In light of increased cost of living, stagnant pay, etc. Do you think there is a long term future in being a helicopter pilot? It seems to me, that unless you are already well off or close to retirement, there is no where that seems like someone with 25+ years to retirement could have a career that pays enough to keep up with even a minimal cost of living increase. Thoughts?

The HAA industry is on a down hill slide

The late great Robert Suggs Sr. once said he could find helicopter pilots in the gutters of New Orleans to hire at a drop of a dime. Have times changed?

Wheels Up is a good example of how to be a millionaire in aviation. Eastern is another. There are many others.

I don't think either of those companies had a single helicopter

You should have terminated your sentence after your first 3 words.

Eastern Airlines LLC?? These NEW at the top just screwed the Co employees by saying move to KMCI W//6k$ moving expense ( joke) OR stay on till we find your replacement, train them then good bye!!!

s**t whether you have potential to earn more money than other people. it's not a contest 

so if you're low pay is more than the other guy's low pay, that means you're doing good. lol got it. that's brilliant

make a bet?

make a bet?

130k. not that great he says. a person making 130 is making more that 80% of the workers in the US.

Ones always complaining about their pay are the EMS crowd. When they fly the least, sit on their fat azz almost daily, have a fkd schedule up night and then switching to days throwing off their circadian rhythm, and think they're gods gift to helicopters. just quit already. No one cares, go fly your air whambulance and or go take a nap after finger banging your boyfriend.

I've been flying HAA at ___ for 22 years and still don't make close to $30k!! 

run. you pay 30k more than the guy that went to vo tech so that means you deserve to earn double his pay for the rest of you working life. more brilliance.

ask that question. It sure as eff isn't a trend. A new EMS or GOM pilot is making $80k most places after a couple years of teaching. go try and find better money at 25 with no other skills.

that has met your beliefs in how pay should continue to the moon.

every single one. pay has always gone up bro. not sure how you haven't noticed this.

starting now, I wouldn't do it again

Go Fixed Wing

Make a ton of cash

By a helicopter to fly on your days off

does every other job out there give you a raise every year that matches inflation? no. those are my thoughts.

30 years ago I saved up $60K working construction type jobs for flight school. After I got my CFI I made 16K my first year and $22 my second doing instruction and flying a reporter around for traffic watch in a R22.

Got in the B206 flying tours and moved to the GOM making $30-40K. Started in EMS 20 years ago and now make 6 figures at a busy base (4-6 flights in 24 hrs). 

House is paid off, three vichles, no debt. All kids finished with college, wife never worker more than part time. Could retire tomorrow as 401K has done very well but will probably fly as long as able since most of my family members have lived to 90yrs.

For a new person looking at heli flying as a career I'd say, take a demo and if it's for you go for it. Make a plan and stick to it. I would do it again, no complaints, very happy with my career.

started helicopters,fix wing  aircraft in 1967, the. Range from corporat, law enforcement, airlines. , DAC, finially EMS, of all of the past flying RETIRED is the best occupation in  aviation. No b- nurses, no time, just a boat,park and fish.

The only complaints is to the forests, like the tree or the bear in the woods no one hears or cares

wise up and life till retirement.

What is usually the second job for a R22 or R44 CFI after he gets 1000 hours or so instructing?

There was a time when you needed 3000 hours to get into EMS. Now 1200 is possible. Other beginer jobs use to be traffic watch for a TV station etc, moving bank checks to the main branch, Tours in the Grand Canyon, Alaska, Vegas etc, Tuna fishing flying off a boat, Wireline patrol etc. 

For those who say EMS is easy I beg to differ. Planning an IFR flight at 3 am to cross the mountains at 8000ft so you can land at sea level during wind/rain conditions takes effort.

As does landing in new scene LZ every night when getting a brief from some volunteer firefighter who hasn't a clue what to look for ,even though they mean well.

Taking off at max gross weight under NVG's from same LZ when patients weight was under estimated by first responder by 100lbs.

I found utility flying pretty easy, a little too repetitive, but I don't come on here and call all utility pilot dumb asses.

Try and be nice.

The airlines are hiring children with zero experience. This means they will hire anyone. Airline pay is excellent after a few years and the union is legit. Fixed wing is the only chance at a legit career as a pilot. These EMS fools represent the vast majority of the industry. 

No way would I spend another 25 years in this industry.  If you don't go in the Airlines now, you'll never get into it once they're done hiring.  You'll then be stuck and in your 25th year you'll be that old guy who wished he had done different, and everyone will be tired of hearing it.

the airlines will never be done hiring bro

But after 40 years of flying maybe I'm just use to it.  I can retire tomorrow with no issues but I continue because I'm still having fun.   It's not for everyone, but it was for me.

Are only taking certain qualified people out of the helicopter industry. The ones that leave, won't be missed as they're usually the IFR and or Ex military doosh types who wouldn't make it very far in the civilian utility market anyways. The helicopter industry doesn't care one but if it loses a few guys to the airlines as there is always the hungry up and coming helicopter pilot to take their slot.

Take 

any qualified. if you are a utility pilot and leave, we will cry

utility market. as opposed to the military utilty market. say wut

The Cartel is hiring.

How to get on there 

relative to your lifestyle and options.  The airlines will always have their problems and competition so even there you'll be subject to developing and possibly exercising contingencies; probably jus a difference in financial scales.