A few questions

[maquaire22]

Hey, I'm 18 years old and currently in high school and have been seriously thinking about a career in aviation. First off, I have been looking into this school www.helicoptersofamerica.net it is based in Pompano Beach, Fl which is pretty close to me. I was thinking about applying to that school until one day at school I was talking to one of the Army recruiter guys that regularly visit my school and he said that most helicopter training schools aren't "legit" and that I would be wasting my money going there. I don't know if he was being genuine or just wanted me to get the training in the military (he did want to interview me later but I couldn't make it). In your opinion do you think that school looks all right for the website?

 

Second question is about medical issues. I am in pretty good physical health but I had a minor case of depression about 2 years ago. It was nothing serious I took some medications for about a year and it went away. My mother told me that I would probably not be able to be a pilot because of that. To me it sounds like bs, but I just want to make sure.

 

Any help would be appreciated and any info about a career in aviation in general would help me. I've done some research on it but not enough.

[DOORGUNNER]

There are plenty of "Legit" helicopter schools out there. Do some research before picking one and definitly visit the school and talk to them. Find out if there are any former students you can speak with.

 

I was active duty enlisted in the military and I can tell you that becoming a military pilot isn't just speaking with the recruiter who visits the high school and signing up. The recruiter will tell you that he can put you in as a cook, then you can make a lateral move to start training as a pilot, or some BS like that. I'm definitly pro military, but you have to make sure you get what you want if you thought about going that route. You will also need a college degree.

 

As far as your question about the prior medical issue. I couldn't answer that one. When you speak to a school, ask them for the phone numbers for some area flight physicians to get an answer. Good Luck.

[Sparker]

Second question is about medical issues. I am in pretty good physical health but I had a minor case of depression about 2 years ago. It was nothing serious I took some medications for about a year and it went away. My mother told me that I would probably not be able to be a pilot because of that. To me it sounds like bs, but I just want to make sure.

 

Any help would be appreciated and any info about a career in aviation in general would help me. I've done some research on it but not enough.

 

Check out: http://www.leftseat.com/medcat1.htm

 

I remember reading something about most anti-depressents being off limits for pilots. I have a flight training magazine from AOPA that just came last month about meds and flying. PM me and I will send it to you.

 

There are a few conditions that make it impossible to fly, and some medications that make it impossible to fly. Sometimes there are alternative meds.... If you aren't on the meds anymore there isn't much need to worry IMHO.

 

Anybody correct me if I am off on this at all.

[Scottie]

I wouldn't judge any school just by looking at the website and I wouldn't trust any recruiter that said "most helicopter training schools aren't "legit" and that I would be wasting my money going there."

 

I'm in the Army and I still have no love for recruiters Use the internet to find schools then get out there, visit them, and make up your own mind. I decided to spend a Saturday visiting 2 local flight schools and I ended up spending 8 hours at the first one I visited. I got along so well with the owners that I didn't even think about going to the other place.

 

Taking a trip to the school can net you more info than we can provide you here.

[fry]

Hey, I'm 18 years old and currently in high school and have been seriously thinking about a career in aviation. First off, I have been looking into this school www.helicoptersofamerica.net it is based in Pompano Beach, Fl which is pretty close to me. I was thinking about applying to that school until one day at school I was talking to one of the Army recruiter guys that regularly visit my school and he said that most helicopter training schools aren't "legit" and that I would be wasting my money going there. I don't know if he was being genuine or just wanted me to get the training in the military (he did want to interview me later but I couldn't make it). In your opinion do you think that school looks all right for the website?

 

I couldn't get beyond the website's introduction page...maybe that says something about the quality of the operation, I dunno. My impression of that first page was of too-slick advertising...with the eagles and shields and "camaraderie" pitch (should you care if your flight instructor is a "kewl dude" or that he has the experience to be a competent stick and a good teacher?).

 

Anyway, if you can get to the nutz-and-bolts of what they offer compare it to this...the advertised offer of a Part 141 school that has been in business since 1994 (also in FL):

 

PPL - 33 hours of dual instruction, 11 hours of solo & 120 hours of ground = $12,758

CPL - 20 hours of dual, 75 solo, 10 ground = $24,613

CFI - 10 dual, 0 solo, 70 ground = $4,610

IR - 25 hooded dual, 0 solo, 80 ground & sim = $9,960

CFII - 5 dual, 0 solo, 10 ground = $2,775

Additional 21 hours solo = $4,410

 

Total flight time; 200 hours. Advertised cost; $59,126. I'll bet the Helicopters of America school costs closer to $70k for 200 hours (Why? Because they look like they are using the same marketing model as Silver State...advertise to the masses and make it sound easy by offering financing).

 

So, the questions are; where are you going to get $60k and what are your plans after you have purchased the first 200 hours; i.e., how are you going to get the next 800 hours in order to be able to move to Louisiana and get a full time flying job?

 

If you want to take what appears to be a short cut into a aviation career that will leave you making payments for the next 15 years and probably never actually earning a paycheck by flying then by all means these slick marketing flight schools are the way to do that. But if you really want to fly, go to college first. Then either go into the military as an officer and have a real shot at an aviation assignment or, go into the civilian world, make a lot of money and fly for fun.

[Sparks]

I had a trial lesson at that school about 2 years ago and it was great. The instructer was a young guy and really really got me into it. I didnt really find out too much about the school but that trial lesson is still the best experience of my life so far.

 

Now, the other side of the story. I re-visited that school in december and i wasnt impressed. Considering im a potential $70,000 they didnt seem to care. I didnt know who i was talking to (didnt say who he was eg. Owner, instructer, student, cleaner) just told me his first name. And they didnt spend much time with me as they were very busy. I wanted to get my logbook signed but they said that the hurricane had destroyed all their records

 

Dunno, maybe they were just having a bad day

[zemogman]

I spent five years in the Marine Corp...didn't go to officer school so I did not fly!

 

God Bless the military and all serving...but that's a blanket statement for a recruiter to give to all civilian flight schools...then again recruiters will say quite a bit to get your interest. Keep your eyes open and make sure you know that if you join the military now...you have a high probability of serving in a danger zone (nothing wrong with that...just be aware of the situation in the world).

 

That said ...IMO...I don't see the military as a bad option. Especially the Army (for helicopter flight) being that you can fly as a warrant officer (don't know all the details). There are other posts you can research on this site about flying in the Army.

 

Here's a post you'll you may find helpful (do a search...I don't know how to post the link)--- Army Aviation: OCS versus WOFT?, Question about pros and cons of each Options Rating

 

Either way...watch out for the "bait and switch". Make sure you get the MOS (job) you want...in writing. Something that is directly related to aviation...Ask the recruiter for an accurate career path to flying helicopters and sift through the smoke to get the real deal.

 

Like others said...I'm sure there are good civilian flight schools out there. I'm relatively happy with the one I just started in (Pelican Flight Training) at N. Perry Airport in Pembroke Pines, Florida (near Dolphin Stadium). PM me if you want their information. It was recommended to me...

 

God-speed...

 

Z

Edited March 26, 2007 by zemogman

[klmmarine]

I am going to partially agree with Fry on this one. That website looks a little slick, I would be extremely hesitant to commit funds to a company that isn't comfortable putting the price of their flight training on their website. Makes me wonder why they are keeping that close held.

 

There are plenty of completely legit schools out there for flight training.

 

BEWARE of RECRUITERS. They are some of the slickest salespeople around. Very few people that I knew in the military had positive things to say about their recuiters. The recruiter's only job is to get you to join the military, and some will tell you anything you want to hear to get you to join. I am not saying that all recruiters are unethical but there are many out there that will deliberately mislead you about what you are going to encounter in the military.