Bristow academy

[Hedge36]

I lived at my parents' place over in Brooksville, which is exactly 100 miles away on the other side of the state. This is not the sort of daily commute I'd recommend

There are a LOT of short-term rentals available in Titusville, and the fine folks at Bristow Academy are well-versed in assisting you with accommodations and, if necessary, finding like-minded flatmates with which to share them.

[Trans Lift]

Summerhill apts (bit more expensive but nice), windover oaks (not bad and cheaper), find a person who needs a roomate with an already furnished place (easiest)

[Hot_LZ]

I assume this thread is my best chance of speaking to pilots who have either attended Bristow Academy or are currently studying. I am looking at attending the academy in the next few years. I have alot of questions regarding the academy, if you wouldnt mind me asking away can you please PM me.

Thanks

LZ

[BusinessMan]

LZ if you post them here then everyone can benefit from the answers. I'd be happy to try to answer a few either way. BM

[Hot_LZ]

Il stick some of my questions down on the forum for the benefit of others but obviously everyone is going to come from different backgrounds and experience. Here goes some of the more generic questions:

How far in advance did you have to book onto a course?
How did people find the pre course administration (visa, funding, accommodation) and how much assistance did BA offer?
How much did you budget for your specific course and living?
On completion of the course what employment opportunities were available and what problems were encountered finding that first break?

Thanks

LZ

[Plain Torque]

Answers

How far in advance did you have to book onto a course?

I booked about 9 months in advance for the JAA course but that was before there was a waiting list. No sure what the waiting list is like now? If you have all the paperwork sorted and are flexible there always seems to be one person that drops out of a course at the last minute freeing up a place for someone else. So if you’re ready I'm sure you could get on an earlier course.

How did people find the pre course administration (visa, funding, accommodation) and how much assistance did BA offer?

I found the assistance and support services incredibly good, in fact at times a little bit too helpful. They have a lot of students to sort out so want to get you settled as quickly as possible and they do this very well if you go with the flow. However, there are some difficult people like me who want to shop around a bit!

How much did you budget for your specific course and living?

For the JAA/FAA combined course 2 years ago I budgeted a total of £45,000 but I had a very good exchange rate. When you are in country as a bare minimum you can live on $1000 a month, if you share and don't go out much: $200 food, $400acc, $200bills, $100car insurance and gas, $100 misc. If you want to enjoy your weekends and see some of America which should be part of the experience then add more.

On completion of the course what employment opportunities were available and what problems were encountered finding that first break?

If your determined, flexible, resourceful and don't piss anyone off, the first break and job should come. Just start looking early and don’t bank on getting a job at the academy. It is challenging given the current climate however I managed just as things were getting bad and came away with 800 hours and an excellent experience. It is the second break in Europe which is proving challenging! Still no work and back doing a job I was doing as a teenager for 1/3 the salary that I was getting before I headed off to the US. But I'm not giving up!!!

[BusinessMan]

- booking in advance depends upon demand for the course at the time. You'll need a good couple of months for the visa paperwork but with the job market as it is the 18 month waiting lists for the JAA course itself (being quoted in 2007) have evaporated as far as I understand. Best bet is to give Anisha Hopkinson a call at BA (contact details on their website)

- pre-course admin is very good, in general. They are helpful and want to get you sorted so you can concentrate on the course. However, don't expect them to do everything for you - they'll make suggestions, give you contacts and show you around but you've obviously got to get these things done for yourself. They're pretty slick with the visa side of things

- course costs are on the Bristow Academy website (they'll have changed from when I went). Living costs I'd agree with Plain Torque, perhaps just adding that you'll need to budget on buying a car at the start and that it is very easy to spend a lot more than you originally budget because there's an active social life etc to up that spend! Cost of flights etc too - would you want to come home for xmas, do you want to see some of the US while you're there etc? That'd all add plenty more etc

- As P T has stated above; there are really 2 times when you're looking for that break. 1stly trying to get a job at Bristow Academy as an instructor (if that's your plan) and then again on return to your country. BA don't take everyone on and their own demand from students will dictate how many people they need. Getting a break back home ... well at the moment the market is dead & it's very, very difficult because there really isnt much to go for. When will the market pick up? That's been discussed on many other threads. The truth is things change fast and when you'd graduate would be completely different to when we did.

One extra thing to think of, if you hadnt already, is that getting a job with just a CPL isnt likely to happen in the UK. You'll need either an IR(H) or Instructor qual, which will both set you back lots more £. At the moment neither will guarantee you a job though - just a lot more expense!!

HTH. BM

[blade400]

hey guys, im in my last couple of months at bristow academy now so will be leaving to go back home and therefore selling the contents of my appartment, full furnishings including 2 sofas, bed, desk, coffee table, 32" LCD flat screen TV with stand, lounge chair, high table with stools, desk chairs, lamps, all kitchen utensils (minus white goods obviously). You name it and its probably in this package. everything was bought new less than a year ago, mainly from ikea, all matching and colour coordinated, looks really good!! even got 3 white boards. cant put everything on here, but there really is everything to make an empty apartment a home.

also got plenty of photos, looking for $2000 for the lot, and seriously it is worth it, its a real hassel when u first arrive here to get everything sorted out.

also selling my truck, its a 1998 dodge ram, white, runs and drives perfectly and hasnt let me down once all year.

[Gordy]

I gotta say it---and bear with me...tis late at night and I may regret this in the morning....but really.... "little fluffy clouds" is your e-mail address....

Lemme guess, the color scheme is in pink right....hardly the image your average helicopter pilot wishes to portray..... Me thinks that even "fair Whirls"... our token "leveler" of all things...will think this e-mail address may be a little "******".....

[mtoroshanga]

Talk to SASless about your things, he likes pinky fluffy things I've heard!!

[muermel]

Hi everybody

I'm going to be in the JAA/FAA combined course starting September 13th and I'm looking for a room around Titusville. I'm planning to arrive around September 1st - 5th so if anybody is leaving Titusville and wants to sell his stuff and or car and has a nice room to recommend or knows somebody that is leaving, please PM me or reply here. It's much appreciated.

greetings

[birrddog]

If you don't come right before you get there, I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express nearby (I was only there for a week though). It was reasonably priced (~$100/day), and staying at a Holiday Inn will make you an expert on anything you plan on doing

It was on the water, pleasant, clean, and a short drive away.

Once you are there no doubt you'll quickly mingle with other students who could help you out, assuming you don't get some leads before hand.

[muermel]

@ birddog

Thanks for the advice. I read in the student guidebook that there are some hotels in the area that give discounts for Bristow students so you end up with $ 42 for a night at the Best Western in Titusville. But I was going to check the quality of the recommended hotels anyway.

Are you a graduate too?

Greetings

[birrddog]

Not a graduate though did some refresher training down there.

The advantage of staying at the Holiday Inn means you get to wear this t-shirt and use the expression as an answer to your instructor

[hihover]

Vital

"Professor" I believe!

Tam

[marcel1970]

Leaving Titusville......

Hi there,

After a year of great experiences in Titusville and at Bristow we are moving back to Europe again.

Having accumulated complete household inventory in the mean time for a family with two children.

Anyone interested in arriving in Titusville and moving straight in without any hassle looking for all the stuff yourself? Literally everything you need is here. Even a car if you want. And the house for that mater.

Time frame: mid December 2010

Give me a PM

Gr, Marcel

[ropelleri]

Beware NEW Bristow students

Kevin the student services assistant is going to take you to ISLAND MOTORS.
(would not be surprised if he gets a share)
NEVER EVER BUY A CAR FROM "TONY" @ ISLAND MOTORS.
He will take advantage of you knot knowing the value of cars in the states, and 90% of the cars are rubbish and will most likely break down.

Just a heads up........most of my class mates bought their cars from ISLAND MOTORS, not knowing better, and almost all of the cars were overpriced and constantly breaking down.

[muermel]

Used cars

I can't confirm the former statement. Sure, Island Motors isn't the cheapest place to buy a car. But at least you usually get 30 days of warranty. And if you bargain a bit you sure don't pay the full price.
Had my fan and AC unit replaced, brake discs, parking brake adjusted again and engine check light fixed for free 3 weeks after purchase for a fair price. I was even offered to take a car from the dealership for free for the time my car was being repaired.

I shopped around for cars at other dealerships and private sellers but they are even worse. I test drove 5 Jeeps, no car was in reasonable shape for the advertised prices and none of the dealers or private sellers was willing to agree to a reduction in price cause of the many faults the cars had.

Buying a car here IS a gamble because their is no mandatory checks on the safety and/or condition of your car like in many EU-contries so I was happy to have at least 30 days of warranty.

I bargained a bit with Tony and got a good price. I checked on the web for a comparable car but didn't find anything in range. So I'm quite happy with my car as are all of my classmates. We all agree that it isn't the cheapest place though.

Good idea is to start looking for a car on the web before you arrive here. Choose 2 or 3 specific models and look on the web for offers once in a while. You will get a good idea what is an ok price and what isn't.

Greetings

[dinofootball]

Im looking to head down to Titusville at the end of oct for a few months of training, just curious if anyone around there need a roommate or know of short term places that would be worth while?
I have also thought of just shacking up in a best western or something some what near by for the time being
any insight?
thanks
b

[muermel]

Best Western is ok for some days, for a few months it gets rather pricey. They offer a discount for Bristow Students (have to call them to get it).

My best advice would be to get in touch with Kevin Gallagher at Bristow Academy since he is in charge of the academy's own apartments. The apartments are furnished and for example Summerhill Apartments has a pool, gym, close to the Academy and close to Walmart.

greetings