Looking to attend Bristow Academy (Titusville)

[Gozer8]

I now have the means to enroll in a heli flight school. Seriously looking into Bristow Academy (Titusville) due to my close proximity. Already took a tour and all that jazz. Just wondering if there are any Bristow Academy grads (Professional Pilot course) from the Titusville location with any incite/opinions about their experience there?

 

Thanks a ton!

[Dan 300CBI]

Haven't been there myself but I have flown with 3 different CFI's that have come out of that school and all 3 have been top notch instructors. One instructor told me the biggest drawback is the flight scheduling. If you are scheduled to fly and it gets canceled for whatever reason you loose that time slot and it's a pain to make it up. Again having never been there myself that was the only bad thing I heard. Good Luck !!

[DEMO]

Haven't been there myself but I have flown with 3 different CFI's that have come out of that school and all 3 have been top notch instructors.

 

Same here, had my eye on them since my first CFI was from there in 03' I have never heard a bad thing about them.

[NorCalHeliKid]

Same here, had my eye on them since my first CFI was from there in 03' I have never heard a bad thing about them.

 

Let me share my personal experience with the Bristow Academy. First, this takes place in July of 2007 so granted things may have changed in the last 7 months. I moved to FL from CA to attend the Instrument program and rented a room in a house with a really great guy from Seychelles. When I got the flight school and tried to meet with the woman recruiter she was on a two week vacation so I figured out on my own what I needed to do and where I needed to report for class. I went through the 2 week ground school and passed the final exam first try, and then started a 5 hour transition into the 300cb since my previous 35 hours were PPL in the R22. (No reason the transition could not have been done previously during ground school but I was literally lost in the hundreds of students and had no assigned flight instructor). TWO MONTHS later I finished the transition into the 300cbi...flight time is impossible to get at this place...not to mention that EVERY foreign student on a time restricted Visa gets flight priority....so, if their assigned ship goes down, they have every ability to take yours and they will. This aside from the weather being crappy half the days during the summer, the only flight slots that work out are the morning...by the afternoon there are thunderstorms and bad Wx. Recently I read an article in the WSJ that had allegations of Bristow Academy taking bribes from foreign military/ govt for flight line priority and the FAA has slapped them with fines according to what Ive read. Does not suprise me. They cater mostly to the foreign contracts that they get and who wouldnt, thats where the money is, but because of it, they are hurting for CFIs, since most of the graduates go back to their homelands upon completion of the program. My opinion on the school is that it would be great,....if you arent a US citizen. There are too many people for my taste, and not enough CFIs to cover everyone...another reason I didnt get any flight time. I think that they are still going through some changes from the Bristow takeover and if I were going to go to BA, I would go to the one in Lousiana!! I have heared better things about that campus...

[DEMO]

Let me share my personal experience with the Bristow Academy. First, this takes place in July of 2007 so granted things may have changed in the last 7 months. I moved to FL from CA to attend the Instrument program and rented a room in a house with a really great guy from Seychelles. When I got the flight school and tried to meet with the woman recruiter she was on a two week vacation so I figured out on my own what I needed to do and where I needed to report for class. I went through the 2 week ground school and passed the final exam first try, and then started a 5 hour transition into the 300cb since my previous 35 hours were PPL in the R22. (No reason the transition could not have been done previously during ground school but I was literally lost in the hundreds of students and had no assigned flight instructor). TWO MONTHS later I finished the transition into the 300cbi...flight time is impossible to get at this place...not to mention that EVERY foreign student on a time restricted Visa gets flight priority....so, if their assigned ship goes down, they have every ability to take yours and they will. This aside from the weather being crappy half the days during the summer, the only flight slots that work out are the morning...by the afternoon there are thunderstorms and bad Wx. Recently I read an article in the WSJ that had allegations of Bristow Academy taking bribes from foreign military/ govt for flight line priority and the FAA has slapped them with fines according to what Ive read. Does not suprise me. They cater mostly to the foreign contracts that they get and who wouldnt, thats where the money is, but because of it, they are hurting for CFIs, since most of the graduates go back to their homelands upon completion of the program. My opinion on the school is that it would be great,....if you arent a US citizen. There are too many people for my taste, and not enough CFIs to cover everyone...another reason I didnt get any flight time. I think that they are still going through some changes from the Bristow takeover and if I were going to go to BA, I would go to the one in Lousiana!! I have heared better things about that campus...

 

That sucks, no other way to say it. In July of 07’ Bristow had only been in control since early that year, I’m sure there were bugs to be worked out; I’m not trying to minimize your bad experience. I would hope things have changed. I can understand your frustration; I had a similar experience during my PPL at another school.

 

 

 

I had taken a weeks vacation from my real job and pre-paid a 10 hour block to get as much flying as I could. After arranging everything in advance I got bumped for some friend of one of the CFI’s to do some instrument training, I can sympathize. What I thought was going to be a great week of double flight days turned into one hour flight days, if that .

 

 

 

Maybe some current students can let us know how the current schedule is ?

[helifool]

That sucks, no other way to say it. In July of 07’ Bristow had only been in control since early that year, I’m sure there were bugs to be worked out; I’m not trying to minimize your bad experience. I would hope things have changed. I can understand your frustration; I had a similar experience during my PPL at another school.

 

 

 

I had taken a weeks vacation from my real job and pre-paid a 10 hour block to get as much flying as I could. After arranging everything in advance I got bumped for some friend of one of the CFI’s to do some instrument training, I can sympathize. What I thought was going to be a great week of double flight days turned into one hour flight days, if that .

 

 

 

Maybe some current students can let us know how the current schedule is ?

 

 

Hey, I'm currently attending Bristow Academy. I started in Aug 07 and have gone through my Private, Inst., and I'm almost done with my CPL. My experience here has been 95% positive, the only negatives being the sometimes bad weather, too many students and not enough space, and the occasional scheduling issue. I really dont think there is too much of a scheduling issue though they have around 50 aircraft with 12 more CBi's on order, the issues can come with the R22's since there are fewer. Overall though I really like the school, the scenery may be flat and boring but the instruction is top notch and professional. My instructors have been great, and the ground school has been the same. If you have more questions feel free to PM me.

 

Rion

[NorCalHeliKid]

Hey, I'm currently attending Bristow Academy. I started in Aug 07 and have gone through my Private, Inst., and I'm almost done with my CPL. My experience here has been 95% positive, the only negatives being the sometimes bad weather, too many students and not enough space, and the occasional scheduling issue. I really dont think there is too much of a scheduling issue though they have around 50 aircraft with 12 more CBi's on order, the issues can come with the R22's since there are fewer. Overall though I really like the school, the scenery may be flat and boring but the instruction is top notch and professional. My instructors have been great, and the ground school has been the same. If you have more questions feel free to PM me.

 

Rion

Are you from the US?

[helifool]

Are you from the US?

 

 

Yes sir born and raised!

[goromadgo]

Yes sir born and raised!

 

In West Philadelphia born and raised

On the playground is where I spent most of my days

Chillin out maxin' and relaxin' all cool

And all shooting some b-ball outside of the school

 

Sorry got that stuck in my head when I read that!

 

I also was looking into Bristow but didn't like the pilot factory set-up. I've always liked going to a smaller place, even chose my military base like that because I didn't want to go to a large unit where I could get lost in the ocean of people. I had heard the same thing about foreigners getting priority. I will still probably go look at the Louisiana location though since it's just down the road from where I play hockey there!

[Rogue]

I agree with those thoughts also. I toured Bristow a few months ago seemed chaotic, easy to get lost in the crowd and well... simply put they seemed to be at peace with simply saying "we are booked till April" and not showing any interest in whether I chose to go there or not - may sound insignificant but.... at the end of the day I'm the customer and if you can't show an interest in my business from the get go then how's it going to be a few months down the road? It may or may not have mattered but the impression given wasn't very good. anywho... two cents worth.

[ADRidge]

In West Philadelphia born and raised

On the playground is where I spent most of my days

Chillin out maxin' and relaxin' all cool

And all shooting some b-ball outside of the school

 

Sorry got that stuck in my head when I read that!

 

I also was looking into Bristow but didn't like the pilot factory set-up. I've always liked going to a smaller place, even chose my military base like that because I didn't want to go to a large unit where I could get lost in the ocean of people. I had heard the same thing about foreigners getting priority. I will still probably go look at the Louisiana location though since it's just down the road from where I play hockey there!

 

Come down and see everyone in New Iberia. The city isn't much to speak of, but the caliber of instruction is top notch. All the staff was either an instructor or a CFI candidate before Vortex was bought out, if that means anything to you. It's getting big, but I wouldn't call it a factory at all. Joe is always there to help you out with any issues you may have, and most instructors are stand-up people and would go quite a ways to make sure you're doing everything that needs to be done.

[goromadgo]

Come down and see everyone in New Iberia. The city isn't much to speak of, but the caliber of instruction is top notch. All the staff was either an instructor or a CFI candidate before Vortex was bought out, if that means anything to you. It's getting big, but I wouldn't call it a factory at all. Joe is always there to help you out with any issues you may have, and most instructors are stand-up people and would go quite a ways to make sure you're doing everything that needs to be done.

 

I will come check out out this summer, still deployed at the moment. I don't really know much about the New Iberia location, was talking about the Titusville one. Will look you up in a few months down the road!

[rjl2001]

OK, so I'm not the only prospective student that was dissatisfied with Bristow in Titusville. In the last few months I've made road trips and visited 9 different schools in 3 different states. So I've been doing my research and seeing who I like. Titusville was by far the worst experience I had visiting a school. Since I arrived unanounced I expect for people to be busy and maybe have to wait for a little bit. When I got to their building it seemed pretty hectic, and took me over 5 mins. just to ask someone who I should speak to about information possibly a tour. They directed me to their main administration building, so I went over there. Was pointed in the direction of the lady I needed to speak with and introduced myself to her. She was polite but really just handed me some of their fancy literature and said to call back with any questions, didn't offer to sit down or further explain anything. So then I went back to their main building hoping to find a student to get their feedback. After about 30 mins. managed to find one student who was able to chat for about five minutes before he had to start his work, so he said he would find a CFI for me to talk to. The few he asked said they were too busy so the student just told me to wait and ask the guy behind the counter who I first spoke with. While standing at the desk to speak to him, every student/CFI that came up to the counter had no problem going right in front of me. So after waiting 10 mins. this time the gentleman behind the desk goes over to few CFI's to ask them if they could help me out. I wasn't trying to eavesdrop but could hear the CFI's complaining about having to show someone around for a tour. I noted those were the exact same CFI's that were sitting on that couch 30 mins. earlier. The third or fourth person he approached was a very friendly CFI from Norway, and he helped me out. He was polite and gave me a tour of everything and answered all of my questions. I don't mean to imply anything about the quality of the training given, and I know people have bad days at work, but I definately got the feeling that I was more of a nuisance than anything else.

 

That being said, the most friendly and helpful students/instructors of any school I've visited had been at Vortex Helicopters about one week before they became Bristow Academy. Everyone from the maintenance lady to the CFI's to the students were very informative and helpful even staying late on a Sat. night to speak with me. Vortex is at the very top of my list of schools, one of which I will hopefully start this summer. My only concern now is that New Iberia may start to become more like Titusville.

[Rogue]

haha rjl2001 It sounds like we recieved the exact same tour at Titusville!!!

[Logan]

In West Philadelphia born and raised

On the playground is where I spent most of my days

Chillin out maxin' and relaxin' all cool

And all shooting some b-ball outside of the school

 

Sorry got that stuck in my head when I read that!

 

I also was looking into Bristow but didn't like the pilot factory set-up. I've always liked going to a smaller place, even chose my military base like that because I didn't want to go to a large unit where I could get lost in the ocean of people. I had heard the same thing about foreigners getting priority. I will still probably go look at the Louisiana location though since it's just down the road from where I play hockey there!

 

 

Fresh Prince. ha!

[helonorth]

I did my commercial rating at HAI in 2001. They had just moved to Titusville. It was not a real

"feel good" kind of place, but they are thorough and get the job done. They've trained 1000's

of pilots and they try to only hire the best students, but it ain't perfect. You will get very good

training with no surprises. That's the bottom line, in my opinion. If I were close to it, as you

are, I would definitely go there. Tomlinson in Ormond Beach is good, too. I did my IR

there, but if you have Bristow in your back yard, go there. I think the place looks good on

a resume, too. An employer knows what to expect from someone that went to Bristow.

We hired all our instructors from there (over the phone) and we were never disappointed.

Edited August 27, 2008 by helonorth

[TJF97]

Any updates about life at the Bristow Academy in Titusville??

 

I'm booked in to start in Jnaury 09.

[rick1128]

Come down and see everyone in New Iberia. The city isn't much to speak of, but the caliber of instruction is top notch. All the staff was either an instructor or a CFI candidate before Vortex was bought out, if that means anything to you. It's getting big, but I wouldn't call it a factory at all. Joe is always there to help you out with any issues you may have, and most instructors are stand-up people and would go quite a ways to make sure you're doing everything that needs to be done.

 

When I worked out of New Siberia many years ago, I found living in Lafayette much better. When you get there check out Chris's Po Boy's.

[ADRidge]

Yeah, if I were still at Bristow New Iberia, I'd much rather live in LFT.