Can I get a commercial helicopter license with a dui still in court?

Question

I have a DUI on my record from 2001. I also just got a dui in dec. of 2008, but its still going through court. I was planning on going to a commercial helicopter training school in Salt Lake City, but I don't know if the FAA will even give me an ok to get a license. The school said I would probably have to wait a year after I get convivted for the most recent DUI. But the FAA told me it didn't matter, and that I would just have to go through more steps as far as an evaluation with a therapist and all that jazz. What is true and what isn't. Should I wait till my DUI goes through court then get a medical exam, or should I just apply and have my medical exam done and go from there and just be honest with them even though I havn't been convicted of the dui yet. Also will I even be able to get hired as a commerical helicopter pilot with 2 dui's on my record? I have been told I will, and I won't. I just don't know. please help

Answer 1

The FAA will let you fly with one, two is an issue.  Suggest www.virtualflightsurgeon.com and pay for the help.  They are worth it.

Answer 2

You can take the training, but you are not going to get it past the FAA.  There are a lot of companies that won't hire you with 1 DUI, let alone two, particularly involving flying.  I'd suggest you start going to AA meetings... and by the way, what kind of car do you drive?  I don't want to be in front of you.

Answer 3

The above are quite accurate.  Having 1 DUI is not a career ender... usually you can get away with saying you were young and stupid.  Having 2 is a huge red flag to the FAA, any company, and quite honestly most pilots.  It's difficult to say that this was just a stupid mistake-- anybody will counter "didn't you learn from the first one?"  What makes a good pilot is not stick and rudder hand flying skills (althouh you do need to have a certain amount)... a good pilot is good at making decisions.  Obviously your decision making skills are questionable at best- think about that before you do any flying.  

The only thing I can recommend for your DUI problem (although I don't recommend you pursue this career) would be to get a good lawyer and hopefully get it knocked down to a reckless.  That'll take a darn good lawyer though-- you have a history of drunk driving.

My recommendation:  I wouldn't spend a dime on flight training if I were you.  There are way too many pilots out there without DUI's looking for those same jobs.  Very few companies will take the gamble on you- and the ones that do are probably marginal companies at best.  Also, get some help.  Join AA.  Do something.  There really isn't an excuse for this.

Answer 4

Please do us all a favor. Stay away from helicopters and autos until you solve your drinking problem. Maybe then I'll share my aviation expertise with you. I don't care what the FAA says, I don't want you endangering my friends and family in tha air or on the highway.

Answer 5

I would wait until the court proceedings are done.  If it results in a conviction, I wouldn't waste my time or money on flight training.  You face enough of an uphill battle with one conviction.  With two convictions, you'll have to first convince the FAA to let you fly.  The job search will be even harder.  The most important thing to an employer looking to hire people, other than flight experience, is consistent sound judgment.  Two DUI convictions is a major red flag.