Flight schools in Houston Tx

helicrazy · July 27, 2006

Hello,

I am new to this forum and I would like to say I am glad I found it. I'm very interested in getting a commercial license and would like to know what schools are here in Houston and which, if any, you all would suggest. I have read a lot of threads and have been impressed with the info, especially concerning SSH. I am considering them even though I have read some negative posts. I respect those posts but I am still curious about their program. I work full time and need a school that is flexible in that regard. Any information would be helpful and greatly appreciated. I understand most everyone is probably sick and tired of the SSH topic so feel free to email me rather than posting SSH comments here.

Thanks,

fry · July 27, 2006

Hello,

I am new to this forum and I would like to say I am glad I found it. I'm very interested in getting a commercial license and would like to know what schools are here in Houston and which, if any, you all would suggest. I have read a lot of threads and have been impressed with the info, especially concerning SSH. I am considering them even though I have read some negative posts. I respect those posts but I am still curious about their program. I work full time and need a school that is flexible in that regard. Any information would be helpful and greatly appreciated. I understand most everyone is probably sick and tired of the SSH topic so feel free to email me rather than posting SSH comments here.

Thanks,
noble_j@sbcglobal.net

Check out some of the recent Las Vegas Review Journal articles...including yesterday's cartoon:

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/200...ws/8676416.html

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/200...ws/8682422.html

and finally,

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/200...d-2006/opinion/

mechanic · July 27, 2006

helicrazy,

I am a part time student at Helicopter Services Inc. right across the runway from SSH at Hooks. I have had NO problems training part time with them. They are not a Pilot Academy type school. They are Part 135, 141, and 61. I will be glad to answer your questions if you want to email me.

Regards

You must have gone to the recent seminar?

Gomer Pylot · July 27, 2006

Salaika Aviation down in Brazoria County would be my recommendation.

helicrazy · July 27, 2006

Thank you very much for you reply's. Trust me, no hasty decision will be made.

Mechanic -I will check out helicopter services. Yes, I am going to the seminar 7pm today at hooks. Expect an email I have questions about heli services.

dslmtrcle-I see the frustration in your reply. I will take your comments seriously. You are not the only one who has a problem with them and when you find that many red flags it cannot be ignored. I do not fall for marketing. I hope to find others there who have done some research as well.

fry-thx for the sites I will check them out

Gomer pylot- I will look at Salaika aviation. I have not heard of them. Brazoria county is a little far but if it is a good place it may be worth the hight gas prices.

fry · July 27, 2006

Yes, I am going to the seminar 7pm today at hooks.

I'd be interested to know if SSH's contract still provides for a flat monthly 10%-of-the-contract-price charge or if this is even mentioned at the seminar.

RebellionRoots · July 27, 2006

I am going to the seminar 7pm today at hooks.

I was going to go to this as well but some other obligations have made this impossible. I have all but eliminated SSH as a chioce due to all of the information I have received. I have also checked into Helicopter services and am leaning toward them. Let me know how the seminar goes.

helicrazy · July 28, 2006

Before you read this know that I do not endorse SSH. I am only trying to explain what information was given at the seminar to the best of my memory. If someone reading this was there and finds something I have placed here in error feel free to correct me.

Well I just got back from the SSH seminar. Here is how it went.

I got there about 45 min early and spent 30 bucks on a helo ride. the rides were given by the school instructors, I think mine was from australia. He had nothing but good things to say about SSH(no suprise there). I asked how many flight hrs he had and he said around 600. I asked if he was going to leave when he got around 1000 hrs. He stated no, that he made way to much money to leave. I noticed there were about five R44s and about four R22s. There was also a Longranger and a big Bell Twin.

After the ride, we all gathered in the hanger and sat facing a stage with two big projection screens that showed a slide show of photos, at least 300 people showed up. A short movie came on with a lot of helo's flying around and Jerry giving an interview. Jerry came on after the movie and began speaking about SSH and how it had been started. He also spoke about how he grew up in Clark County Nevada, his law enforcement past, and about the water purifying company he had once owned. He stated he wanted to be the Sherriff in Clark County. He was very personable. He stated that they have hired every student they have graduated except one. The one they did not hire was dismissed due to damaging an R22 after he lied about were he was taking it(understandable).

SSH is expanding into other states by leaps and bounds. Jerry stated SSH has a ton of partnerships with companies and that his graduates are highly marketable. He stated that as soon and you get enough hrs as an instructor you can be outsourced to the companies SSH has partnerships with. He stated it was possible for you to work in agriculture, firefighting, heavy lifting, tours, exec transport, etc. He stated you start around 18/hr and work up to 25/hr 52,000 a year. I believe he stated that was for an instructor pilot. He stated it was possible to make much more, especially in firefighting.

It seemed to me he was being very honest about the regulations of the school. Attendance had to be three days but it seemed flexible on which days. He also stated SSH was starting a internet based virtual classroom for those who had to drive from far areas. He said you should come to review classes along with the internet study. He did say you would have to commit to three days a week in classroom and two days a week flying. You would then have to commit to at least three days of flying after so many hrs.

Jerry stated that there are about 10-12 students per instructor. To me that is too high of a ratio.

I had a chance to speak to some instructors and other attendees. I was shocked to find that most everyone(attendants) I talked to had not done much, if any, research into other schools or into SSH. I told one instructor who looked very young that a 64,000 dollar check was hard to write especially if you were not sure about the school. He stated he had started at a smaller school that was disorganized and that the organization of SSH was what had won him over. I also asked about the class action in CA, but nobody seemed to know anything about it.

All in all I was very impressed with the presentation, although it was pure marketing. It answered alot of questions but it did not answer other questions such and what you would be responsible for if you could not complete the training. It seemed to me that you would probably not have a problem as long as you showed up to the lessons you are scheduled for. Of course it did not mention anything about instructors canceling on you. Jerry did say it was unacceptable to not show up to you scheduled lesson. Not sure what kind of heads up needs to be given if you as a student could not make one for some reason.

The 64k does include alot of certs and an additional 50 hrs of flight.

I called helicopter services and they seem very nice. I will visit them this week.

I hope someone finds this info useful.

fry · July 28, 2006

Jerry stated SSH has a ton of partnerships with companies and that his graduates are highly marketable. He stated that as soon and you get enough hrs as an instructor you can be outsourced to the companies SSH has partnerships with. He stated it was possible for you to work in agriculture, firefighting, heavy lifting, tours, exec transport, etc

I do not believe this is true.

He did say you would have to commit to three days a week in classroom and two days a week flying. You would then have to commit to at least three days of flying after so many hrs.

Jerry stated that there are about 10-12 students per instructor

At two hours per student flight session (preflight, flight & postflight) that would be 40 hours a week for an instructor with 10 students...with no overlap. That's not possible.

All in all I was very impressed with the presentation, although it was pure marketing. It answered alot of questions but it did not answer other questions such and what you would be responsible for if you could not complete the training. It seemed to me that you would probably not have a problem as long as you showed up to the lessons you are scheduled for.

That would be an expensive assumption. Not only would your $65k be non-refundable after ten months and therefore wasted if you were to "not complete the training" but, if you do not go on to get a paying job as a commercial pilot (beyond instructing) you will have, essentially, spent more than a $120k (loan plus interest) for a private pilot's license.

The 64k does include alot of certs and an additional 50 hrs of flight.

"Additional 50 hrs of flight" over what? I believe SSH's contract provides for 200 hours of flight time...the minimum needed to instruct in a Robbie. Other schools offer 200 hours for about $50k.

67november · July 29, 2006

Helicrazy, I recommend that you get you sorry arse as far away from SSH ASAP. this man is nothing more than a con artist with funds from his schools to keep him from being arrested.

my 2 cents