Flight Training

[sean73]

I looking at several training programs , Guidance, Quantum, Bristow. Having trouble finding the pro and cons of these programs. Any advise on any of the 3.

[apiaguy]

My crystal ball says the following:

After perusing those 3 websites I have determined the following.

Guidance doesn't know how to spell Schweizer... I believe that makes them retarded. ie.. don't go there.

Quantum looks huge.. 10 R22's and 2 44's...yet only 9 CFI's from which to choose. Something must be wrong... don't go there.

Bristow is the factory of helicopter pilot factories... that MUST be bad... don't go there.

 

almost forgot to add some pro's...

Guidance says it is high altitude training...+

Quantum is located on the largest public heliport in the us..+

Bristow has like 50 billion helicopters...+

 

Go to all 3!!

Edited February 4, 2011 by apiaguy

[Azhigher]

I can only speak for Quantum Helicopters, but here goes:

 

Pro's

- Great instructors

- Large fleet available (Not all being used) so no aircraft schedule problems

- Practice areas very short distance away from airport

- Mountains short distance away for off airport landings

- Holds pilots to high standards, no one just slides through.

- Has a very good reputation with many operators, specifically Papillon. Helps to get that first turbine job.

 

Con's

- Since they hold people to such high standards some students end up getting through the training with slightly more hours than they would have somewhere else.

 

Disclaimer: I went to Quantum for all my training so I'm probably a little biased.

[r22butters]

...- Has a very good reputation with many operators, specifically Papillon. Helps to get that first turbine job...

 

That had me intrigued (since I would like to fly for Papillion), so I check out their website.

 

It seems they created 16 new Cfiis last year, and hired 3. So the question is, "what are the other 13 doing?".

 

Just makes me curious as to my odds of getting hired, if I got my Cfi with them?

[Azhigher]

Long story short, that list isn't entirely updated because they have hired some more of the graduates. Also, they are currently hiring the next round of flight instructors as lots of the old instructors are now coming over to Papillon.

 

Not everyone is going to get hired though. Most of the ones who won't get hired didn't have great standing with the management or the instructors who trained them. As with everything, you only get out what you put in.

 

If you want any more information feel free to PM me.

[helistar]

I can only speak for Quantum Helicopters, but here goes:

 

Pro's

- Great instructors

- Large fleet available (Not all being used) so no aircraft schedule problems

- Practice areas very short distance away from airport

- Mountains short distance away for off airport landings

- Holds pilots to high standards, no one just slides through.

- Has a very good reputation with many operators, specifically Papillon. Helps to get that first turbine job.

 

Con's

- Since they hold people to such high standards some students end up getting through the training with slightly more hours than they would have somewhere else.

 

Disclaimer: I went to Quantum for all my training so I'm probably a little biased.

 

 

 

I have to agree with AzHigher on Quantum... Excellent school with great people...

 

Since your also looking for info on Bristow send a pm to JDhelicopter, he attended Bristow in Concord, Ca...

 

The bottom line is you should visit your top 3 choices... What fits one persons personality, could be a nightmare for another... Just make sure to make your decision based on which school best suits you...

[Trans Lift]

I went to and worked at Bristow. You will receive above par training and there are plenty of aircraft, which means much less down time. I hear its not half as busy there as it used to be, which means two things;

 

1.No problem getting aircraft and therefore getting through training quicker

2.Less students which means less jobs.

 

I hear a lot of senior guys are leaving soon for greener grass. If the place gets busier there is always a chance at a job there.

[CaptainDune]

As a current student of Guidance I can say that regardless of how they spell the name of an aircraft they don't currently fly (not to mention it was probably some website design company that did it, not guidance anyway). They are a fantastic school, since I have been here alone I have seen several people move up to fly the big ditch. The high altitude is fairly valuable when moving up to the ditch.

 

As far as Quantum goes, I have heard they aren't a bad school but we have still had two transfers from there come up to Guidance in the last 6 months, both are in my current class.

 

But my say in the matter is if the very attentive genious above me was only able to find a spelling error and turn it into a con, that must be a good thing right?

 

EDIT: Also an afterthought, with the school going from 10 full time students to almost 100 in a year, and still expecting serious growth of up to 180 full time students (so im told) there is an insane amount of potential for jobs here. I know they have hired 11 new flight instructors in the last year.

Edited February 4, 2011 by CaptainDune

[CaptainDune]

I have to agree with AzHigher on Quantum... Excellent school with great people...

 

Since your also looking for info on Bristow send a pm to JDhelicopter, he attended Bristow in Concord, Ca...

 

The bottom line is you should visit your top 3 choices... What fits one persons personality, could be a nightmare for another... Just make sure to make your decision based on which school best suits you...

 

 

Had to quote this one for truth, visiting each place and doing your own research is probably the best.

[helistar]

I have heard they aren't a bad school but we have still had two transfers from there come up to Guidance in the last 6 months, both are in my current class.

 

EDIT: with the school going from 10 full time students to almost 100 in a year,

 

Is it possible the two transfers could be a result of Embry-Riddle students changing flight schools or a direct result of Yavapai College, which also explains the sudden influx of 100 students in a year. Or just maybe Universal is a little busy with the Embry_Riddle students and some are overflow from that program?

[DaveKnell]

I went to Quantum for the first part of my PPL. That tells most of the story in itself, but to expand a little further:

 

Good things:

- my instructor (who's no longer there)

- weather in AZ in Oct/Nov meant hardly any flight cancellations

 

Bad things:

- airport can get busy

- at least one flight cancelled owing to an existing maintenance issue that hadn't been addressed

- you'll have no idea where the heater on the helicopter is to be found, or whether or not they can fly when it's raining

- unrealistic: budgeted 6 weeks for PPL after talking to them; told half-way through that their average student takes 80 flying hours to get to PPL - I certainly couldn't usefully fly 2+ hours/day six days a week, which is what it'd take to squeeze one of those into the other

- disinterested: booked appointment to talk to chief flying instructor as I was concerned about my progress; she had no idea, as she'd not bothered to speak to my instructor

- rigid, pseudo-military kind of setup.

 

So I've been up at Jerry Trimble instead, and I've been very happy that I made the switch.

 

--Dave

[Hawkeye0001]

I looking at several training programs , Guidance, Quantum, Bristow. Having trouble finding the pro and cons of these programs. Any advise on any of the 3.

 

What is the limiting factor that lets you choose just these three schools?

[sean73]

What is the limiting factor that lets you choose just these three schools?

 

 

Just trying to narrow the schools down, I am open to all schools at this point. Just figured I start with the well known school first. Not sure if the big schools are the way to go or not, Also believe the smaller schools could have their benefits also. Since I am from IL, Also looking hard at Midwest Helicopter in ST Louis. This would keep me close to home during training, so I would not have to relocate as much.

[CharyouTree]

I can only speak for Quantum Helicopters, but here goes:

Con's

- Since they hold people to such high standards some students end up getting through the training with slightly more hours than they would have somewhere else.

 

Why is that a con? Isn't it a pro that they're not just looking to put through as many students as fast as possible?

[kstump77]

Just trying to narrow the schools down, I am open to all schools at this point. Just figured I start with the well known school first. Not sure if the big schools are the way to go or not, Also believe the smaller schools could have their benefits also. Since I am from IL, Also looking hard at Midwest Helicopter in ST Louis. This would keep me close to home during training, so I would not have to relocate as much.

 

 

I am wrapping up my flight training at a school in Missoula MT called Montana Aero. Flying an Enstrom F-28C.. I picked this school for a few reasons..

 

It's not a large school so I get a lot of individualized instruction. Also I didn't want to learn in an R22 (for good reason).. It sets you apart from all the newbie R22 grads. The Enstrom is larger than an R22, also is not a correlated ship, meaning you learn throttle control right off the bat, which was invaluable to me.

 

I believe the FAA requires 200 hrs minimum to instruct in an R22... In this helicopter I only need 150. From what I've seen in most schools that saves me close to $20,000. I will have my commercial and CFI for right around $53,000..

 

Also It's located in western Montana. The mountain flying is also invaluable. I've been working with the owner for just over 6 months, super solid guy. My instructor was probably the #1 reason I chose this school.

 

They also have a Bell Jet Ranger, which I plan to get my turbine transition in. Around $8,000. So even with my turbine transition I come in way under most schools tuition.

 

The school has its own heliport located within Missoula's class D airspace. Class D is nice because your not so overwhelmed with your calls, but you still get the practice needed.

 

 

I definitely understand being far from home, I'm from TN. But learning in the flatland is not the smartest decision. If your gonna spend the money do it right. I moved here in August and absolutely love this city.. Long winters but the summer makes up for it 10 fold.

 

Definitely some things to think about.. Picking the right school is tough. I feel lucky to have found a good one. Hope it helps.. Good Luck!

[sean73]

I am wrapping up my flight training at a school in Missoula MT called Montana Aero. Flying an Enstrom F-28C.. I picked this school for a few reasons..

 

It's not a large school so I get a lot of individualized instruction. Also I didn't want to learn in an R22 (for good reason).. It sets you apart from all the newbie R22 grads. The Enstrom is larger than an R22, also is not a correlated ship, meaning you learn throttle control right off the bat, which was invaluable to me.

 

I believe the FAA requires 200 hrs minimum for a commercial in an R22... In this helicopter I only need 150. which saves me close to $20,000.. I will have my commercial and CFI for right around $50,000..

 

Also It's located in western Montana. The mountain flying is also invaluable. I've been working with the owner for just over 6 months, super solid guy. My instructor was probably the #1 reason I chose this school.

 

They also have a Bell Jet Ranger, which I plan to get my turbine transition in. Around $8,000. So even with my turbine transition I come in way under most schools tuition.

 

The school has its own heliport located within Missoula's class D airspace. Class D is nice because your not so overwhelmed with your calls, but you still get the practice needed.

 

 

I definitely understand being far from home, I'm from TN. But learning in the flatland is not the smartest decision. If your gonna spend the money do it right. I moved here in August and absolutely love this city.. Long winters but the summer makes up for it 10 fold.

 

Definitely some things to think about.. Picking the right school is tough. I feel lucky to have found a good one. Hope it helps.. Good Luck!

[sean73]

Thanks for your info.

[klas]

...I believe the FAA requires 200 hrs minimum for a commercial in an R22...

 

Huh?

[Trans Lift]

I believe the FAA requires 200 hrs minimum for a commercial in an R22.

 

Not at all. It requires the same time as any other machine. Where I think you may be getting confused is that some operators require 300 hours total for you to get on their Pathfinder insurance to instruct!

[Azhigher]

SFAR 73 requires you to have 200 hours to instruct in an R22 or 44. Maybe thats what you're thinking of...?

[r22butters]

Why is that a con? Isn't it a pro that they're not just looking to put through as many students as fast as possible?

 

Only if you can afford it!

[kstump77]

SFAR 73 requires you to have 200 hours to instruct in an R22 or 44. Maybe thats what you're thinking of...?

 

 

Exactly what I'm thinking of. Considering out of school you will most likely instruct. It seems you would have to get the 200 hrs.

[Trans Lift]

Sorry, meant to write 200 hours. Hit the wrong button!

[CaptainDune]

Is it possible the two transfers could be a result of Embry-Riddle students changing flight schools or a direct result of Yavapai College, which also explains the sudden influx of 100 students in a year. Or just maybe Universal is a little busy with the Embry_Riddle students and some are overflow from that program?

 

 

The influx of students is a result of the approval of the 141 with Yavapai College and accepting the Post 9/11 as payment for flight training. The transfers from ERAU, Quantum and Upper Limit have their own reasons I am sure.

[helistar]

The influx of students is a result of the approval of the 141 with Yavapai College and accepting the Post 9/11 as payment for flight training. The transfers from ERAU, Quantum and Upper Limit have their own reasons I am sure.

 

ERAU students who started training prior to the fall 2010 school year would of already been attending either Guidance or Quantum since ERAU didn't offer their own flight training program, opting to instead simply providing class credit for student obtained helicopter flight training.

 

As you know Guidance is only five minutes from the ERAU campus and Quantum is over 1 hour away, yet for whatever reason some ERAU students did choose to attend Quantum over Guidance. Fyi: ERAU did opt not to renew the Guidance agreement for the fall 2010 school year.

 

Upper Limit-Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) transfers most likely are students attending school though their Veterans Benefits Under Chapter 30 and Chapter 33 of the GI Bill and are continuing their degrees at ERAU.