Florida Tech, Bristow Academy Announce Partnership for Helicopter Flight Training
05/03/2010
MELBOURNE, FLA.—Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Fla., and Bristow Academy Inc. in Titusville, Fla., a division of Bristow Group Inc. (NYSE:BRS), today announced a strategic partnership to offer a combined program of university aviation education and helicopter flight training beginning Fall Semester 2010.
This innovative program will feature the strengths of both institutions to offer a university education to those students seeking careers as professional pilots in the expanding helicopter industry. It is anticipated that this program will be especially attractive to eligible military veterans under the new Post- 9/11 GI Bill, which provides benefits to fully fund this combined program.
Florida Tech President Anthony J. Catanese said he is “Especially proud that the university is designated a VA Institute of Higher Learning and a Yellow Ribbon university for these veterans’ benefits and that it has been recognized on the 2010 list of ‘Military Friendly Schools.’” Further information on the details of these benefits is available on the VA website at www.gibill.va.gov.
Bristow Academy is internationally recognized as a leader in the specialized area of helicopter flight training. Both institutions anticipate growth in this program, which will offer their students a four-year university degree and specialized helicopter pilot ratings as a Commercial and Instrument helicopter pilot. This training is also available for all collegiate students regardless of veteran eligibility.
Winston E. Scott, dean of the Florida Tech College of Aeronautics said, “We are very excited about this program. It provides flight students an opportunity to obtain a world class university aviation education combined with the specialized helicopter ratings leading to a highly successful aviation career.”
Samantha Willenbacher, Director of Bristow Academy said, “We are proud to partner with Florida Tech and offer exciting training opportunities for the men and women of our armed forces and their families, who have sacrificed so much.”
View more information:
Florida Tech
Bristow Academy
Valiant Air Command offers discounted rates to Bristow Academy employees and badged customers
2010-03-25
Bristow Academy employees and badged customers are offered much reduced rates to the Valiant Air Command Museum www.vacwarbirds.org on presentation of your Academy badge. Normally $18, you can get in for $10. This vintage war bird museum located immediately north of the Academy at Space Coast Regional Airport offers many historic aircraft to view, including helicopters and the C-47 Dakota, that actually flew in the Normandy Invasion which still flies today over 66 years later.
Concord Campus Now Enrolling International Students
2010-02-12
Bristow Academy’s Concord campus has been authorized by the Department of Homeland Security to issue I-20 applications to international students interested in receiving M-1 visas for helicopter flight training. Students can now enroll in the full range of courses offered by Bristow Academy while residing in the greater San Francisco Bay Area, taking advantage of the opportunities provided by complex airspace and rugged local terrain. Concord staff members are ready to assist students with visa questions, housing options, insurance, and other local matters.
Information about Concord, available courses, and tuition can be accessed by clicking on the following links:
For more information, please contact Chuck Olson, General Manager, Concord Campus toll free at 877-274-5090, or email charles.olson@bristowgroup.com. Laura McColm is also available to answer questions at the same phone number or via email at laura.mccolm@bristowgroup.com.
Concord Campus Receives Approval by Veterans Administration
2010-02-12
Bristow Academy’s Concord campus has been approved for the training of veterans, reservists, and other eligible persons under the provisions of the Montgomery G.I. bill. Veterans can enroll in the Commercial Pilot, Commercial Pilot Add-On, Instrument Rating, Certified Flight Instructor, Certified Flight Instructor Instrument, and Airline Transport Pilot courses at the Concord Campus.
Information about the VA program at Concord can be found by clicking the link below:
* Veterans
Concord staff are ready to assist veterans with additional questions. For more information, please contact Chuck Olson, General Manager, Concord Campus toll free at 877-274-5090, or email charles.olson@bristowgroup.com.
Titusville Campus Now Enrolling International Students on F-1 Visa Program
2010-01-08
Bristow Academy’s Titusville campus has received authorization from the Department of Homeland Security to issue I-20 applications for F-1 visas to international students interested in receiving ab initio helicopter flight training.
Information on the F-1 visa program can be found by clicking the following links:
For additional information please do not hesitate to contact Anisha Hopkinson at UK Freephone 0800 1698647, ext 392, or +1-321-567-0392, or email anisha.hopkinson@bristowgroup.com
Contra Costa Times - Kris Korsgaard
NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bristow Academy Implements Appareo ALERTS System
Industry Leading School Adds New Tool for Flight TrainingTITUSVILLE, FL (6/15/09) -- Appareo Systems and Bristow Academy are proud to announce that Bristow Academy has begun implementation of the award-winning ALERTS flight data management system in their training fleet at Titusville, Florida.
Bristow Academy, a global leader in helicopter flight training, has begun equipping its Schweizer S-300CBi aircraft with the ALERTS system, a cutting edge hardware and software package that captures all aspects of the flight using an innovative, lightweight inertial measurement device designed for light and legacy aircraft. After each flight, instructor pilots use Appareo's sophisticated flight recreation software to play back the flight in vivid 3D, easily illustrating even complex concepts to their students.
ALERTS, an acronym for Aircraft Logging and Event Recording for Training and Safety, combines flight data recording, monitoring and three-dimensional flight recreation to help aircraft operators minimize risks to their fleets. The system helps pilots maintain safe flying practices by tracking each flight in detail, then automatically analyzing it to be sure that all aspects of the flight were within acceptable limits.
ALERTS was originally developed with the Bristow Group to be used primarily as a Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA) tool. In the past several years, Bristow has realized significant operational and safety benefits by using the system, including the ability to identify potentially problematic trends and provide corrective training before an incident occurs. In addition to the FOQA aspects, the benefits of the system for training operations are significant as well. Whereas most post-flight debriefing relies on the instructor's notes and recollection of the flight, ALERTS provides a complete, accurate recreation of the flight which can be replayed and analyzed from multiple angles and in varying speeds, allowing instructors to add additional nuance to their debriefings.
“Adding the ALERTS system to our training offers our students a significant advantage in their studies. It gives us the ability to accurately debrief both solo and dual training flights while recording flight data which can be used in safety analysis,” said Nick Mayhew, General Manager at Bristow Academy, Titusville FL. “By being able to review their flights after the fact, students will be able to better understand both their strengths as well as areas for improvement.”
“Appareo Systems is excited to help Bristow Academy improve their already fantastic training program,” said Ben Wright, Appareo's Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “We're very proud to be playing a part in training the next generation of highly skilled, safety conscious helicopter pilots.”
About Bristow Academy
Bristow Academy Inc. is a leading provider of helicopter flight training with over 20 years experience. With four campuses and a fleet of more than 70 helicopters, the Academy completes over 55,000 training hours each year. Bristow Academy holds FAA Part 141 approval and is the only JAA approved Flight Training Organization outside of Europe approved to provide training for the integrated JAA CPL(H) qualification.
About Appareo Systems, LLC
Founded in 2001, Appareo Systems, LLC is a vibrant and growing company with significant experience in electronics design and engineering. Appareo creates high-value commercial products and custom engineering services through the innovative application of cutting-edge technology.
Appareo's innovations have been lauded by industry associations, independent media outlets, university programs and private pilots alike – they have charted new territory in flight safety by bringing innovative products designed for light and legacy aircraft to a market where none have existed in the past.
For more information contact:
Nick Mayhew
Bristow Academy
365 Golden Knights Blvd
Titusville, FL 32780 USAJohn Pedersen
Communications Coordinator
Appareo Systems, LLC
(701) 367-7008
jpedersen@appareo.com
New Iberia Campus Now Enrolling International Students
Bristow Academy’s New Iberia campus has received authorization from the Department of Homeland Security to issue I-20 applications for M-1 visas to international students interested in receiving helicopter flight training. Able to offer the full range of Academy courses the New Iberia campus, in the heart of oil country and offshore operations, can provide a cost effective and time efficient solution for students interesting in obtaining helicopter qualifications. Accommodation options are available close to the campus and the administration is able to assist with all non-training requirements including assisting with setting up a local bank account, finding a place to stay, and finding a car to drive.
Information on available courses and tuition fees can be found by clicking on the following links.
For additional information please contact Joe Sheeran, General Manager, New Iberia campus, at toll free 877-366-8909, or by email at joseph.sheeran@bristowgroup.com. Christine Longtin, Executive Assistant, is also available to answer questions. She is available at the same telephone number, and by email at christine.longtin@bristowgroup.com.
Bristow Announces Purchase of Severn Aviation (PDF)
PRESS RELEASE FROM BRISTOW HELICOPTERS
For Immediate Release
Bristow Announces Purchase of Severn Aviation
Bristow Helicopters has purchased Gloucestershire based Severn Aviation, a multi- engine instrument flight training provider established by Peter Saunders in 2006. The flight school will become part of the Bristow Academy.
Richard Burman, Managing Director for Bristow Helicopters stated:
“This acquisition will enhance Bristow’s ability to maintain the supply of qualified pilots into the North Sea and our other operations around the world. The Bristow Academy’s Gloucester campus will become the newest addition to Bristow’s Global Safety, Training, and Standards Division and will continue to set the standard for European Instrument training qualifications.”
Patrick Corr, Senior Vice President, Bristow Global Safety, Training, and Standards stated:
“Bristow has been providing instrument training using a single engine aircraft for the last 30 years. Utilizing multi-engine helicopters for the instrument training program will introduce pilots to a multi-engine environment at a much earlier stage in their career, and will provide them with an easier transition to other multi-engine aircraft within Bristow.”
Peter Saunders stated:
“In a very short time Severn Aviation established a reputation as an independent centre of excellence for helicopter training and we were surprised and flattered when approached by Bristow Helicopters. In making this sale I feel confident that the ethos of the business will be maintained and that the services will be continued and enhanced within the Bristow Academy.”
The Bristow Academy Gloucester campus will operate AS355 Twin Squirrels out of Gloucestershire Airport in Cheltenham. Simulator training will be conducted on Elite Evolution S723 FNPT II devices. The simulator instrument panel directly corresponds with the AS355 instrument panel, allowing students to move easily from simulator to aircraft.
For further information on the JAA multi-engine instrument program offered in Gloucester please go to http://www.severn-training.com.
Note for Editors:
Bristow Helicopters is an affiliated company of Bristow Group Inc., the leading provider of helicopter services to the worldwide offshore energy industry based on the number of aircraft operated through its subsidiaries, affiliates, and joint ventures. The Company has major operations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and the North Sea, and operations in most of the other major offshore oil and gas producing regions of the world, including Alaska, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia and Trinidad.
Contact: Allan Blake, Director of Corporate Affairs, allan.blake@bristowgroup.com
+44 (0)1737 824669 (direct)
+44 (0)7525 708294 (mobile)
Important Traveler Information: New United States Visa Waiver Program - Effective January 12, 2009
Effective January 12, 2009, for travel to or connecting through the U.S., the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will require all Visa Waiver Program (VWP) nationals to obtain an electronic travel authorization prior to boarding. This new authorization is known as the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, or ESTA. Your entry to the U.S. could be denied if this electronic authorization has not been processed. Please visit the website for more information. http://www.CBP.GOV/ESTA.
Nationals of the following countries are currently eligible to travel under the Visa Waiver Program:
Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
Exempt from the ESTA requirement are:
* VWP nationals who are U.S. residents
* VWP nationals who hold a visa for a specific trip to the U.S.
The Department of Homeland Security is now accepting ESTA applications through the ESTA Web site https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov.
VWP travelers are not required to have specific plans to travel to the United States before they apply for an ESTA authorization, but it is recommended that an ESTA approval be obtained as soon as a VWP traveler begins to plan a trip to visit the United States, and no later than 72 hours before departure to the United States.
There is no cost for the application and once the application is submitted online, in most cases, ESTA will respond with an almost immediate determination of eligibility for travel. If approval is not granted prior to check-in, boarding may be denied. Passengers may experience delayed processing, or denied admission at a U.S. port of entry.
Approval will be valid for two years or until the passport expires, whichever is earlier. An ESTA may be denied due to: overstays, previous criminal history, issues associated with a prior visa.
