Why Choose Heli Aviation
Deciding on a flight training school is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. Not only is it a significant financial decision, but it will lay the foundations for the skills you will need to enter the industry, or to step-up within the industry. Flying requires significant discipline, coordination and commitment, however, it is an enormously satisfying challenge.
In choosing a flight school it is important to assess a wide range of aspects. Some factors may be obvious, while others may be some you never previously considered. When assessing if a flight school is right for you, consider the following:
We’re a career school.
We haven’t done our job until our graduates are successfully placed into industry as professional helicopter pilots.
Size Matters
Large flight schools do not offer the personalized touch that smaller schools do. They might run as a well oiled machine, but that is exactly what they are – a machine. Heli Aviation offers personalized training where you work one-on-one with your instructor. Our size means we offer the flexibility in timing and training to suit your needs. No group lessons, no line for flight time – what you want, when you want it! You will also have closer contact with lead flight instructors. These are industry experienced pilots, not someone who has spent their entire career at the same school.
Industry Connections
Heli Aviation is not only a flight school, but a Utility helicopter company as well. Which means we’re connected to the industry through a wide range of operations, allowing us to link students with multiple companies within the industry. Given our diverse industry connections, we have a very high success rate for students gaining jobs within the industry. Training at a stand-alone flight school reduces your future job prospects!
Industry Experience
It is important that the training you get is relevant to industry standards. Many flight schools will only train you to the minimum standard set by the FAA (PTS). Our lead instructors are also operational pilots, providing students real world training right from the Private Pilot level through to advanced courses. Our courses are designed by experienced industry professionals and constantly evolving over time to deliver a level of training well above that required to simply pass a check-ride.
Heli Aviation’s approach in providing training to higher Standards, embraces the rigorous, academic structure, coupled with academy-style training modeled after law enforcement.
Our FAA approved helicopter pilot training institution is demanding, and produces pilots who set the standard of professionalism, safety and piloting skills in the industry. The result is a graduate placement rate of 91%. Our leadership has been recognized domestically and internationally for its commitment to a higher standard in business, maintenance, safety, and stewardship of the industry.
Excessive Costs
Be aware of smart advertising and excessive costs. Most flight schools will assign costs based on “their” opinion, which is not always correct. We quote based on “FAA Minimums” so you see what it really costs to get you from “zero-to-hero”. We also provide you with statements of what past candidates graduated with, so you have an understanding of what additional costs may apply. Those hours are all dependent on your flying skills and personal learning abilities. The more you study and repeat tasks at home, the higher the chance for you graduating within FAA Minimums.
There are also lots of additional fees that other flight schools don’t mention to you. For example:
- We do NOT charge fuel surcharges. This is the first sign of hidden costs.
- We do NOT charge landing fees.
- We do NOT charge Pre-/ Postflight fees.
- We have NO Headset rental fees – Those are free of charge to our students.
- We customize our quotes to each candidate, based on their previous experience (if any), so you only pay for the training you NEED!
Heli Aviation is upfront and honest about costs. We have no hidden charges and will provide an honest assessment of what you will need, and how much it will cost. We also offer discount rates for Cash/Check payments in advance.
Aircraft Type
It is important that you train in an aircraft that is designed for flight training, and that is heavily utilized within the entry-level job market of the industry; otherwise you are wasting money. Be cautious of operators advertising scarce models (i.e Guimbal, Schweizer) claiming the helicopter type is ‘modern’, or similar to models widely used within the charter and utility industries. What this fails to consider, is that low-time beginner helicopter pilots have limited employment options initially, and will not be able to find employment if their flight experience is on aircraft not dominantly used within the entry-level job sector of the industry. Initial training should reflect experience in models that offer entry-level employment opportunities (i.e Robinson R22 & R44 models).
Heli Aviation offers a diverse fleet of Robinson, Bell and McDonald Douglas helicopters for standard courses, transition and various advanced training. Our fleet comprises of models heavily used within all sectors of the helicopter industry (entry-level employment, private sector, government and utility), ensuring that experience gained will provide the highest opportunities for employment.
Safety is our number one priority.
We understand that safety is a learned behavior and we continuously strive to improve operations, creating the safest environment for our students and employees.
Training Environment
Pilots truly are a product of their environment; so consider the training environment in which you will be flying. Heli Aviation operates out of a controlled C-Airspace, providing students the skill building structure of Controlled airspace, without the time-delaying congestion of heavily trafficked airports. Controlled airspace challenges students to develop proficiency in cockpit multi-tasking, crew resource management and proper radio communication. Our surroundings provide students with the perfect blend of Controlled and Uncontrolled air spaces, with the added benefit of year round sunshine, making it easy to accomplish training goals quickly without constant weather delays. Our tropical environment provides scenic beach views, while also instilling the skill of power management within the cockpit.
Job Placement
Flight training is an investment, and where you choose to train will affect your expected return. Heli Aviation is constantly hiring from within it’s own training students, and actively helping to place pilots with outside employment opportunities as well! The true key to initial success is gaining industry relevant experience; this means being trained to fly aircraft models used for flight training, tour operations and light-utility industry work, as these areas will be actively hiring beginner pilots.
Safety Management System
Heli Aviation’s Safety Management System is a proactive, integrated approach to safety management, and part of our overall management process to ensure safe operations. This SMS embraces the principle that the identification and management of risk increases the likelihood of safely accomplishing the missions undertaken each day. Auditing and monitoring processes ensure that Heli Aviation not only maintains compliance with all regulatory requirements, but also employs industry best practices.
The number of jobs for professionally trained U.S. pilots is greater than it has been in years.
The largest EMS operator in the U.S., Air Methods, with 315 locations and 400 aircraft, hired nearly 300 pilots in 2013 alone. Additionally in the U.S., 1970’s era helicopter pilots are retiring, adding to the overwhelming demand for professionally trained and experienced helicopter pilots.
