Training, hours building and first job prospects in America
Join Date: Sep 2002
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Thanks for the tips - I am not sure what the difference is between getting an FAA licence based on my UK one, or getting an FAA one in its own right, but think that for the second option I would need to get a visa which adds to the paperwork.
Anyway, it seems academic now as I still can't find an R44 in Ohio - other than the police one, and I doubt I will be able to borrow that!
Anyway, it seems academic now as I still can't find an R44 in Ohio - other than the police one, and I doubt I will be able to borrow that!
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I beleive that if you go the FAA checkride way you will have to do the oral test as well. Personally I take the other route. I did and the only thing you cannot do is fly at night.
Join Date: Jul 2002
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USA School Recomendation
Hi all,
Thanks for reading this post.
I am a low hours (70) PPL(H) on R-22.
In the summer I move to the USA for 2 years with my work and will be looking to take advantage of the cheaper rates to do some hour-building to get me closer to the CPL H threshold. May also do the CPL groundschool.
I've checked various websites for schools in the Baltimore, Washington DC, Maryland areas but if anyone has any recomendations or advice based on personal experience that would be most welcome.
Thanks for reading this post.
I am a low hours (70) PPL(H) on R-22.
In the summer I move to the USA for 2 years with my work and will be looking to take advantage of the cheaper rates to do some hour-building to get me closer to the CPL H threshold. May also do the CPL groundschool.
I've checked various websites for schools in the Baltimore, Washington DC, Maryland areas but if anyone has any recomendations or advice based on personal experience that would be most welcome.
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KevBac
Does it have to be R22 or would you be interested in adding another type to your logbook and experience? eg Bell 47.
RDRickster is your man for that area. He researches things very throughly and I'm sure he'll have some recommendations.
Does it have to be R22 or would you be interested in adding another type to your logbook and experience? eg Bell 47.
RDRickster is your man for that area. He researches things very throughly and I'm sure he'll have some recommendations.
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Thanks,
haven't really thought about anything other than modern training machines really but wouldn't rule the Bell 47 out. Thats the old machine with bubble like cockpit iirc ?
Is RDRickster contactable via a school or operator?
haven't really thought about anything other than modern training machines really but wouldn't rule the Bell 47 out. Thats the old machine with bubble like cockpit iirc ?
Is RDRickster contactable via a school or operator?
Join Date: Mar 2000
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Yes, the Bell 47 is "the old machine with bubble like cockpit". 
It's old, but it's still a superb helicopter for building experience.
You might want to check Dutch Country Helicopters
or
Blue Ridge Helicopters
They're both easily accessible from the areas you're asking about, charge about $200 per hour and have been highly recommended by people on this forum.
RDRickster is on the forum regularly - I'm sure he'll see your enquiry soon and respond.
Heliport
It's old, but it's still a superb helicopter for building experience.
You might want to check Dutch Country Helicopters
or
Blue Ridge Helicopters
They're both easily accessible from the areas you're asking about, charge about $200 per hour and have been highly recommended by people on this forum.
RDRickster is on the forum regularly - I'm sure he'll see your enquiry soon and respond.
Heliport
Join Date: Jul 2003
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Howdy!
All of the schools in the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area are Part 61 schools, and I have flown with all of them - except one. There are a lot of different environments to fly nearby (mountains, valleys, coastline, and Class B-G), so this is a good spot to be.
Advanced Helicopter Concepts
Frederick, MD (45 mins from Baltimore)
2-3 x R22 Beta's & 1 x R44 Raven II
Blue Ridge Helicopter
Winchester, VA (1 hrs 45 mins from Baltimore)
1 x B47G2
American Helicopters
Manassas, VA (1 hrs 30 mins from Baltimore)
2 x R22 Beta II's, 1 x 300CBi, & 1 x R44 Raven II
Bay Bridge Helicopters
Annapolis, MD (45 mins from Baltimore)
1 x R22 Beta & 1 R22 Mariner
Horizon Helicopters
Newark, DE (20 mins from Baltimore)
1 x 280FX
Since you are already a pilot and you are working on CPL or CFI, I recommend flying with ALL of the schools above. First, you will want to find out first hand, which schools are right for you. Secondly, this will give you an opportunity to fly different types of helicopters in your area.
The two places that top my list for training (in order) are:
Bay Bridge Helicopters*
Advanced Helicopter Concepts
Both are about the same distance from Baltimore. Advanced is closer to the mountains and larger valleys. Bay Bridge will give you the chance to fly over coastlines, marshes, and other areas. For training, both are excellent - but Bay Bridge will probably be easier on your pocket book.
The two places that top my list for fun (in order) are:
Blue Ridge Helicopter
Bay Bridge Helicopters*
I recently flew from San Diego, California to Kent Island, Maryland on a ferry trip for Bay Bridge Helicopters. You can see details of that trip, including a few photos, on this thread. I am biased towards these folks, but for good reason. That's why you have to fly with ALL of the operators in the area, so you will be confident that you made the right decision.
There are other places to fly with, such as Helicopter High - just minutes from uptown Baltimore. However, that is one of the places I have decided NOT to fly with. My reasons are personal, so it is up to you to check them out. Perhaps management has changed and they now realize that customers are important, not bothersome.
There are a few other places for training, but they are a bit farther away. For example, the nearest Part 141 school is Chesapeake Bay Helicopters in Chesapeake, VA (about 4 hours from Baltimore). They fly 333's, 300C's, and 300CBi's. I have NOT flown with this group... yet.
Another place to visit while in the area is East Carolina Helicopters in Washington, NC (about 6 hours from Baltimore). They fly Brantly B2B's for primary training... the only place in the U.S. that does so. I HAVE flown with this group, and it has been one of my best flying experiences.
See B2B Flight Review for more details.
Regards,
R2
All of the schools in the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area are Part 61 schools, and I have flown with all of them - except one. There are a lot of different environments to fly nearby (mountains, valleys, coastline, and Class B-G), so this is a good spot to be.
Advanced Helicopter Concepts
Frederick, MD (45 mins from Baltimore)
2-3 x R22 Beta's & 1 x R44 Raven II
Blue Ridge Helicopter
Winchester, VA (1 hrs 45 mins from Baltimore)
1 x B47G2
American Helicopters
Manassas, VA (1 hrs 30 mins from Baltimore)
2 x R22 Beta II's, 1 x 300CBi, & 1 x R44 Raven II
Bay Bridge Helicopters
Annapolis, MD (45 mins from Baltimore)
1 x R22 Beta & 1 R22 Mariner
Horizon Helicopters
Newark, DE (20 mins from Baltimore)
1 x 280FX
Since you are already a pilot and you are working on CPL or CFI, I recommend flying with ALL of the schools above. First, you will want to find out first hand, which schools are right for you. Secondly, this will give you an opportunity to fly different types of helicopters in your area.
The two places that top my list for training (in order) are:
Bay Bridge Helicopters*
Advanced Helicopter Concepts
Both are about the same distance from Baltimore. Advanced is closer to the mountains and larger valleys. Bay Bridge will give you the chance to fly over coastlines, marshes, and other areas. For training, both are excellent - but Bay Bridge will probably be easier on your pocket book.
The two places that top my list for fun (in order) are:
Blue Ridge Helicopter
Bay Bridge Helicopters*
I recently flew from San Diego, California to Kent Island, Maryland on a ferry trip for Bay Bridge Helicopters. You can see details of that trip, including a few photos, on this thread. I am biased towards these folks, but for good reason. That's why you have to fly with ALL of the operators in the area, so you will be confident that you made the right decision.
There are other places to fly with, such as Helicopter High - just minutes from uptown Baltimore. However, that is one of the places I have decided NOT to fly with. My reasons are personal, so it is up to you to check them out. Perhaps management has changed and they now realize that customers are important, not bothersome.
There are a few other places for training, but they are a bit farther away. For example, the nearest Part 141 school is Chesapeake Bay Helicopters in Chesapeake, VA (about 4 hours from Baltimore). They fly 333's, 300C's, and 300CBi's. I have NOT flown with this group... yet.
Another place to visit while in the area is East Carolina Helicopters in Washington, NC (about 6 hours from Baltimore). They fly Brantly B2B's for primary training... the only place in the U.S. that does so. I HAVE flown with this group, and it has been one of my best flying experiences.
See B2B Flight Review for more details.
Regards,
R2
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KevBac
Blue Ridge Helicopters, Winchester, VA.
Rick and I went to Blue Ridge together last summer and I endorse his recommendation.
It's a small operation run by a father and son, both professional pilots. I flew 5-6 hours over two days with Garrett, who flies the Fairfax County Police Bell 407, and learned a lot.
I'll definitely go back when I'm next in the Washington area. Highly recommended.
The local flying area is breathtakingly beautiful - the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley. Here's a link to some photographs which give an idea but don't really do justice to the beauty of the countryside. Click here.
Dutch Country Helicopters, Lancaster, PA.
DTC is a conventional school, an hour from Baltimore. Excellent instruction, facilities and customer service.
I flew with the CFI, Darren Lucas - a Brit. I'll definitely go back when I'm next in the Philadelphia/Washington area.
Lancaster is in the heart of Amish country - a fascinating area you really should visit. I haven't got any photos I can post but, if you've seen Witness (Harrison Ford and Kelly McGillis), it was filmed there.
Highly recommended.
Bell 47
I strongly recommend you get some B47 time while you're in America. They are few and far between in the UK and prohibitively expensive. Blue Ridge charge $250 pr hr. Dutch Country is even cheaper @ $200 pr hr - both significantly less than R22 time here!
Although I now fly Gazelle and Jetranger, like most people these days I did my basic training in the R22. I'm not knocking the R22 - many of us wouldn't be flying helicopters at all but for Frank Robinson - but the B47 is more of a 'real' helicopter. The R22 is demanding, but in ways unique to the design of the R22. The B47 is a challenge to fly well, but stable and forgiving, and IMHO a better foundation for moving on to bigger helicopters.
Don't be put off because it's old - you made me feel old when you asked if the Bell 47 was 'the old machine with bubble like cockpit'
. It's one of the best and most successful helicopters ever built, and a superb trainer.
Have a good time!
Tudor Owen
Blue Ridge Helicopters, Winchester, VA.
Rick and I went to Blue Ridge together last summer and I endorse his recommendation.
It's a small operation run by a father and son, both professional pilots. I flew 5-6 hours over two days with Garrett, who flies the Fairfax County Police Bell 407, and learned a lot.
I'll definitely go back when I'm next in the Washington area. Highly recommended.
The local flying area is breathtakingly beautiful - the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley. Here's a link to some photographs which give an idea but don't really do justice to the beauty of the countryside. Click here.
Dutch Country Helicopters, Lancaster, PA.
DTC is a conventional school, an hour from Baltimore. Excellent instruction, facilities and customer service.
I flew with the CFI, Darren Lucas - a Brit. I'll definitely go back when I'm next in the Philadelphia/Washington area.
Lancaster is in the heart of Amish country - a fascinating area you really should visit. I haven't got any photos I can post but, if you've seen Witness (Harrison Ford and Kelly McGillis), it was filmed there.
Highly recommended.
Bell 47
I strongly recommend you get some B47 time while you're in America. They are few and far between in the UK and prohibitively expensive. Blue Ridge charge $250 pr hr. Dutch Country is even cheaper @ $200 pr hr - both significantly less than R22 time here!
Although I now fly Gazelle and Jetranger, like most people these days I did my basic training in the R22. I'm not knocking the R22 - many of us wouldn't be flying helicopters at all but for Frank Robinson - but the B47 is more of a 'real' helicopter. The R22 is demanding, but in ways unique to the design of the R22. The B47 is a challenge to fly well, but stable and forgiving, and IMHO a better foundation for moving on to bigger helicopters.
Don't be put off because it's old - you made me feel old when you asked if the Bell 47 was 'the old machine with bubble like cockpit'
. It's one of the best and most successful helicopters ever built, and a superb trainer.Have a good time!
Tudor Owen
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Heliport, RDRickster, Flying Lawer.
Many many thanks for the in-depth and informative replies.
My comments on the B47 came from an affectionate standpoint and i was by no way knocking it. How can i when i've yet to even see one close up?!!
My simple websearch only turned up Advanced Helicopter Concepts and Helicopter High so thanks for all the other pointers and links.
RDRickster / Flying Lawyer please check your PM.
Thanks again.
Kev
Many many thanks for the in-depth and informative replies.
My comments on the B47 came from an affectionate standpoint and i was by no way knocking it. How can i when i've yet to even see one close up?!!
My simple websearch only turned up Advanced Helicopter Concepts and Helicopter High so thanks for all the other pointers and links.
RDRickster / Flying Lawyer please check your PM.
Thanks again.
Kev
Join Date: Dec 2003
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Flight School In San Antonio Texas
I'm currently a PPL (H) and will be finishing my Instrument rating soon. Upon completion I plan to move to San Antonio Texas and have had some challenges in finding a flight school to complete my commercial training. I have only been able to locate one school (Helicopter Experts Inc.). I was wondering if anyone has any information on this school or others in the area? Any and all input is greatly appreciated!
Join Date: Oct 2001
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Gomexjr,
Helicopter experts is the only helicopter flight school in San Antonio. The next nearest helicopter flight school is over an hour away. Not a lot of choice, therefore, but if you find a good instructor at Helicopter Experts, go for it! The best school in the South, I feel, is Vortex in Long Beach, MS, about seven or eight hours by car East of San Antonio. Feel free to ask me any questions about San Antonio, as I have just moved there myself a few months ago.
Helicopter experts is the only helicopter flight school in San Antonio. The next nearest helicopter flight school is over an hour away. Not a lot of choice, therefore, but if you find a good instructor at Helicopter Experts, go for it! The best school in the South, I feel, is Vortex in Long Beach, MS, about seven or eight hours by car East of San Antonio. Feel free to ask me any questions about San Antonio, as I have just moved there myself a few months ago.
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thanks rotorusa! I was afraid that was the answer I was going to hear. It's Ok, I still have a trump card I can play, just need to check out how they maintain their equipment. I appreciate the offer on the information, but I have family in SA and spent almost every summer as boy living on the Northwest side with my grandparents. That is part of the reason I was looking to move there, because it is familiar and close to home. I may just stay in the drizzly rain of Seattle for another year 
I just wanted better flying weather and cheaper cost of living to finish my commercial and instructor ratings.
I just wanted better flying weather and cheaper cost of living to finish my commercial and instructor ratings.
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San Antonio Flight School
I received my commercial helo add-on from Helicopter Experts. Can't say enough about Mike, he got me to my checkride in 48 hours. He's a terrific instructor and does most of his own maintenance. When I started, he had well over 6,000 accident free hours instructing, and I'm guessing he probably has around 7,500-8,000 hours now. Would be difficult to find a better instructor, he's flying a fairly new R-22, think it's a Beta, and he also has a 44.
He is busy as he has an awesome reputation that is well deserved, but he can likely work you into the schedule. If not he will tell you up front. Was truly a privilage to fly with Mike. I started my CFI with him also, but I'm being transfered with my job and unfortunately won't get to finish with him. Be happy to answer any specific quesions you may have.
Bill
He is busy as he has an awesome reputation that is well deserved, but he can likely work you into the schedule. If not he will tell you up front. Was truly a privilage to fly with Mike. I started my CFI with him also, but I'm being transfered with my job and unfortunately won't get to finish with him. Be happy to answer any specific quesions you may have.
Bill
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Helicopter Adventures, Inc. - Hillsboro Aviation
Hi, I'm a 23 year old german who wants to start his professional helicopter training either with HAI or HA (since I want to do the course in 8-11 months and need an J-1 visa) but I'm still undetermined, since it seems that things have changed recently in either school. I want to go through the following program:
private pilot
instrument
external load
mountain
commercial pilot
flight instructor
flight instructor instrument
and would like to ask you to describe your experience with either( both) schools in recent months. Has anyone done HAIs JAA course - experience?
Thanks
private pilot
instrument
external load
mountain
commercial pilot
flight instructor
flight instructor instrument
and would like to ask you to describe your experience with either( both) schools in recent months. Has anyone done HAIs JAA course - experience?
Thanks
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R U F*#king kidding
Correct me if im wrong but do you plan to complete that whole list in 8-10 months. because if you are you are dreaming.
also why so interested in instructing and instrument sounds like you should go fixed wing (become a flap fag).
Some hours might be handy to before you start teaching some other poor c*#t how to fly IFR.
dont take this the wrong way but maybe you should just get your cpl first and then decied what to do.
also why so interested in instructing and instrument sounds like you should go fixed wing (become a flap fag).
Some hours might be handy to before you start teaching some other poor c*#t how to fly IFR.
dont take this the wrong way but maybe you should just get your cpl first and then decied what to do.
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HAI JAA
Hi
I have done the JAA CPL(H) at HAI. I found it hard and had to put a lot of effort into it, but I managed to get all 14 on first attempt. The Instructors are first class and I thououghly enjoyed it. Mind you the courses are all booked up now till middle of next year I think.
I have done the JAA CPL(H) at HAI. I found it hard and had to put a lot of effort into it, but I managed to get all 14 on first attempt. The Instructors are first class and I thououghly enjoyed it. Mind you the courses are all booked up now till middle of next year I think.
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Realistically you could get all those ratings under the FAA system in that amount of time that you have expected. It all depends on how hard you work, the dedication and time you and your instructor can put in, and on the availability of helicopters and good weather. I have known people that have done so in 7-8 months, so it is possible.
Having been to HAI myself, I would highly recommend it. I dont really know how HA is, but HAI has the advantage of all year round weather.
The JAA system will take you a minimum of nine months, as it is a set schedule. Its a good JAA course, and the recommended way to do it would be to get your FAA PPL, then do the JAA course, and whilst you are doing that you can get your FAA CPL, CFI and then do your FAA Instrument and CFII after you get your JAA.
From my experience that is the quickest way to get all of it, but it is gonna take some very commtted work load to get it all in 10 months.
They also offer a sling loading course and they do a mountain course that you can do once you have your FAA PPL.
I dont exactly know what EMS-KMAX means, as in my experience, if you are looking to get a job after your training you are only really gonna get an instructor job, so of course you should get your CFI. And these days those without an instrument and CFII license are las ton the list to getting hired. So I would highly recommend getting them.
Good luck and if you need any other info on HAI let me know.
Having been to HAI myself, I would highly recommend it. I dont really know how HA is, but HAI has the advantage of all year round weather.
The JAA system will take you a minimum of nine months, as it is a set schedule. Its a good JAA course, and the recommended way to do it would be to get your FAA PPL, then do the JAA course, and whilst you are doing that you can get your FAA CPL, CFI and then do your FAA Instrument and CFII after you get your JAA.
From my experience that is the quickest way to get all of it, but it is gonna take some very commtted work load to get it all in 10 months.
They also offer a sling loading course and they do a mountain course that you can do once you have your FAA PPL.
I dont exactly know what EMS-KMAX means, as in my experience, if you are looking to get a job after your training you are only really gonna get an instructor job, so of course you should get your CFI. And these days those without an instrument and CFII license are las ton the list to getting hired. So I would highly recommend getting them.
Good luck and if you need any other info on HAI let me know.
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heli training ppl USA
Save me trawling through dozens of threads...anybody recommend a US helicopter flight training school leading to JAR ppl(H) or US will do.
Me Uk ATPL fixed wing 9000hrs FI.
Looking for something a bit different...but still up in the sky!
Thanks in advance.
p.s. have US ppl(A) issued 10yrs ago based on my UK CPL.
Me Uk ATPL fixed wing 9000hrs FI.
Looking for something a bit different...but still up in the sky!
Thanks in advance.
p.s. have US ppl(A) issued 10yrs ago based on my UK CPL.
Last edited by BigEndBob; 4th Jul 2004 at 16:12.
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You don't have to trawl through dozens of threads.
Click here ~ Training in America
Click here ~ Training in America