Posts Tagged ‘Helicopter Pilot Training’

Washington State Gets New Helicopter School in January 2012

Thursday, December 1st, 2011

Inland Helicopters Washington R22A partnership between Big Bend Community College and Inland Helicopters of Spokane will provide opportunities for students to become helicopter pilots while earning an associates degree. The new helicopter pilot training program begins in January of 2012.

“This is another example of the type of public/private partnerships we must establish to create new programs in today’s economy,” said BBCC President Bill Bonaudi. The partnership opens a new range of careers for BBCC aviation students, including emergency medical services, power line patrol, tourism, law enforcement, fire fighting, logging, aerial photography, agriculture, border patrol, fish and wildlife counts, and news gathering.

“Students in the helicopter pilot program will be enrolled as BBCC students,” said BBCC Flight Instructor John Swedburg. Flight instruction and two helicopters will be provided by Inland Helicopters at Grant County International Airport. “Inland Helicopters will recruit for us, and they have Veteran’s Administration and federal financial aid funding options to help students,” Swedburg said. With Inland Helicopter providing the instructors and equipment, BBCC will provide instruction in ground school, meteorology, technical writing and math—the same classes taken by students enrolled in BBCC’s Commercial Pilot Program. Inland will develop some classroom instruction to “fill the gaps” pertinent to helicopters, said David Valenti of Inland Helicopters. “Aerodynamics and weight and balance are different for helicopters than for airplanes, for instance,” Valenti said.

Inland Helicopter uses Robinson R22 and R44 helicopters for primary training. The two-seat R22 gets most of the training time due to its lower operating and maintenance costs. The R44 has twice the useful load and faster cruising speed.

Students who complete the program can graduate with an Associate of Applied Science Degree and FAA certificates including Private, Instrument, Commercial, and Certified Flight Instructor. “Big Bend was very receptive and enthusiastic in working with us,” Valenti said. “Their instructors measure their flight time experience in the thousands of hours, so they know what they are doing.”

Valenti said national statistics show an improving job market for helicopter pilots. Among helicopter pilots, 25 percent are over age 61, and 22 percent are between age 51 and 61. Upcoming retirements will create a shortage, he said.

BBCC has had a commercial pilot program since 1965. The program has 27 aircraft in its fleet and is the largest and most successful pilot training program in the Pacific Northwest.

For more information contact Inland Helicopters at (509) 534-9114 or Big Bend Community College at (509) 793-2004

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Posted in Aviation Careers, Aviation Industry News, Flight Training Info, Learn to Fly, School Updates, helicopter training | No Comments »

Yavapai College / Guidance Helicopter Students Get Turbine Transition Course

Monday, November 21st, 2011
Guidance Aviation Helicopter Training Arizona

Guidance Aviation Helicopter Training Arizona

On November 17, the new R66 Turbine (Jet) Helicopter program kicks off at Guidance Aviation, Prescott Municipal airport. The start of this program is being celebrated by Guidance Aviation staff, faculty and helicopter flight students in the Yavapai College – Guidance Aviation Professional Pilot Program – Helicopters.

John Stonecipher, CEO, Guidance Aviation states, “This is an important milestone not only for Yavapai College and Guidance Aviation, but also for Prescott and the State of Arizona. This Turbine Transition Program at Guidance Aviation is the very first turbine helicopter dedicated to a collegiate program in the state of Arizona.

Additionally, this jet powered helicopter is the type of aircraft that most students will be flying in industry once they graduate and begin their careers.  The R66  helicopter’s Rolls Royce turbine power plant provides increased reserved power and improved altitude performance.

Yavapai College and Guidance Aviation are very proud to share this development with the community.”

Guidance Aviation is the first FAA Part 141 High Altitude Helicopter flight training facility in the U.S., specializing in helicopter and airplane flight training.  The Yavapai College Professional Pilot Program, Helicopters, is VA Approved, Chapter 33 benefits for veteran helicopter flight training.

Learn more about Guidance Aviation Helicopter Training

Media Contact:
G Roginson
Guidance Aviation Marketing / PR
6565 Crystal Lane
Prescott, AZ. 86305
Tel: 928-443-9370
Email:  guidancepr@gmail.com
Website: www.guidance.aero

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Posted in School Updates, Turbine transition training, helicopter jet transition training, helicopter training | No Comments »

Helicopter Flight Training: Finding the Money to Train

Sunday, July 24th, 2011
Robinson R44 Helicopter

Robinson Helicopters R44 "Raven"

If you’re looking in to flight training, specifically helicopter flight training, you are likely no stranger to seeing some pretty substantial price tags. The question is, given the current economic state, how on earth do you come up with $75,000 or $80,000 dollars to pay for a professional helicopter training program?

In the past, before the current credit crisis, it was relatively easy to secure educational loans that would cover programs like helicopter flight training. Now, unfortunately, many financial institutions have all but stopped making these loans and the flight training industry is suffering a significant drop in students. The is made all the more worse in the rotary-wing industry by the higher costs associated with helicopter operations.

It’s not all doom and gloom. While the easiest programs may have gone the way of the Dodo, there are a number of options out there. Most notably, companies like Pilot Finance, Inc., have sprung up offering flight training specific loans. Their programs allow you to pay for your training with fixed monthly payments, but train as fast as you’d like. The only drawback is these loans won’t cover the costs of an entire professional program. Other options include personal and home equity loans, if you qualify, or even credit cards. The trouble is, in the current economic climate, the average program will require a combination of these, as none is likely to cover the entire costs.

If you’ve served in the US military, you have a number of other options available to you. For example, the GI bill will cover 60 percent of your training costs for ratings beyond your private pilot certificate. While that’s nothing to scoff at, you’re still on the hook for a tidy sum. Until this year, some veterans qualified for 100 percent funding under the Post 9/11 GI bill for training taken at colleges. An effort to expand this funding to include flight schools passed, unfortunately, this bill capped that funding at $10,000 per year for flight training.

When it comes to paying for your training, there are options, its just a matter of finding the ones that will work for you. The trouble with the current economic climate is that many entry level helicopter pilot jobs are hard to find despite looming shortages. The important takeaway here is that there is money out there, and while it may not cover all of your training, every little bit helps.

For more information on helicopter training and choosing the right school, check out our Helicopter Training Resource Center or find helicopter training near you.

Source: Finding training money
This article was written by Matthew Everett, a private pilot, aviation writer, and frequent contributor to AviationSchoolsOnline.com. You can follow him on twitter @leaving_tf or find his blog at http://leavingterrafirma.com.

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Posted in Aviation Careers, Aviation Jobs, helicopter training | No Comments »

ACCSC Honors Upper Limit Aviation as “School of Distinction”

Wednesday, November 10th, 2010

Upper Limit Aviation is now an ACCSC School of Distinction.

The Accrediting Commission for Career Schools and Colleges, which accredits education programs at private colleges and career schools, recently awarded Upper Limit Aviation status as a School of Distinction for its helicopter flight training program. The ACCSC award is presented “to recognize ACCSC-accredited institutions that have demonstrated a commitment to the expectations and rigors of accreditation as well as a commitment to delivering quality educational programs” says Michael McComis, Executive Director of ACCSC. The award was presented to Upper Limit Aviation in the fall at the 2010 Professional Development Conference Awards Ceremony.

Upper Limit Aviation, based at Salt Lake International Airport in Utah, operates a helicopter flight school. They offer both Part 141 and Part 61 helicopter flight training programs for ratings from Private to Instrument Flight Instructor. They have also partnered with Salt Lake Community College to offer students the option of enrolling in an Associate of Science Degree or Commercial Certificate of Completion in the Professional Pilot program. Additionally, they offer VA approved courses allowing up to 100% GI Bill benefit coverage for eligible students. According to Lois Reid, co-founder and school director, “It is our mission to create a solid program that is unlike anything in the flight training community.”

Upper Limit Aviation currently offers 13 Federal Aviation Regulation Part 141 approved flight training courses, which allows them to train international students and reduce the number of flight hours required for U.S. students. Additionally, Upper Limit operates a Part 135 on demand Air Carrier to perform various contracts including utility work, aerial surveys, and fire suppression.

For more information on Upper Limit Aviation please see our featured school page.

For more information on helicopter training and choosing the right school, check out our Helicopter Training Resource Center or find helicopter flight training near you.

Sources: Upper Limit Aviation Receives ACCSC ‘School of Distinction’ Award
This article was written by Matthew Everett, a private pilot, aviation writer, and frequent contributor to AviationSchoolsOnline.com. You can follow him on twitter @leaving_tf or find his blog at http://leavingterrafirma.com.
Sources: Upper Limit Aviation Receives ACCSC ‘School of Distinction’ Award

http://www.helihub.com/2010/11/08/upper-limit-aviation-receives-accsc-school-of-distinction-award/

Find a GI-Bill School – Aviation Schools for U.S. Veterans
More VA info – resources for veterans – articles, videos, links, and more

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Posted in GI Bill and Flight Training, School Updates, helicopter training | 1 Comment »

FAA Grants FlightSafety Bell 407 Simulator Level 7 Qualification

Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010

FlightSafety International has been granted level 7 approval for their Bell 407 FTD.

Flight training provider FlightSafety International is now home to a level 7 Bell 407 advanced flight training device. The FAA recently granted the organization’s Bell 407 FTD Level 7 status, the highest level of flight training device issued.

Level seven FTDs replicate the cockpit, control feel, and aerodynamic handling of specific models of aircraft as well as visual elements of flight via a high level simulation program. Beyond level 7, devices progress into full motion simulators and are given a letter designation, such as the multi-million dollar level D simulators used by airlines. Simulators and flight training devices are popular for training thanks to their cost-effectiveness compared to operating actual aircraft. Even the more expensive high level devices, which may cost as much as the actual aircraft, cost pennies to operate compared to fuel, maintenance, and insurance costs required to operate the real thing. Additionally, students and instructors can benefit from the flexibility of flight training devices which enable users to jump to specific points in a flight.

FlightSafety’s Bell 407 FTD is located at their Lafayette, Louisiana Learning Center. FlightSafety plans to use the device for initial and recurrent type training as well as training VFR pilots for flight into instrument conditions. Additionally, they can simulate a number of scenarios such as those undertaken by EMS and law enforcement operators or news organizations. This capability will enable FlightSafety to train pilots for real-world uses of the popular Bell 407. Perhaps the most significant use of the device is in training for emergency situations that cannot be safely replicated in the aircraft such as engine fires or tail rotor failures. FlightSafety’s Bell 407 FTD represents one of the most realistic and comprehensive training devices  available for the aircraft.

For more information on helicopter training and choosing the right school, check out our Helicopter Training Resource Center or find helicopter flight training near you.

Sources: FlightSafety’s Bell 407 flight training device qualified to Level 7 by FAA
This article was written by Matthew Everett, a private pilot, aviation writer, and frequent contributor to AviationSchoolsOnline.com. You can follow him on twitter @leaving_tf or find his blog at http://leavingterrafirma.com.

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Posted in School Updates, helicopter training | No Comments »

New Part 141 night vision goggle program takes flight

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010
By Matthew Everett

Bristow Academy Inc. recently announced that the FAA has approved their Part 141 Night Vision Goggle training program. The program is intended to train helicopter pilots to use helmet-mounted night vision goggles during night flying. Night vision goggles are often employed by the military, but their use in civilian flying is continually expanding. Night vision goggles are now routinely used by emergency medical services and civilian law enforcement pilots.

The Bristow Academy program consists of two courses, which are designed to fully support trainees from initial training to recurrent training. The initial course is intended to teach the basics of night vision goggle flying and is backed up by the refresher course which aims to keep the pilots current.

The courses will be taught by Bristow Academy’s cohort of highly qualified instructors. Initial training is to be performed at the Titusville, Florida campus in compatible Bell 206-B3 helicopters. The academy hopes to expand the training to their fleet of Schweizer 300 CBi helicopters once approval is granted.

Bristow Academy is an accredited flight training school that is approved by the FAA and the European JAA. They are the only helicopter flight training organization outside Europe approved to offer training for the European JAA Commercial Pilot’s License.

Find helicopter training near you: http://www.aviationschoolsonline.com/helicopter-training.php

Source:
http://new.rotor.com/Publications/RotorNewssupregsup/tabid/177/newsid375/71478/Default.aspx

Matthew Everett is a private pilot, aviation writer, and frequent contributor to AviationSchoolsOnline.com. You can follow him on twitter @leaving_tf or find his blog at http://leavingterrafirma.com.

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Posted in Flight Training Info, School Updates, helicopter training | 1 Comment »

Silverhawk Aviation Academy Gets M-1 Visa Approval, Adds Location

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010
By Kyle Garrett – Aviation Schools Online

Silverhawk Aviation Academy announced today that it is now approved to offer helicopter pilot training to students using M-1 Visas and has opened a new training facility in Twin Falls, Idaho.

Silverhawk Aviation Academy

Silverhawk Aviation Academy

According to the company’s website, the Part 141 school operates eight helicopters and has been in the helicopter school business since 1998. The school typically has about 50 enrolled students at any given time.

According to Catherine Weber, Silverhawk’s owner, the school recently gained M-1 visa approval and is now actively pursuing international helicopter pilot candidates for training. M1 visas allow international students to attend training at schools in the U.S. that are not associated with a college or university for up to one year. However, immediately after graduating, M-1 visa students are required to return to their home country. In addition, unlike some other student visas, M-1 students are not allowed to work in the U.S. during training, or after attending training.

To learn more, please visit Silverhawk Aviation Academy‘s site, or request more info from Silverhawk.

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Florida Tech Announces Helicopter Pilot Degree Program

Friday, May 7th, 2010
By Kyle Garrett – AviationSchoolsOnline.com

Aspiring helicopter pilots can now earn a four-year degree and attend professional helicopter training simultaneously at Florida Tech in Melbourne, FL. The new program, a joint venture between Florida Tech and Bristow Academy, will produce commercial helicopter pilots with instrument ratings who hold degrees in aviation management.

According to Steve Cusick, the college’s helicopter program director, Post 9/11 GI-Bill veterans could be able to fund the entire program through their benefits and should contact the school for more information.

Florida Tech is only one of a handful of universities offering a four year degree combined with helicopter pilot training. Other programs include those offered by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Arizona and the University of North Dakota.

For more details, please see the full article at FloridaToday.com.

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Utah Helicopter School Earns National Accreditation

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009
By Kyle Garrett
An Upper Limit Aviation helicopter over the Great Salt Lake, Utah

An Upper Limit Aviation helicopter over the Great Salt Lake, Utah

Upper Limit Aviation, a helicopter school in Salt Lake City, Utah, has received national accreditation through the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). According to Lois Reid, owner of Upper Limit Aviation, “we received notification that we have been granted initial Accreditation by ACCSC, effective immediately! This has been a sometimes daunting process these past three years and we appreciate the hard work and effort put forth by everyone to make this possible.”

National Accreditation assures prospective students a high level of instruction, well-equipped classrooms, and state of the art equipment, and can clear the way for an institution to offer Federal Title IV Financial Assistance Programs including student loans and grants.

For more information, contact Upper Limit Aviation at AviationSchoolsOnline.com.

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