lv@1stflite Posted August 29, 2007 Posted August 29, 2007 I've been lurking for a couple of months, reading, doing research, just getting an idea of what's going on in the world of rotary wing. I think it's time I asked for some assistance...... I live near Oakland and work in Sacramento. I'm looking for training that can be done evenings and weekends that will lead to a career change. SSH says they can accommodate me but I get the feeling they will say anything to get me to sign. Does anyone have any suggestions for a non-SSH facility either near Sacramento or Oakland that's geared toward working adults. I need to keep my $70K job in order to pay for it. Any info would be appreciated. ~P.S. I'm NOT I.T..... ~ Quote
Jack Poller Posted August 31, 2007 Posted August 31, 2007 I'm in about your same situation... Live in Oakland, work in San Jose. Have you looked at Bristow Academy http://www.heli.com/index.php - they originally started in Concord and claim they still do instruction there. I'm going to be at Concord for another reason and will probably check them out... Jack Quote
fly2001 Posted September 2, 2007 Posted September 2, 2007 I'm from Sacramento area myself, and recently moved to so cal for a better selection of schools. And after visiting 2 schools today, both of the instructors told me regardless if I attend their school, to stay away from silver state whatever I do. I also would say check out Bristow academy in Concord, althought the Florida branch of the school is more geared towards career students, the people I talked to in Concord said they do have a few career students. Good rep from what I read. Best of luck. Quote
lv@1stflite Posted September 2, 2007 Author Posted September 2, 2007 Thanks you guys...... I've already called Bristow and I'm going to visit there next week. (I actually live about 4 miles from there!) This could work out great...... Quote
dlo22 Posted September 2, 2007 Posted September 2, 2007 if you live right next to Hai or bristow in concord, i think that kindof answers your question. they are really small there compared to the florida option. they have like six or seven swietzwers and one r22 i think. I have flown with them a few times and the only draw backs are???? everything is strait forward and you won't really get any price breaks, you have to follow thier program with your schedule and they will work with you. they do have a few foreign instructors which can pose a problem with some poeople, especially the language barrier. The instructors I flew with their, speak great english, but lack in slang and can be shy and hard to understand at times. not all of them are like this, and this was only my experience, they do have great ships and the chief pilot has lots of experience.. 2. you do have to fly about twenty minutes to practice anything and everything. it is really busy around thier and the closest traininig area is twenty minutes awaay.. that is kindof annoying to me, considering, my traininig area, is less than one minute from the airport. good luck, but you will do better with a well known , popular school with a good reputation that is close to you, like hai, instead of traveling far away for the same thing, or to save 1,000 dollars in the end.... good luck Quote
Sparker Posted September 2, 2007 Posted September 2, 2007 If you talk to Bristow (Formerly HAI), they will just tell you if you are serious you need to move to Florida. They told me they will no longer train in Concord. I visitied Specialized Helicopters (Owned and operated by a former show pilot, Chris), and you will not find a more dedicated crew of guys serious about giving high quality training. They have a Location in Hayward but their main location is in Santa Cruz. They are also affilliated with a school in Lake Tahoe. STAY AWAY FROM SSH. (Unless you prefer poor training, being ignored and being ripped off) Just do some searches on this board about SSH, you don't have to dig to hard to see how horrible they are. Quote
brushfire21 Posted September 3, 2007 Posted September 3, 2007 If you talk to Bristow (Formerly HAI), they will just tell you if you are serious you need to move to Florida. They told me they will no longer train in Concord. I just spoke with Bristow not more than a few weeks ago and they did not say anything about not doing any training in Concord. WHo did you talk to and when was this? Quote
Sparker Posted September 3, 2007 Posted September 3, 2007 I just spoke with Bristow not more than a few weeks ago and they did not say anything about not doing any training in Concord. WHo did you talk to and when was this? It was a couple months ago... Whoever answered the phone. They said they wanted all "career pilots" to train in FL, unless they changed their minds... Quote
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