california flight schools

[kellen29]

hey guys, im currently searching through all flight schools in California and Im having a hard time choosing a certain school. Any help?

[adam32]

Which ones are you looking at? Where are you located?

[BOATFIXERGUY]

Lots of good ones...all over the state. NORCALHELIKID is an instructor at Blue Sky Aviation. Try them.

 

You can look on the "reviews" page at the top of the page for school reviews all over California.

[Chopperjess]

I'm starting my commercial/IFR/CFI training over at Helistream on the 15th. Every bit of experience I've had with them thus far has been great. (Southern California)

Edited March 5, 2008 by Chopperjess

[rcklimr]

I go to Mazzei in Fresno. Evertyhing with them has been great. You should definately give them a look. Just depends on where you are located. They have housing included with their packages if you will have to move. Their website is flymfs.com. If you want more info let me know. I'm in no way affiliated with them either.

[relyon]

Western Helicopters in Rialto, CA is another great quite long-standing school. Ask for Bob Spencer or Pete Gillies if you get in touch with them.

 

Bob

[adam32]

Western Helicopters in Rialto, CA is another great quite long-standing school. Ask for Bob Spencer or Pete Gillies if you get in touch with them.

 

Bob

 

Bob? As in Bob that worked for High Sierra? I did a couple demo's with you, how you been doing?

[NorCalHeliKid]

Youll find many good schools in CA. Obviously, you can see Ill be called on here sometimes but consider taking a trip to the Central Valley and visit some schools in person. You should see the places and even take an Intro. ride as part of your research and decision making. As others will suggest, read the reviews, continue to think about the pro's and con's and learn about the financing available. Once you have educated yourself think about your lifestyle, family, prior experiences, ability to be mobile and take a job anywhere when you are a CFI. Best of Luck. PM me if you would like to anytime.

Edited March 5, 2008 by NorCalHeliKid

[fly2001]

I checked out Helistream and La helicopters in the orange county area. Both seemed to be very good operations, with good reputations as well. Best way (like everyone says) is to go there and check it out first hand and ask alot of questions. See which one fits you the best. Good luck

[HeloJunkie]

hey guys, im currently searching through all flight schools in California and Im having a hard time choosing a certain school. Any help?

 

 

Kellen29 -

 

I have done all of my training at Civic Helicopters (http://www.civichelicopters.com) in Carlsbad California. Fantastic outfit, great instructors, well maintained 300s, 22s and 44. If you are looking around in the S. CA area, I don't think you could go wrong with Civic!

[kellen29]

Which ones are you looking at? Where are you located?

 

Im from Humboldt, the real Nor Cal, but im looking to move wherever the good schools are. ive got a list of about 20 schools from Concord to Long Beach.

[kellen29]

Lots of good ones...all over the state. NORCALHELIKID is an instructor at Blue Sky Aviation. Try them.

 

You can look on the "reviews" page at the top of the page for school reviews all over California.

 

 

Blue Sky's package is about $71,000.00 Id hate to spend more then $60,000.00, if that.

[Goldy]

Blue Sky's package is about $71,000.00 Id hate to spend more then $60,000.00, if that.

 

Don't spend that much without some guarantee of a job....

[NorCalHeliKid]

Blue Sky's package is about $71,000.00 Id hate to spend more then $60,000.00, if that.

 

You're really thinking you can get from Private to CFII in 60,000.00 and not one penny more? You should look closely at what is included in each flight schools "quote", most of them are very unrealistic. Unless you are above average in every aspect of learning & motor skills then you will use more flight time than anyone who gives you a quote under 68,000. You have to end up at 200 hrs....that's MINIMUM, and you will have a hard time finding a job with less than 300 hrs. IMO you have an unrealistic desire to get through under 60K. Try calculating 200 hrs of flight time cost, plus minimum amount of ground and add in 40.00 each flight hour for instruction of which about 150 will be dual. Now, you have to double the price for the R-44, if you don't want R-44 time then you will be putting yourself at a disadvantage as far as your marketability...where Im going with this is...the owners of flight schools...really dont make very much money at all. There are fuel, salaries, maintenance, operating cost, office fees, licensing...etc..I wont keep on but I encourage you to continue researching. Fixed wing is your route if you are hard up for cash but must fly for a living...good luck brutha!

[NorCalHeliKid]

Don't spend that much without some guarantee of a job....

 

Since when is there a flight school that will promise a job at the end of the line? Shouldn't employment of CFI's depend on character, knowledge, flying and teaching ability and their personal fit into the program to which they have? Silver State is not here anymore, nobody gets a job who doesn't work for it and flight school is a 9 month long interview for the position of CFI.

Edited March 7, 2008 by NorCalHeliKid

[DynamicallyUnstable]

Kellen29 -

 

I have done all of my training at Civic Helicopters (http://www.civichelicopters.com) in Carlsbad California. Fantastic outfit, great instructors, well maintained 300s, 22s and 44. If you are looking around in the S. CA area, I don't think you could go wrong with Civic!

 

Awwww :blushing: