Training, hours building and first job prospects in America
Gatvol
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: KLAS/TIST/FAJS/KFAI
Posts: 4,195
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you dont get an answer here,try going to (www.justhelicopters.com) go into the forum and ask the same question. You will no doubt get an answer or ten. Be prepared for some idiotic answers as there are a lot of wannabes in there.
Good Luck...
[ 27 December 2001: Message edited by: B Sousa ]</p>
Good Luck...
[ 27 December 2001: Message edited by: B Sousa ]</p>
The Original Whirly
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Belper, Derbyshire, UK
Posts: 4,326
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hour Building in the US
I recently got my CPL(H), but there's no work for 200 hour R22 pilots, and I need another 100 hours before I can do an instructors rating. I have too many commitments to go abroad long term, but decided a short flying "holiday" in the US or Oz might get me at least half of those hours at less than the exorbitant cost it would be in the UK. On JustHelicopters website I found the following:
<a href="http://www.stellarhelicopters.com." target="_blank">www.stellarhelicopters.com.</a> Based in Florida, offers R22 hour building at $125/hour.
<a href="http://www.heliclass.com." target="_blank">www.heliclass.com.</a> Los Angeles area. Offers B206 conversion course in a week, then B206 at $120/hour, flying sightseeing tours of LA. Not sure if you could do this on a visitors visa - does it count as work?
Does anyone know anything about either of these operations? I've had my fingers burned in the past in aviation; I'm not crossing the pond and spending lots of money without finding out all I can first. E-mail me privately if you prefer - address is in my profile.
All other hour building ideas gratefully received!
<a href="http://www.stellarhelicopters.com." target="_blank">www.stellarhelicopters.com.</a> Based in Florida, offers R22 hour building at $125/hour.
<a href="http://www.heliclass.com." target="_blank">www.heliclass.com.</a> Los Angeles area. Offers B206 conversion course in a week, then B206 at $120/hour, flying sightseeing tours of LA. Not sure if you could do this on a visitors visa - does it count as work?
Does anyone know anything about either of these operations? I've had my fingers burned in the past in aviation; I'm not crossing the pond and spending lots of money without finding out all I can first. E-mail me privately if you prefer - address is in my profile.
All other hour building ideas gratefully received!
Gatvol
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: KLAS/TIST/FAJS/KFAI
Posts: 4,195
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I saw the L.A. job where YOU pay to fly..Now thats some smart outfit.....I dont think they consider that work, because for some reason your not being paid...Call the folks.......Do the stuff and after a couple hundred hours if someone squawks and says, you can do like most helicopter pilots........."Ok, I wont do it anymore, nobody told me." At least you have the hours in the book.
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: long beach, california
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
haven't heard anything about stellar. heliclass is a guy named phillipe. his 206 sign off consists of 2 hours flying and 10 hours of fround school which includes all the books etc. you might want to ask furthur about the rates because i heard he had an increase to $160 hr.
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: long beach, california
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
forgot to say that it is not considered work because you are building hours. the uk though will only accept so many of these hours as time towards your commercial, so check with them as to how many they would accept. if you have your conversion you should be able to count all of it. the caa wants you to have P1 time which they consider tobe solo only.
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: UK
Age: 71
Posts: 1,364
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A number of UK pilots have gone and done the "cheap B206" flying around LA. I went a few years ago to Group 3 Aviation at Van Nuys. Basically, after a check out flight, you fly with a CPL who is doing some useful work - usually flying a traffic patrol for a radio station. You do all the stick time, and it is a good way of building experience on the JetRanger. If he is keen you will even get a chance to do some mountain flying practice. I was doing about 5 hrs per day, covering morning and evening rush "hours". My only reservation is that the good old CAA probably would not consider it to be PIC time for you, if they were to look at it closely. In the past, they have taken the view that the "other guy" is the PIC and (as far as the CAA are concerned) there can only be 1 PIC. I believe that other regulators take a different view. However, you could always do it and see if they noticed, but you should be aware of the risk?!
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: UK
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
similar idea "traffic watch" in LA <a href="http://[email protected]" target="_blank">[email protected]</a> $135.00 an hour
I'm in the same situation low time cpl looking for 300 hrs, have you thought about South africa at 15 rand to the pound must be looking cheap.
Good news at the end though signs of a shortage in UK instructor's ????????
I'm in the same situation low time cpl looking for 300 hrs, have you thought about South africa at 15 rand to the pound must be looking cheap.
Good news at the end though signs of a shortage in UK instructor's ????????
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: London
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I spent a week hours-building in the States, flying a JetRanger for an LA radio station with Chuck Street. Chuck's based at Fullerton which is not far from Disneyland. We flew all over the LA area, North as far as Malibu and South to Orange County. I'd highly recommend him.
(The photo is of Chuck Street, not me!)
I don't know whether the CAA would allow the hours for a CPL. I'm only a PPL and did it for the experience not hours building, so I didn't bother to check.
Chuck's site at Commander Chuck
(The photo is of Chuck Street, not me!)
I don't know whether the CAA would allow the hours for a CPL. I'm only a PPL and did it for the experience not hours building, so I didn't bother to check.
Chuck's site at Commander Chuck
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Sunrise, Fl. U.S.A.
Posts: 467
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Brought this to the top, as I spoke to Jody over at stellar.
He trained where I am, at Volar, and has an operation goiign out of Stewart (SUA).
He decided that it would be great if someone who wanted to build time and want to fly around could do so at a reduced rate, and at $125/hr he isn't making any profit on it. That's basically it, no evil put you to work and making you pay for it, etc. deals ... he won't do auto's, but you can do just about anything else, and fly, not a straight rental, sorry.
You can call him on his cell at 954-292-4938 and schedule to fly, even you guys coming from the expo, Orlando isn't that far from Stewart ...
Seemed like a nice guy, might even drive up (an hour) if I'm inclined to do some flying in that area, by driving up there, I could do another 30 min further north in the 22, maybe even see the Cape, etc.
He trained where I am, at Volar, and has an operation goiign out of Stewart (SUA).
He decided that it would be great if someone who wanted to build time and want to fly around could do so at a reduced rate, and at $125/hr he isn't making any profit on it. That's basically it, no evil put you to work and making you pay for it, etc. deals ... he won't do auto's, but you can do just about anything else, and fly, not a straight rental, sorry.
You can call him on his cell at 954-292-4938 and schedule to fly, even you guys coming from the expo, Orlando isn't that far from Stewart ...
Seemed like a nice guy, might even drive up (an hour) if I'm inclined to do some flying in that area, by driving up there, I could do another 30 min further north in the 22, maybe even see the Cape, etc.
Suggestions for flying in California
I'm off to California on Friday to spend three weeks poling a Robbie around, in an attempt to get the 50 hours I need to get to the hours requirement for the JAR CPL(H).
I'll be flying from Long Beach, but intend taking a machine away for days at a time. I have a few ideas for itineraries but I'm up for suggestions and also want an idea of whether they're practical.
Itinerary 1. LA, San Joaquin Valley to San Francisco, back down the coast.
Itinerary 2. LA, Las Vegas, Death Valley (Furnace Creek) because I want a minus MSL airfield in the logbook, then back to LA.
Other thoughts. LA, Las Vegas, east of the Sierra Nevadas to Reno, over to Tahoe then SF ( rather than the San Joaquin Valley ).
Any suggestions for best / safest routings, hotels, sights to see, things to do, things not to do ? My wife says she'll castrate me if I go to the Grand Canyon without her, so I suppose I'll have to go to dinner with my tall, blonde, American boss who's on sick leave in SF !!
I'll be flying from Long Beach, but intend taking a machine away for days at a time. I have a few ideas for itineraries but I'm up for suggestions and also want an idea of whether they're practical.
Itinerary 1. LA, San Joaquin Valley to San Francisco, back down the coast.
Itinerary 2. LA, Las Vegas, Death Valley (Furnace Creek) because I want a minus MSL airfield in the logbook, then back to LA.
Other thoughts. LA, Las Vegas, east of the Sierra Nevadas to Reno, over to Tahoe then SF ( rather than the San Joaquin Valley ).
Any suggestions for best / safest routings, hotels, sights to see, things to do, things not to do ? My wife says she'll castrate me if I go to the Grand Canyon without her, so I suppose I'll have to go to dinner with my tall, blonde, American boss who's on sick leave in SF !!
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: london
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was out there in Nov and went flying with rainbowair at long beach. Did a couple of days training before a 4 day xcountry to grand canyon, vegas and back - about 900miles. Due to the high density all our landings and takeoffs where of the running kind. I then combined the trip with going to the saftey course in torrence. best $350 you'll spend in your R22 career!!!
Have fun in california and remember your sunglasses.
Have fun in california and remember your sunglasses.
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: California
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nr, The valley route has more chance of delaying you because of weather but is nice if it's clear.
The other item to watch for is winds from the north if you're heading towards Las Vegas. As you approach the mountains that encircle LA to the north (and especially in the Cajon pass)the turbulence can be severe. I fly a 7500lb twin and have been tossed around like a rag doll in those winds. The notam-pilot reports many times have no mention of the turbulence in the pass at all. If even ten knots is coming out of the north I would be very dubious in a light, teetering head machine. If you do happen upon it you may be able to climb above 9-11,000 feet to reduce the turbulence.
Lots of traffic, watch out for that too !!
Enjoy the trip !!
T.
The other item to watch for is winds from the north if you're heading towards Las Vegas. As you approach the mountains that encircle LA to the north (and especially in the Cajon pass)the turbulence can be severe. I fly a 7500lb twin and have been tossed around like a rag doll in those winds. The notam-pilot reports many times have no mention of the turbulence in the pass at all. If even ten knots is coming out of the north I would be very dubious in a light, teetering head machine. If you do happen upon it you may be able to climb above 9-11,000 feet to reduce the turbulence.
Lots of traffic, watch out for that too !!
Enjoy the trip !!
T.
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: London
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It goes without saying that you'd have to drop in at Torrance. I suppose it'll be too late now to get onto the Safety Course, even if they're running one to co-incide with your visit, but I'm sure they'll give you the Cooks Tour. Only 10 mins from Long Beach.
Gatvol
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: KLAS/TIST/FAJS/KFAI
Posts: 4,195
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Since you apparently have no fear while driving a Robbie. Add Big Bear Lake on your list. If your going to Death Valley, look at doin a RON in Bishop California, that will take you up the Owens Valley. Very Beautiful in places.. .Then if you really want to hang it out, go over the Sierras via the Yosemite Valley and in to Fresno. Then North To Stockton, Sacramento (be sure and see Cameron Park, Ca, the homes there have taxiways to the airport) and over the Sierras again via South Lake Tahoe.. .Having flown that area for over thirty years, I can give you a bunch of fun sites if your just burning fuel. My email is good.
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Florida
Age: 52
Posts: 418
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Fly down the coast to Carlsbad and visit us at Civic Helicopters. It's a beautiful flight and takes about an hour from LGB. Phone number is 760 438 8424. Look forward to seeing you. (maybe).
Just a numbered other
Whilst in the Death Valley area, pop over to Beatty, Nev. Just on the edge of the weapons range and a good night stop. Cheap motels and a great pub, The Sourdough Saloon. Airfield with hangarage, loonie 'nam vet. called John who will talk at you for as long as you've got to listen
<a href="http://www.onroute.com/destinations/nevada/beatty.html" target="_blank">Beatty</a>
<a href="http://www.onroute.com/destinations/nevada/beatty.html" target="_blank">Beatty</a>
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Home
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
U.S.Helicopter Add-On Rating Schools
I need help with information for reputable Helicopter Training Schools in the United States.
I would like to convert my FAA Fixed wing commercial license to a Helicopter commercial with Instruments. (ADD-ON)
Basically I am looking for a good school with decent prices and reliable machines as I may even go on to get my CFI(H) and CFII(H)
After my training I am looking at taking up a job with a company that operates Bells and Eurocopters and would like to make sure I get to the right school for the training.
Any information or advice would be highly appreciated from this forum.
Regards. .Zazoo
I would like to convert my FAA Fixed wing commercial license to a Helicopter commercial with Instruments. (ADD-ON)
Basically I am looking for a good school with decent prices and reliable machines as I may even go on to get my CFI(H) and CFII(H)
After my training I am looking at taking up a job with a company that operates Bells and Eurocopters and would like to make sure I get to the right school for the training.
Any information or advice would be highly appreciated from this forum.
Regards. .Zazoo