Narrowing down schools

auto360 · September 25, 2007

Last May I stopped by Vortex Helicopters in Louisiana and talk with the owner for like 3 hrs or more. I liked the guy. Talked to some of the students and they were happy also. For the most part I left with a good feeling. I feel I could go there and be satisfied. The general consensus is 50 grand to complete.

Now, when I come home for R & R in Nov, I'm going to drive up to Fresno( from Tucson) and check out Mazzie's school. I hear good things about them. But it looks as though its $10,000 more. But it includes an apartment that you share and I know that California is more expensive in fuel and everything else so the difference in cost is, in my opinion, acceptable. Right now it takes me 6-7 weeks to save $10,000 so it wouldn't be that much harder to cover that. Plus, at Mazzie you can be certified to train in an R44 for another $5000. Is it worth it? Seems like a good rating to have because it would make me that much more versitile as a trainer.

If anyone wants to share their thoughts on this it would be appreciated.

Matt

Autorotator · September 25, 2007

All I have to say is I wish I could save $10,000 in 6 - 7 weeks. <_>

Sorry this wasn't very constructive.

--CM

helidave · September 26, 2007

If you're already in Arizona, check out Quantum Helicopters. www.quantumhelicopters.com

james28 · September 26, 2007

while in cali you might check specialized helicopters out, they come highly recommended.

auto360 · September 26, 2007

$10,000 in 6-7 weeks...Let me tell you how I do it. I'm working 100+ hrs a week, I share a 10 x 10 room on a military baseout in the middle east. Yes it sucks, but its getting my money for school. Yes, I'm burned out and tired but the good news is I have a date tonight with a beautiful woman !!

I have checked out Quantum Helicopters. Stopped in 2 or 3 times over the years. I'm just getting a bad feeling and I can't shake it.

Now I have heard really positive things about a school they call SSH. About to sign up with them. Ok, everyone, that is a joke! I have my own story about them and wouldn't go with them but the owner took me for a free flight in his Bell 206. Best helicopter flight ever. We were going to take his 500 but we found a problem during preflight. Long story....

I'll see what I can find out about Specialized helicopter. If its in La or SF I doubt I'd be interested though. Don't like the big California cities.

Matt

Autorotator · September 26, 2007

Good luck on your date. Your job doesn't sound like a good one to me, but shows your commitment. I hope you get to realize your dream.

Anyway, I also went to Quantum and would highly recommend them. It truly is a great school and VERY professional. If you get a chance, check them out again at their new location. They moved to the East side of the airport into a brand new building. I heard it's really nice.

If you have any questions at all about Quantum, feel free to send me a message and I'll do my best to answer them.

--CM

Vaqueroaero · September 26, 2007

I trained at Mazzei's many, many moons ago. The living situation is great - all the students live in the same apartment complex, so you end up with a good social life. If possible try abd shack up with another helicopter student. I seem to remember they even buy pots and pans for you. As far as the school went, I think a guy called Bjorn is still instructing there - very experienced pilot. It's all 141 and they have (or did have) their own examiner on staff. I had no problems with instruction there.

I seem to remember they ask for some money upfront, which I did. My bank screwed up and dumped almost my entire fund for training into their bank account. I decided, for personal reasons only, to finish up my training elsewhere and am happy to say that they gave me every penny back that I didn't owe. No problems or questions at all.

The only bad thing I have heard, and I wasn't there to experience it, is that the fog up there can be enough to grind training to a halt for a while.

They didn't have a 44 when I was there, but you will open more doors for yourself if you are able to fly it.

Brings back memories of my first solo cross country when I ended up in completely the wrong airport........happy days!!

Best of luck, and thanks for your service.

(let us know how that date went........)

qwerty · September 26, 2007

Universal Helicopters is a great flight school in Arizona, but they're a bit money hungry. I would suggest checking it out if you have the time.

Darren Hughes · September 26, 2007

I just started working at Mazzei as an Instructor about 6 weeks ago. I started my training last November and got finished in the scheduled time(I put my program on pause for a month to go back home to Ireland in June.), and got hired on a few days after I finished my CFII check ride. The Fog does get bad sometimes in Fresno, but I missed only 2 flights during last winter to it.

I'm not really in a position to give a non-biased opinion but I was very happy with the training I got here and was more than happy to join the staff. The best thing you can do when you visit schools to check them out is talk with some of the studants that are wandering around to get a real view of how the school performs for their students.

Bjorn is now a DPE for the Fresno area and does some of our check rides, he also does some work for other schools around the area like Silver state in Los Banos.

IM me to let me know when you are visiting and I can show you around. Jerry the admissions guy can be a little overwhelming as he is very much the salesman!!

auto360 · September 27, 2007

AutoRotator : I may swing by Quantum one last time and see what they say but to be honest I like the idea of living somewhere else. I am not a homebody at all.

Vaqueroaero : The date went great. Had a nice dinner at a Turkish resteraunt in downtown Doha. I'm trying to limit my contact with woman because I'm trying to focus on saving money, but when their beautiful and funny...well, no need to elaborate.

Darren Hughes : I will be stopping by during the 1st week of Nov. I sense that Jerry is a salesman but through the years I have built up a strong immune system to them. When it comes down to it, I do want a good school but mostly I want an instructor who I'm compatible with. Jerry sells the school, but he won't be my instructor. I have talked to him on the phone once and he seemed nice enough. I hope to see you there. Actually, the students are the sales people.

Oh, and thanks for all the replies.

Matt

treasure.man.1 · September 27, 2007

You may want to check out American Helicopters in Fresno, they are located at the Chandler Airport. I trained there and was very happy. The school is not fancy but they have newer equipment ( 6 helicopters) and great instructors. Stop in and talk to them and you will be very happy you did.

auto360 · September 28, 2007

You may want to check out American Helicopters in Fresno, they are located at the Chandler Airport. I trained there and was very happy. The school is not fancy but they have newer equipment ( 6 helicopters) and great instructors. Stop in and talk to them and you will be very happy you did.

Tman1,

I sent you a PM