Job Market

[Rotorhead]

Hi,
Does anyone know how the job market is going for the helicopter world? Are instructors getting instructing job? Are higher time instructors moving onto other jobs or staying put? Just wondering the general state of things. I know the fixed wing jobs don't seems to be getting any better. I have a few fixed wing friends.

[chrisbb_13]

Things down in Phoenix seem to be improving, the instructors at my school are getting hours, albeit a little slower than in better times but it seems to be moving along. Instructors are gaining their hours and moving on and new ones replace them.

The unemployment rate in the US is still high but the GDP is improving so that's a good sign. My guess is that everything will be back to normal within a year but I'm no expert.

[mattkrepsR22]

Two instructor from my school just got jobs. Our Chief pilot got a job as an inspector with the FAA and another got picked up by San Joaquin Helicopters to do some crop dusting.

[Rotorhead]

Good to hear things are moving in the right direction.

[WikiRFM]

The school I went to in Idaho has been very slow. They laid off 2 instructors when they hit 1000 hs and didn't hire replacements. The owner has also been contacting CFIs/CFIIs that graduated 6-18 months ago telling them that they won't get hired as instructors, and that they will be looking at more recent graduates when they start hiring again. I kinda saw that coming, but some of those other CFIIs were expecting to get hired this spring.

[X-filer]

to WikiRFM: I seem I've seen your post about this fact on vertical refference...the fact does kinda suck, but reading reviews about overall industry in our country from different people, looks like it's gradually getting up from the its knees...and it defenitely inspires me. I have a strong plan on helping my current boss grow his bussiness, cause he's a nice guy, saving money and in year and a half hopefully start flight training again hopefully spending 90% cash, not credit on it. And I hope very much as everybody of us does, industry will keep on going up so will economy.

[WikiRFM]

I try not to be such a buzz kill, but I have friends who are in terrible shape trying to keep up with their loans. Lots of us thought we saw opportunity and charged in, and got bitten when the bubble burst.

I am just getting back from HAI, and the industry is starting to pick up in some areas. I'll post more on my blog (wikiRFM.cyclicandcollective.net) in a few days, but one thing I saw at HAI--very long lines at the job fair, especially for companies that hire <1500 hr pilots. It's still not the time to rush into training. Having a long-term plan, paying cash, and avoiding credit (which is something of a necessity now) is the smart route.

[mattkrepsR22]

On an almost unrelated note I just put my application into the San Bernardino Sheriffs department and have my written scheduled for the 8th

[Gekko]

Good job! You'll have a few hoops to jump through before you're offered a position into their academy; the first being the written exam. If they're anything like the Houston Police, you'll get paid while attending the academy; that's always helpful.

That's a good career move. My father was an officer with our county for 26 years!

[mattkrepsR22]

Just took the written test. I have to go back up to central cal to take my CFI check ride on the 17th and then back down here for the physical agility test on the 27th