Portland Community College / Hillsboro Aviation

[dk.smith]

First post on this forum! Does anyone have any experience with Hillsoboro Aviation or, more specifically, their partner program with PCC? Also, both of their websites are unclear whether I could use FAFSA for just the courses at PCC or the flight time as well? Thanks for any insight.

[RagMan]

Do your research as you are currently doing. Unless you're a foreign individual looking to attain your ratings as a pilot, I'd honestly continue to search for other programs that'd benefit you in more greater ways. If you find the time, call up Leading Edge Aviation located in Bend if you're looking at all of your options in Oregon.

[Flying Pig]

Unless you are using the VA, why would you want to dual enroll in a flight school and also do your degree?

 

Just get through your ratings and do college separately. Entry level flying jobs don't care about degrees.

[ryan53]

I would seriously reconsider attending Hillsboro. As a past Customer/Instructor, and now a utility pilot in the industry, they are not any good. They will treat you like a number and cater to mostly foreign people. They pay everyone at the company poorly and treat everyone equally as bad.

[dk.smith]

Thanks for the responses so far. Just for clarity, I'm not a Veteran, I'm a US Citizen, I'm planning to start training around August and will be doing the rounds to schools Jan-March. I apologize in advance for my ignorance.

 

Unless you are using the VA, why would you want to dual enroll in a flight school and also do your degree?

Just get through your ratings and do college separately. Entry level flying jobs don't care about degrees.

 

I'm interested because if I understand correctly, and that's a big if, I could use a combo of subsidized and unsubsidized federal loans, maybe a Pell grant, and a student PLUS loan by obtaining my ratings through an accredited school. All of those have terms and rates favorable to a private loan through Sallie May or other. Am I mistaken? Should I just try to find the absolute cheapest way to get my ratings with a private loan?

 

They pay everyone at the company poorly and treat everyone equally as bad.

 

I don't want to sound flippant, because I'm sorry for your experience and value any bit of advice I can get, but isn't that standard for a flight instructor right out of school?

[500F]

The pay part is the same everywhere, the treatment part is not as much... I have talked to a few people that got there ticket there. None loved it but they didnt hate it either. The machines are safe and the area is nice. Hope that helps.

[WolftalonID]

If your coming out this far check out some schools in Idaho, Utah. There are several worth stopping by and saying hello to.

[pilot#476398]

As someone who did it, I cannot in good conscience endorse borrowing money for flight school, however...

 

In my experience you'll probably qualify for more money going with a flight school who is partnered with a 4 year degree program at a university, than with a 2 year community college.

[Jaybee]

I don't have any personal experience with Hillsboro but I have worked in the industry with 6 of their products - its about a 50/50 mix how they felt about it.

 

In any event, whatever school you decide -

• Ensure a schedule of fees is presented to you
• Ensure no false promises are made
• Ensure there is some kind of syllabus to follow
• Ensure there is not hidden fees (this may not apply, for me using Montgomery GI Bill, fuel surcharges, pre and post flight, the approved cost ( flight hour was 300 for example but VA only would pay up to 275) and all that difference came out of my pocket)

Good luck.

[Spike]

Understand what you’re proposing. That is, financing an education which may never provide a means to pay the loan back….. Simply put, attempting to become a pro-helo-jock is a gamble and one should never finance an endeavor based on a gamble......

 

I always suggest working and saving your money to pay for flight training in cash….. If you do and the dream doesn’t happen, you’ve only lost what paid into it without the interest…..

[Flying Pig]

I financed my aviation training, but I had a guaranteed job waiting for me the day I passed my check ride. Student Loan services don't like not being sent to voice mail.

[SubGuy]

Understand what you’re proposing. That is, financing an education which may never provide a means to pay the loan back….. Simply put, attempting to become a pro-helo-jock is a gamble and one should never finance an endeavor based on a gamble......

 

Am I missing something here?

 

why is there so much negative-ness (yes, that's a word...I just copywrited it!...and apparently "copywrited is not a word either...dang, this is frustrating!) related to getting jobs in the helicopter industry. I see this a lot here in the forums and it scares me since I plan to get into this industry as the next chapter of my life. Is it really that hard to land a job in the industry? or is this a result of our "instant gratification society", in that someone thinks they deserve the 6 figure income the instant they have a license. I mean, a guy who gets a micro biology degree (financed of course) isn't someone I would have considered who "gambled" on a career, but i also know for a fact that he won't get a badass job right out of the gate. He has to work at some crap lab job for a few years until he has experience and then he can apply for better positions at some other place. I have no problem starting out at the bottom and slogging through the crappy jobs for a few years to get into something that I would enjoy.

 

So my question is, should I worry about my future? have I made the wrong decision, and should I rethink my future?

[Jaybee]

SubGuy - jobs can be hard to come by. When you get a job your daughter will make more money than you working at wal-mart (true story). Which is really pathetic if you think about since you have people's lives in your hands. I wish some organization would do something about that !

 

Simply knowing this and preparing for it is half the battle. However, just because you know it works like this doesn't make it any easier. I left my wife at home for our first wedding anniversary. That went over like a fart in church. We both knew it was going to happen but just knowing its going to happen doesn't make it not hurt.

 

Anyhow, I don't necessarily agree with the don't take a loan prospect. It is said because the Return on Investment doesn't measure up. However, if you look at the cost of going to any secondary education Bachelor's degree program and the real pay earned in that field I don't think there are very many careers that are good ROI. My wife has a degree in Molecular Biology and hasn't worked day one in that field, so its not just helicopter jobs that are hard to come by.

[WolftalonID]

I believe the negativity comes from those individuals that think,thought, or assumed money will bring them happiness. Then borrowed large amounts to be happy, it ran out after the school took it all, and now they are sad.

If you pursue life in the chase of money, it never satisfies.....ever, there is always more than you have someplace else.

Now, if you choose to chase what you love to provide happiness, it will......AND, it will cost you money to chase it. If you have no capital, you have to borrow it. If you have a bankroll, you will use it, either way money WILL be spent. Happiness was found, i accept the cost as worth it.

 

I chose to fly because its my dream. I love it! Now that battle is out of the way, so the making a viable career out of the maze is industry weaves is my next challenge! I don't chase the money so I don't foresee becoming sad about my choices.

[Spike]

Am I missing something here?

 

why is there so much negative-ness (yes, that's a word...I just copywrited it!...and apparently "copywrited is not a word either...dang, this is frustrating!) related to getting jobs in the helicopter industry. I see this a lot here in the forums and it scares me since I plan to get into this industry as the next chapter of my life. Is it really that hard to land a job in the industry? or is this a result of our "instant gratification society", in that someone thinks they deserve the 6 figure income the instant they have a license. I mean, a guy who gets a micro biology degree (financed of course) isn't someone I would have considered who "gambled" on a career, but i also know for a fact that he won't get a badass job right out of the gate. He has to work at some crap lab job for a few years until he has experience and then he can apply for better positions at some other place. I have no problem starting out at the bottom and slogging through the crappy jobs for a few years to get into something that I would enjoy.

 

So my question is, should I worry about my future? have I made the wrong decision, and should I rethink my future?

 

One of the drawbacks of the internet is attempting to understand what you reading and generate an idea or thought which is based in reality…. Worse yet, make a comment on it……

 

You selected my 1,047th post and call it “negative”. I suggest you go back and reread those 1,047 posts and attempt to understand why I come here. If you do, you’ll see that my advice is mostly based on my experience as a working pilot, in this unforgiving industry, who tries to steer the unknowing in the right direction (read positive input). I do this because I’ve witnessed many people make serious, preventable, mistakes which affected their lives in a “negative” way, long term….

 

To wit, if you work to pay cash for the training, the endeavor takes on a whole new meaning. Furthermore, in this business, there are no guarantees you’ll be hired, -ever. Helicopter pilots are a dime-a-dozen unlike microbiologists. Plus, entry level helicopter pilot wages are below poverty level income. How can you expect to make a loan payment when you need to provide food and shelter for yourself (and your family if you have one)? Additionally, when you pay cash in the beginning, it frees up other funds down the road which may catapult you into an entry level turbine job sooner. Would you rather be tooling around in a turbine at 800 hours instead of 1500 hours?

 

Lastly, in the business listening to the OG’s is a must. Walking into a room and calling out an OG is not a wise decision, albeit your decision…….

 

Good luck in your endeavor…..

Edited December 20, 2013 by Spike

[dvb]

Hello, this is my first post on the forums here but dk.smith I couldn't help but share another opinion. I have been reading a lot of mixed reviews about Hillsboro Aviation, being a helicopter pilot and the industry in general so I wanted to simply respond to your original question, as a former trainee of there program and a current CFI.

 

I'm also from the Midwest, southern Illinois to be exact and I moved all the way out here (Oregon) for the program last year. I have worked many jobs in the last 29 years of life and I was ready to start a CAREER that would thrill me everyday. Can you imagine your "office view" in a helicopter everyday? A couple of weeks ago I could see eight mountain peaks from only 500' AGL.

 

Rant over, as far as using loans or FAFSA to begin your career, it is very hard to be approved to go to a small part 61 like Big John's Helicopters in Tennessee. The advantage of a school like Hillsboro, or other Part 141 schools much like it is that they are established and have known names, making it easier to receive funding. Yes, oftentimes you will have to be a part of a degree-accredited program like Portland Community College and YES, a degree is not necessary at this time in the field but it may be one day with the rise of individuals seeking the profession.

 

Now, as far as the negativity towards the school or being a "number," sure that can be the case at a large school if you let it. The experience is all that you make it and in training let it be known that you are a customer. Likewise, your instructor should not simply dream of his/her goal of attaining the magic 1,000 but making their time count as a person that TEACHES others to fly.

 

Being an instructor is difficult but it is what the majority of helicopter pilots must do to advance in their career. So, winter months might be hard to fly or hard on financing a life but it's an internship. Everyone with money would become a pilot if it were easy and the grass could always be greener on the other side. Take a trip out, meet the team, get a demo flight and find out for yourself. Do as much research as you can.

 

Hope this helps.

R/W CFI 3649419

[Jaybee]

 

Helicopter pilots are a dime-a-dozen unlike microbiologists.

 

Aye Aye Cap'n to all you said, except this - see above about my wife's career

[Spike]

 

Aye Aye Cap'n to all you said, except this - see above about my wife's career

 

My motto is, be a part of solution, not the problem.....

 

http://www.indeed.com/q-Molecular-Biology-jobs.html

 

I aim to please……

[pilot#476398]

Am I missing something here?

 

why is there so much negative-ness (yes, that's a word...I just copywrited it!...and apparently "copywrited is not a word either...dang, this is frustrating!) related to getting jobs in the helicopter industry. I see this a lot here in the forums and it scares me since I plan to get into this industry as the next chapter of my life. Is it really that hard to land a job in the industry? or is this a result of our "instant gratification society", in that someone thinks they deserve the 6 figure income the instant they have a license. I mean, a guy who gets a micro biology degree (financed of course) isn't someone I would have considered who "gambled" on a career, but i also know for a fact that he won't get a badass job right out of the gate. He has to work at some crap lab job for a few years until he has experience and then he can apply for better positions at some other place. I have no problem starting out at the bottom and slogging through the crappy jobs for a few years to get into something that I would enjoy.

 

So my question is, should I worry about my future? have I made the wrong decision, and should I rethink my future?

 

It is very difficult (for some) to get their career started. I know a couple of low time CFIIs who ended up starting their own school because they couldn't find work.

 

I don't believe any of us gets into this to make big bucks (the last job I interviewed for paid 7 bucks an hour)!,...and the "instant gratification" thing is just a load of sh*t that some of the old guys use when complaining about the younger generation. It ain't true (at least not with any pilots I've met)!

 

The guy with the micro biology degree actually has worthwhile knowledge that can help advance society as a whole. Being able to fly a helicopter is just a skill. We're no different than truck drivers, bus drivers, or crane operators, so you really can't compare college degrees to us,...we're a "trade".

 

If this is a second career for you that's good, because you will have to rely on that first one to get you through the first few years (and to have as a back-up if you fail to find work as a pilot).

 

Good luck with your roll of the dice!

[Jaybee]

 

My motto is, be a part of solution, not the problem.....

 

http://www.indeed.com/q-Molecular-Biology-jobs.html

 

I aim to please……

 

Yes, plenty of jobs for experienced biologists just like plenty of jobs for experienced pilots

 

Also, many of those government jobs are advertised but never filled because they have not been funded. Believe me, my wife has applied. She is already in a government job (that means she gets first peek at new job postings) in a non related career field (actually its full time civilian equivalent of her AF Reserves job) and every three months a job comes up on base for a Molecular Biologist, she applies, she gets a letter saying she is qualified and gets selected, then later another letter saying that the position has not been funded thanks for applying.

 

In other words, if you are not accustomed to the government jobs they post jobs in anticipation of them being funded. My brother was selected for a position as an Intelligence Officer at Lackland four months ago, still waiting for the stamp of approval.

[Jaybee]

We're no different than truck drivers, bus drivers, or crane operators, so you really can't compare college degrees to us,...we're a "trade".

 

 

 

Actually truck drivers, bus drivers and crane operators all have higher starting salaries than us, so yea they are different.

[pilot#476398]

 

Actually truck drivers, bus drivers and crane operators all have higher starting salaries than us, so yea they are different.

 

Yeah, and McDonalds too!

[SubGuy]

Spike - please don't misconstrue my quotation of your post as me "walking into the room and calling an OG out" (I assume that OG stands for Old Guy, by the way...but I'm not really sure)

 

I was only pointing out that I see a lot of negative posts about job availability and yours was the most recent so I quoted it.

[SubGuy]

I believe the negativity comes from those individuals that think,thought, or assumed money will bring them happiness. Then borrowed large amounts to be happy, it ran out after the school took it all, and now they are sad.

If you pursue life in the chase of money, it never satisfies.....ever, there is always more than you have someplace else.

Now, if you choose to chase what you love to provide happiness, it will......AND, it will cost you money to chase it. If you have no capital, you have to borrow it. If you have a bankroll, you will use it, either way money WILL be spent. Happiness was found, i accept the cost as worth it.

 

I chose to fly because its my dream. I love it! Now that battle is out of the way, so the making a viable career out of the maze is industry weaves is my next challenge! I don't chase the money so I don't foresee becoming sad about my choices.

I like your thought process wolf!!!

[Nick9er]

DK - Let's set you up to come by JTH while you're out visiting Hillsboro. I'm familiar with them and have a fellow CFI here that attended Hillsboro for the better part of his training. We can discuss both the pros and cons of said program as well as Part 61 v. 141 schools, and your financing as a whole.

 

It's tough being a new student, I get it. Don't hesitate to send me a note or call if you get a minute.