight hijack!

Reading your post and because it is almost impossible on finding consistent resources on the Force Trim function as it seems every helicopter is a bit different as I get different answers in the forums or on the web. I would like to know on how it works from a piloting perspective in the Mi-8, Mi-24, Mi-17, or KA-50  models. I would appreciate if you or a real life pilot would find the time answering some of my below questions related to the force trim function.

Are the following statements correct:

(a) If I engage the Force Trim function the cyclic locks into that position and this is the new 0,0 position.

(b) I can still make corrections but the range is now limited and if I exceed that limit, Force Trim will disengage.

(c) If I move the cyclic from that new 0,0 position I will feel a "spring" load, returning the cyclic back to the locked position if I would let go of it.

If the range (b) is limited, by how much?

Thanks!