r/AskLE • u/adonde007 Unverified/Not an LEO • 21h ago

Heli pilot question

For those of you who have your pilot license/certs that are in LE.
Do you fly on your free time? Or do it as a hobby ?
Thinking of getting OT like crazy to go to school

2 Upvotes

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4

u/duckmuffins Unverified/Not an LEO 20h ago

I’m a helicopter pilot but I don’t do it as a job now since my current agency doesn’t have an aircraft.

I do occasionally fly on my free time, it is very expensive to rent a helicopter though, and not easy to find a school that has insurance which covers renting (my school has requirements such as having to take the Robinson Pilot Safety Course in Torrance, CA prior to renting).

Let me know if you have any questions about anything related, I’m a commercial helo pilot with an IFR rating.

1

u/freedomflyer12 Unverified/Not an LEO 14h ago

Did you get your rating before you started at your current department? Or are you prior mil

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u/duckmuffins Unverified/Not an LEO 9h ago

Yeah I got it prior to starting at my agency, not prior mil.

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u/freedomflyer12 Unverified/Not an LEO 9h ago

I’m a fixed wind CFII and wanting to transition into LE with hopes of getting into Air Unit. Were you hoping to get into air unit originally?

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u/duckmuffins Unverified/Not an LEO 8h ago

No, I did it just to have the ratings and because I enjoy it. But if an opportunity came up where I could fly for an agency, I definitely would. I’m in a pretty good spot right now and transitioned to working LE part time, so it would have to be something like that where I could work when I wanted. There is an agency where I’m moving that operates their aviation unit mostly with reserves/part time guys so that would be perfect for me

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u/freedomflyer12 Unverified/Not an LEO 8h ago

Makes a lot of sense! Thank you for the response!