Training, hours building and first job prospects in America

[FrisBee.be]

JAA CPL(H) Course in the US

Hi guys,

Does any one know if there are any other flight schools in the U.S. apart from HAI/Bristow who have a JAA CPL(H) Course?

Thanks alot and best wishes for 2008

[WestCoastWonder]

Job prospects in the U.S.

I realize this forum is based in the UK, but I am interested in job prospects for an American helicopter pilot (both in the U.S. and abroad). The Bristow school here in Northern California is run by guys who all intend to return to Europe. Supposedly there is a 1000-hour ceiling, but as far as I can tell it varies widely by the job, but how many people have an opportunity to build hours as a fresh CFI? Also, the fixed wing rating costs far less initially but seems to have more limbo afterwards. Anyway, some serious guidance would be helpful...especially from someone who has done some serious job hunting here in the U.S. If anyone still looks at this thread...

BTW, Florida is weak...If you're going to come to the U.S. and blow your budget on flight school, you should consider how much nicer California is. I think Bristow is totally booked in Florida anyway...not so here

[MartinCh]

no, not really, Bristow Ac is only JAA heli outside EU/EEA

Hello.

This was talked through many times. There's two J1 heli schools, Pelican have J1 for FW but do RW (was discussed whether possible for rotary career program, no positive conclusions).

Bristow Academy, former Helicopter Adventures gain a lot on training Europeans to JAA papers so that's why they went far to get this sorted. I doubt there'd be any rotary JAA/EASA school in the US anytime soon. But could as well be, but not on J1 as the whole thing won't get any new approvals from US govt.

Another is Hillsboro Aviation, Hillsboro, Oregon. They have some FW training but mainly rotary so it seems. Someone complained here earlier on about lots of Chinese on FW programmes making things bit messy.
Hillsboro do only FAA licenses, naturally.

I was assured by Jenifer, school admin officer that things like scheduling problems were sorted by training block distribution and advance booking.

If you take time, you find it here. OR, just look at CAA website and find that PDF showing ALL JAA FTOs in the UK and abroad.
It also shows less known JAA plank schools in California etc.
Not just Naples, OFT, EFT, OBA for example as most folks make it only there and I think it's kinda overpriced. Even compared to California.
Not to mention that there's plenty other FW schools doing FAA only with M1 visa sponsorship. All it takes is some extra effort back in the UK or Ireland.

[Sam Rutherford]

JAA certified helicopter schools in USA or Canada

I know of Bristows in Florida - are there any others?

Sam.

[Whirlygig]

Not as far as I know!

Cheers

Whirls

[MartinCh]

Sam,

NO. NO OTHER JAA ROTARY SCHOOL IN THE US.
Just the one very well known. I know my posts are always messy and lengthy, but I only repeated what many said before.
Plus, you can check it out on CAA's website - JAA training schools. Their PDF is very detailed regarding rotary, FW, UK, abroad, contact details etc.
That would require some research, wouldn't it? :-P

How about oft at KSM. Isn't their chopper side JAA ? I looked at going there but they don't do the FAA CFI course. Air Orlando at ORL do and have an ex HAI instructor who is duel rated, not sure if they do JAA .....
On another note........l have been told that if your course is less than 18 hours a week you don't need a visa !!!!! is this true...... anyone ?

1: something similar was about Pelican on another thread. No positive conclusions to curious questions. Find it in history.

Did you read their website??
------------------------
FAA TO JAA CONVERSION COURSE


• 3 hours R-22 at Cabair Flying Schools
• Incorporated FAA/JAA Differences, plus “Flying in UK/Europe” difference
• 2 hours skills test
• Aircraft rental for skills test

Cabair Flying School locations:
Rochester – Redhill – Bedforshire – Cranfield – Estree – Blackbush
-------------------------
From this and offer of FAA PPL and FAA CPL - ONLY, you can guess.
They are friends (ie get commission or owned or whatever, who cares) with Cabair and you'd probably do some theory in the US towards JAA theory exam SAT IN THE UK with few hours flown there as well, to get JAA papers.


RE exHAI instructor at Air Orlando: Well, from what I've read (THIS WWW) and from common sense (if there is such thing with UK CAA :-/ ) being JAA instructor isn't enough. The school has to be as well. Plus having JAA examiner for checkride, etc etc.
If being FAA CFI and giving certain instruction on N-reg aircraft is enough for FAA (I presume, didn't research it) it isn't necessarily for JAA/JAR.

Otherwise you'd have 'JAA schools' all around the world - any Tom or Dick getting JAA FI in JAA certified school would go back to Latin America, Asia, Africa etc and set up his own school with one R22 or C152 and train another generation. Funny thought. Really.

Why would Bristow Academy do combined JAA/FAA if not for their students' sake of employability in FAA school should they not get a job with them after training. Or, more ratings, more fees. Besides, one can start JAA FI with 250 TT and then do it. In other words, students can do FAA CFI-I with 150-180 hours, then instruct FAA PPL students on Schweizers (thus being able to instruct under 200TT and min 50TT in R22/44 to conform with SFAR73) and get their JAA FI with enough hours. Or simply pay for all the hours until incl JAA FI.

malc4d, for visa stuff consult VISA and US thread and TSA website.
Opinions differ, if you don't have H, M, F visa or green card, you need legal status allowing you to get training towards rating or license. Except 'leisure flying aka hour building while having fun' on visa waiver, all the rest need paperwork. See yourself. Good luck training. I'm off to US in June.

[cpi2003]

Bristow Academy

Hey guys,

I am off in May to do my PPL in Bristow (HAI). I am looking at giving myself 2 months to get my FAA PPL and hopeful build in a few hours after I qualify.
I have already done 15 hours in Ireland in a Schweizer but I had to switch over to FAA because my eyesight let me down in the medical (I had the laser)
Anyway before I hand over my non refundable booking deposit of $3,000, quit my job and head over is there anything I should know about?

I feel 2 months is enough to pass the exams & checkride. Bristow is reliable at getting the job done (depending on the student of course) and I will only pay as I fly. I think I have everything covered but Im just making a final check before I part with my hard earned cash.

Any other issues I missed would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks guys

[aclark79]

You are going on an M1 visa right? No need to go J1 for just your PPL and you want to save the J1 for when you come back for your CPL and CFI and then work towards your total time, if you go that route.

[manfromuncle]

I am looking at giving myself 2 months to get my FAA PPL

Highly unlikely. More like 3-4 months

[PompeyPaul]

Helicopter training in Las Vegas

Partner wants to go to Vegas for New Years Eve, and I'm keen on it too. I'd love to build a few rotary hours whilst out there, having never flown in a helicopter before.

I have a UK JAR-PPL(A)

Some questions:

Are there any training providers out there ? I can't find anything but helicopter tours when I do a search. Preferably training in R44 or R22

Will I need to go through the whole M1 visa thing, or does my JAR-PPL(A) mean I can get out of that ?

I'm probably not looking to get a full PPL(H) but would love to maybe get solo, or even just have a few hours.

[alphabreak]

Schweizer 300CBi JAA in California

Hi Chaps, l am looking for a JAA approved school in the LA area that can train for the PPL(H) on the 300. The only JAA schools l can find have Robos.

I know the Bristows have a lot, but are in Florida.

Am part way through the JAA PPL, using the 300,and hence need to complete on this aircraft.

Am in LA a lot.

Any help very much appreciated.

Thanks.

[helonorth]

I am not aware of any schools in the US that do JAA training,
besides Bristow.
Bristow still has the school in Concord Ca., but that's near San
Francisco and I don't think the offer the JAA program there.

[206Fan]

Bristow is the only JAA approved school in the USA and thats florida..

[cpi2003]

Bristow

Hey guys,

I am looking to talk to anyone who has been to Bristow Academy (HAI). Im booked in for May and im at the final stages of getting my visa.

I am just looking to talk to anyone who was there aabout accommodation or whether I should rent a car. I am giving my self 2months but will push to get it done in 5 weeks (need to sit the FAA exams but already have about 20hrs done in a schweizer)

Thanks

[gusmagoo]

Hey cpi2003,
by chance i happen to know of a guy who's there now! (I think it's HAI!)
Try the email address here [email protected]
He has a car and digs!!!
Might be able to help...
Tell him gusmagoo sent ya!
pm me if the liks don't work...
Best wishes
GUS

[g-mady]

Helicopter training in San Francisco

Can anyone recomend good flight training schools in the San Francisco area?
Only for R22 / R44 flying but preferably a school someone has used and can recommend...

Thanks

MADY

[relyon]

Specialized Helicopters (http://www.specializedheli.com/) is a Robinson school and factory service center in Watsonville, CA, roughly 90 miles south of San Francisco off of US-1.

[Yuri Gagarin]

www.flymfs.com I trained over there and had a wonderful time! It is in Fresno. Maybe not as beautiful as San Francisco but surely much cheaper!

[helikiwi34]

Hour Building

pprune'rs

I have a New Zealand PPL (H) and looking to build hours in America, as is relatively cheap with our high NZ dollar at the mo. I want to stick with the schweizer 269 as trained on this, ....any recommendations will be greatly appreciated.

[HELOFAN]

I think that would depend o the type of visa you get..short term M1 long term J1.

Not sure how the M1 visa works.

I think majority of S300 schools are in Florida but there are some here and there.
HF