Training, hours building and first job prospects in America
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Italy
Posts: 593
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi guys,
In 6 months going to US to add a CPL-IR to my fixed wing license.
Selected Precision helicopter ( Oregon) and Bristow academy ( louisiana)
Aiming to fly SIC off-shore, since I already have about 1500 IR in planks.
Opinion about 2 schools?
Any suggestion?
In 6 months going to US to add a CPL-IR to my fixed wing license.
Selected Precision helicopter ( Oregon) and Bristow academy ( louisiana)
Aiming to fly SIC off-shore, since I already have about 1500 IR in planks.
Opinion about 2 schools?
Any suggestion?
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: UK, US, now more ɐıןɐɹʇsn∀
Age: 41
Posts: 889
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Precision at Newberg Chehalem, if you must fly S300, is probably better value/money compared to most Schweizer operators. Another advantage is plenty of instrument approaches/airports nearby. Tim's nice guy, you'd probably fly with Tim most of time.
OTOH, Bristow Academy's premium prices are offset by the 'brand' on your CV. More limitations, higher pace (at least compared to Titusvile, not sure about Louisiana, though), etc.
Precision isn't that busy. It's located at privately owned public airport. It's quite short strip for airplane guys (only been there in heli couple times) but won't matter for S300. Though you'd come and take 'our' pattern in KMMV a lot for autos.
Oh, they're also doing some contract training in S61R and recently some buzzing in EC135 at KMMV. I wish my noise signature in R22 as as nice as the 135.
OTOH, Bristow Academy's premium prices are offset by the 'brand' on your CV. More limitations, higher pace (at least compared to Titusvile, not sure about Louisiana, though), etc.
Precision isn't that busy. It's located at privately owned public airport. It's quite short strip for airplane guys (only been there in heli couple times) but won't matter for S300. Though you'd come and take 'our' pattern in KMMV a lot for autos.
Oh, they're also doing some contract training in S61R and recently some buzzing in EC135 at KMMV. I wish my noise signature in R22 as as nice as the 135.
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Canada
Age: 29
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Possible scenario?
Hello,
This is my first post here. For some reason I still don`t know how to start my own thread...
Therefore I am posting this here.
I am aware of the difficulties of becoming a pilot. I am not one of those who thinks he`ll be flying 777s in 5 years time. I am still deciding as to how I want to achieve my goal of becoming an airline pilot (in Canada) and I`m wondering if this scenario is a realistic one.
Get my pilots licenses (ppl and cpl) while attending Uni part-time. Then keep on building my hours any way I can (probably flight intructing) and continue going to university part-time. My main concern is that I won`t have the time to flight instruct full-time and go to school part-time.
The main advantage I see in this is I`ll be able to spend more years flying and building hours while at the same time getting a degree to become a more competitive candidate as opposed to going to University full time for 3 years ( in quebec) and barely be able to fly as I study.
I`m posting this to hopefully get some insight and make a decision. Do you guys think my plan is realistic ?
Sorry for making this so long and posting it here in this unrealated thread.
This is my first post here. For some reason I still don`t know how to start my own thread...
Therefore I am posting this here.I am aware of the difficulties of becoming a pilot. I am not one of those who thinks he`ll be flying 777s in 5 years time. I am still deciding as to how I want to achieve my goal of becoming an airline pilot (in Canada) and I`m wondering if this scenario is a realistic one.
Get my pilots licenses (ppl and cpl) while attending Uni part-time. Then keep on building my hours any way I can (probably flight intructing) and continue going to university part-time. My main concern is that I won`t have the time to flight instruct full-time and go to school part-time.
The main advantage I see in this is I`ll be able to spend more years flying and building hours while at the same time getting a degree to become a more competitive candidate as opposed to going to University full time for 3 years ( in quebec) and barely be able to fly as I study.
I`m posting this to hopefully get some insight and make a decision. Do you guys think my plan is realistic ?
Sorry for making this so long and posting it here in this unrealated thread.
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Aberdare, Wales
Age: 31
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cheap n' cheerful: Helicopter pilot license in the USA - Ocean Helicopters
Top of the line: Helicopter Flight Training - Bristow Academy Inc
Top of the line: Helicopter Flight Training - Bristow Academy Inc
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Flight School
Have you looked @ SRT Helicopters in Ca.
They offer training in S300C's, and also can train you in an R44 if you choose. They are an M1 Visa approved school, and to date have a 100% first time pass rate.
They also offer fixed wing training, and conduct most of their Instrument training at night, so you are also building valuable night and night cross country.
If you do their professional pilot program, they suggest the following course of training.
PPl Helicopter
PPL Fixed Wing Add On
IFR Airplane (you will usually get 10 to 20 hours of actual IFR)
IFR Helicopter Add On
Mountain Course
Com Helicopter
CFI
CFII
The avg cost for all of that is usually 55 to 60K US
They have a FLY IT Simulator which also helps keep some of the costs down.
They do alot of advanced mission training such as SAR as well.
Lots of pictures and info on their facebook page.
They offer training in S300C's, and also can train you in an R44 if you choose. They are an M1 Visa approved school, and to date have a 100% first time pass rate.
They also offer fixed wing training, and conduct most of their Instrument training at night, so you are also building valuable night and night cross country.
If you do their professional pilot program, they suggest the following course of training.
PPl Helicopter
PPL Fixed Wing Add On
IFR Airplane (you will usually get 10 to 20 hours of actual IFR)
IFR Helicopter Add On
Mountain Course
Com Helicopter
CFI
CFII
The avg cost for all of that is usually 55 to 60K US
They have a FLY IT Simulator which also helps keep some of the costs down.
They do alot of advanced mission training such as SAR as well.
Lots of pictures and info on their facebook page.
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Wherever the wind takes me...
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
They are an M1 Visa approved school, and to date have a 100% first time pass rate.
The avg cost for all of that is usually 55 to 60K US
Seem to good to be true... Are you a recruiter?
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Somewhere along the ITCZ
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
SRT
I would stay clear of SRT in Bakersfield, CA.
Do not let their website deceive you, it does look pretty fancy with all the pictures and catchy lines but you will be dragging yourself to complete your training in a timely pace.
Stopped their briefly a few years ago for some training and was majorly disappointed: they only had one S300 serviceable then but not in good shape, in fact I didn't see it fly at at all and one 1973 C172 totally overpriced. In all fairness the facilities are not bad at all, they had decent classrooms for ground instruction right on the airfield (KBFL). You will most likely get a young CFI with little experience up to your Commercial, nothing unusual in that except for the fact that they advertise for highly skilled, specialized and experienced instructors with SAR / Law Enforcement / Military / HEMS experience. Those guys are indeed related to the company but you won't have them during basic training.
They always seem to be tight on cash so you will be pressured to make deposits and "pay as you fly" will be frowned upon.
Last but not least, Bakersfield is the ultimate armpit, it sits at the bottom of the San Joaquin valley and frequently suffers from the Los Angeles ' smog settling in the valley, reducing horizontal visibility quite drastically at times, once again slowing down your training.
How they could possibly achieve certification for M1 visa sponsoring is a mystery to me.
I agree with DauphinDude: SFDOC is biased.
There are numerous fantastic flight schools across the States and it's easy to find out which ones are authorized to conduct training for non US cititizens / residents.
Do not let their website deceive you, it does look pretty fancy with all the pictures and catchy lines but you will be dragging yourself to complete your training in a timely pace.
Stopped their briefly a few years ago for some training and was majorly disappointed: they only had one S300 serviceable then but not in good shape, in fact I didn't see it fly at at all and one 1973 C172 totally overpriced. In all fairness the facilities are not bad at all, they had decent classrooms for ground instruction right on the airfield (KBFL). You will most likely get a young CFI with little experience up to your Commercial, nothing unusual in that except for the fact that they advertise for highly skilled, specialized and experienced instructors with SAR / Law Enforcement / Military / HEMS experience. Those guys are indeed related to the company but you won't have them during basic training.
They always seem to be tight on cash so you will be pressured to make deposits and "pay as you fly" will be frowned upon.
Last but not least, Bakersfield is the ultimate armpit, it sits at the bottom of the San Joaquin valley and frequently suffers from the Los Angeles ' smog settling in the valley, reducing horizontal visibility quite drastically at times, once again slowing down your training.
How they could possibly achieve certification for M1 visa sponsoring is a mystery to me.
I agree with DauphinDude: SFDOC is biased.
There are numerous fantastic flight schools across the States and it's easy to find out which ones are authorized to conduct training for non US cititizens / residents.
I had the same issue. Whilst I had long held an Australian ATPL, I couldn't qualify for an FAA ATP Rotorcraft check-ride until I had 100 hours night experience. Fortunately for me this was pretty easy to get as we had a high intensity night offshore requirement. Having this night experience was most helpful because my FAA ATP check-ride was done at night....
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Training
I am curious, what training did you do that you were disapointed in and when were you there?
Currently (2) 300c's, a 172, Jet Ranger, and they have a leaseback agreement for an R44.
They are approved for the M1, they have had it for over 5 years.
As to the valley, I spend alot of my time on the Kern River and the nearby mountains, not to mention the cost of living is cheap and I can be in Los Angeles in a little over an hour.
As to Dauphin, yes, I am biased, but I can also back up what I post.
Currently (2) 300c's, a 172, Jet Ranger, and they have a leaseback agreement for an R44.
They are approved for the M1, they have had it for over 5 years.
As to the valley, I spend alot of my time on the Kern River and the nearby mountains, not to mention the cost of living is cheap and I can be in Los Angeles in a little over an hour.
As to Dauphin, yes, I am biased, but I can also back up what I post.
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Costs
If you look at how the recommended training is structured, and the fact that they also use an FAA approved simulator, keeping the cost in the
55 - 60 k range is actually quite easy.
55 - 60 k range is actually quite easy.
Join Date: May 2008
Location: USA
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bristow Academy in Titusville Florida have the aircraft and approved EASA R44 Fi(s) so getting an hour building module set up won't be an issue.
Have fun in the sun!!
Have fun in the sun!!
Last edited by hookes_joint; 17th Sep 2013 at 02:41.
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: In the Alps
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Time building US
I need to get my hours up and therefore I want to do some time building in the states in Nov/Dec in an R22 for 2 weeks or so. Given the time of year, it is probably best to go to CA or FL to avoid crappy weather interfering with flying.
Any recommendations for a good place to do that ? I was already looking around in the web, but it's always good to get a second opinion. And helicopter academy aka boatpix is already out of the question due to a previous bad experience with them.
Any recommendations for a good place to do that ? I was already looking around in the web, but it's always good to get a second opinion. And helicopter academy aka boatpix is already out of the question due to a previous bad experience with them.