ACP220 Corporate Helicopter Careers with Pam Landis

Today on the show I have occasional co-host Pam Landis, who is our resident Helicopter Careers Resource. Welcome to the inspirational, informational, and transparent aviation careers podcast. If you have questions, comments, inspirational stories, or announcements please contact us at feedback@aviationcareerspodcast.com.

Today Pam will give us an industry update and help us answer your career questions. Pam is the Assistant Editor of RotorCraft Pro Network, Flight School Manager at University Air Center in Gainesville, FL, and a sales and leasing consultant at Touchstone Helicopters. Needless to say Pam loves helicopters and is passionate about helping you obtain your helicopter career goals.

Before we get started a few announcements.

Announcements:

The April 2019 Version of the Scholarships Guide is live with 6 additional scholarships and 12 updates. Click on the scholarships tab to find out more.

At AviationCareersPodcast.com You can find the Scholarships Guide, Career Coaching, and various technical courses online. Don’t forget to sign up for our e-mail newsletter and visit the website for special listener coupons.

On June 7-9 I will be at the Flight Sim Expo in Orlando FL. Please look for me in the Aviation Careers Podcast blue shirt and come say hi. Even if I am busy interviewing someone please wave and say hello. You can also wait until I am done since most interviews are not very long.

In This Episode We Discuss (Helicopter Careers with Pam Landis):

Industry Update.
Listener Mail:

Hey Carl,

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed listening to all the great information and inspiration on your podcasts! Congrats on your recent 1 million download mark. I’ve been listening to your stuff nonstop for the last couple weeks while at work. I now work construction and am working towards a career as a helicopter pilot.

I have a wife and two young children age 2 and 4. I’m 31 and like many others I am slowly, but surely working towards the first big step of getting my private. It’s stressful and financially tough, as I have saved for a year before starting lessons, and will hopefully have enough to get my first 40-55 hours in.

I feel blessed to live so close to what I think is a great company with an extremely experienced instructor whom I have heard great things about from other pilots I have talked to in the area. We get along well and he tells it to me straight while teaching, which I appreciate. I’m about 12 hours in, and aside from one hard lesson that was slightly discouraging, I’m loving every minute of it!

Sorry for the lengthy email, but on to my question. I have somewhat of an idea of the direction I’d like to head, that is EMS. I know things may change as I get along, evidenced by my curiosity of corporate flying. I’ve heard interesting things about it while listening to you.

I’m open to getting fixed wing rated eventually, but I feel my true passion is helicopters. I’m wondering how much of the corporate world involves helicopters? Obviously being dual rated would be a huge benefit, but just how much helicopter time do you think there would be? I’m not exactly sure what my path will be after I get my private as finances play a big part, but I know talking to pilots and networking will give me insight and possibly opportunities to go in the right direction. Both ems and corporate flying appeal to me as being home with my family is important.

Thank you so much in advance for reading my email! What your doing is an amazing thing, bringing pilots and ideas together for so many to hear. It’s helped me to realize I’m heading in the right direction by chasing my dream of going to work every day LOVING what I do! Keep up the good work brother!!

Thanks,