Hi from Kansas (Pocatello, Idaho Falls, Eagle: 2009, purchase, school)

[Brwright]

Well in a few years I will be getting my commercial pilots license from Dodge City Flight school (Helicopters). I was wondering if there is a demand in Idaho, (I miss the west, I used to live in Oregon moved here nothing but darn wheatfields when I was 9.)
Mostly looking into not doing scenic tours. I think I would enjoy life flight, and news chopper flying that sort of thing. I was hoping for something around the Orifino area, well around northern Idaho, I would even take Border Patrol. Just wondering what the demand was for a job in this area.

[cleosmom]

I'm not so sure there's any chance at a news 'copter in Idaho, but I know our Life Flight keeps busy between Idaho Falls, the dunes and U of U.

[norcalmom101]

Utah Helicopter just opened a new flight school in Pocatello. I bet they can answer your questions.

Utah Helicopter

[Brwright]

thanks for the replies, I'll check into them.

To be honest though I'm going to get my commercial license here, because it is offered as a college course and I could get full financial aid which would help tremendously instead of me shelling out 80k for flight school.

[IdahoEagle]

Most of the helicopters in North Idaho are used for logging, you might look into that also.

[Toyman at Jewel Lake]

I'd second IdahoEagle's comments, at least that's where I've seen them most commonly. I don't know how hard it would be to get work without experience, the couple of pilots I've talked with have military time.

[Brwright]

Originally Posted by Toyman at Jewel Lake

I'd second IdahoEagle's comments, at least that's where I've seen them most commonly. I don't know how hard it would be to get work without experience, the couple of pilots I've talked with have military time.

Well by the time I get out of flight school I'll have 150 hours of flight time but can't get experience if no one hires me

[cleosmom]

Originally Posted by Brwright

Well by the time I get out of flight school I'll have 150 hours of flight time but can't get experience if no one hires me

Ain't that the truth! One thing I would suggest no matter where you wind up is that you look into keeping current and getting in some flight time, maybe Civil Air Patrol?

[Mtn. States Resident]

Originally Posted by norcalmom101

Utah Helicopter just opened a new flight school in Pocatello. I bet they can answer your questions.

Utah Helicopter

Utah Helicopter expanded (doubled) the size of their Idaho Falls school in 2008 before they opened up the one in Pocatello. They must be placing pilots somewhere.

AIR IDAHO, the air ambulance to EIRMC in Idaho Falls was sold last year to the large private company that owns many air ambulances. You might want to contact them....they cover St. Pat's in Missoula, Kallispell, but not sure about Idaho.

There are more Air Medical Helicopters flying in Idaho than ever before. With this purchase of AIR Idaho, EIRMC essentially staffs 1.5 helicopters/day, given how many flights/day. Don't ask me to explain from a pilot's perspective..........those who know what I mean know medically. If you don't, it is sa great question to ask Omni, who now owns them. This is their link: Omniflight Helicopter, Inc. | The Premier Provider of Air Medical Services. Info about Idaho Falls specifically is in this news release: Untitled Document

MSR

[Brwright]

Thanks for the information, and I planned on the Civil air patrol.