Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 12:09 pm Post subject: To Bristow or not to Bristow
Hi All,
Firstly great site and lots of helpful information for one that is starting out on this journey.
I need some advice. I am sure I will get many different opinions which will be most welcome.
I am looking initially to start and hopefully pass the PPL (H) with the view to going on to CPL and try to break into what looks like a very difficult industry to get into (from what I have read in the forums).
1. Should I train in the UK over the next 18 months getting the PPL and CPL (have the money to complete PPL and saving over that period to do CPL) or should I save like crazy from now and have enough money by mid 2011 and train at Bristows in US?
Pros for UK
Can start now ( I am itching to get going).
Can continue to work and save
Will hopefully be done by mid 2011 (to start looking for work)
Pros for US
Excellent training school (from what I have read)
Good contacts could be made
Potential to carry on and work in US for a bit until VISA expires
Experience of living in another country
I am 35 (will open a different thread regarding age and commercial prospects) at the moment and do not want to leave it forever until I am qualified. If I leave it till mid 2011 to just start the training I will be 38 by the time I qualify. If I start now I can be qualified by 37 ish.
Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 12:32 pm Post subject: Training
stubert, Pick a different industry!. Only joking, hopefully things have picked up by the time you qualify. Yes I would go the USA route, qualify as an instructor there and make sure you go on the correct visa to allow you to work and build time there. Think the J1 visa is being phased out, but hopefully there will be a replacement. Good luck anyway. John.
First of all, good on you for being so decisive on a change of career, I wish you all the very best in your endeavours!
I can't really comment on Bristows, or even CPL training, really, having done neither!
However, if you've the money to get to PPL, and the desire to start immediately, why don't you go for it now, whilst you're still working and earning? The PPL course doesn't have to be done intensively. Then "save like crazy", whilst keeping up regular flights for hour building purposes? You'll also give yourself plenty of time to learn all the theory required for CPL, whilst having some practical experience of it, too. I imagine then, there's no reason why you can't go to Bristows with your PPL, to get CPL.
Anyway, just a thought. Oh, and because it's getting to be a habit, if you've some time to spare, have a look at my PPLtraining diary? (That's if you've not seen it yet, of course!)
Still far from making my mind up on what route to take but I know that if I choose the US route then it will be the longest almost 2 year wait I can think of......that statement almost seems like I have made my mind up...so confusing.
I am based in Hampshire so there are a few schools I need to visit if I make the decision to do it in the UK.
Are there any schools that people would not touch with a barge pole?(please PM the replies to this question, don't want a law suit! Would like to spend that money on training)
Even if I come out of this experience with the qualifications and no job it is something I think I have to do otherwise I will always have a regret. I have always played things fairly safe in life with career, savings etc and now is the time to just go for it!
Joined: Feb 14, 2008 Posts: 879 Location: Stavanger, Norway
Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 3:24 pm Post subject:
Mmm... good question sir!
Not being sure of the prices at Bristow Academy I cannot really comment. But you will certainly get good training there and it will be consistant if you are doing PPL followed immediately by CPL, or you do an integrated course.
But it would be good to be an instructor for a while as alot of companies want to see people with experience when applying for a job. Bristow Academy is probably best chance for you to get an FI position after completion of the FI course, but you will have to make a big effort to prove yourself to them, as they only give jobs to a couple of students now and then. If they see you are good they will try and take the opportunity to keep you for themselves.
Joined: Oct 21, 2008 Posts: 70 Location: EGKA & EGKR
Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 5:39 pm Post subject:
I was in the same position as you back in October. I chose not to go to Bristow as my intent is to (hopefully) work in the UK. As well as that there is a pretty big wait list for Bristow although they did get in touch recently and offer me a place in September after initially telling me that the best they could do was Jan 2011.
After asking around I got the overall impression that if you learn to fly in Florida you might not be taken seriously here in the UK. The weather and the traffic here differ greatly from what you will find in the skies over Titusville. I think also that training here you get to know a few people along the way which always helps. Then again if you fancy staying stateside it's irrelevant having UK experience.
I started my PPL in November, had a few months of rubbish weather and not much flying but I got my licence a couple of weeks ago. I'm about to start on the ATPL ground study and hour building moving towards CPL and hopefully FI. Maybe I can get some work at the end of it, maybe not, but like yourself this is something I've always had a burning desire to do.
I'm 40 in next January and after the initial doubts I have no regrets about undertaking this.
Weigh up the Florida/UK thing carefully, work backwards from where you want to end up and then decide which one would be best for you. _________________ PPL (H) - R22, R44, S300
Joined: Jul 20, 2004 Posts: 3701 Location: Birmingham, UK
Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 11:21 am Post subject:
Stubert,
Welcome to the forums. Congratulations on your decision to change your career (best career choice I ever made!).
Why don't you come along to a Career Seminar - there's some good solid advice and it's free, which can't be said for many things in aviation! You can bring the cost down significantly over here by doing free or low cost positioning, setting yourself up as a business and claiming back costs etc.
If I were you I'd stick to the UK, as I've also heard that the FI's that are lucky enough to get work over there in the US get paid very poorly compared to the UK. Stick with a school that's busy over here and you will be more likely to get a job at the end.
I cannot comment on Bristow Academy but I know Jp, if he's about will be able to tell you a few things as he did the whole CPL integrated course over there.
Joined: Feb 14, 2008 Posts: 879 Location: Stavanger, Norway
Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 12:52 pm Post subject:
Oh yeah, Sarah is right, you will get paid pretty crap to start with at BA. I think you start on $8/hr and for every 100hrs or something you get $1 increase, if you teach CPL you get an extra $4 I think. I work with a guy who taught there last year, will double check woth him.
Joined: Jul 20, 2004 Posts: 3701 Location: Birmingham, UK
Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 11:25 pm Post subject:
Hi LZ,
They normally last 2-3 hours depending on how many questions you throw at us!! We get people coming over from all over the country so if you can make it down I think you will find it worthwhile and it will be nice to meet you.
Next one's on Thursday evening, or if you prefer a weekend there is one on Saturday 25th.
Lots of great info, knew you would all come up trumps. It seems like a great community to be joining.
I am going for the UK, this is where I would like to work (hopefully) and the consensus seems to be, train where you want to work. Also I am itching to get started!!
Next step is to find a training school, plan to visit them over the next 2 weeks and then make a decision on one. Go for a trial flight and then get infected by the bug.
Whirlygirl, will definately make one of your seminars in the very near future and look forward to putting some faces and voices to the text.
Joined: Dec 10, 2008 Posts: 118 Location: Portsmouth
Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2009 2:58 pm Post subject:
I live in Portsmouth and I guess you're not too far from me. In terms of local schools your choices are pretty much Elite Helicopters at Goodwood - Chichester, Fast helicopters in Shoreham and Thruxton or Cabair which is somewhere a bit further up north Blackbush/Blackfriars or something like that.
I'm doing my PPL(H) with Elite Helicopters (check on google) and they're really good, costs seem to be about average for around here.
I'm very much in the same position as you, want to be commercial pilot and spent a lot of time thinking about where I wanted to train and should I save for a few years and then do it in one shot in the USA or somewhere else cheap or get started pay as you go in the UK. At the end of the day, I wanted to get started so I've chosen to at least my PPL here. I'm about 1/2 way through now I guess.
My plan after that is to get started with ATPL/CPL theory whilst hour building and saving either for a blitz CPL/ATPL course in the USA if cheap or here. I'll decide closer to the time. As someone said above, you may be regarded as a fair weather flyer if you do all the training in the US. I can't speak to the accuracy of that statement, it's just what I've heard.
No matter where I go for the CPL I'll have 45-55 maybe more hours here in the UK so I am striking a balance of both supporting the local industry here and doing what's right for me financially.
If you do go to Elite mention that I recommended them - my name is Kevin Piotrowicz, if you can get your tongue round that - so I can beat them over the head with my recommending them when it comes to negotiating costs. _________________ PPL(H) R22, R44, R66 (0.05 hours )
Hourbuilding...
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- so I can beat them over the head with my recommending them when it comes to negotiating costs. 