Greetings forum,

I am 26 and am considering a career change. I have always wanted to fly an aircraft, and am really drawn to the diversity of applications of a commercial helicopter pilot license. I would strongly consider Medevac, SAR, Environmental Sensing, Private Charter/Tour as career concentrations (likely in that order).

Are there any organizations in New York that assist with training and fees with respect to the above careers? I would not consider the military or coast guard or a university like Embry Riddle to facilitate any of these aspirations. I just want straight training hopefully with networking opportunities, a license, and then part-time job to begin with. How many straight weeks of training is required (accounting for booking limitations with other pilots-in-training) if I were to take time off from my current career?

Could I secure a helicopter pilot job relatively easily these days? What is the employment forecast looking like, such as enrollment in aviation schools, is it high or low?

How much could I expect to pay out of pocket? What about an educational type loan, would those apply to non-universities such as Linden Airport KLDJ? I think this is what's called an FBO. Do they pay pilots in training?

Would an commerical pilot license be viable in other countries as well?

That's it for now. Thanks guys, looking forward to jumping head first into this field!