The Adventures of Chopper Chick!: I'm still here, just very busy and no internet!!!

Monday, August 28, 2006

I'm still here, just very busy and no internet!!!

Hey everyone! Sorry for the delay in blogging! I love to check in and read what everyone has to say. I don't have time to respond though since I do not have internet of my own at the helibase. I spent 21 days in Scott Valley up in Yreka CA on fires up there, now back at our base in Independence finally. I have so much to say and sooooo many photos to post, but as usual no time to do so at this moment. The flying and scenery up here it the best in the world as far as I'm concerned. In my 16 years of flying in L.A. this is by far the best flying up here in the Inyo. I live at the helibase in a trailer now! It's actually pretty cool! I go for a walk at the end of the day and watch the sun set against the amazing mountains we are surrounded by(took my dirtbike out the other day too) and then once back at the base I sit outside my trailer and read and have a glass of wine while watching the sun go down and the helicopter sit there surrounded by these awesome mountains topping some 14 thousand feet. Then the sky gets darker and the helicopter is silhouetted by the windsock light and the stars come out like you wouldn't believe. It's the best! So much fun! Have a great week everyone! Thanks again for all the comments!

6 comments:

trevor said...: Hey Desiree, Glad you are OK!!! Just missed seeing you in Independence. I stopped by on the way back from Crowley. Saw the "CIA ship" on the pad but the guy at the helibase said the crews had changed and you were off to another assignment. Anyways, glad you are well.

Trevor
da40flyer@yahoo.com; 10:53 AM
Laguna said...: Watching the light go down in the Owens, you can't take a picture of it but you might be able to throw some words that might capture it.
Edward Abbey who wrote "The Fool's Progress: An Honest Novel" worked the USFS route for a number of years and he threw out some words that captured what your seeing.
Your on the same path and seeing a rare part of the landscape and the people that reside in it.
Good night baby sister.; 10:53 PM
SD said...: Good to hear from you Desiree!
It took me 4.5hrs to drive from Glendale to La Quinta last week...it's time to trade the wheels for some wings!
We're still running around down here like insects on a mission to nowhere, wish'n for a day like your's.
You be good...well at least act like K?
Safe Journey's Little Lady,
SD; 4:33 PM
Desiree said...: Hey Trevor, Yep, I was up in the Klammoth when you stopped by. The CIA ship is our hollywood bird we use for movies. Most recently it was in Resident Evil in NM. We use it for fires as well.; 12:31 PM
Desiree said...: Laguna, words will never describe what I'm seeing and feeling when I watch the stars at night and the sun and the clouds and the colors. It's too cool working up here. Thanks!!!!; 12:32 PM
Desiree said...: SD, I'm fortunate I do not really ever have to drive in traffic, especially LA traffic. Flying to all of these different fire locations is the best way to travel. The amazing things we see that no one will ever see. It's truly a birds eye view. I'm having fun! Thanks!; 12:34 PM

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PHPA / Professional Helicopter Pilots Association

Promoting safety and
understanding among
helicopter pilots, the PHPA
continues its mission
contributing to the critical
operations maintaining safe
helicopter missions and
acting as a liaison with the
community.

Coordinating efforts towards improving communications, methods of operation within the airspace system, or any other area that will contribute to the safety and education of all pilots;
Provide a forum for identifying and seeking resolution to local problems of interest to the membership;
Promote community relations between the public and the helicopter industry.

The PHPA is a national
organization with the
corporate office in
Los Angeles, California.

Become a member and help
support your helicopter
community.

Go to:
http://www.phpa.org/

Board of Directors
Executive Officers & Board of Directors
Robert Butler - President
Alan Frawert - Vice President
Tom White - Secretary
James Paules - Treasurer
Board of Directors
Morris Cohen
Guillaume Maillet
Chuck Street
Ed Story
Desiree Horton
Gary Hollbrook
Pat Carey

Board of Advisors
Ricarda Bennett Esq - Legal Advisor
Alex Calder - Web Administrator

How I got started..........

For those of you who are looking at a life of flying helicopters or just curious how I started and got where I am today, read on.......................

I have been flying helicopters for over 18 years and mostly here in Los Angeles until recently in 2005 when I started fighting fire as a contract pilot all over the U.S. during the summer and in the off season on occasion. Currently I fly for about six different companies as a free lance contract pilot. My main company that I work for is Heli-Flite/Aris Helicopters in Riverside, CA, where I do Aerial Construction flying, fly for Corona Police Department, and fly fires during fire season. In the off months outside of fire season I fly some news and photo and movie production flights for various other companies which some of them I have been working with for over ten years. Since I have received many emails in regards to how does one become a helicopter pilot.....I am giving a little insight to those of you who ask how I got started and how much it costs to become a pilot, well it's a long story and everyone has a different story as to how they got their start. Some people had it easy, some people had it tough, some joined the military, others did the civilian route. There are so many different ways to do it and no one has the same story. As far as cost, well it was alot less 18 years ago, so you will have to check with a flight school on that one. I started flying when I was 19 years old and at the time I couldn't get a loan, so I worked two jobs 7 days a week and after two years, finally got my private. If you can get loan, it will not take you that long as I could only afford a couple of lessons a month. I never got my CFI as I found other ways to build time. Even 18 years ago being a CFI did not pay the bills, so I worked other jobs and flew part time over the years to build my time. I washed helicopters in exchange for flight time. I even paid for left seat time for quite some time to build hours. I jumped on any chance I could get for free flight time riding along with other pilots in an empty seat. I made lots of sacrafices and had no time to myself. It was all about flying, kinda how it still is today. hahaha. Anyway, I started a dba and made brochures and brought myself my own flight business doing tours and photo flights out of a Hughes 269 and an R22. Eventually I had some money to put myself through Bell Factory School which enabled me to fly a Jetranger early in my career with very little time. Back then insurance companies did not require massive amounts of flight time. With just 300 hours and factory school, I now had a jetranger to run my tours in. It eventually led to flying for other companies. Sending myself to Bell school opened up opportunities and possibilities for me. It was also my reputation that opened doors. Attitude is everything. You will not suceed in this business with a poor attitude. Keep that in mind. Trust me, I'm not perfect. We all don't have perfect attitudes, but you know what I mean. My job offers took off from there. I was doing tours for various small tour companies and flight schools and then started flying traffic watch, then soon I was flying news in a 206 which later led to an astar. When I got into fire, I sent myself to long line and mountain flying school. Sometimes if you want something, you will have to pay for it to get ahead and open doors for yourself. I found a company that hired me with no fire experience. With my training I had paid for and experience from flying over the years I was on my way to do what I had always dreamed of doing, fighting fire from a helicopter. I was patient as it took time to get where I am today. You have to be patient sometimes. I still get impatient on occasion and want it all now, but it just doesn't work that way. So my advice to up and coming pilots who ask how to do it? Find a good school, find some money, stick with it, don't ever stop, don't make excuses, don't let others discourage you as that will happen your entire career, and you will suceed and get what you want eventually. Good luck!

By the way, some pilots never stop paying their dues. Sometimes if you want certain things to happen in your career you will find yourself making the same sacrafices later on, but the sacrafices seem even greater because with time, comes more responsibility and more to lose when sacrafices are made. But sometimes the gain is worth it!