Heli training Bristow Jan 2011.

Big Duke 6

Decided to take the plunge and go train this january.
Have visited big three companies in Aberdeen, talked to Search and Rescue in Ireland and general research had given a positive feedback to go for it !!
Job prospects - Jan to nov course finished, if cant get job in States possible some time build at Boatpix then back to U.K. for I.R. Prospects looking bit better for N.Shore in yr and half..
Whatever way you look at it , its darn expensive so bite the bullet and go for it..
Anyone else considering January course?

All the best.

Posted to pprune too.

electric69

Sorry to be the one to put a downer on your plan but i would definately reconsider your decision.
Have a look at how many ex B.A students who have graduated in the last 2-3 years that have jobs, even with an IR....its not good at all.

The offshore companies and schools are going to tell you exactly what you want to hear and take your money from you with a big smile.....dont be fooled.

xflyer

Don't want to be negative but have spotted several flaws in your plan. Do you have a green card? Otherwise you can forget about working in the US unless with Bristows on a J1. Boatpix would probably need a green card too.

Bristows website is great, marvellous success stories. But beware they don't print the lack of success stories.

If you read the entire thread on PPRuNe you may have seen this:

One extra thing to think of, if you hadnt already, is that getting a job with just a CPL isnt likely to happen in the UK. You'll need either an IR(H) or Instructor qual, which will both set you back lots more £. At the moment neither will guarantee you a job though - just a lot more expense!!

You'll need to factor that in. Plus you need to get turbine time.

But ultimately if that's what you want to do, go for it. You have to get the breaks though. Don't expect to work in Ireland unless you are lucky. As for SAR. I spoke to an SAR pilot based here recently. He spent years working abroad and in the North sea before he got a place. In that situation you are also competing with highly experienced military pilots.

Good luck though.

Big Duke 6

Thanks for your replies,

Yea it sure is a risk and an expensive one at that,but said to myself after doing PPLH since feb if i like it go full time. I suppose there is never a good time , and once your aware of the pit falls you can't be suprised.
Electric69,
I reckon there are 50 students per year qualified in Bristows, it is definately a challenging market alright.
Main thing is that everyone seems to recommend The combined course, that is from various self funded pilots, the chance to work in the U.S. is potentially higher.
On the other hand there is the option of ATPL's at Oxford full time and cpl course in the u.k. done at 60,000 euros incl hrs etc..
Bristow costs 75,000 incl accom etc.
I reckon the extra for Bristows is worth the risk for higher chance of getting a job for remainder of visa.
I know these days you need an I.R. so have factured in another £40K in the future.
Xflier,
Only available visa is F1 (old J1) 18 months and a new extension called OPT which allows you a 1 yr extension after training finishes,but its first year for it so no info!!
yea SAR is a long way down line, i want to fly N.S. for a good number of years before as very good for hrs etc. I was lucky to get a jump seat two wks ago on a Puma out to the rigs fantastic.

In a nutshell there is no easy way , but if you could suggest a better way to train i would love to hear as great to get others persepctive..
I'm eager like ye where to get doing it but alot of different views out there ...Confusing!!

xflyer

I have to say I think Bristows is the way to go, not least for future contacts and for the potential of the F1 visa. There are cheaper ways of course and they used to work out well when there was a demand for Instructors and pilots for events like the Galway races.

But there is still work out there just not locally. The NS is only one of many. The only way you'll get SAR here in Ireland anyway is to do a long apprenticeship. In any case SAR is not for pilots who want to build hours. 250 to 300 hours a year is the norm, at least in Ireland. So it's really where you might want to finish your career rather than start it.

I would say go for it. You aren't naive from the sound of things. You know the risks. Just be prepared for a long slog living out of suitcases in hot dusty places over the next few years if you're lucky. (Not my experience but that of heli friends.) If unlucky you might end up living hand to mouth as an Instructor for a very long time. Really unlucky and you'll sit watching your skills erode back in your old ground job.

Such is the life of a pilot fixed or rotor wing, these days.