Choosing A Helicopter Flight School
Some important things to consider in picking a helicopter flight training school are; you must really have the desire — a fire-in-your-belly — to fly a helicopter. And most importantly which helicopter flight schools will my budget allow me to finish. Because of your personnel economics you may have to choose a school that you can afford, however this choice is a lifetime choice, be careful! Does the school have a financial aid plan — if they do, that could be your choice. If you are ex-military; do they accept the GI Bill? That is an important monetary consideration.
Also investigate the school's classroom accommodations, cost of text books, cost of flight equipment (FAA certified headphones), ground school costs, fuel (when not part of the initial school cost), license fees, aircraft rental cost (if not part of the initial package), and sometimes flight insurance. Flight insurance is often one of those hidden costs that slips by. And also ensure that safety strengths are taught — the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), located in Washington, DC. expects a very high standards of safety. In fact most of the FAA Regulations are driven by aircraft safety and passenger safety.
The helicopter flight schools you select should include flight simulators. Training in a helicopter costs too much for the average student; the simulator would certainly lower costs. Since we are in the 21st Century and on the cutting edge of technology, be certain that the helicopter flight school teaches classes on turbine driven helicopters. They fly about the same — just much faster. Most good helicopter flight schools have a turbine engine simulator.
Hopefully there will be a helicopter flight school near where you live. This cuts down expenses considerably — you have to sleep and eat. If you must flight train away from your area there are excellent helicopter flight schools in the western United States, Salt Lake City, Utah for example has some fine helicopter flight training schools with complete packages AND most accept the GI Bill.
In the United States, Albuquerque, New Mexico and Las Vegas, Nevada are also good choices for a helicopter flight training school. Las Vegas has 319 days of sunshine, excellent flying weather. In southern California, Long Beach has some well known helicopter flight schools. And not to leave out the East Coast of the United States, Nashua, New Hampshire has some great helicopter flight training schools. The Internet is loaded with helicopter flight training schools. Spend some time and search and investigate.
To be licensed in the United States you must be 16 years of age to start your helicopter flight training and you must also speak fluent English. You will be required to obtain a FAA medical certificate before you will be able to solo. This medical certificate is issued by an FAA designated medical examiner, not your family doctor. European and Asian countries have similar requirements and some very good helicopter flight schools.
