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Bell 47
Robinson R22
Hughes 269
Train at one of the
schools listed below and you will be happy you did!
There are many schools to choose
from, but not all of them of them offer honesty and genuine, quality
instruction. I have direct knowledge of Aquila Aviation and Freedom Helicopters,
both whom are honest and give quality instruction. Any other schools are only
shown by request or by recommendation, and I make no claim to their conduct or
practices. A school must exhibit good qualities to get listed on this site, so
give them a call!
Flags that indicate a bad
school
The second flight school that I started, I started due to the
lies and rip-offs that occur commonly in the flight school circle. I wanted
students to have a school option where they really would be told the truth, and
where their personal goal would be paramount. The simple truth presented
with a serious plan of action to carry them through from start to finish. The
following list is some statements which are common and indicate a school where
dipping into your pocket is the only concern. If you hear any of these, look a
little deeper or seek another school.
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We fly real helicopters
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Anything negative about any particular brand of helicopter i.e.,
Robinson time don't count, Robinsons are dangerous, or Brantley's break all the
time etc.
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Be cautious anytime a school promises you that they have
contacts in the industry which permit them to guarantee you a job and career.
This is impossible since no one knows if you can fly yet. Although
anyone can be taught to fly, and most people have what it takes if they apply
themselves, some people
just don't have what it takes. Along these lines, be cautious of schools who tell you that you
don't need to become an instructor on your career path. Although it is true that
you don't need to become an instructor, your options are extremely limited if
you don't.
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We don't offer a CFI (Certified Flight Instructor) course
because you don't need it, or for any other reason they may have for not
offering the course.
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We have several or
lots of helicopters and that is an advantage over schools that operate one or
just a couple or few. This is common from
large schools and is pure bullshit. I know of several very small
schools where students get significantly more actual flight time then those who
attend schools that have multiple aircraft. The number of aircraft don't
mean squat. The student/instructor/aircraft ratio on the other hand does
determine the amount of hours you are likely to get. More than 3-students at one
time per instructor overloads that instructor and efficiency is compromised.
Likewise, more than 3-5 students per aircraft and someone will be sitting out.
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We are the largest school or we are one of the largest schools.
That translates immediately to we need your money now and we will tell you
anything you want to hear so we can get it! What often occurs at
these large schools is they promise you the world on a platter until they have
your money. Once they have your money, get in line because now you are just a
name on a list and a pain in their ass.
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Be cautious of instructors who are not serious in what they are
doing. Aviation training is no place for joking on the radio, or for improper
procedures or for playing of any kind. There are monthly statistic lists of
accidents which often are the result of this kind of attitude.
-
We will hire you
as an instructor if you train with us. Most schools desire to hire instructors
they have trained however no one knows how you will fly, if you will have a good
attitude, if you will be timely as employees must be, and how you will treat
company equipment. Technically speaking, if you intend to be hired where you
train, your entire training period from start to finish is an interview for
whether or not you will be hired when you complete your CFI ratings. If you
don't demonstrate a good attitude and if you don't possess other quality skills,
you will be in line with a lot of other low-time pilots looking for a job when
your training is complete.
How to gain the most once you
begin training
Having taught countless students while working at other schools
and while having owned two schools, I can tell you from that perspective what
will score you the most respect and the fastest progress at a good school.
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Be prepared to take the course seriously. Demonstrate
your desire to learn by
serious study and timeliness. Be an aid to your instructor and be willing to
help other students.
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Show up early ahead of your scheduled flight or class and be
prepared to contribute. If you are going to be flying, the aircraft needs to be
readied for a departure time at the designated time by you not by the
instructor; this is to include the preflight.
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If you must be impatient, be so respectfully. The squeaky wheel
attitude will most often get you put on a back burner.
Aquila Aviation LLC,
Keystone, Florida Now
Part 141 Approved!! Also VA
Approved!!
These facilities are located at the Keystone Heights airport
in Starke Florida. Offering training from Private to ATP, and Turbine
Transition. If you want to really enjoy your training, this is the place to go.
Yes, I am prejudiced toward this school since I started it and I am still active
with this school however I no longer own it. The current owner has maintained
excellent integrity, and the first concern is the success of the students. This is an old military airfield from World War II which is still
used by the military today. There is significant activity by Apache and Black
Hawk helicopters especially during the evening conducting night vision training. By
the way, Aquila is old Latin for Eagle and is pronounced - (ah-kē-la).
Now you may attend under either Part 61 or Part 141.
Aquila Aviation LLC, 7100 Airport Road, Starke, Florida 32091
Phone: 800 fly rite or 352 473 5126 Fax:
352 473 6864
Web site -
Aquila
Aviation LLC
At this school you will find competitive pricing, and quality
instruction. Private Pilot (HPPL), Commercial Pilot (HCPL). You can get it all here and when you leave you will be
ready for a career in aviation. This school is located in the central USA,
which allows cross-country flights to major cites such as Chicago, Illinois and
Louisville, Kentucky.
Freedom Helicopters, Greenwood Airport, Indiana
Phone: 317 432 4525
Web Site -
Freedom Helicopters
Summit Helicopters, Dallas Texas
(Part 141 authorization in process)
This school located in the Dallas / Fort Worth area of Texas gives students an
option other than the highly congested training areas common in Florida and
California. Texas has a nice climate too! If you are into Mexican restaurants
like I am, you will find a wide variety here. Located at the Addison airport on
the north side of Dallas.
Summit Helicopter, Addison Airport, Texas
Phone: 972-385-4785
Web Site - Summit Helicopters
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