Silver State Helo's Shutdown

[Mtts422]

Not sure if this belongs in here or the Helo forums, feel free to move if need be.

This was a long time coming, don't think I've ever heard a good word about these guys.

Link

[trafficinsight]

Originally Posted by Mtts422

Not sure if this belongs in here or the Helo forums, feel free to move if need be.

This was a long time coming, don't think I've ever heard a good word about these guys.

Link

Now that is interesting... a few months ago they came in to the FBO where I work asking about a fuel contract because they were planning to spot 4 or 5 helos there... the deal was set up, and then... nothing.

[Captain_Bob]

I remember far to often having to duck behind the 'noles when we were preflighting the birds in PHX at IWA. The Silver State guys were practicing hovering just a few yards away from us.

Not saying it was unsafe... just awkward for us fixed wing guys.

I'm hoping the current students get their money back...

Bob

[Pietrantonio]

They can kiss their $$$ good-bye. Sad but true, but as a former helicopter student, I did lots of research, and SSH always came up. And, everyone that was a student with SSH, paid 60K upfront, and never got that back, even if they left SSH with just a PPL-H. The sad part is, is most of these students knew exactly what was going on, but they still went ahead and did it.

[BenWlson]

I just called and woke up my brother-in-law with this information. He's got about 100 hours at SilverState and was working on his instrument and commercial with them and planned on going all the way through CFI. He had no idea anything happened as is going to call his CFI for more information. I really hope he doesn't get screwed over on this deal. I've got my fingers crossed for him.

[flyingator]

here at kcrg, where the accident took place, they were known to be very shady by everyone on the field. they took over the building where the fbo i rent from used to be. When the chopper went down, maint. was immediately the rumored cause. I remember flying the next day, people were very upset at the way it was handled.

[Ian J]

If anyone here wants to learn to fly helos, or knows someone who does, PM Shane Scott. (Scottyboy75.) He's our resident CFII - H at JC. I've had a beer or three with him, and I guarantee he won't take you to the cleaners.

Originally Posted by BenWlson

I just called and woke up my brother-in-law with this information. He's got about 100 hours at SilverState and was working on his instrument and commercial with them and planned on going all the way through CFI. He had no idea anything happened as is going to call his CFI for more information. I really hope he doesn't get screwed over on this deal. I've got my fingers crossed for him.

That sucks for him! Best of luck.

[Pietrantonio]

Originally Posted by BenWlson

I just called and woke up my brother-in-law with this information. He's got about 100 hours at SilverState and was working on his instrument and commercial with them and planned on going all the way through CFI. He had no idea anything happened as is going to call his CFI for more information. I really hope he doesn't get screwed over on this deal. I've got my fingers crossed for him.

I've got my fingers crossed too! Best of luck with your brother-in-law. You got to let us know how it works out for him.

I'm sure you can find more info at www.justhelicopters.com and www.verticalreference.com about this issue too. Lots of info and actual student testimonies from SSH there as well.

[Pietrantonio]

Originally Posted by Ian J

If anyone here wants to learn to fly helos, or knows someone who does, PM Shane Scott. (Scottyboy75.) He's our resident CFII - H at JC. I've had a beer or three with him, and I guarantee he won't take you to the cleaners.



That sucks for him! Best of luck.

...just remember (in reference to SSH), any school that makes you sign a contract and requires 60-70,000 dollars up front, is a disaster waiting to happen.

SSH just pisses me off. I'm glad to finally see the words "Silver State Helo's Shutdown"! It's about time.

[scottyboy75]

Just found out that Silver State has just shut down all of their flight operations as of Saturday. This leaves about 500 CFIIs and 2700 students out in the cold. The students paid 70,000 upfront for their training. Their seems to be no chance of them getting their money back. I remember reading on JC a few years ago about ATA and how they folded overnight; this is the same thing but larger. Do the math combined it is about 20 Million combined. On top of that the market is now flooded with out of work CFI's. We have had 10 calls this morning asking if we are hiring.
Shane

[BenWlson]

I heard back from my brother-in-law after he called his flight instructor. The story is that the Dallas location had a bunch of helicopters out Sunday evening when they all got the call to come back. They put all the helicopters in the hangar, told everyone to pack up their stuff, and changed the locks on the doors.

The only message to the students is that they will be contacted with information when a final decision on the future of the company has been made.

[scottyboy75]

Tell everyone you know to get good legal representation. There is a long line forming. I tried the math and firgured 2700 students with about 72000 in loans. I was going to look for a new CFI gig but 500 low budget instructors just hit the market. I have not been able to teach because the phone has rung non stop with people asking if we are hiring. We have two SSH locations nearby. I do feel for the students who got taken. Please read the paperwork you are signing. Don't let the dream cloud the mind. These guys may never fly again. How many people can bounce back from losing 70,000 and get financed for anything, houses, cars. Their lives have just gotten ten times harder they now have a huge training loan and no training. I know how people on this board are against training loans but there seems to be no other way to fly helos on the civil side. This guy JA is slick I can't believe he was running for Sheriff of Las Vegas.
The owner of SSH just sold the operation to an outside investor and walked with a rumored 75 mill. It seems funny how the wool was pulled over the eyes of the company that bought them. Stay tuned.
Shane

[blee256]

wow, that sucks. I remember hearing their commercials back when i was CFI. How do they fold when they have over 2700 students??

[ATL_IT_Pilot]

My brother is/was one of those 2700 students in Jacksonville...I'm trying to get him on the phone to see if they even told him. I've talked to him a couple time since Sat. and he didn't mention it.

[scottyboy75]

It was a giant pyramid scheme.

[abrutus]

I just did a quick google search about SSH... and didnt find any news abou it.. Aparently the news havent spred yet. Not even on their website. they show as still hiring.. so we´ll see.

[youngflyer]

Originally Posted by scottyboy75

Just found out that Silver State has just shut down all of their flight operations as of Saturday. This leaves about 500 CFIIs and 2700 students out in the cold. The students paid 70,000 upfront for their training. Their seems to be no chance of them getting their money back. I remember reading on JC a few years ago about ATA and how they folded overnight; this is the same thing but larger. Do the math combined it is about 20 Million combined. On top of that the market is now flooded with out of work CFI's. We have had 10 calls this morning asking if we are hiring.
Shane

Why dont they sue Silver State.

[scottyboy75]

There is a link in the genereal topics section that details it. Not a good situation for anyone.

[USMCmech]

Originally Posted by scottyboy75

The owner of SSH just sold the operation to an outside investor and walked with a rumored 75 mill. It seems funny how the wool was pulled over the eyes of the company that bought them. Stay tuned.

Did he take his fancy motorcycle with him?


I heard all sorts of crazy stories about that place, including thier ATC school that wasn't certified by the FAA.




NEVER PAY UP FRONT FOR FLIGHT TRAINING!!!!!

[killbilly]

Originally Posted by youngflyer

Why dont they sue Silver State.

Chances are, the line forms to the left. The students will have to get in line behind the rest of the creditors. Unless they filed a class-action or something as a unified front.

That's a hell of a lot of student revenue.

EDIT - ahhh...it appears to be a sale and not necessarily a bankruptcy. interesting. the students might not be totally screwed.

[GatorFC]

I remember seeing them on an episode of American Choppers where they were getting a custom chopper made from Paul Jr. and the boys. Those things aren't cheap, and I kept wondering how could a flight school afford something like that. I figured it was just a big marketing ploy to get their name out there on a popular TV show, and when a school spends a lot on marketing and advertising they are going to have to recoup that somehow. Unfortunately it seems it was in large upfront payments by the students. ATA anyone?

Is the whole company shut down or just the flight school? How profitable or not were their other enterprises? Their website shows a lot of other helicopter related businesses that they are involved in. More examples of flash rather than substance?

[scottyboy75]

Not sure they had a large comm side. The owner tended to embellish some of the particulars.
Shane

[esa17]

Well, at least I don't have to worry about them trying to kill me at CRG any longer.


This sucks for all their students.

[bdhill1979]

I had no idea!!!

There were two cop cars and a TV news crew in their parking lot this morning at KPVU, I thought it was an accident or something.


Sucks for their students, but I have had so many near midair collisions with those guys I feel safer knowing that they won't be up any more.

[FiveO]

I went to their seminar at CRG last year. It almost felt that something was not right the second you walked in the door. I hope the students make it out okay with this one.