Universal Air Academy, El Monte,CA

[Pitch Pitch Pull!]

I would like to know any opinions (good or bad) on first hand experience with the schools helicopter training program. I plan on attaining my PPL (H), and will most likely attend this school unless something really negative turns up. I've done my due diligence and believe this school to be the most adequate and convenient. Most of the feedback I received from students on the ground was positive and my personal experience with the instructor was very informative. The price is very reasonable, package deals for 0 to PPL (50 hours) is 10.8.

 

Any and all information is appreciated and will at the very least reinforce my decision and place my mind at ease.

 

Thanks to all.

[Goldy]

I would like to know any opinions (good or bad) on first hand experience with the schools helicopter training program. I plan on attaining my PPL (H), and will most likely attend this school unless something really negative turns up. I've done my due diligence and believe this school to be the most adequate and convenient. Most of the feedback I received from students on the ground was positive and my personal experience with the instructor was very informative. The price is very reasonable, package deals for 0 to PPL (50 hours) is 10.8.

 

Any and all information is appreciated and will at the very least reinforce my decision and place my mind at ease.

 

Thanks to all.

 

EMT- Pretty good restaurant, watch the water tower at the end of R19, and a lot of the controllers are new. EMT also goes IMC due to haze during some times of the year...gets pretty bad at times. I lost the airport once on final out only 1 mile. I could see the ground just fine, but out in front of me was a blur. I know nothing about Universal...no good or bad. The PPL deal sounds ok, is it all inclusive ? What if it takes you more than 49 hours to get ready for your checkride? Does that cost you more?

 

Goldy

[Pitch Pitch Pull!]

EMT- Pretty good restaurant, watch the water tower at the end of R19, and a lot of the controllers are new. EMT also goes IMC due to haze during some times of the year...gets pretty bad at times. I lost the airport once on final out only 1 mile. I could see the ground just fine, but out in front of me was a blur. I know nothing about Universal...no good or bad. The PPL deal sounds ok, is it all inclusive ? What if it takes you more than 49 hours to get ready for your checkride? Does that cost you more?

 

Goldy

Thanks for the response, sorry bout the delay.

 

The PPL deal is all inclusive and yes I would have to pay for additional hours if I need more time to prepare for the check ride. There is a package available for 0 time to Comm. and that runs 31K. What are your thoughts on that plan? This plan would also allow me to use some of the later hours in a 44 for an additional fee (about 160 P/H). The Cheif pilot also does ferries and photography which he passes on to the students to log hours. He stated to me that he works in Torrance at the Robinson facility, which allows him to get other side jobs that will also give the students, with the proper hours an opportunity to get additional hours.

 

At anny rate that is my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

Thanks

[Goldy]

All sounds reasonable, but I would not trust ANY school with more than 3-4 grand of my money at one time....I flew out there Sunday, took off at VNY in gusting 25K winds...lots of fun! Was practicing navigating to the POM VOR, but what a beautiful day !