HAI graduates/Offshore pilots
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Here & There
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Two quick things:
HAI's JAA program is very good. The ground instructors are excellent! The flight instructors are also very knowledgeable, very friendly and helpful (a couple of them especially so).
Second, definitely do not expect to be able to get a job there. The school is huge and getting larger everyday. There are often times where it can be difficult to schedule a slot to fly, especially for instrument instruction. Yet, the school keeps taking on new students when they can't always keep up with the ones they have.
While HAI does hire a lot of people, there are many many more who do not get hired. Very often people get misled to thinking there will be jobs available. I know of several students who were obtaining IRs and told that the school was only hiring CFII's, yet would hire a CFI instead. Many flight schools in the US now require 300 hours (especially for the R22) because of insurance. You will probably come out of HAI with less than 200 if you start from scratch.
I don't believe that HAI does enough to help people get jobs they are not going to hire themselves. Yes, they have a job board, but most of the jobs are very old and the board is poorly updated. The senior staff/owner do little to give direction. They used to have a one day course on job finding/ interview preparation etc but for some odd reason do not do that anymore.
In short, very good instruction, just don't expect a job.
HAI's JAA program is very good. The ground instructors are excellent! The flight instructors are also very knowledgeable, very friendly and helpful (a couple of them especially so).
Second, definitely do not expect to be able to get a job there. The school is huge and getting larger everyday. There are often times where it can be difficult to schedule a slot to fly, especially for instrument instruction. Yet, the school keeps taking on new students when they can't always keep up with the ones they have.
While HAI does hire a lot of people, there are many many more who do not get hired. Very often people get misled to thinking there will be jobs available. I know of several students who were obtaining IRs and told that the school was only hiring CFII's, yet would hire a CFI instead. Many flight schools in the US now require 300 hours (especially for the R22) because of insurance. You will probably come out of HAI with less than 200 if you start from scratch.
I don't believe that HAI does enough to help people get jobs they are not going to hire themselves. Yes, they have a job board, but most of the jobs are very old and the board is poorly updated. The senior staff/owner do little to give direction. They used to have a one day course on job finding/ interview preparation etc but for some odd reason do not do that anymore.
In short, very good instruction, just don't expect a job.
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: usa
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To big
I'm a student at HAI. I think the school has grown to big. They tell you one time frame and you can add at least 30 % on to that. PPL to CFII in 9 months...rubbish, I have been here over half a year now and I am still working on my instrument. and I don't think I will be able to do my CPL and CFI in two months...For your information I have never cancelled a flight and I think I am an average pilot…so why tell me and others 9 months when the reality is more like 12.
With regards to jobs I saw that on the notice board there where two jobs available. One was a open invitation the other was dated end of November.
Yes I am frustrated and pissed off, but I can’t go somewhere else because of J1 VISA. Have seen HAI staff about these issues…but nothing has been done.
Think twice before choosing HAI…
With regards to jobs I saw that on the notice board there where two jobs available. One was a open invitation the other was dated end of November.
Yes I am frustrated and pissed off, but I can’t go somewhere else because of J1 VISA. Have seen HAI staff about these issues…but nothing has been done.
Think twice before choosing HAI…
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Germany
Age: 53
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No, I'm not an Ex-HAI-Student. No, I've never been there, can't say anything about the quality of training over there. But for one particular reason I keep recommending them to those who ask me about a good and honest flight school in the US...
A couple of years back HAI was on a promo tour. Me, having finished my flight training in the US a couple of month earlier with a different school (I have to add that I wasn't too happy with my choice of flight school) I sneaked into their seminar pretending to be interested in their ab initio traing course.
I was listening very carefully and was waiting for them to start bull sh****** the potential clients.
The unexpected happened. They were honest and no promises were made. They didn't tell you that your ppl(h) would cost x amount of money (based on the minimum required hours) but told you that the average student might take a little bit longer and that for that reason you might have to spend some extra money.
They pointed out all the additional costs (especially for foreign students) e.g. housing, living costs, books, visa, medical etc.).
Of cause at one stage questions about jobs were made but no empty promises were made.
All being said I wish I would have known them before I started my training. Things would have been much easier.
So, is Camillus still hanging around there???
A couple of years back HAI was on a promo tour. Me, having finished my flight training in the US a couple of month earlier with a different school (I have to add that I wasn't too happy with my choice of flight school) I sneaked into their seminar pretending to be interested in their ab initio traing course.
I was listening very carefully and was waiting for them to start bull sh****** the potential clients.
The unexpected happened. They were honest and no promises were made. They didn't tell you that your ppl(h) would cost x amount of money (based on the minimum required hours) but told you that the average student might take a little bit longer and that for that reason you might have to spend some extra money.
They pointed out all the additional costs (especially for foreign students) e.g. housing, living costs, books, visa, medical etc.).
Of cause at one stage questions about jobs were made but no empty promises were made.
All being said I wish I would have known them before I started my training. Things would have been much easier.
So, is Camillus still hanging around there???
I graduated from HAI - and didn't get hired, of course. I was bitter and twisted for a bit but eventually got hired as a CFI over the phone because i hit it off with the boss, so there is hope even if HAI don't hire you.
At the time I was desperate to be hired at HAI because of the reputation and the amount of hours flown by instructors, but in hindsight I am glad that I didn't.
I now get to fly in the mountains, snow, weather, airspace etc.. that HAI CFI's never get to see - and I think that has made me a far more proficient pilot than a "5 miles southwest, inbound" type who only ever flies to area A and back in perfect weather, and where MSL and AGL are the same thing!
I would definately recommend HAI as a good flight school - the standard of training is excellent and will set you apart from the rest - just be prepared to spend a long time getting licensed - there's way too many students fighting over instructors/aircraft.
At the time I was desperate to be hired at HAI because of the reputation and the amount of hours flown by instructors, but in hindsight I am glad that I didn't.
I now get to fly in the mountains, snow, weather, airspace etc.. that HAI CFI's never get to see - and I think that has made me a far more proficient pilot than a "5 miles southwest, inbound" type who only ever flies to area A and back in perfect weather, and where MSL and AGL are the same thing!
I would definately recommend HAI as a good flight school - the standard of training is excellent and will set you apart from the rest - just be prepared to spend a long time getting licensed - there's way too many students fighting over instructors/aircraft.
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: West coast Australia :)
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I am actually glad I wasn't the only one to speak out. Whilst HAI is a great place to learn and get those licenses/tickets, you need to go out into the big bad world and learn. How many of us got our driving licenses and then scared ourselves silly driving on our own? Well it is the same with flying, HAI teach you the basics, you then need to learn the real deal yourself. It doesnt matter if you are flying SAR in the worst conditions, or teaching students in sunny california, you still scare yourself.
Anyone reading this, if you want a good start go to HAI. Just dont expect a job, and in fact dont even AIM for a job with them. Plan to go work elsewhere and if you get a job with them then great, you will be in a safe environment. Just dont stay there your whole career, there is so much more to do and see.
Good luck to all those reading this forum wanting to be a whirly bird, it isnt easy but we made it, SO CAN YOU.
Go forth and have fun.
Si
Anyone reading this, if you want a good start go to HAI. Just dont expect a job, and in fact dont even AIM for a job with them. Plan to go work elsewhere and if you get a job with them then great, you will be in a safe environment. Just dont stay there your whole career, there is so much more to do and see.
Good luck to all those reading this forum wanting to be a whirly bird, it isnt easy but we made it, SO CAN YOU.
Go forth and have fun.
Si
