See ya Hillsboro Aviation. Hello Jerry Trimble Helicopters!

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As of today, I'm done with Hillsboro Aviation.  Don't get me wrong, HAI gave me 100% of my helicopter flying to date. They taught me well, and I truly appreciate that. And, honestly, I would recommend them to anyone interested in their Private or Commercial certifications.  CFI training... no sir.  


Today I took my CFI : Fundamentals of Instruction (FoI) test with LaserGrade. Kicked out a 94%, so I'm happy with that, and I can say that today was a good day, in general because of that.  The other day, I could not be more pissed off - here's why.


We were all sitting around in the HAI classroom putting the final touches on our training folders.  See, HAI is a 141 school and they have an approved syllabus.  Even though there are not any requirements on hours set forth by the FAA for the CFI certification, HAI has set up a program which they have to follow - to the letter.


Well, it turns out that with all the cancellations and errors around the CFI class, we were .7hrs short of the requirement.  We had to sit there... and I mean sit there and burn the time.  They did not charge us for the time we sat there, which is only fair, but the poor planning was just too much.  I'm done with HAI.


So, that day, I took my FoI test. Took my "First Solo" picture off the wall, grabbed my training folders, and left the school.  No more money being spent there.


Again, thank you for the education, and everything you gave me so far... but the recent changes and lack of respect for student CFI's time is just too much to handle.


I called Jerry on the car ride on the way home, and we started planning my first CFI lesson with him.  August 10th.

Jerry Trimble Helicopters

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There have been a few instances over the past few days where I have gotten off of work to drive to the classroom at Hillsboro to find out that we're canceled for one reason or another. Today the projector was unavailable and we canceled. 


Not acceptable.


Today I met with Jerry Trimble of Jerry Trimble Helicopters.   Actually, Jerry bought me dinner. Jerry, Alison his wife, and I have a meet and greet at the Baja Fresh.  I've been pretty dis-heartened about what has been going on w/ HAI and I'm starting to question my decision to stay with them.  Fact is, I'm not getting what I need from the school and they are getting what they need from me... my money.


Anyway, Jerry comes highly recommended by a lot of people I respect. He is a small, one helicopter outfit out of McMinneville (KMMV).  Why would this take value over the 18 helicopter shop at Hillsboro Aviation?  Because I'm tired of throwing my money at someone who cold care less about my training.


From friends and the dinner, I learned that Jerry has flown almost everything out there with a rotor blade.  EMS, Tourism, Sky Cranes, you name it.  I have no idea how many hours he has, but it is upwards of 15,000 or 20,000.  Yes, you read that correctly.  35 years doing this.

Here is a little snippet from his website.

I received my A&P certificate at Northrup University in Inglewood, California in 1978 and started working for Frank Robinson as an A&P mechanic in January of 1979. My first day on the job I was selected to fly with Frank in ship s/n 002. Serial number 001 had done a nose dive into the ocean before I got there so we were flying the backup. It was something for me to be the unqualified flight test engineer with Frank Robinson flying the prototype on my first day. I spent two years with Robinson and worked my way up to production test flying. Bob Golden one of Frank's certification test pilots flew with me to help me get my CFI Helicopter in September of 1980 in an R-22.

In December of 1980 I started Hillsboro Helicopters in Hillsboro, Oregon. I was a one man band in the beginning. In 1992 when I sold the company to Ed Cooley we were over 40 people strong with over 25 aircraft. Since then I have flown corporate turbo props, fought fires in the skycrane, flown EMS in BO-105 and the EC-135. I have been a Chief Pilot, Director of Operations, Director of Maintenance and a Chief Flight Instructor for both airplanes and helicopters.

Impressive, right?


He was equally impressive face to face.  He gave me the CFI Syllabus he uses and asked "if you end up not going with me for my training, I ask that you destroy this.  Fair?".   That is the attitude I really appreciate. Impress me with your skill, give me your trust and then see what happens.


I think I'll be seeing more of Jerry.

FoIs at HAI

Backdated.


I have decided to stick with HAI for a number of reasons.  As usual with a big decision I make pro / con lists.  (This is the actual list I made, I found the post-it note in my 2009 FAR/AIM)

Pro

1. They are very close to my home.  15 minute drive.
2. I'm familiar with the airspace, the airport and the school itself.
3. I have invested lots of $$$ in the school so far.
4. The school is very well known in the industry.

Con

1. They treat their CFIs pretty poorly.
2. Their program is longer and more expensive than some others.
3. This will be a group training setup, not 1 on 1.

Pro's won.  I signed up and have been working the Fundamentals of Instruction for a few weeks.  


We are in a semi-convenient group classroom setting.  It is not ideal, but it is what it is.


My concern about being CFI trained by a new CFI has pretty much been removed. We have been working with the Chief Flight Instructor for this portion of our training.


This is both good and bad.  We have the expertise at the ready, but are not his first priority.  There have been quite a few instances where he has either forgotten to tell us class is canceled due to a conflict, and we find out when we walk into the room.  Or, he just has to cancel class because of prior commitments.  Not ideal.


Quality of the course is spot on, so it is hard to complain about that.