lowG,
My views on immune and his poisonous posts are well known and I'm very happy to see the back of Imlach, but must take issue with you about your comments on the cadet programme in Titusville. Although the course leads to the award of the FAA CPL(H), to fulfil the oil company requirements for low hour flying as crew in aircraft contracted to them, the Bristow cadets also do the EASA ground school as it's more comprehensive. The R44 is only used for the EFIS transition as many of the cadets will be transitioning to helicopters with EFIS as their first twin type.
The cost of the EASA/FAA combined programme with its 872 hours of ground school is $106,863. I was told that the company quote of $250,000 is not just the cost of the course, but includes air fares, hire cars, allowances whilst under training, HUET and twin conversion after training. Personally I think it's fair and I was quite happy to sign for the bond - I wasn't forced into it.