wickedsprint Posted August 20, 2007 Posted August 20, 2007 Hello...I'm currently a fixed wing private pilot..and I tried a helicopter lesson yesterday. Needless to say I am hooked...which sucks cause they are so expensive..haha. Looking to most likely get out of the military in a year or so..but having some trouble finding VA approved heli schools. I need this as the GI Bill will pay me back 60% after the PPL add on. Here is where I am getting frustrated. It seems most schools don't hire very many CFIs..and at least around here typically like ot hire former students...but you obviously can't hire every student..or even a goodly amount of them...or you get CFI heavy. So how are people getting jobs flight instructing with only 200-300 hours..or even finding CFI jobs? I'm just worried about paying 60k to get the ratings..then not being able to find work. Ideally I'd love to teach at the school that tought me to fly...but that seems like a crapshoot at best. I alsready have a degree so it oes not do me much good to attend a 4yr or college based type program. Quote
502VJ Posted September 24, 2007 Posted September 24, 2007 Hello...I'm currently a fixed wing private pilot..and I tried a helicopter lesson yesterday. Needless to say I am hooked...which sucks cause they are so expensive..haha. Looking to most likely get out of the military in a year or so..but having some trouble finding VA approved heli schools. I need this as the GI Bill will pay me back 60% after the PPL add on. Here is where I am getting frustrated. It seems most schools don't hire very many CFIs..and at least around here typically like ot hire former students...but you obviously can't hire every student..or even a goodly amount of them...or you get CFI heavy. So how are people getting jobs flight instructing with only 200-300 hours..or even finding CFI jobs? I'm just worried about paying 60k to get the ratings..then not being able to find work. Ideally I'd love to teach at the school that tought me to fly...but that seems like a crapshoot at best. I alsready have a degree so it oes not do me much good to attend a 4yr or college based type program. Definitely make sure that the school you train at has a policy of hiring their own graduates & try to determine if they are busy or not, you'll have a better chance of a job if they are in fact busy as the attrition rate of the CFI's will be greater, they'll be moving through quicker..I know there are limited 141 schools out there, especially ones that can offer Instrument training etc..Check out Los Angeles Helicopters in Long Beach, CA they are 141 approved....Drop them an e-mail asking the same questions you asked here, they are excellent about replying to e-mails....Good luck & congrats on discovering helo's!.... Quote
bellpilot Posted September 25, 2007 Posted September 25, 2007 (edited) Try Leading Edge Aviation in Bend, Oregon. 141 VA flight school, instrument instruction, (3) CFII's on staff. DPE on Staff. They are also 135,133,137 and have 145 repair and service center for Robinsons. www.flybend.com Good Luck!!!!!!!!Bellpilot Edited September 25, 2007 by bellpilot Quote
Autorotator Posted September 25, 2007 Posted September 25, 2007 As both have said, you will have to attend a part 141 school to be able to use your GI bill. It has also been said to try to attend a busy school where the turnover rate of CFI's is steady. I agree. Just make sure it is a reputable school. A school that I went to was in Chandler, AZ called Quantuum Helicopters (part 141). Everybody that I personally knew, got jobs with Quantum after they finished their CFI. The school will not guarantee you a job, but your chances are really good. (Just concider your training as a long interview process). Quantum is a top notch school with many R22's and a few R44's. They usually would have about 15 instructors, but that number has probably went up since they moved to their new facility. Their maintenance program is top notch as well. Check them out, I would highly recommend them. www.quantumhelicopters.com --CM Quote
Pogue Posted September 25, 2007 Posted September 25, 2007 Quantum is a top notch school with many R22's and a few R44's. They usually would have about 15 instructors, but that number has probably went up since they moved to their new facility. Their maintenance program is top notch as well.I'm currently enrolled at Quantum and using VA benefits (Part 1607 in my case.) I'm really pleased with the school and second the recommendation. Also, they know exactly what they are doing with the VA paperwork which makes it a lot easier. Quote
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