Chopper Training

[Skaz]

After a search on the subject revealed nada, I am hoping you guys and girls out there could provide some gen for me , especially the folks flying choppers for a living.

I am looking for a GOOD helicopter training school, one with posibility of employement as CFI after training complete.

Perhaps even a fixed and rotary wing operation combined.

There are a lot of schools out there, and I have looked at many a website, but need some feedback on the ground.

Any info appreciated

Skaz

 

[Riddle momma]

This is pretty outdated. The last time I checked with them was in 2000. The helicopter school was out of PRC "Guidance helicopters", and they told me they had a career placement program too. Mainly they handed people to the Grand Canyon tours or turned them into instructors for themselves.

I hope this helps somewhat.

 

[Skaz]

thanks momma,

anybody knopw anything of Celebrity Helicopters?

or Hillsboro Aviation ?

 

[JJG]

First no helicopter pilot ever says "chopper". All kidding aside the two best schools by reputation are Vortex helicopters in Mississippi and HAI in Florida. Sierra Academy in Oakland, CA has an internship program but I have seen people say both good and bad things about them. Palm Beach helicopters is a newer comapny that students seem to like. Check out verticalreference.com or justhelicopters.com for more info on helicopter schools.

 

[Skaz]

doh, put me foot in it! sorry, will never say chopper again.....ever.

thanks for the info

 

[mudkow60]

I think that there is a helo flight school at Palamar Airport, about 30 to 40 miles north of San Diego. They seemed to have a nice fleet of aircraft, but I could not afford to fly out-of-pocket. They also listed many training areas that are unique to helos (vertical cargo lift, etc).

Good luck.

 

[Checks]

It looks like you have a lot of FW time, why in the world would you want to go out and spend another 50K? 50K is a minimum number.

After you have spent the money, flight instructed for peanuts, you might get a job flying for 40K and after many, many, many years you could top out at 55K with no pension and crappy benefits.

Stay Fixed Wing. A lot of helo guys are trying to be FW pilots. You would be competing with military helicopter pilots for the good jobs(after you spend a considerable amount of time trying to build "time").

I warned you.

 

[Skaz]

yeah...looks like I'll have to stick with FW, earn megabucks and buy my own MD500Notar to buzz around in ....sigh