Anyone heard of HELICOPTER ACADEMY and BOATPIX? Interesting opportunity!

[hoshmaster]

Hello all, I have done alot of searching and one interesting one is Helicopter Academy. The offer to take you from 0-300 hrs. for $50,000. You pay $250 an hr. to build time to 200 hrs as you train and get 100 hrs. free working on a photo contract with them with their sister company BOATPIX. You can look at both websites at helicopteracademy.com and boatpix.com I would appreciate hearing anyones thoughts or experiences about this flight school / commercial operator. It seems like a good opportunity and it sems he has found himself a niche market, training new pilots while doing commercial work. Hope to hear from you all soon.

[Sparker]

It looks like a good deal, but I am hesitant for some reason. I don't want to live in those towns for one, and I don't like the idea of being a number at a large school.

 

They "give" the next 100 hours..... uh, they are making up the money for undercharging on flight time by charging commercial rates to the people you take on photo flights. I guess it's not wrong, but once you get hired after any other school with 200 hours you will start getting paid. How can you pay bills when you have to work for free once your 55K loan comes due?

[Goldy]

There have been lots of threads on BoatPix pro's and con's. OR you can email or send a PM directly to them on the VR site...in fact, they are probably reading this now...damn, whats that I hear ? Is that Boatpix circling my house again ??

 

 

I offer no opinion and have no first hand experience with them. But you do have to give them an A for original thinking...

 

Goldy

[John90290]

It looks like a good deal, but I am hesitant for some reason. I don't want to live in those towns for one, and I don't like the idea of being a number at a large school.

 

 

 

"Those towns" include NYC, not Nebraska but some people seem to think it's ok I think they go where the races are.

 

I met one of those guys while i was shutting down after a flight at Westchester County Airport (HPN) He was super nice guy and said he got to do some good "real world" flying.

 

As mentioned above, several threads about them discussing pros and cons from former and current students.

 

Good luck.

[betr_thn_Icarus]

They "give" the next 100 hours..... uh, they are making up the money for undercharging on flight time by charging commercial rates to the people you take on photo flights.

 

 

I don't see how this is undercharging. I used to pay this in an R22 at one time (with free unlimited ground included)and also pay this now in a 300. The most I ever paid was $290 an hour in a Bell 47 that was a 6 cylinder and burnt a LOT of gas. I might see it as the high end for an R22 depending on what is included.

 

I could also look at the 100 hours a couple of ways. No your not getting paid for it but at the same time your not really paying for it either. I don't think a lot of people would turn down free helicopter time unless they already had a paying job to do instead. Also if you happened to get a paying job flying I doubt they would force you to fulfill your 100 hours of free flight. I do see how it could be good experience though and probably give you an edge over the competition. If I was looking at two applicants who were similar but one had 200 hours and another had 300 w/100 being commercial photo flying I would probably pick the latter. Does anyone go right into getting their first job immediately after finishing their license? Why not spend the mean time building hours?

 

I'm feeling a little jealous now.

 

-SOK

[Sparker]

"Those towns" include NYC, not Nebraska but some people seem to think it's ok

 

Good luck.

 

UH.... There is nothing in Nebraska!!!, I was just saying I picked a town in Norcal that I really like so I don't want to move somewhere else to try it out.

[Sparker]

I don't see how this is undercharging. I used to pay this in an R22 at one time (with free unlimited ground included)and also pay this now in a 300. The most I ever paid was $290 an hour in a Bell 47 that was a 6 cylinder and burnt a LOT of gas. I might see it as the high end for an R22 depending on what is included.

 

I could also look at the 100 hours a couple of ways. No your not getting paid for it but at the same time your not really paying for it either. I don't think a lot of people would turn down free helicopter time unless they already had a paying job to do instead. Also if you happened to get a paying job flying I doubt they would force you to fulfill your 100 hours of free flight. I do see how it could be good experience though and probably give you an edge over the competition. If I was looking at two applicants who were similar but one had 200 hours and another had 300 w/100 being commercial photo flying I would probably pick the latter. Does anyone go right into getting their first job immediately after finishing their license? Why not spend the mean time building hours?

 

I'm feeling a little jealous now.

 

-SOK

 

I might have goofed the math... used plus instead of divide or something....

 

I'm not saying it wouldn't be fun and, honestly, I would probably do it, but since I can't I thought I would bash it!!! J/K

 

It is tempting, I'm just saying something rubs me wrong and I don't think it's for me.

 

As far as spending the time between getting your licenses and getting a job, I know I won't have the luxury of doing anything for free. I am going to be sacking groceries or doing construction until I get my first flying job. Maybe not the groceries....

 

----------------

Now playing: Darrell Evans - So Good to Me

[TheLorax]

this thread has gone to shite, any other info on boatpix please?

 

 

 

Sparker, thanks for the update on what music you're listening to:

 

""""""Darrell Evans is an evangelical Christian musician and songwriter, known primarily for his contributions to contemporary Christian worship. His style of music is noted for its extensive use of free form composition""""""

[volition]

I've done some hours there...and all is well!! The company has been around for a long time, and there is no shortage of flying!! You just cannot beat the price!!

[Sparker]

this thread has gone to shite, any other info on boatpix please?

Sparker, thanks for the update on what music you're listening to:

 

""""""Darrell Evans is an evangelical Christian musician and songwriter, known primarily for his contributions to contemporary Christian worship. His style of music is noted for its extensive use of free form composition""""""

 

LOL- My wife was listening to that, I swear!!! Sometimes the stupid thing automatically puts that thing in forums even if music is off, but it was the last thing that was listened to.

 

I can't tell if you are bashing me... or maybe you like Darrell Evans...

I'm guessing it's a bash. Too much time on you hands, eh?

 

BTW, if you are trying to get a thread back on track critiquing my (wife's) music is the wrong way to do it.

Edited November 1, 2007 by Sparker

[TheLorax]

i admire darrell evans, fyi. it takes balls to do what he's doing.

 

i think every helicopter academy/boatpix operation is gonna be completely different, based on location.

 

different instructors, different areas/events, etc.

 

volition, where did you do your hours and was it just for the 'time building' that they offer?

[ascott20]

I've heard nothing but good things about the boatpix program, and if I wasn't spinning rotors in Iraq, I probably would have used them to build up my R22 time... since I've been so good at blowing it off the last 4 years:)

[volition]

i admire darrell evans, fyi. it takes balls to do what he's doing.

 

i think every helicopter academy/boatpix operation is gonna be completely different, based on location.

 

different instructors, different areas/events, etc.

 

volition, where did you do your hours and was it just for the 'time building' that they offer?

 

I did 65 hours in southern Florida, and it was great. Then I did like 35 in Michigan, and it wasn't so good!! It all depends on wich CFI you get, and that's the same at every school. So it all depends on the location you choose. All I know is in Florida it was great!!! I'd recommend it to anyone!!

[robicfi]

I did my commercial rating and time building with BOATPIX. I HIGHLY recommend them, I had a blast flying there missions! I flew 150+ hours for 15k and Tom (the owner) got me into the RHC Factory Saftey Course with only 2 months notice. Go fly with them, you wont be sorry!!

[hoshmaster]

Everything that I have heard and found is on the positive side. Everyone I have talked to said that it is a good program and good experience, not to mention fun flying enviroment. Hope to hear from anyone else who has had experience with boatpix and helicopter academy. Or anyone who knows anything else about them. Take care

[FUSE]

OK, since folks are asking I'll speak up.

 

I've been with Boatpix for over two years now. So I have my personal experiences and the knowledge of talking with other Boatpix folks for over two years now.

 

My personal experience, even though I know it's not the best situation for Tom, but he has really worked with me. I work full time not flying, and with my wife we are raising two children. So I can't fly all the time like Tom would like. Tom I'm sure absolutely loves the single folks with no real responsibilities. Those are the folks that can just leave at a moments notice and be gone for weeks at a time. Me, I can't do that but Tom worked with me.

 

Bottom line, it is an outstanding time building program. Yes you will get trained, but just realize that after you have your commercial your training will slow down alot as you then just fly boats. So the only "training" is done going in and out of the airports. But while flying boats your getting like real world training.

 

I recommend Boatpix, it is fun and exciting. It has it's drawbacks, but what school doesn't. The good far outweighs any bad there may be.

[pa42]

The OTHER angle at HelicopterAcademy.com (which is the rotorcraft subset of Boatpix) is that the flying itself is more fun than anything else you can do with your (headset) on!

 

In conventional timebuilding at all those other schools, you're probably flying long boring XC's, or doing endless pattern work, and you're restricted from any real low-level experience unless flying with a CFI. AND all you learn is helicopter flying.

 

But while time-building in the boat photo trade, you're learning an additional skill: photography. AND doing it during continuous low-level maneuvering--it's not at all unusual to spend 3 hours below 100' altitude swooping down on one boat after another, each one requiring a rapid deceleration, slow pass along the side at 20', and then pour on the power, get climb speed, and go 90 knots at 100' to catch the next boat.

 

Labor Day we took, in one helicopter, 1200 photos in one three-hour flight--one every 9 seconds. Where else can you try to wear out a top-of-the-line camera while hedge-hopping ocean waves in a helicopter? And this goes on from dawn to dusk, with brief breaks to refuel.

 

Those 1200 photos, by the way, became an excellent Exhibit A when the FAA briefly launched into an investigation of purported "buzzing" incidents--which was swiftly dropped when the images and timing were displayed in their offices, proving that we had to be at least 120' away from the boats in order to fit them into the telephoto image!

 

What the company lacks is a video advertisement showing how much fun the flying is. The only other guys who get to do this kind of work are mustering cattle, mostly in Australia, and to get into THAT you have to be a ranchhand and cowpuncher for years first!

[hoshmaster]

Thanks for your insight guys, I have talked with Tom and a few of his CFI's and they sound pretty fun to work for. I am curious if you have any thoughts about what future employers think or feel about building most of your hours doing just low level ocean flying, no terrian differences, or pressure differences. Say I was interested in flying later in the western US. I think you all know what I am trying to get at, any thoughts on what future employers look for in time building flying experience, from personal experiences would be great. thanks

The OTHER angle at HelicopterAcademy.com (which is the rotorcraft subset of Boatpix) is that the flying itself is more fun than anything else you can do with your (headset) on!

 

In conventional timebuilding at all those other schools, you're probably flying long boring XC's, or doing endless pattern work, and you're restricted from any real low-level experience unless flying with a CFI. AND all you learn is helicopter flying.

 

But while time-building in the boat photo trade, you're learning an additional skill: photography. AND doing it during continuous low-level maneuvering--it's not at all unusual to spend 3 hours below 100' altitude swooping down on one boat after another, each one requiring a rapid deceleration, slow pass along the side at 20', and then pour on the power, get climb speed, and go 90 knots at 100' to catch the next boat.

 

Labor Day we took, in one helicopter, 1200 photos in one three-hour flight--one every 9 seconds. Where else can you try to wear out a top-of-the-line camera while hedge-hopping ocean waves in a helicopter? And this goes on from dawn to dusk, with brief breaks to refuel.

 

Those 1200 photos, by the way, became an excellent Exhibit A when the FAA briefly launched into an investigation of purported "buzzing" incidents--which was swiftly dropped when the images and timing were displayed in their offices, proving that we had to be at least 120' away from the boats in order to fit them into the telephoto image!

 

What the company lacks is a video advertisement showing how much fun the flying is. The only other guys who get to do this kind of work are mustering cattle, mostly in Australia, and to get into THAT you have to be a ranchhand and cowpuncher for years first!

[hoshmaster]

Thanks for your insight guys, I have talked with Tom and a few of his CFI's and they sound pretty fun to work for. I am curious if you have any thoughts about what future employers think or feel about building most of your hours doing just low level ocean flying, no terrian differences, or pressure differences. Say I was interested in flying later in the western US. I think you all know what I am trying to get at, any thoughts on what future employers look for in time building flying experience, from personal experiences would be great. thanks

[jehh]

But while time-building in the boat photo trade, you're learning an additional skill: photography. AND doing it during continuous low-level maneuvering--it's not at all unusual to spend 3 hours below 100' altitude swooping down on one boat after another, each one requiring a rapid deceleration, slow pass along the side at 20', and then pour on the power, get climb speed, and go 90 knots at 100' to catch the next boat.

 

They do that in R-22s?

 

Labor Day we took, in one helicopter, 1200 photos in one three-hour flight--one every 9 seconds. Where else can you try to wear out a top-of-the-line camera while hedge-hopping ocean waves in a helicopter? And this goes on from dawn to dusk, with brief breaks to refuel.

 

Does Boatpix give you a proper life vest with sea dye, strobe light, flares, signal mirror, 406mhz ELT w/GPS, handheld waterproof radio, etc. all packed into the vest? (If it isn't on you, it isn't survival gear, it is cargo. You'll leave the helicopter with whatever you're wearing if it goes down.)

 

Do you get proper water survival training, do you know how to get out of a helicopter that is upside down in the water. Hopefully Boatpix puts you through that training, because it is really hard to get right the first time if you have never done it.

[FUSE]

Nevermind...

[msgrappling]

I'm still thinking of boatpix. I talked to Dave Smith, a very experienced pilot. He really likes his job. I just gotta get about 20 lbs off...no prob. I should be starting soon.

Mark Schultz

[pa42]

Does Boatpix give you a proper life vest with sea dye, strobe light, flares, signal mirror, 406mhz ELT w/GPS, handheld waterproof radio, etc. all packed into the vest? (If it isn't on you, it isn't survival gear, it is cargo. You'll leave the helicopter with whatever you're wearing if it goes down.)

 

Do you get proper water survival training, do you know how to get out of a helicopter that is upside down in the water. Hopefully Boatpix puts you through that training, because it is really hard to get right the first time if you have never done it.

A point (or points) well taken.

 

Fear not! It's all OK. Houston, we have Flotation!

 

The underlying assumption in the preceding description of BP missions, which tends to assume that the readers have looked at the website and seen the pictures of the helicopters, is that everybody knows the helicopters are R22 Mariners!! Thus all that survival equipment (much of which is frequently on board, depepending on the distance from land) is in the "not vital, but nice to have" category.

 

Intentional water landings are strictly forbidden, of course. Nobody much believes the pontoons will keep the helicopter right side up in the open ocean for more than a few minutes, so if the engine quits the ship (and that multi-thousand-$ camera!) is a write-off . But the good news is that it's easy to get out of the cockpit while it's right side up; and even if not, it's much less challenging to get out of an upside-down-in-the-water helicopter if the silly thing is FLOATING upside down.

 

And as for Search and Rescue: generally speaking, the team's only out in nice weather, surrounded by boats. So presumably if the helicopter makes a forced landing, the first thing that happens is it's going to be surrounded by a bunch of powerboats--they'll all want to know if they can have a ride in the helicopter!!

[jehh]

A point (or points) well taken.

 

Fear not! It's all OK. Houston, we have Flotation!

 

Yes, and so did I in the Gulf of Mexico... I still had water survival training and all the equipment I referenced before... Floats can and do fail and helicopter can roll over in a heartbeat.

 

The underlying assumption in the preceding description of BP missions, which tends to assume that the readers have looked at the website and seen the pictures of the helicopters, is that everybody knows the helicopters are R22 Mariners!! Thus all that survival equipment (much of which is frequently on board, depepending on the distance from land) is in the "not vital, but nice to have" category.

 

I disagree, if it was "nice to have", then why do all GOM operators have floats, plus all that stuff?

 

it's much less challenging to get out of an upside-down-in-the-water helicopter if the silly thing is FLOATING upside down.

 

Actually, that is harder than you might think it is... I can tell you from personal experience... I did not express my amazement lightly...

[FUSE]

Yes, and so did I in the Gulf of Mexico... I still had water survival training and all the equipment I referenced before... Floats can and do fail and helicopter can roll over in a heartbeat.

I disagree, if it was "nice to have", then why do all GOM operators have floats, plus all that stuff?

Actually, that is harder than you might think it is... I can tell you from personal experience... I did not express my amazement lightly...

 

 

IMO unless you have flown w/ Boatpix or seen us work you really don't understand what we do. There is a world of difference in the type, and location of the pilots flying in the GOM -vs- Boatpix.

 

I will agree though that training in a dunk tank on how to exit a submerged helicopter would be fantastic and I wish I could get that training.