Silver State Helicopter

For the sad story of Silver State, see Bankrupt Helicopter School Shoots Down Student Aspirations.

Brian of Zephyrhills, FL February 5, 2009

I am a former student of Silver State Helicopters in Lakeland, Florida. Me and 2,400 other students nation wide were scammed and taken advantage of by S.S.H. and AES (which is a student loan organization). I was told during the signing of the paperwork that the loan of 69,900 would be seperated into three equal payments to cover the 18 month course. One payment would be released to the school at the beginning of each six month time frame.

I started in June 2007 and when SSH filed bankruptcy in February of 2008, I found out that SSH had received the entire 69,900 loan back in December of 2007. They made off with more than 100,000,000 in student loans and left 2,400 students with nothing. We never had any control over OUR loans, the school had entire control. We were all promised jobs when we graduated.

The school never had enough flight instructors or helicopters for anyone to get through the entire 18 month course with a flight instructor endorsement. I was encouraged by the staff at SSH to open up my schedule so I could fly more often and get through the program early. I ended up quiting my job with Verizon to devote myself to the task of getting through the program. I was never able to fly more than three times in a week. Then they closed their doors, I was left without school, a job and a looming 70,000 student loan without one single thing to show for it, not even a private pilots license. I have no problem paying back what I used but I can't see how I should have to pay the entire loan amount.

I have written everyone that I know to write including the Governor of Florida for some sort of help. All I got was a huge run-around and no answers. Why is there no protection for students who in good faith trust a school to fulfill their duty to provide an education and end up holding a heavy burdon with nothing to show for it.

I tried to go back to Verizon but they were in the process of downsizing in the area so there was no place for me to go back to. I went for several months applying for almost 375 jobs that I was qualified for and had only three interviews in that entire time. I ended up not getting any of the jobs that I interviewed for and had to take a very low paying job. I was finally offered a position as a commercial truck driver for a tanker company but the business is very slow and I am not making enough money to pay the bills.

My wife and I visited a bankruptcy attorney last week because we have no options left. SSH and AES are under investigation for a possible ponsy scheme. And the former owner of the School is under criminal investigation as well. Students need some sort of protection in this area. We as students should not be held responsible for the wrong doing of others.

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