Austin Area TW Chapter (all gens welcome, even T4Rs; heck, just make it a Toyota and we're good)

something something turn around don't drown, unless you're driving a 5 ton then go wherever you want.

 

Yeah i actually had to back out after taking that pic... the water was way too deep, as you can see. didn't want to get swept downstream.

 

I would steer clear. Unless you own a helicopter. The days of insurance allowing a helicopter to be rented without a paid commercial pilot on company payroll are long gone buddy.

 

Maybe he wants to have his own. How the heck you been??

 

I'm good man, living the dream. Flying, exploring, fishing, hunting sanbar deer, I have been to every state in Australia already lol. I reckon I am a true knight of the Outback. Snapping buffalo necks and cashing rich guys checks!

 

Kick ass dude!!

 

Yea was planning on buying one if it's something I like. Would either be one of those Mosquito Swift's as a toe in the water to see if I like it and then move up to a R22, R44 or something. My wife and I are dual income no kids so I get to play.

 

Man I am just gonna tell you right now we need to have a very lengthy conversation before you buy any kind of rotor craft. if the rotor head is not turning under revenue power it will eat you out if house an home. You need to be able to commit at least $300k a year to fly it twice a week. I don't care how big my bank account gets I will never own one that's not earning money. They are a money pit and I wish i would have just chased my dream and drove trains for a living!

 

Killing my hopes and dreams here lol.. I'll do some more research, I know the rebuilds get expensive and that's also why I was looking into leases that have cover the overhaul reserve and parts.

 

Just a idear a old cessna c-150 or 172 are pretty afforadable or hell the model T of fixed wings a piper cub if you wanna just get in the air.

 

@Bell214b
It's busy up here.

 

Yeah I was up at pogo last year, good times

 

We have the best accommodations and food in all of the remote sites.

 

That sling load pic is pretty cool, can you send it to me?

 

Will track it down.

 

I heard years ago how insane the maintenance on helos was. Something stupid like 8 hours for every hour of flight time. It's no wonder that helicopter tours are so expensive

 

I recently talked to some of the rotary instructers here they also something similar, but they ride them r-22/44s all damn day an night hard with students only had one i can recall with an inflight emergency thats pretty good imho. The robinsons are a damn good work horse.

 

Good group of guys, I've got nothing but good things to say about them. I'd say find some of their students and talk to them. Ask them how they like it there. Compare customer reviews online too. I'd recommend you stay as far away as you can from a flight school in Bulverde. He'll rob you blind. You'll have 90 hours and won't have any solo flight time yet. My students solo around 20 hours or so. Alamo Helicopters in San Antonio is the only other flight school I'd recommend.

 

Make sure you've done your homework on that decision. It's a rough industry, the pay is nearly non-existent for the first few years as a commercial pilot or instructor. My first year as a full time commercial pilot I made 11k before taxes. I put in 60-70 hours a week at work. You only get paid when you're flying and a lot of flights are like .2 hours. That's $4 before taxes at $20/hr. Feel free to PM me.

That said, it's such a fun job and I love what I do. I couldn't/wouldn't do anything else.

 

5th gen T4R drawer system near done!
Just need to get solid faces laser engraved an recess the flush flip lock latches.

@cjsconcepts