Training, hours building and first job prospects in America

[Senior Pilot]

Sorry Muermel, don't able to send pm now.

Addressed to PPRuNe: I kindly ask pm clearance approval, please!

As a new member there is no PM facility until your post count increases. This is done to protect all users from spam PMs from new signups :ok:

[muermel]

@Corsair2
Check your eMails.

Ciao

[CorsAir2]

Ok Senior Pilot, problem understood. Don't worry, I'll post more messages into the forum!

Thanks Muermel! Email incoming...

[AW4EVER]

Hi,
I am looking to convert my EASA license to FAA but to be honest all the flight school I've looked, tell me different thinks. Some told me I need around 15 hours flight plus ground school, other told me I need 50 hours instructions.
So too many diferents opinions, could anybody help me or tell me what is the most serious flight school ?
I have 3000TT and rated AW139 and AW109, and want to look for a new opportunity in USA.

thanks in advance for the help....

[Gordy]

There is no such thing as converting a license to FAA after private level. You have to meet the minimum requirements of the FAA regulations found in 14 CFAR part 61. All of your current hours will count, but you will have to do the written tests and practical test.

The biggest stumbling block you have is that unless you are a US citizen or have a green card, it is almost impossible for you to do this. I believe you are ineligible for any student visas as you already have a commercial level license.

[AW4EVER]

Many thanks for the answer, for the Visa I don't think it will be a trouble, I think I could start with B1 or B2, but I'll see.
Where do you think there are the most serious flight school?

thanks again

[Gordy]

I have been out of the flight school industry for many years now, however, I have a relationship with Guidance Aviation out of Prescott, Arizona. I have hired 2 former graduates of theirs in recent years and can confirm they push out a good product. I have also met with the owner and Chief Instructor for briefings etc.

I think the visa requirement is tougher than you may think. You may wish to read these links about TSA requirements:

Aliens seeking training--AOPA interpretations (http://www.aopa.org/Pilot-Resources/Flight-Instructor-Resources/AOPAs-Guide-to-TSAs-Alien-Flight-Training-Citizenship-Validation-Rule/Aliens-and-Non-U-S-Citizens-Seeking-Flight-Training)

US Government Site for Flight Training (https://www.flightschoolcandidates.gov/afsp2/?acct_type=p&section=FQ#C2)

[havick]

If you're from a VWP (visa waiver program country), then you won't need a visa at all as your conversion will take less than the 90 days allowed in the country on the VWP.

The TSA clearance has an option for selecting VWP in the drop down box when submitting your training request, just enter your ESTA number in where it asks for visa number.

You'll also need to get your fingerprints taken for the TSA clearance, and it's worth getting your the FAA license verification done prior to arriving in the US for your conversion as it can take 1-2 months.

Also worth getting an FAA medical done prior to arriving in the US.

I did my ATP conversion at Cloud9 helicopters in Florida. Their aircraft are great, the R22 is $300/HR all inclusive. I only needed about 3-4 hours prep in the R22 (coming from 412's). They'll only do what's required and then put you up for the test. The prep time also included getting me ready for CFI and CFII flight tests. I did all the writtens I required prior to arriving at the flight school.

If other schools try to convince you of minimum hours then they're talking out their ass. There's only a 3 hour minimum prep for CPL tests which you're not doing anyway.

Hope this helps.

[vaqueroaero]

It is my understanding that the TSA is now cross checking everyone who has a foreign address on their FAA certificate to make sure that when they obtained said certificate they were here with all visas and paperwork correct and therefore did it legally. I'm not sure how far back this goes, but is certainly true for the past few years.

This came to light after a couple of TSA agents visited a local flight school after they discovered some discrepancies in paperwork. However I don't know what happens to you or your certificate if you did it 'under the radar'................

[AW4EVER]

Many thanks for these info,
And thank you for the advice Navick,

Happy landings...

[AW4EVER]

.. apologies no NAvick but Havick....

[paniklu]

Hello guys, I'm an Italian helicopter pilot with 200 hours.
I'm looking for a company which can help me to build my hours.
I'm in contact with an American school, "Helicopter academy".
Is there someone who has had to deal with this company?

Please, tell me your experience if you have. Thank you

[MartinCh]

B206 training doable with Civic Heli in CA, Bristow Academy FL and possibly the other locations, handful of bigger heli schools would have 206 for utility/charter/checkouts.

If you fancy MD500 or 600 series, Precision in Newberg, OR. They're mixed fleet utility and training ops. I spent few summers in the area. Winter's not best if you need some instrument training in heli as well, not just VFR, which can end up taking longer due wx, too.

[liftman]

Hi All...

selected for training:

Precision Air Oregon
Hillsboro Oregon
MaHuna Loa Hawaii

Or

Chinook Helicopter Canada

Opinion on these school much appreciated

[Gordy]

Ha.....ask advice of 3 helicopter pilots and you will get 4 opinions. :cool:

[liftman]

...I know but I hope receiving some feedback for who knows these schools before making the final decision where to go

[ersa]

The question to ask yourself, apart from getting the basic licence , can you work in the USA or canada ?

Your location says italy, why not just do training in the EU, Norway for example no VAT on flight training , that saves 20% straight off, apart from saving money on the IR, it will end up costing similar amounts on CPL training

Number 2 and 3 have heard good things about....

[paco]

....and 4

Phil

[whoknows idont]

...I know but I hope receiving some feedback for who knows these schools before making the final decision where to go

Hi liftman... You would probably have a hard time finding anyone who is able to compare the three schools based on first hand experience.
First of all, I have no practical experience with any of them. But I can tell you that after a LOT of research, back in the day for me it was down to either Mauna Loa or training in the EU (In the end I decided for the EU route for several unrelated reasons).
Call or write Ben Fouts, grade A guy. He will be happy to answer your open questions. If you are comfortable with flying Robinsons and living on Hawaii, I'm convinced you won't be disappointed and will no doubt receive excellent training in a lovely environment.

[liftman]

Thanks a lot, speaking with him really a nice guy! I am maybe in a similar situations than yours at ages.

Working in europe thinking either going there for training in a free vacation or continuing working here and doing school here.

[whoknows idont]

Yeah, for me it was between quitting my job and crossing the pond or staying in my job flying in my off-time.
For me personally my decision has definitely worked out but it boils down to a gamble. I'm still heavily lamenting the whole Aloha-Experience, though.... :)

[Chico de la noche]

Hi All!
Please someone here has recently flew with Hillsboro aviation academy? Any feedback? I know that in the past other users raised the same question, but I would like to receive updates as fresh as possible.

Thanks in avdance!

Chico

[liftman]

interested in Hillsboro news as well.

What About Cloud 9 Helicopter, Atlantic helicopter, Helialtitude?

[haihio]

I trained at Hillsboro and got my first job with them. I flew about 600 hours a year working as a cfii.
This was about 10 years ago.
I don’t know how things are now because I know The company changed ownership.

[haihio]

A couple of years ago I was speaking to an Italian cfii that also trained at Hillsboro but got a job with Quantum helicopters in Arizona and he told me he was flying 100 hours a month training mostly Chinese students.

[MikeNYC]

From their Facebook posts (I’m not affiliated, just saw in my feed):

——
🚁 Friends we are hiring 9-10 pilots in the next 4 weeks for the NYC ‘18 summer season. We are a 135 operator (Flawless certificate) with 206L3’s AS350B3’s and AS355FX’s to makeup the bulk of the fleet (all turbine). Pilots need to have at least 1000 hours total time and 50 of that turbine. Everything we do exceeds Industry standards (the recipient of the 2017 Operator safety award by ERHC🏅): Aircraft, Maintenance, Insurance, training...send me your resume [email protected] and join the #NYONfamily the future of aviation (We are changing the industry that I grew up in)...FlyNYON #FoxTrot www.flynyon.com 🌎 #OnwardAndUpward
——

[CorsAir2]

Hello folk
anybody knows about Pelican Flight Training PFT in Miami? I heard they fly a couple of helos. F-1 Visa approved. Please, if anyone here had some experience or is flying with them, post feedback!
Appreciated...

Fly Safe
CA2

[pilot_tolip]

Any recommendations for the best helicopter flight schools in the USA? I mean the best of the best. Best instructors and best test prep.
I'm looking to transfer my EASA CPL H to an FAA CPL H. This is all for a hobby.

[Robbiee]

Any recommendations for the best helicopter flight schools in the USA? I mean the best of the best. Best instructors and best test prep.
I'm looking to transfer my EASA CPL H to an FAA CPL H. Then do the FAA CPL H. This is all for a hobby.

I thought the school I went to for my ppl was the best of the best. Then I went back a year later to get my instrument and now I think they suck!

That's the problem with schools, its really the instructor that makes the experience, and once they leave,...?

[snooken]

I thought the school I went to for my ppl was the best of the best. Then I went back a year later to get my instrument and now I think they suck!

That's the problem with schools, its really the instructor that makes the experience, and once they leave,...?

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Agree! The instructor is the most important thing. The organisation has more to do with facilitys, aircraft and setting the bar for what is the lowest permissible level is allowed, wich isn't what we're shooting for i assume by the nature of your question.

Most recommendations i ever had has been from ppl who dont really have anything to compare it with. Someone getting any of the basic licenses at low total hours are very easily impressed and tend to be bias since the spent a small fortune there (myself included).

I have received training in 3 countries by 9 flight schools in total spending probably 120.000-150.000euro, probably 60-80% came out of my pocket one way or another.
Had some different combos of able and or motivated instructors.

Not saying im right or that there aren't exceptions but with the experience i have today reciving and providing training i would:
- Not get a licence above PPL from a school that can't provide a instructor with solid commercial experience as a primary instructor.
-Not get a FAA IR with a instructor unless he/she has plenty of accual IR experience.
- ask how the school pays their instructors. Think about their incentive... As a rule of thumb they should be well payed per duty hours and not per flight hours. Plenty of exceptions though.

- Test a few school and make up your own mind!

- make sure the school does emergency manuvers all the way to ground, good indication that there is competence in house. Ask them to demo if when you go there for a show and tell and demo flight. Went for a Type Rating m(EC120)and it was a bit of a rush job, last session it turned out they didn't even roll off for autos. The 3rd party owner didnt want them to.

​​​​​​Ask hard questions like how the school precives its quality and what they are doing to improve it, goals ect. How they train their staff, what their staff turnover rate is, ask for reference from several ex student.

- Avoid flight schools with a short track record.

- Avoid big "pilot factories"

And in general:
Any good flightschool has low staff turnover, experienced happy employees that train for reality not for licance requierments and personally knowing the differance.

Glad to hear you are looking for quality, make them work for your money. Hope you find what you're looking for
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[sherpa]

snooken,

Excellent response. I'm sure, lots of newcomers will appreciate your honest advice.

Keep it up

[Agile]

Another added element upon snooken's point, been to many school many different countries, spent >100K too.

Every school is typically structured with 1 or 2 head pilot in there, one who has above 10,000 hours of professional experience (generally own the school) and one who is just a really a good instructor (abide less experienced). and stay with the school because he is good and they therefore pay him well.
on top of that you get staff instructors that come and go and are generally mediocre at teaching. some are so bad that the role could get reversed and you will find yourself more competent in the right seat and on your toes prepared to correct the instructor mistakes on occasion.

Anyhow as a matter of business efficiency, every student will have to spend time with the staff instructors, and it's not necessarily bad, because every student has to learn the basic stuff like keeping a precise altitude and heading in straight and level flight. it does not take a star instructor to teach you that. Personally I qualify a bad school, one in which you spend your time craving to fly with the 1 or 2 head pilot, because they are the one that make the lesson worth 3 time a much learning, you will feel like they just have the key to unlock your progress as a pilot.

if you get really lucky you might find a school where due to their small scale they don't have staff instructor and will do all your training with the head pilot --> in that case go for it, you will never regret it.

it also alway help when someone in the school is also an examiner, good sign they know what they are teaching and are on track with what you should know