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Training, hours building and first job prospects in America

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Old 19th Nov 2006, 16:51
  #681 (permalink)  
 
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Well thats cleared that up
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Old 19th Nov 2006, 22:30
  #682 (permalink)  
 
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Clear as mud... i think...
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Old 19th Nov 2006, 22:55
  #683 (permalink)  
 
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guys, theres plenty of stuff on here about HAI, so do as much research as you can. Its a very good school - the standards they teach are excellent - and of course they can give out J1 visas... however, there are some negative sides...
Their JAA groundschool is the most expensive in the world - $20k+ - its one of the few areas where you can get something back home for a quarter of the price... Also, whatever kind of timeframe you think you'll be done in - add a bit then double it. I know several people (US citizens - so they had a choice) who went to other schools to finish up because it was taking several months just to get stage checks etc...

As for Dual - if you have the option - its always better to fly dual to build up time - less chance of getting into bad habits and more training to make you a better pilot. If you've got 50 or 60 hours to build - the extra for an instructor to get your FAA IR will be the best money you ever spent. for maybe an extra $1500 in instructor fees you'll get something that will save you tens of thousands of dollars/pouns later on. Get some R22 time - you'll need 50 to teach in one over there. Personally, i'd leave turbine/sling/mountain until later - you'll not be doing that stuff with less that 1000hrs realistically anyway. The key to getting a job is networking, not nessecarily qualifications - so make as many friends as you can.

My advice would be to forget about JAA until you come home - get FAA CPL and CFI as quick as possible and get some hours. once you get your foot in the country that visa clock is ticking... you need to get as much done as possible and get some time in instructing (assuming thats what you want to do..) Things like JAA theoretical study can be done at home after you get home (before if you're qualified, or during if you sign up for distance learning once you've got a private)

Having said that - you guys are in a great position - you're going to have the time of your lives
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Old 20th Nov 2006, 00:30
  #684 (permalink)  
 
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Well okay, maybe my post wasn't so crystal, but I knew what I meant!

RudeStuff maybe put it more succinctly - it's always better to fly dual to build up time..

There is indeed a lot of info on here about HAI, most of it old, but still worth the read. I did my research and the FAA/J-1 route isn't for me, but that doesn't mean it's bad. If my circumstances were different I might go for it.

Will leave turbine, but the sling and mountain I just want to do for fun - and to improve my skills..!

The FAA IR was tempting, but my advice would be to carefully think about where you want to go with that IR. If it's to a JAA ME IR then read through all the rules and cost it up in todays prices to see if it's worth doing, and more importantly how current your skills may be when you come to convert.

That said, if you're doing the J-1 FAA route, then you will have to do it!


See you on the beach!
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Old 20th Nov 2006, 03:34
  #685 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by SmokinHole
Will leave turbine, but the sling and mountain I just want to do for fun - and to improve my skills..!

See you on the beach!
Wise choice---If you are going to pay for Dual then you may as well push yourself and have fun doing it.

By the way the beaches in and around Titusville are not the best......
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Old 20th Nov 2006, 04:05
  #686 (permalink)  
 
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In which part of Florida you can fly "mountain"?
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Old 20th Nov 2006, 07:49
  #687 (permalink)  
 
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IMHO doing an FAA IR is a great idea though of course it does not have to be done immediately. As far as I can make out, in UK if you have FAA IR it means you and the ex mil guy will have the same training to do in order to get the JAR IR.... This is important when applying to the big companies. I recently met a guy who had done a 92 conversion at CHC in ABZ who had 250+ hours...why did he get hired...? Because he had gone and got himself a JAR IR...
I know this has been beaten to death on other threads but if you arrive back in EU with 1000hrs, an FAA CFII what then will they make you do these days...? Just curious as I am often asked....

PS Hiya Gordy...? Hows things going...? Say Hi to Barry Lloyd for me when you see him...
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Old 20th Nov 2006, 19:35
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Originally Posted by hostile
In which part of Florida you can fly "mountain"?
Their mountain course is done out of a small sub-base they have in California. Apparently you fly up into the Sierra Nevada mountains upto 10,000ft, landing at upto 8,000ft. Hmm, they use 300s for that course and I'm not quite sure if it will make it up that high, but I guess if it's cold enough.. Time to stay off the pies I think..

It sounds like good fun and good learning - operating at full throttle and trying not to overpitch! As with the Sling load, I doubt you'd get a job from doing these courses, but who really cares?! They'll still be great to put on the CV and even better to do.. Plus there is a chance they may mean the difference to an employer down the line against a guy who has never had that experience.. Well anyway, that's my justification for spending the extra money..!

Cheers,
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Old 20th Nov 2006, 23:54
  #689 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by Decks
PS Hiya Gordy...? Hows things going...? Say Hi to Barry Lloyd for me when you see him...
Who dis?
Things going good apart from me being in CA and wife in FL.... You wanna buy a nice house in Titusville????? Anyone?????
Fire season is over---have a few prescribed burns on the horizon and working on next years contracts already.
I do speak to Barry at least twice a week --- he is currently counting Elk somewhere......Will say hi from decks???? CO maybe? send PM.

To answer the other q's on this thread, yes the mountain course is from the Concord base. It is conducted in the Sierra Nevada mountains out of Reno, or in Northern CA up by Clearlake. !0,000 is pushing it for a CBi, years ago I did have a R-22 at around 9,000 but that was on a cold day with no breakfast!!!
Generally, one does not need to take the aircraft up that high to demonstrate mountain flying techniques---there is never a need to expose oneself to the added risk. The hills just outside of Reno Stead range from 4,500 feet and up---they are a perfect training ground. Hope this answers your questions.
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Old 21st Nov 2006, 01:09
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Originally Posted by IntheTin
Not sure about the school but Compton is the 3rd dangerous place to live in the states.
I visited Celebrity in Compton earlier this year. I think they are the cheapest in the country, 280 US with instructor in the R44. Thats what some companies charges for R22/300C time. The instructors were great and close to practice areas. Compton might not be the nicest place to be in after dark but the school looks good and is really cheap.
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Old 21st Nov 2006, 22:07
  #691 (permalink)  
 
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LA Traffic Watch B206 Hour Building

Just had a fantastic week flying with Phillippe for 25 hours in the Bell 206 doing traffic watch. I was not sure how good it was going to be but it totally exceeded my expectations in terms of gaining experience and being a hell of a lot of fun at $160 USD /Hour

Does anyone know of other countries / locations where as similar deal is available ?
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Old 27th Dec 2006, 11:28
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Hey guys,

Can anyone lead me to a website or contact details for ten 7 aviation or SkyOps in St Petersburg, Florida? I'm shortly looking at doing an FAA CPLH conversion (have NZCPL, C Cat) in Florida and have a place to stay here so I'm keen to find a school within driving distance... Any other reccomendations would be much appreciated too.

Cheer cheer
gentleben is offline  
Old 27th Dec 2006, 14:03
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Here are some Tampa area schools:

http://www.bayhelicopter.com/

http://www.tampabayhelicopters.com/
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Old 30th Dec 2006, 07:54
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Thanks for that Check 6, much appreciated, I'll check them out...
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Old 30th Dec 2006, 10:33
  #695 (permalink)  
 
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Flight training in Florida

Hey GentleBen,

I done my training at a school in Florida called Ocean Helicopters and the school was great but the best thing was the airport. The airport is uncontolled and there is no time wasted whilst getting ATC to deal with you and all the training is done on the airfield. most flight schools have to fly about 20 mins away from the airports to dp training in practice areas. Trust me it makes a helll of a difference.

Fun
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Old 9th Apr 2007, 15:49
  #696 (permalink)  
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Heli Schools In Florida help me?

Hi! I am getting ready to do my training in Florida but would like to know which of this schools is the best: Cloud 9 Helicopters or Palm Beach Helicopters? Or if someone knows of another school close to this ones would be great!

Thanks in advance

Marcelo
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Old 9th Apr 2007, 16:40
  #697 (permalink)  
 
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Palm Beach Helicopters has always been honest, fair, professional, and good in all my dealings. Good facilities and nice people.

You should really visit both and get an honest impression of each operation, then make an educated choice.

Hoss
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Old 9th Apr 2007, 16:55
  #698 (permalink)  
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Thanks a lot HOSS!!!
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Old 9th Apr 2007, 21:24
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it's a bit further north but it's worth looking at Bristow Academy
www.heli.com
Good luck with wherever you choose
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Old 9th Apr 2007, 23:23
  #700 (permalink)  
 
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Flying in West Palm beach

Hello Sir, I have attended all these mentioned schools, If you want just private pilot then go for Ocean Helicopters West Palm beach for a Private however if you want to do the JAA/FAA professional course then Bristow academy would be best or even do the private at Ocean and then visit the Bristow place before you decide to commit all that cash to full course.
funfinn2000 is offline  


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