Training

[Lift]

I am looking for a good school in the San Diego area. I got some stuff from SSH, but training is expensive enough without paying for a marketing machine. How about some the other schools in San Diego? Any ideas. I can't wait to get started. I've already started reading FAA rotorcraft flying handbook.

 

Thanks

[cshaney]

They have a few schools in san diego. Corporate helicopters at montgomery field, and civic helicopters a little north of here in carlsbad. Those are the two schools that I have heard are preety good but have only checked out corporate. It might be worth the drive to go and check out civic, people seem to talk good about them here. I went to the seminar at silver state to see what they were about and wasnt to impressed. It seemed to me they try to impress people with how big their company is and make you feel that you are missing out on something if you dont attend their school. Plus its harder to afford one lump some payment of 70 grand rather than breaking it up as you can do at other schools. By the way what part of san diego are you from? Im from spring valley..

[sshelibadnews]

I am looking for a good school in the San Diego area. I got some stuff from SSH, but training is expensive enough without paying for a marketing machine. How about some the other schools in San Diego? Any ideas. I can't wait to get started. I've already started reading FAA rotorcraft flying handbook.

 

Thanks

Without knowing anything about Flight Schools in the San Diego area my advice is to do a lot of research online and check it twice. Several people have gotten burned very badly by Silver State, although some have gotten excellent results.

Just do a lot of research and find what is the best for you.

[rollthbns]

I am looking for a good school in the San Diego area. I got some stuff from SSH, but training is expensive enough without paying for a marketing machine. How about some the other schools in San Diego? Any ideas. I can't wait to get started. I've already started reading FAA rotorcraft flying handbook.

 

Thanks

 

I am a student at Civic Helicopters out of Palomar Airport. I sent you a PM regarding the school. I did a TON of research before starting my training, and looked at schools all over the country before deciding to stay close to home and get my ratings through Civic. In my opinion, it is by far the best choice in the San Diego area.

[Lift]

If only I were from San Diego. Actually I live in the Imperial Valley. Which is going to make it hard to do this training, but I think It'll be worth it.

 

They have a few schools in san diego. Corporate helicopters at montgomery field, and civic helicopters a little north of here in carlsbad. Those are the two schools that I have heard are preety good but have only checked out corporate. It might be worth the drive to go and check out civic, people seem to talk good about them here. I went to the seminar at silver state to see what they were about and wasnt to impressed. It seemed to me they try to impress people with how big their company is and make you feel that you are missing out on something if you dont attend their school. Plus its harder to afford one lump some payment of 70 grand rather than breaking it up as you can do at other schools. By the way what part of san diego are you from? Im from spring valley..

[RotordogR-1]

I am a student at Civic Helicopters out of Palomar Airport. I sent you a PM regarding the school. I did a TON of research before starting my training, and looked at schools all over the country before deciding to stay close to home and get my ratings through Civic. In my opinion, it is by far the best choice in the San Diego area.

I am in the beginning stages of a career change to being a helicopter pilot. I have been over to Civic three times and I am trying to nail down a discovery flight. I am looking for any and all information anyone can give me on Civic helicopters good or bad. I would appreciate any input from experienced pilots, or any pilots on the reality of going from a tile contractor, who has always felt out of place in the construction industry, to a career as pilot at the age of 42. I am halfway through my rotorcraft flying handbook and I have never felt this passionate about anything in my life, but I, like the rest of us want to make sure that it is even a possibility. One more thing, I am also looking for any input on blue sky helicopter school. The info on SSH is awesome, I am so glad I found Vertical Reference....Thanx to all you guys...currrently Dman

 

PS I put some friends on my list becuase, I like what you had to say...hope you don't mind.

 

Doug W

[Sparker]

Dman-

 

I did some looking and found these for you. A lot of people have turned to flying at different ages, it can be done. There is a flight school review section, I'm sure somebody will have more info on Civic for you though, but in the meantime you can check these out:

 

31 Year old

Slightly pertinent

37 Year Old

 

I use to lay tile. It hurt my back really bad.

 

Others will have more info for you, if you don't get the info you need, you might start your own thread if you want.

 

Good luck

[Lift]

Certainly I'm not a pilot by any means, but I did a discovery flight at Civic with an instructor named Atillio. I felt completely comfortable with him. He has a pretty thick eastern european accent, but I was fine with it and didn't have any problem understanding his instructions. I've checked Corporate and SSH, and if I can realize this dream, I'm likely to do it with Civic.

 

I am in the beginning stages of a career change to being a helicopter pilot. I have been over to Civic three times and I am trying to nail down a discovery flight. I am looking for any and all information anyone can give me on Civic helicopters good or bad. I would appreciate any input from experienced pilots, or any pilots on the reality of going from a tile contractor, who has always felt out of place in the construction industry, to a career as pilot at the age of 42. I am halfway through my rotorcraft flying handbook and I have never felt this passionate about anything in my life, but I, like the rest of us want to make sure that it is even a possibility. One more thing, I am also looking for any input on blue sky helicopter school. The info on SSH is awesome, I am so glad I found Vertical Reference....Thanx to all you guys...currrently Dman

 

PS I put some friends on my list becuase, I like what you had to say...hope you don't mind.

 

Doug W

[RotordogR-1]

Certainly I'm not a pilot by any means, but I did a discovery flight at Civic with an instructor named Atillio. I felt completely comfortable with him. He has a pretty thick eastern european accent, but I was fine with it and didn't have any problem understanding his instructions. I've checked Corporate and SSH, and if I can realize this dream, I'm likely to do it with Civic.

Lift, Thanks for the input fellow newbie, I know I am not alone. I finally got up for my discovery flight-ya I'm hooked!!! I couldn't believe he let me have complete control of the helicopter, my hovering skills, however, humbled me. I know what you mean about the heavy accent, but for the most part, I understood what he was saying.

"Realize the dream" that's the big "If" for me too. Thanks again and good luck to you. I am sure I will talk to you again.

PS. Formally Dman

[RotordogR-1]

Dman-

 

I did some looking and found these for you. A lot of people have turned to flying at different ages, it can be done. There is a flight school review section, I'm sure somebody will have more info on Civic for you though, but in the meantime you can check these out:

 

31 Year old

Slightly pertinent

37 Year Old

 

I use to lay tile. It hurt my back really bad.

 

Others will have more info for you, if you don't get the info you need, you might start your own thread if you want.

 

Good luck

Sparker-

Thanks for the great input. I've read alot of your posts and I like the way you think about most things. I am honored by your response. I want to ask you the "million dollar question" to find out what you think, "what do you think the market will be like in 6-7 years for helicopter pilots. Give me a shout if you get a chance.

Oh ya, Laying tile sucks, straight-up!!! Man was not intended to work on his knees for eight hours a day, that's a fact!!!

Thanks again

 

RotordogR-1 (formally Dman)

[Sparker]

"what do you think the market will be like in 6-7 years for helicopter pilots "

RotordogR-1 (formally Dman)

 

Hopefully good, since I am just now getting into it, but every boom has a bust. I know it is coming, the question is when.....

[beckwith]

Hopefully good, since I am just now getting into it, but every boom has a bust. I know it is coming, the question is when.....

 

My hope is that the boom in question is the infamous "Baby Boom" in which case the bust will be good for the pilot side of the job market.

As long as it doesn't hurt the industry to badly...

[rollthbns]

I am in the beginning stages of a career change to being a helicopter pilot. I have been over to Civic three times and I am trying to nail down a discovery flight. I am looking for any and all information anyone can give me on Civic helicopters good or bad. I would appreciate any input from experienced pilots, or any pilots on the reality of going from a tile contractor, who has always felt out of place in the construction industry, to a career as pilot at the age of 42. I am halfway through my rotorcraft flying handbook and I have never felt this passionate about anything in my life, but I, like the rest of us want to make sure that it is even a possibility. One more thing, I am also looking for any input on blue sky helicopter school. The info on SSH is awesome, I am so glad I found Vertical Reference....Thanx to all you guys...currrently Dman

 

PS I put some friends on my list becuase, I like what you had to say...hope you don't mind.

 

Doug W

 

Doug;

 

No worries whatsoever on the age thing. I am 41 and just about 25 hours away from finishing all of my ratings here at Civic. While everyone is an individual, and this comment will not apply across the board - There is an advantage to having life experience. You will bring things to the table that some younger students / pilots have yet to experience.

 

Working in this industry is a possibility for sure. Since beginning my training at the end of January 2007, I have known personally 6 individuals from Civic who have made the transition from instructing and into the job market. Two of those guys had me beat in the age department. As others have mentioned, booms do bust, but I feel as if we have at least a few more years to go before it starts to slow down.

 

One other thing to keep in mind is that although jobs are plentiful, it still takes hard work and dedication, and an attitude of "I will not be denied".

 

Any questions you have about Civic, let me know. I can give you the straight answers both positive and negative, and give you some hints on the best way to work their system. Hope to see you there soon!

[bspindeli]

Doug,

 

I've been doing some reasearch in the SD area too. I actually liked what Silver State had to say and offer. I met with an instructor and he seemed knowledgable and friendly. Have you met with an instructor at all? Did you meet instructors at the other academies?

 

Spindelilus

[Mike Murphy]

I did some flying at Civic before I was hired for my current EMS job. Everybody I met was super and Chin has quite a good reputation in the helicopter industry. I work with a former Civic instructor and would also recommend Dave V. who currently instructs there.

[Lift]

I did some flying at Civic before I was hired for my current EMS job. Everybody I met was super and Chin has quite a good reputation in the helicopter industry. I work with a former Civic instructor and would also recommend Dave V. who currently instructs there.

 

Thanks for the input. I'm pretty sure if I start training, it's going to be with civic.