anyone know anything about these illinois schools

[spubar44]

after my current flight training and obtaining my private license, i really won't have any extra cash after paying for my private and looking to use my GI bill if i can find a place that takes it. I have found two flight training schools about an hour away from me, One is sun aero helicopters and the other is rotors and wings. Does anyone know anything about these schools and if they take VA GI bill? So far i am not impressed by the rotors and wings, since i have email and called several times with no response, i even talked to a person that couldn't help me and said he would pass my name and number to someone that could with no response. Not sure why, maybe they are that busy, I don't know. But if anyone knows of any near the chicago land of wisconsin border, let me know, i want to keep going to CFII. Thanks

[JDHelicopterPilot]

Go down to Sun Aero. Ask as many questions you can. And of course ask about VA benifits. I would steer clear of Rotors and Wings as you've already gotten a red flag from them.

 

JD

[Goldy]

But if anyone knows of any near the chicago land of wisconsin border, let me know,

 

 

Hey now! I was born in Beloit. You dont get much closer to the Illinois/Wisconsin border than that. Sorry I dont know anything about the schools though!

 

Come out and fly in LA, lots of schools to choose from, weather is great, and you can fly the friendly skies with Harrison Ford, Tom Cruise, and John Travolta !

 

Good Luck, Goldy

[Lindsey]

and you can fly the friendly skies with Harrison Ford, Tom Cruise, and John Travolta !

 

Good Luck, Goldy

 

You have no idea how excited I was when I first learned Harrison Ford flies (and owns) helicopters.

 

/end girly freakout

 

[Goldy]

You have no idea how excited I was when I first learned Harrison Ford flies (and owns) helicopters.

 

/end girly freakout

 

 

 

OK then , you don't want to know that he landed his 407 at our school a couple weeks ago due to a trouble light, and we had to give him a ride back into Santa Monica.

 

In flying, we are all just pilots.

[Lindsey]

OK then , you don't want to know that he landed his 407 at our school a couple weeks ago due to a trouble light, and we had to give him a ride back into Santa Monica.

 

In flying, we are all just pilots.

 

:o

 

 

Uhhhhhhhhm pictures?

[spubar44]

goldy,

 

I would love to come out there and try flying in a different region, but i am still in the Coast Guard and i move when and where they tell me too, and i just transfered here July 1st from Mississippi. Maybe i'll make my way out there sometime!

[klas]

after my current flight training and obtaining my private license, i really won't have any extra cash after paying for my private and looking to use my GI bill if i can find a place that takes it. I have found two flight training schools about an hour away from me, One is sun aero helicopters and the other is rotors and wings. Does anyone know anything about these schools and if they take VA GI bill? So far i am not impressed by the rotors and wings, since i have email and called several times with no response, i even talked to a person that couldn't help me and said he would pass my name and number to someone that could with no response. Not sure why, maybe they are that busy, I don't know. But if anyone knows of any near the chicago land of wisconsin border, let me know, i want to keep going to CFII. Thanks

 

Correct me if I am wrong, but I think the GI bill is for Part 141 schools?? Sun Aero is not that type. Great school, though - I trained & fly there.

[helorob]

I have heard good things about Sun Aero from the local hanger talk. That's usually a good sign if the local area pilots speak well of an operation. I have not been there myself, but have been around some of their aircraft when they are in Kenosha.

 

I currently rent/fly with Lakeshore Helicopter at the Kenosha Airport. Small operation but high quality instructors. I don't believe they can train with the GI Bill (not sure). They would be a good resource to ask about Sun Aero or other local schools. Usually an informal cookout at the hanger on Saturdays at noon (Kenosha Jet Center).

 

Rob

[spubar44]

klas,

 

that is correct. they have to be a part 141 for the gi bill. I am currently at a part 61, paying out of my pocket.

[TimW68]

I completed my PPL with Sun Aero and plan to go thru my CFII with them. I would highly recommend them to any student looking in the area. I called and confirmed, they unfortunately do not accept the G.I. bill as they are not a 141 school. However you still may want to call (ask for Ken or Katrina) to see if there are any other avenues. Best of luck on your search !

 

 

Tim

[aeronca6]

There's a place at Clow airport in Bolingbrook, I think it's A & M Aviation or something like that, It's been a while since I've flown in there. I'm not sure they are 141 but it'd be worth checking into if it's close.

[Goldy]

goldy,

 

I would love to come out there and try flying in a different region, but i am still in the Coast Guard and i move when and where they tell me too, and i just transfered here July 1st from Mississippi. Maybe i'll make my way out there sometime!

 

Coast Guard Group- LONG BEACH.....thats where you wanna be !

[spubar44]

Goldy,

 

I was supposed to transfer to San Diego, but they sent me here instead, which is fine for me. I still have a house in TN, so i am not too far from it to check on it since i am renting it out.

 

aeronca5,

 

Yea, i know clow, but they are not a 141 either. I guess if all fails, i'll just get a loan and stick with my current instructor, which i think is great, but i was just trying to use my GI bill and save a few bucks with less hassle.

[Inferno]

I know its a hassle, but using your GI bill will save you a hell of a lot more than a couple bucks in the long run. Try everything you can to use it for training, even if you end up waiting until the CG transfers you to another location.

[spubar44]

inferno,

 

that would suck waiting for 4 years until i transfer to work on advancing my experience to CFII. Also, in 4 years i can retire with 20 years at 38, so that was my plan? I would rather bite the bullet and continue with training in one stretch out of my pocket, and then when i retire, use it for little odds and ends training that will just make me better as a pilot, Oooorrrr, just let my dependents use it up, now that we have the post 9/11 bill that dependents can use it. So either way, i would end up paying for something i guess. I'll just think of it that way, so i can make myself feel better for it, or of course until i will the illinois lottery, but i sure ain't gonna hold my breath for that one. You never know, i might run into the right person that just hooks me up!

I have also been talking to my instructor and told him that if i can get all this stuff done, I would work for him, in his r-22, training others for free on my part, but they would still pay him, and that way i can just get more experience and hours. Since i could do this in my off time, or if i retire and do it, i will still be getting my retirement, so i wouldn't be hard up for the money. It would be time for the wife to support me!!!, Just don't tell her i said that, cause i'll deny it. Ha. anyway, enough babbling on, I may have had one too many right now. any way. take care and hope to see you around.

[67november]

I would work for him, in his r-22, training others for free on my part, but they would still pay him, and that way i can just get more experience and hours.

 

That is something you absolutely DO NOT want to do, it is this mentallity that keep CFI wages low.

[Inferno]

Well, it sounds like in your situation, its best to train now. If it was only a year or so, I would say wait. That would probably position you better to get a job anyways. But in 4 years, you would be better off training now.

 

And ya, never work for free. It just makes it harder for the rest of us.... He may try and make it sound like hees doing you a favor or something, but having someone do a job (instruction) and not paying them should be criminal.

 

inferno,

 

that would suck waiting for 4 years until i transfer to work on advancing my experience to CFII. Also, in 4 years i can retire with 20 years at 38, so that was my plan? I would rather bite the bullet and continue with training in one stretch out of my pocket, and then when i retire, use it for little odds and ends training that will just make me better as a pilot, Oooorrrr, just let my dependents use it up, now that we have the post 9/11 bill that dependents can use it. So either way, i would end up paying for something i guess. I'll just think of it that way, so i can make myself feel better for it, or of course until i will the illinois lottery, but i sure ain't gonna hold my breath for that one. You never know, i might run into the right person that just hooks me up!

I have also been talking to my instructor and told him that if i can get all this stuff done, I would work for him, in his r-22, training others for free on my part, but they would still pay him, and that way i can just get more experience and hours. Since i could do this in my off time, or if i retire and do it, i will still be getting my retirement, so i wouldn't be hard up for the money. It would be time for the wife to support me!!!, Just don't tell her i said that, cause i'll deny it. Ha. anyway, enough babbling on, I may have had one too many right now. any way. take care and hope to see you around.

[spubar44]

What i was getting at, was if i was getting paid next to nothing, it wouldn't strap me since i would be getting my retirement at the same time, so i would not be dependent on making alot.

[choppedair]

What i was getting at, was if i was getting paid next to nothing, it wouldn't strap me since i would be getting my retirement at the same time, so i would not be dependent on making alot.

 

What if everyone volunteered for the Coast Guard because they wanted to do it, and you did not have a job (or got paid much less) because of that?

See what everyone is getting at?

[spubar44]

OK OK, guys. I get it. I won't do something like that. Thats why i am on this board, to learn from your storehouse of knowledge and experience, so that i may walk in your shoes one day.