Bristow academy
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Call Sunrise Landing Port Saint John.
Hey, Google this condominium. They are willing to rent on a month by month basis. Lot of students are moving there as after one year of expensive living in Summerhill - Titusville.
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 128
Likes: 3
From: Near the source of insanity
If you are staying just for a few months your cheapest bet might be the "Roommates / Shared" section on Craigslist (FL, "Spacecoast Area"). You can find fully furnished rooms and apartments right around the corner from Bristow for well under $450.
I was never upset with it and it saved me a lot of hassle.
I was never upset with it and it saved me a lot of hassle.
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 485
Likes: 6
From: Avon, CT, USA
Bristow FL Academy Busy?
Is Bristow academy if Florida still busy with students or has the economy taken its toll?
Any idea if the number of students enrolled? I thought I heard about 200 around the year 2000.
Any idea if the number of students enrolled? I thought I heard about 200 around the year 2000.
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Wherever the wind takes me...
The "Bristow route" is a joke. Bristow Academy uses their name for all its worth. From the 08-09 JAA classes not a single European person I know have gotten a job with Bristow. Even the ones who was an instructor there. As for myself I went the FAA route and I have landed a job, but I am also the only one in my class of 14 people. In BA it seems like kissing a** and knifing your fellow students in the back for an instructing position is the norm. Don“t fall for their marketing ploys and google ranking. And also, the sunshine state is really not ideal when having only a two-hour slot and daily rain showers. Save your money and train elsewhere.
No, I am not disgruntled. I never even did the CFIs, R22-transition or went through their asinine "how-to-find-a-job-class". But speaking of disgruntled, chief pilots who are unable to find a job because they are too old and got into the game too late are still roaming around over Titusville with 6000 hours in the Schweizer 300. Oh, and did I mention TWO of my instructors were fired, simply because they were lazy?
Sorry if very off topic, I got a little carried away.
No, I am not disgruntled. I never even did the CFIs, R22-transition or went through their asinine "how-to-find-a-job-class". But speaking of disgruntled, chief pilots who are unable to find a job because they are too old and got into the game too late are still roaming around over Titusville with 6000 hours in the Schweizer 300. Oh, and did I mention TWO of my instructors were fired, simply because they were lazy?
Sorry if very off topic, I got a little carried away.
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
From: all over?
Exactly Ralph. A lazy pilot is a higher probability of becoming a dead pilot if you ask me. Absolutely dont want that one working with me.
Being sacked for being lazy absolutely sounds fair enough to me, especially if you are supposed to be an instructor passing on your "wisdom and ways" to new pilots.
Being sacked for being lazy absolutely sounds fair enough to me, especially if you are supposed to be an instructor passing on your "wisdom and ways" to new pilots.
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 889
Likes: 0
From: UK, US, now more ɐıןɐɹʇsn∀
DD, the 'either 500 ME time or BA integrated course grad' may not be just due to insurance reasons, but I'd hazard a guess that maybe half year or more old 'testimony' of one US based pilot, comparing couple years ago and now, saying it's not as busy as used to be. I haven't been there at all, but it's somewhere in rotorheads subforum. To draw the attention of all the North Sea/offshore cojoe hopefuls in case they're not decided to go 'integrated'. Starts to sound familiar with all the fixed wing guys and marketing tactics. Bristow Academy is too big to have machines underutilised.
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 816
Likes: 5
From: Home
Lots of machines, far less students.
There are a lot of voices out there saying it was a much better place when it was run by Patrick.
They seem to have put off a lot of people by emphasizing the JAR system and 'forgetting' about and 'neglecting' the FAA only students.
Hearsay...
There are a lot of voices out there saying it was a much better place when it was run by Patrick.
They seem to have put off a lot of people by emphasizing the JAR system and 'forgetting' about and 'neglecting' the FAA only students.
Hearsay...
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 889
Likes: 0
From: UK, US, now more ɐıןɐɹʇsn∀
Well, you should not forget the European financial situation, disposable income, property market, credit options etc. The F1 was sorted in lieu of J1 when the DOS and DOJ haggled about it and industry lobbied enough to get the course cloaked onto academic F1 college/Uni visa.
True. I've heard that about JAA training too. It's better cash cow and their rates, even for FAA, are not the most competitive with other heli schools for those who don't need to go to Bristow Academy. Pay as you go local students will think twice. Also the R22 US training market position does not help. BA still has some Latin/Central America military training programmes/cadets. They advertised for some Spanish speaking instructors again recently.
True. I've heard that about JAA training too. It's better cash cow and their rates, even for FAA, are not the most competitive with other heli schools for those who don't need to go to Bristow Academy. Pay as you go local students will think twice. Also the R22 US training market position does not help. BA still has some Latin/Central America military training programmes/cadets. They advertised for some Spanish speaking instructors again recently.
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Wherever the wind takes me...
You are completely right when it comes to neglecting FAA-students. "Priority" comes in the following order:
1. Military (South American).
2. Contract (mostly asians).
3. JAA/EASA.
4. FAA.
JAA/EASA is very structured, and have "ground days" and "flight days" throughout the year. In FAA you are at your instructors good grace.
Oh and when I told two of my instructors were fired, that itself is not a bad thing, but it makes you think about what kind of people they employ in the first place. I had the impression it was those who kissed most a** who had the best chance.
1. Military (South American).
2. Contract (mostly asians).
3. JAA/EASA.
4. FAA.
JAA/EASA is very structured, and have "ground days" and "flight days" throughout the year. In FAA you are at your instructors good grace.
Oh and when I told two of my instructors were fired, that itself is not a bad thing, but it makes you think about what kind of people they employ in the first place. I had the impression it was those who kissed most a** who had the best chance.
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 889
Likes: 0
From: UK, US, now more ɐıןɐɹʇsn∀
DD, I see the few posts about BA were split from jobs thread. Understandable, if handful of posts are OT..
Well, the reactions you got from other pilots about being fired for laziness, was to the way you posted your statement, as if you're condoning or defending right to be lazy. I wasn't there and don't know details. I could ask one friend who trained there around that time, but he may not know either, since it's big place with many students and instructors.
Well, not to be petty, but people don't show their worst at the job interview and there's supposed to be ongoing assessment/info about the student that should speak for itself at the job interview for CFI job later on. Shame that they got complacent and taking stuff for granted to the extent of being fired. It goes to show that they'd still fix things, despite some preferential hiring. After all, it's down to the managers and chief/asst chief pilots who take the decisions.
I could understand local students, training part time, making their way to airport for the lesson, only to find out about huge delays or their slot bumped up/cancelled because of other training flights. It should only happen if said booked aircraft goes tech and then, they should be notified straight away.
Well, the reactions you got from other pilots about being fired for laziness, was to the way you posted your statement, as if you're condoning or defending right to be lazy. I wasn't there and don't know details. I could ask one friend who trained there around that time, but he may not know either, since it's big place with many students and instructors.
Well, not to be petty, but people don't show their worst at the job interview and there's supposed to be ongoing assessment/info about the student that should speak for itself at the job interview for CFI job later on. Shame that they got complacent and taking stuff for granted to the extent of being fired. It goes to show that they'd still fix things, despite some preferential hiring. After all, it's down to the managers and chief/asst chief pilots who take the decisions.
I could understand local students, training part time, making their way to airport for the lesson, only to find out about huge delays or their slot bumped up/cancelled because of other training flights. It should only happen if said booked aircraft goes tech and then, they should be notified straight away.
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Wherever the wind takes me...
BA wants you money. Just like all other flight school I guess, but smaller flight schools do not have the chance of abusing their position of being the biggest heli-school branded with the Bristow trademark.
For me, I got through it all, and I was able to secure employment while doing the CPL, promising to finish real soon. Real soon became sooner or later, and sooner or later became later. In the end I felt that was a personal embarrassment, not to mention the obvious jealousy among instructors and other students.
Oh, and in the end I was approached by one guy higher up who wanted me as a "success story" on their web page. I declined at that point as I was pretty irritated on how they were running things.
For me, I got through it all, and I was able to secure employment while doing the CPL, promising to finish real soon. Real soon became sooner or later, and sooner or later became later. In the end I felt that was a personal embarrassment, not to mention the obvious jealousy among instructors and other students.
Oh, and in the end I was approached by one guy higher up who wanted me as a "success story" on their web page. I declined at that point as I was pretty irritated on how they were running things.
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: In Sweden now but im a dual citizen us and swedish lived in california 1991-1994
Anyone here from Bristow academy in Titusville
Hi Everyone Im new here so dont diss me just yet, if i have really stupid questions.
First of all anyone here that, right this moment goes to bristow in titusville for heli cert.
Im in the just in the starting prosses of going but my aim is may 2013. I really feel that i need to find people that have bean were im now. so much to learn and know.
Feel free to start gossip. im all ears.
Chris W
First of all anyone here that, right this moment goes to bristow in titusville for heli cert.
Im in the just in the starting prosses of going but my aim is may 2013. I really feel that i need to find people that have bean were im now. so much to learn and know.
Feel free to start gossip. im all ears.
Chris W
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 128
Likes: 3
From: Near the source of insanity
It's quite an exciting time for you, big step. What do you want to know?
In general Bristow is pretty good on guiding you through all the paper work, visa applications, and setting you up with housing, car, etc. once you are there. Being a US resident you won't even have half the hassle anyone requiring a visa would have anyway.
It's always a good idea to do some home study and thus safe time & money later on. Get yourself a copy of the "FAA Rotorcraft Flying Handbook" (book or free download on faa.gov) and Wagtendonks "Principles of Helicopter Flight" for starters, that'll keep you busy for a while
In general Bristow is pretty good on guiding you through all the paper work, visa applications, and setting you up with housing, car, etc. once you are there. Being a US resident you won't even have half the hassle anyone requiring a visa would have anyway.
It's always a good idea to do some home study and thus safe time & money later on. Get yourself a copy of the "FAA Rotorcraft Flying Handbook" (book or free download on faa.gov) and Wagtendonks "Principles of Helicopter Flight" for starters, that'll keep you busy for a while