hour building USA
 

hi there
i am new to this site and would like to know if anyone could recommend anywhere in the USA for me to do some (about 40) hours building in a R22.
I know there are loads of places but i have an inherent distrust of all companies aviation ( i doubt you would find a bigger cynic and sceptic)
I strongly believe in going on recommendation
This is where you come in!!!!!:D :O
any help would be gratefully appreciated
many thanks Dave

I did some flying at Helicopter High at Martin State/ Maryland a few years ago.

Stacked up a few hours on some good long XC. But the guy I flew with has moved on since although still under same ownership.

h-r

(NB go to Oz, much nicer)

Try doing a search - The Flying Squirell started a similar thread a week or so back..

Rotoraviation came up several times as being recommended - Long Beach, Cali.

PW

I flew with Rotor Aviation two years ago. They were very helpful and have lots of contacts.
Boatpix in Florida (Tom I think) also do a very cheap deal. On the web somewhere!

:ok:

Sorry - trashed the post. Rotorvation helicopters in CA came highly recommended and Ocean helis of Palm Beach, FL, are far more helpful than most outfits. Anyone who has been here, can they PM me please. Anyone thinking of going to the US to train now, should read the Post on Visas.

VISA THREAD

Sorry TFS hadn't realised!

Anyone who wants to ask any details fell free to PM about Rotoraviation - I m simply a satisfied (repeat) customer.

PW

Replug of my post from the US VISA thread
 

I am actually stunned as I have just found out what I need to do to fly in the States now at PPL level. $68 to the FAA at Oklahoma and a two month wait to get checked out for security with them and with the CAA here - Then I walk into my nominated FAA office in the US to collect my license on receipt of their acceptance letter. ( Which you could do on the spot prior to 9.11 ) Then I have to nominate a flying training organisation in the States at $130 per organisation requested. You pay on acceptance by the school ! If you change your mind and go elsewhere, yep, another $130 please !! ( This does not apply if you already have a type rating on an aircraft and just want to do some solo flying. ) Also £16 to the CAA to support their 'mutual' agreement with the FAA. ( I have been told by some FBO's that the TSA is still letting alien students train on a visa waiver due to the current regulation uncertainties - at the discression of individual schools !! ) If you have a CPL, you will be issued with a PPL until you pass the FAA examinations and have undertaken the required training and examiner checkride.

Click here to sign up with the TSA ( $130 per selected FTO - not all schools have authority to issue Visas if required. )

Transport Safety Authority Sign Up

and here with the FAA at Oklahoma ( this requires a $68 AMEX cheque as a processing fee. )

FAA Oklahoma Sign Up

and here to locate the CAA SRG/1160 form ( the CAA require £16 with the form to process the FAA's request for info about you ! )

CAA 1160 form download

and here to learn about converting JAA to FAA....

Alien Pilots instructions

You now have to be WELL prepared....Good Luck !:ok:

thanks all for your recommendations and comments i am waiting to hear back from a few of the places to see if they can accomodate me in April

i will post on here how i get on and who i recommend after being out there

chester

TFS
by the way i have just had my fixed wing licence verifiied by the FAA and they have not charged me $68????????????

hour building
 

Try Tom McDermott at Boatpix. Very reasonable prices for hour building on R22's. Can't go wrong with that. :ok:

Cheers, Alouette

LA Helicopters
 

I am fairly new to PPRune and would be grateful for any feedback on LA Helicopters.
Has anyone had any dealings,trained with or hour built with them?
I am planning to go there for Hour Building so all information is gratefully appreciated.
Thanks Chester.:ok:

I've flown several times with LA Helicopters over the past 5 years, and with Rotoraviation . Check your pm for my email.

night rotary flying in USA with validated JAR PPLH???
 

Only another 7 days before I am of to the USA for hour building but I have come across what might be a little problem!
I hold a JAR PPLH with no night rating.
I might be expected to fly in the USA at night to build my hours because the schedules for the helicopters is quite busy (hopefully not but I want to be prepared).
The problem I see is that because you have to have LOTS of hours before you can get a JAR night rating (H) (100 PIC),
IF I do any flying at night over there , will I be able to log it , and will the CAA count it towards the hours I need for the CPL? as I have not got a night rating will they say the hours were illegal?

Also will the FAA give me a licence that lets me fly at night without any night training?

Comments and advice most welcome still quite new at this
Thanks in advance Chester2005 :ok: :ok: :ok:

I did a 44 type rating at LA Helicopters, there a good bunch of guys and will look after you.
Long beach is also a good airport to fly from.


JohnJ, your still alive, aint heared from you in a while!!!!


LB :ok:

Your FAA licence you apply for will be based on the back of your JAA licence including any restrictions you have (which also means no night flying)

You could fly with an instructor and carryout night training, (I cant remember the requirements but its som many hours with x amount of T/O and landings). When they are happy, they can then apply an endorsement in your logbook stating you have received night training and this will allow you to fly at night.
The down side is, any dual flight you do with an instructor cannot be logged under the JAA as P1, however an FAA licence can.

Weigh it up and see if its worth it.

LA HELICOPTERS
 

:D :D :D :D :ok: :ok: :ok: :ok: LA HELICOPTERS
Wow!!!!!!!!!!!! What can i say?
I have never in my life been made to feel so welcome and looked after so much by complete strangers.
I have just spent the last 10 days flying in and around Long Beach and had a great time!!!!!!!!!!
Everyone at LA helicopters was great.
I had a little problem with verification of my JAR licence ( FAA lost my application) so I flew less hours than anticipated but they were all cool about it.
The R22s are very well maintained and the R44 (dual only ) is a clipper 2 and flys like a dream.
The standard of the instructors is even higher! with the chief pilot being a whiz in an an R22.
I would heartily recommend anyone to fly with LA Helicopters for whatever purpose and I will be returning later this year to do an instrument rating with them.
If anyone would like any more information please feel free to PM me and i will oblige.
Chester

chester2005... not been out there this year (yet!). Is Lars the mechanic still there? If so did he take you to any of his haunts?! :}

PW

PW
i never spoke to him but yes Lars is still there keeping all the machines flyable.
When i go back in october i might see what these haunts are that you refer to :o):D

Pilotwolf,
Carls Jr, Outback steakhouse for a "Special". The thristy isle, Fritz.
Oh yea, that club on PCH and Redondo !!!!!

good old Lars.

145kts :ok: :ok: :ok: :ok:

Good to know somethings don't change! I m amazed we were ever allowed back in some of the establishments!

Certain people never seemed to understand the principle of 'look but don't touch' :)

PW

Best place to hr build??
 

After doing my ATPL(H), I'm looking to build about 50 hrs on Schweizer 300 to qualify me for my CPL course. Have flown UK, USA & NZ and am thinking of going to South Africa or Canada.
Any recommendations or advice on flt schools or methods for obtaining hrs would be gratefully appreciated.
Thanks in advance....KD