Training, hours building and first job prospects in America

[IceHeli]

Hour building

The cheapest hour building "special" I have seen on that type is with Applebee aviation in Oregon.

http://www.applebeeaviation.com/

I have no other information about the company. Hope this helps.

BRGDS

I-H

[aclark79]

I'm not an expert on the M1 visa, but a number of our students come initially on thier M1, get thier private and no more than 50 hours past that, then return home, get thier J1 and come and finish, giving them alot more time on thier J1. The more time you have on a J1 the more hour building you can get and if you take a while you aren't hampered when looking for a job.

Some have said you can't come on an M1 and then a J1, but I personally know quite a number of students who have done or are doing it right now.

[C-HNGS]

I went to the US on a M1 visa and after my Pvt+50hrs I changed to the J1 leaving my 18 month to work in the states.
I agree with aclark79 it is the best and most effective way to start into this industry if you are from europe or even canada.

[MartinCh]

Some have said you can't come on an M1 and then a J1, but I personally know quite a number of students who have done or are doing it right now.

And I'd say it's very likely myth perpetuated by some less knowledgable persons and maybe some fixed wing schools that want you to 'tied up' to them on J1 from the scratch.

Both rotary J1 issuing schools make no secrets about some students choosing to do PPL (H) on M1 and later (they both let me know their ideal and max TT and ratings for them to consider me for J1), with not too many hours TT get J1 so they 'save' 3-5 months of training on J1 towards instructing.
It's been discussed numerous times. It's a good thing if you want to make the most of it. I'll go on J1 in the future and starting my M1 in just under 2 months :P

RE: H269/S300 time building - well, California, Oregon and Washington state all have some schools with S300/269. Just look into it. Florida's got obvious advantages during European winter time..

[Old Skool]

When i did it i'm not sure i would have had enough money to do the M1 and then J1. I think i only just had enough money to convince the immigration people i could last on the J1, If i had spent some of my money before turning up in London i may not have got the J1.
If you can secure the J1 before turning up to do the M1 then that would be ideal. I was just glad to get the J1, the people in London took some persuading.

[206Fan]

Cloud9 Helicopters Palm Beach..

Sorry guys, can't seem to find any posts on here regarding them..

Looking to go over and do the FAA PPL (H) shortly, cloud9 look the buisness for it and very cheap, cheaper than ocean might i add..

Anyone done their licence with them??

http://cloud9helicopters.com/index.html

Cheers..

[TJF97]

Visa for Transition??

I'm looking to do a transition from the R22 onto the Hughes 300,I'm 80% certain that I do but, will I need a M1 visa to go out to the states to do this?

I already have a FAA PPL(H), i've got the R22 and R44 already.

Answer's on a post card please!

TJF97

PS, Davy07 I went to Cloud9 if you need any info.

[ToTall]

Thats right, as a rated pilot you do not need a visa since you will not improve your skills but retrain on another helicopter.
Sunset Helicopters in Oregon has a 300c and a MD500.
Its also cheap accommodation close to the Aurora airport.

[choppertop]

Cloud 9

I did hour-building with Cloud 9 back in Jan/Feb and can confirm they are a very honest operation. I have no personal or professional link to them.

[206Fan]

I did hour-building with Cloud 9 back in Jan/Feb and can confirm they are a very honest operation. I have no personal or professional link to them.

Yea im booked in with them for end of july.. PPL..

[g-mady]

Can anyone recommend Specialized Helicopters? For an English student to do an FAA IR?
http://www.specializedheli.com/

Anyone used the company? Any thoughts?

MADY

[singesavant]

Well I wouldn't be too subjective, but two days ago I visited them for a long road trip job's hunting purpose and even though they don't have any jobs for me, I have to say that the guy at the front desk (I guess the boss and don't remember his name sorry), was very nice and very funny...
I wish I could have a CFI position in their company which for the little I have seen, looks great and pleasant place to stay in...
very friendly though
My two cents hope it's help ho and I am a foreigner also.

Davy

[matteolo]

Trainig in the bristow academy (JAA)

I am considering the idea to go in the US at the Bristow academy to do a CPL JAA course.
I would like to know some exeperience of people that have already do that.
What do you think about the school?
Wich course do you raccomend?
Is true that they usually employ students as instructors after the course?

thank you very much....please if you know something write it!!

[206Fan]

Can't answer you questions as ive not been there but ive heard their fully booked up until summer 09 or more.. Just a heads up from someone i know whos just back from there..

[BHenderson]

I'm across in the US at the moment and have met the first critic of Bristow's operation. The person claims that every pilot, except the one they employed, has not been up to speed. 'Symptom of a pilot factory.' This person has extensive experience.

[airlineboy75]

Vinil...

hello there vinil or should i say AJ....give everyone a break and stop self promoting you sham of a flight school..

[Whirlygig]

have met the first critic of Bristow's operation

I've met a few critics!!! Availability of aircraft, priority given to corporate students, poor advice re conversions/visas etc.

Cheers

Whirls

[MartinCh]

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

re: rotary JAA school. Bristow Academy have been/are the only rotary JAA FTO outside Europe (happens to be in Florida). Thought I'd add to this.

As some of you might have noticed, Heli West based at Jandakot airport in/close to Perth, Western Australia, advertised for Chief FI for their planned JAA rotary training programme here on PPRuNe.

Sounds interesting (not for my plans). I checked out their website, looks like ground school will be provided by WAAC and they'd do the flying part of training.

Who knows when they'd kickstart the whole thing, but I'm sure there'd be some folks interested. The ones that don't need J1 in the US (enough cash??) and ones that fancy W. Australia and part time work permit from the beginning of student visa (not that it matters so much for them, but..)
and prefer 'change of scenery' or Aussies heading to JAA land.

Time will see. I know this is about US training, just to mention it to update stated fact that are likely to change in near future.

[tonge]

Bristow Academy Visit

I'm visiting Bristow Academy on Monday, hopefully I'll do a little bit of flying and have a good look round. I'll let you know how I get on, some time next week.

Tonge

[abbywarn]

PPL H JAA Seattle R44?

I am trying to find a private pilot training base in Seattle or Washington, that uses Robinson 44's and the JAA curriculum - does anyone know of a school that meets this description? If need be it can be on the boarder between USA/British Columbia.
I would really appreciate your help,
Thanks,
Abby