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Sikorsky & 2 Squirrels just flew over my place heading South East
Too high to see which two Squirrels

DEC have a few fires to the south east, sounds like north of Dwellingup area. They have 2 air attacks there so I'm guessing thats where they are heading.

At least two heavy duty and one light duty unit were mobile heading south on Albany Highway near Jarrahdale this arvo around 3-4.

It was Canning Dam where the Incident was.

S61 and 2 Squirells heading North 17:55

Does anyone know what you need to become a helitac pilot and what the average income is, as I’m thinking about choosing a career in the helicopter industry with the long term target of becoming a helitac pilot?

Also wondering what type of subjects I’ll need to choose in TEE, as next year I'll be starting year 11 e.g. maths physics


Any extra information will be much appreciated

Hazard a guess - Aviation (Kent Street, Greenwood and others? offer it), Physics 3A & B, Maths probably 3A & B, English

All I'll say is... I hope you have a large bank account...

G

TrainFreak wrote:Does anyone know what you need to become a helitac pilot and what the average income is, as I’m thinking about choosing a career in the helicopter industry with the long term target of becoming a helitac pilot?

Also wondering what type of subjects I’ll need to choose in TEE, as next year I'll be starting year 11 e.g. maths physics


Any extra information will be much appreciated

Good passes in TEE Maths, Physics, and English are a must in any Aviation Carreer. One thing you have to remember, is that its not as simple as get your chopper licence, and get a job flying the Helitaks (a commoun misconception in all flying).

First aviation job - you are looking at 20 - 30 grand a year tops. One of the other things: Helicopter training is very expensive (350 per hour for a 2 seater, and 450 per hour for a 4 seater), and it takes 105 to 125 hours minimum for a Chopper CPL (do the maths) - and thats assuming you dont have to repeat any flights

Before getting your CPL- you have to sit 9 theory examinations: BAK - Basic Aeronautical Knowledge (usually around 30 bucks), PPL - Private Pilots Licence (about 150), and 7 CPL - Commercial Pilots Licence. (about 150 each).

Your best bet is to get enrolled in a course - There are a few around for helicopters at Jandakot, and there are multiple companies to choose from.

I'm currently training for my Fixed wing CPL, but have a mate doing his Chopper CPL, so feel free to send us a message if you would like some more info.

(to give you a small idea: over the last 13 months, i have forked out over $60,000 for both theory and flying training, and i am not finished yet)

*EDIT*

one thing i forgot about: if you get a chance: speak to the Helitak pilots... ask them how they got to where they are.

Nafeen, it is an expensive hobby!

Career path... GA is really going down the drain in terms of T &C C's same as mainline with LCC eroding the bottom line. However... saying that it is a mis-conception that most freshly acquired CPL's earn 20-30k a year, which is in theory true, but also false...

There are/is a few GA employees out there that pay above average wage and a first job would be looking at the region of around 40kish a year.

A few of the helitac pilots are ex-military so that maybe a way to go, it will be definitely be cheaper and you will get paid to fly them and gain lots of expeerience before you go private

written_ficton wrote:Career path... GA is really going down the drain in terms of T &C C's same as mainline with LCC eroding the bottom line. However... saying that it is a mis-conception that most freshly acquired CPL's earn 20-30k a year, which is in theory true, but also false...

There are/is a few GA employees out there that pay above average wage and a first job would be looking at the region of around 40kish a year.

wow... someone read that wrong! Some people think you can get your CPL - and go straight into Airline type flying, or Helitaks in the helicopter world. The opperators are going to want experience before you can do that sort of flying.

Also - who are these employers, and are they hiring

As Ace of spades said before - The military is another good option, its cheaper for you, and its a great training ground

Go and join the Navy as a Helo pilot, or Army.

Thanks everyone

I may have to do a bit more research before choosing what’s the best option and career path. The Air force, Navy or Army sounds like the best option of them all. Thanks again =D>

Nafenn wrote: one thing I forgot about: if you get a chance: speak to the Helitak pilots... ask them how they got to where they are.

Yea I spoke to one of the helitac pilots early this year and he explain he got his Helicopter Commercial Pilots License and payed about $40k, from there he needed to gain experience so he work for a company up north doing tours in the region before flying helitacs

But I forgot to ask what TEE subjects i needed, are there any other options and where/how you gain your license