Training, hours building and first job prospects in America
Join Date: Jan 2004
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At HAI they do the complete course for both JAA and FAA. JAA exams are the ATPL and the exams are sat at Sanford, about 30 mins drive from the school. JAA course available is PPL, CPL and FI. Same thing for the FAA, PPL through to CFII. HAI also has it's own Commercial LST examiner for modular courses, however twice a year a CAA examiner flys out to HAI for the intergrated course LST. Most people choose to do both JAA and FAA courses together from 0 hours to JAA CPL and FAA CFII which enables them to work in the US as a flight instructor gaining hours before returning to europe.
Do a search and you will find lots of info on here.
LB
Do a search and you will find lots of info on here.
LB
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Orlando FT Heli Courses
Hi all.
1st step on the huge ladder of CPL(H) looking to be taken.
I am currently finishing on my PPL(A) in the UK (Skills test next week), looking to gain my PPL(H) in January / Feburary 07, thought I might pick Florida, to keep the missus and Child happy whilst I am out flying.
I have seen lots of info on hear about OFT (A) training but none about their Heli operation.
Anyone here have any thoughts comments they would like to pass on.
They list on their site £5500 for a complete FAA PPL(H) and then £1500 for a JAA conversion (At Cabair).
A question I have is, would this give me a FAA and JAR PPL(H) what benefits are there of having a JAR PPL(H) over the FAA,
If I were to continue on my studies and complete the ATPL(H) or CPL(H) woudl this hold me back in anyway, I would be looking to Fly (Comercially) in the UK.
Many Thanks and please be gentle with me.
Mike
1st step on the huge ladder of CPL(H) looking to be taken.
I am currently finishing on my PPL(A) in the UK (Skills test next week), looking to gain my PPL(H) in January / Feburary 07, thought I might pick Florida, to keep the missus and Child happy whilst I am out flying.
I have seen lots of info on hear about OFT (A) training but none about their Heli operation.
Anyone here have any thoughts comments they would like to pass on.
They list on their site £5500 for a complete FAA PPL(H) and then £1500 for a JAA conversion (At Cabair).
A question I have is, would this give me a FAA and JAR PPL(H) what benefits are there of having a JAR PPL(H) over the FAA,
If I were to continue on my studies and complete the ATPL(H) or CPL(H) woudl this hold me back in anyway, I would be looking to Fly (Comercially) in the UK.
Many Thanks and please be gentle with me.
Mike
Join Date: Jun 2005
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Hi Mike
Are you aware that you can fly privately in the UK with an ICAO PPL(H) so I wouldn't see the point in spending £1500 on a JAA PPL(H) conversion, you could better put that money to your JAA CPL(H). Basically to start a JAA CPL(H) modular flying course you need 155 hours helicopter flight time and an ICAO PPL(H) you need to have a look in LASORS on the UK CAA's website to see the full requirements.
Advantages of a JAA licence over FAA or ICAO is it will allow you to fly in other JAA member states, not all JAA member states will allow you to operate with an ICAO PPL but the UK will (This only applies to private flights) I last spoke to the CAA on this matter about 2 years ago so give them a call to confirm this has not changed.
Good luck.
Are you aware that you can fly privately in the UK with an ICAO PPL(H) so I wouldn't see the point in spending £1500 on a JAA PPL(H) conversion, you could better put that money to your JAA CPL(H). Basically to start a JAA CPL(H) modular flying course you need 155 hours helicopter flight time and an ICAO PPL(H) you need to have a look in LASORS on the UK CAA's website to see the full requirements.
Advantages of a JAA licence over FAA or ICAO is it will allow you to fly in other JAA member states, not all JAA member states will allow you to operate with an ICAO PPL but the UK will (This only applies to private flights) I last spoke to the CAA on this matter about 2 years ago so give them a call to confirm this has not changed.
Good luck.
Hello,
OFT for yer ppl. OK.
I have been there and I can tell you that a lot of students bring the family over for a holiday and it never works out doing the flying and family at same time. it only cause's trouble trust me I have see it I used to work there as Helicopter CFI. I loved being there but I was'nt kept busy enough. There is a good guy there from Scotland. He'll help ya out. Don't do the JAA conversion in Cabair just fly on yer FAA ppl in Uk like most others. if ya want any advice pm me.
finn
OFT for yer ppl. OK.
I have been there and I can tell you that a lot of students bring the family over for a holiday and it never works out doing the flying and family at same time. it only cause's trouble trust me I have see it I used to work there as Helicopter CFI. I loved being there but I was'nt kept busy enough. There is a good guy there from Scotland. He'll help ya out. Don't do the JAA conversion in Cabair just fly on yer FAA ppl in Uk like most others. if ya want any advice pm me.
finn
Join Date: Oct 2006
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Try Tropical Helicopter in Leesburg, FL. It's just 30 miles northwest of Orlando.
www.tropicalhelicopter.com
Nice helicopters, great staff and they have a Flyit Helicopter sim.
www.tropicalhelicopter.com
Nice helicopters, great staff and they have a Flyit Helicopter sim.
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Essex/Suffolk
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HAI JAA Training Florida
I have done and seach but can't find anything on this.
I am looking to go to Florida in Set 07 to do my JAA CPL, then come back and do my IR course in the UK, then fly north sea oil rigs, untill I can get my hours up to fly HEMS.
I am looking for anyone, who has been to HAI in the US to do there CPL.
Pete
I am looking to go to Florida in Set 07 to do my JAA CPL, then come back and do my IR course in the UK, then fly north sea oil rigs, untill I can get my hours up to fly HEMS.
I am looking for anyone, who has been to HAI in the US to do there CPL.
- What did you think?
- What did you do about payment stages? I have heard that if you pay all up front you get bad service.
- What was the equipment like, were you ever not able to fly because of something (not weather)
- Where did you stay?
- Any other advice you can offer.
Pete
Search harder - theres plenty on this subject. If you want to get hours and a JAA CPL - Then DO NOT do the HAI JAA course. by all means go there- its a very good school, but it is also the most expensive JAA groundschool anywhere in the world (that i've found) - just go to heli.com and check out the prices. do total cost minus flight time costs and you'll see.
much better to get FAA CPL, then come home and do JAA theory after, or even before you go. you can then convert to JAA. If you plan to go there and instruct, then FAA will get you building hours far faster and far cheaper - the course is shorter, which means in the same amount of time you can come home with more hours.
much better to get FAA CPL, then come home and do JAA theory after, or even before you go. you can then convert to JAA. If you plan to go there and instruct, then FAA will get you building hours far faster and far cheaper - the course is shorter, which means in the same amount of time you can come home with more hours.
Join Date: Apr 2006
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Sound advise rudestuff. Get all FAA ratings first , build the hrs and do the JAA stuff the modular route. You wont be hired with 200 hrs JAA CPL ,you will be hired FAA CPL CFI 1000 hrs and then JAA !
Join Date: Nov 2004
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dr_peter
I concur with everything rudestuff & helilad have mentioned.
I did what you're planning and I would advise strongly against it. By all means do your FAA training there in short order time and with plenty of visa time left upon completion you'll have a very high chance of finding instructor / pipeline work to really boost your hours.
If you stick with with your combined JAA / FAA training plan you'll pay around $35 more for every hour you fly. Additionally you'll pay through the nose for ground school which many other folks have successfully self taught. All this will take you several months longer leaving your visa time thoroughly depleted. With little visa time left your chance of finding a flying job in the US is very slim indeed.
All that said - if you are indisciplined in self study then the JAA ground school may be for you. It was absolutely excellent - taught by first class instructors with tens of thousands of hours of real world experience.
Best of Luck
R1tamer
I concur with everything rudestuff & helilad have mentioned.
I did what you're planning and I would advise strongly against it. By all means do your FAA training there in short order time and with plenty of visa time left upon completion you'll have a very high chance of finding instructor / pipeline work to really boost your hours.
If you stick with with your combined JAA / FAA training plan you'll pay around $35 more for every hour you fly. Additionally you'll pay through the nose for ground school which many other folks have successfully self taught. All this will take you several months longer leaving your visa time thoroughly depleted. With little visa time left your chance of finding a flying job in the US is very slim indeed.
All that said - if you are indisciplined in self study then the JAA ground school may be for you. It was absolutely excellent - taught by first class instructors with tens of thousands of hours of real world experience.
Best of Luck
R1tamer
Join Date: Aug 2006
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Oh balls and I thought I had it all planned out.
I'm 31 now so I need to get on with it
I'll look into the FAA, maybe a PPL in the US then Groundschool in the UK, then back to the US to do the CPL, may work out cheeper.
I'm 31 now so I need to get on with it
I'll look into the FAA, maybe a PPL in the US then Groundschool in the UK, then back to the US to do the CPL, may work out cheeper.
Join Date: Aug 2006
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Its a good school with professional people there. You pay a deposit and then top up your account when its gets low. Generally, you will get an instructor assigned to you. You get to fly often unless the weather is bad. Hope this helps.
Join Date: Aug 2006
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Hi Pete,
I'm just about to head out to do the JAA CPL module at HAI. I've done the modular route around my job as a paramedic. I did the PPL out in Florida with a different school to HAI, came back to the UK, built up the hours to 180 and did the ATPL theory (distance learning) whilst working full time as a paramedic. Hard work, and obviously takes longer than doing it in a oner but you keep the money coming in.
This is where I'll get stick from the others: At no point have I ever wanted to instruct and I am fortunate enough to be able to self fund an IR here in the UK. So I have got my name down for one in the UK to complete asap after the CPL. I will then be in the hands of the Gods as to whether I will be picked up for offshore work with little over 200 hours but I still have my paramedic contract to tide me over.
So I would reccommend the modular route, self taught ATPL. The flying modules and exam brush ups can be done during annual leave. Therefore a full time job can be maintained (I cannot guarantee the same for marriages/relationships or a social life). I have heard nothing but good things from HAI and I am very much looking forward to my trip.
Thought I would put in the non FAA perspective. SFHawk.
I'm just about to head out to do the JAA CPL module at HAI. I've done the modular route around my job as a paramedic. I did the PPL out in Florida with a different school to HAI, came back to the UK, built up the hours to 180 and did the ATPL theory (distance learning) whilst working full time as a paramedic. Hard work, and obviously takes longer than doing it in a oner but you keep the money coming in.
This is where I'll get stick from the others: At no point have I ever wanted to instruct and I am fortunate enough to be able to self fund an IR here in the UK. So I have got my name down for one in the UK to complete asap after the CPL. I will then be in the hands of the Gods as to whether I will be picked up for offshore work with little over 200 hours but I still have my paramedic contract to tide me over.
So I would reccommend the modular route, self taught ATPL. The flying modules and exam brush ups can be done during annual leave. Therefore a full time job can be maintained (I cannot guarantee the same for marriages/relationships or a social life). I have heard nothing but good things from HAI and I am very much looking forward to my trip.
Thought I would put in the non FAA perspective. SFHawk.
Join Date: Nov 2004
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HAI
I started at Helicopter Adventures in 04. I enrolled on the JAA/FAA program and thought it was great! I will agree with the cost of the JAA ground school being a little on the high side, but as a package I dont think you can beat the experience.
I think if I were to do it again then I may have done the ATPL's in UK then go out to HAI on an M visa to do the flight training, then convert the M visa to a J visa before you get your CPL. You then have 2 years to work on the J.
Having completed the JAA, I went on to complete the FA CPL, IR, CFI & CFII where I got a job! Then took the JAA FI and taught on the JAA program....Back in the UK now on the JAA IR I feel there is hope for us all!
There are a lot of different ways to get to the same goal, but in my experience I had a ball!! Good luck to you all
RG:
I think if I were to do it again then I may have done the ATPL's in UK then go out to HAI on an M visa to do the flight training, then convert the M visa to a J visa before you get your CPL. You then have 2 years to work on the J.
Having completed the JAA, I went on to complete the FA CPL, IR, CFI & CFII where I got a job! Then took the JAA FI and taught on the JAA program....Back in the UK now on the JAA IR I feel there is hope for us all!
There are a lot of different ways to get to the same goal, but in my experience I had a ball!! Good luck to you all
RG:
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Well you can say that only 30% get hired....1/3 of my course got hired for the record. The reason I dont post on here is that the majority of posts are doom and gloom! I just thought I would let people thinking of going to HAI that it is a good course and there is success.
Have fun what ever you end up doing......
Have fun what ever you end up doing......
Join Date: Nov 2005
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Anyone heading to HAI in the near future?
Hi all,
Anyone heading to HAI in the near future?
What courses you doing??
I'll be over there soon enough doing JAA/FAA CPL and FAA CFI!
Anyone heading to HAI in the near future?
What courses you doing??
I'll be over there soon enough doing JAA/FAA CPL and FAA CFI!
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Up North
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Hey,
Yeah, I'm planning to go early next Feb.
Ultimately going to do the JAR CPL(H) modular course, but I want to do as much dual training as I can (when you're hours building, dual training is the cheapest it will ever be!). Would love to do the mountain flying course, but its dependent on a quota of students wanting to do the course - which they don't yet have, so its not definite.
Will probably do the sling load course and 300CBi type rating..
Will go for M-1 visa as I don't want to work there - I'm going to try my luck back in Europe for first job.
When are you planning to go there?
Would recommend you move this forum to Rotorheads - I only found your post by chance!
Cheers,
Yeah, I'm planning to go early next Feb.
Ultimately going to do the JAR CPL(H) modular course, but I want to do as much dual training as I can (when you're hours building, dual training is the cheapest it will ever be!). Would love to do the mountain flying course, but its dependent on a quota of students wanting to do the course - which they don't yet have, so its not definite.
Will probably do the sling load course and 300CBi type rating..
Will go for M-1 visa as I don't want to work there - I'm going to try my luck back in Europe for first job.
When are you planning to go there?
Would recommend you move this forum to Rotorheads - I only found your post by chance!
Cheers,
Join Date: Sep 2006
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I wish!
I meant that when you're hours building, the hours you need to fly are mandatory. Once you have done the minimum PIC time, the rest can either be PIC or dual - but the total required hours MUST still be flown. With this is mind, if you wanted to do some more training, the 'true' cost for the dual flying is really only the actual dual cost minus the self-fly cost, since if you didn't fly dual you would HAVE to fly solo to get those hours.
If you waited until you have built your hours and then did some dual training, the true cost of the training would be its full actual cost, since there are no more hours you 'have' to fly.
May seem like a pedantic point and I know that doing more dual training when hours building just adds to an already high cost, but I still think it is worth it. Simply, as said, this will be the cheapest that the dual training will ever cost you! Plus, since you will (hopefully) be flying PIC pretty much for the rest of your career, I think it is a good idea to get as much dual training as you can before someone lets you loose on a few million quids worth of spare parts..
Cheers,
I meant that when you're hours building, the hours you need to fly are mandatory. Once you have done the minimum PIC time, the rest can either be PIC or dual - but the total required hours MUST still be flown. With this is mind, if you wanted to do some more training, the 'true' cost for the dual flying is really only the actual dual cost minus the self-fly cost, since if you didn't fly dual you would HAVE to fly solo to get those hours.
If you waited until you have built your hours and then did some dual training, the true cost of the training would be its full actual cost, since there are no more hours you 'have' to fly.
May seem like a pedantic point and I know that doing more dual training when hours building just adds to an already high cost, but I still think it is worth it. Simply, as said, this will be the cheapest that the dual training will ever cost you! Plus, since you will (hopefully) be flying PIC pretty much for the rest of your career, I think it is a good idea to get as much dual training as you can before someone lets you loose on a few million quids worth of spare parts..
Cheers,