Helicopter Flight Training 101

You've known since childhood that being a Helicopter Pilot was the only thing you ever wanted to do. Dreams of landing on a deserted highway to assist in medical transport, search and rescue over snow capped mountains or lowering a basket to a stranded boater are just the beginning of missions you'll accomplish. Ok, time to wake up! There are a few things you need to know before throwing your money into flight training.

A few things to think over before you begin your journey are; first and foremost, there are no shortcuts. Secondly, it's not all glamorous. Lastly, this industry has very small circles, one mistake, if not fatal, and it's over. Sounds pretty crude doesn't it?

On the flip side, this is one of the most exciting career choices anyone can make of their passion. The helicopter industry provides numerous opportunities to fulfill your dreams and aspirations in a relatively short amount of time, while earning a respectable salary. Of course, that depends on who you talk to. Experts seem to be giving conflicting reports of job opportunities, salary ranges and requirements in nearly every sector.

These mixed signals should and do cause new potential students to ask a lot more questions than those of the past. We often saw young high school graduates delve right into the Professional Pilot Programs. Moms and Dads had no problem signing on the dotted line for tuition, housing and expenses that added up to nearly $100,000.00. With the Silver State downfall last year, once readily available flight training loans dried up and thousands were left in the dark. Time will tell if those responsible for the collapse will be held accountable, but one thing remains certain, we are seeing a more determined, better qualified student as a result.

The potential student that walks through the door today is much better educated and not in the mood for smoke and mirrors. They ask more in depth questions about the various programs, financing and job markets. Another new trend is that they are now asking for references from previous graduates to better gauge our performance as a school. The questioning from potential students gives our graduates the opportunity to openly and honestly assess where they are now, from where they came, as well as explaining their future career path.

As a flight school operator, we are exposed to every type of individual one could imagine with "the dream" on a daily basis. You pretty much know when a potential student walks in the door what segment of the industry appeals to them. If they don't tell us right up front, it's the first question we pose. Perhaps this sounds a little strange, but let me explain the philosophy behind the question.

Helicopter flight training is only the beginning of creating a safe, professional pilot. Along the path, we have a responsibility to ensure the students are exposed to a variety of segments such EMS, Law Enforcement, Petroleum, Corporate and Agriculture.

It's not only our job to train them, it our job to get them where they want to go. This also serves as a model to which we are measured by the industry. To think that any one flight school could provide specialized training in every segment is not a reality, nor practical.
But, by creating alliances and partnerships with other schools and specialized training facilities, the students are exposed a myriad of expertise and opportunities. In order to survive today's tough critic, it is imperative that schools align themselves with programs such as a local community colleges, advanced training centers and governmental agencies.

While the criteria for becoming an FAA Part 141 facility may be rigorous, the long term value in terms of winning contracts and special financing for students far outweigh the obstacles. Veteran's benefits are scheduled to increase this year as a result of the new GI Bill that was passed in 2008 and will be outlined in April 2009. Community Colleges have Title IV funding availability as well as Scholarships and grants. Most Community Colleges have an aviation program that allows students to earn an AA degree while pursuing flight training. While it may take the student nearly double the time to achieve their licenses and ratings, the availability of funding and degree may offset the delay.

The specialized training offered comes from several well formed alliances as well. From Night Vision Goggles (NVG) to 135 charter Operations such as tours and Electronic News Gathering (ENG), not only is the student better equipped upon graduation, they are considered a better value for hire, in part due to risk reduction.

We also give counsel to join the appropriate associations and subscribe to publications within their chosen segment. Often, once a student is exposed to something other than their "dream job" it's amazing how many change their thinking merely because they've experienced something new and perhaps more challenging.

Let's not forget the value of our foreign students as well. To become eligible to accept these valuable clients, schools must become SEVIS and TSA qualified. The process is quite cumbersome and time consuming, but required nonetheless if you engage in foreign student flight training.

Next on the agenda of questions is: "what other schools have you researched and how did you hear about us"? This question assures us that they have "done their homework". Anyone can have a pretty website and tout their attributes, but these young men and women are getting ready to make a huge investment of time and money. It's important that they are completely comfortable with the programs offered, as well as the staff and facility before making a commitment.

Another matter of importance is the student's schedule. Are they currently working full or part time? Do they plan on training full time, what type of schedule works for them? We can be very aggressive or as laid back as the student desires. We find that most students hold a part time job while training and can still maintain a schedule that allows them to complete the courses, Private through CFII, within 8-12 months. While we offer numerous ground school class schedules, we find that we are performing more one on one training to better suit the customers schedules.

Potential students should also inquire as to the student/instructor ratio as well as the fleet mix and size. A good measure of student/instructor ratio is normally 3.5 to 1, to assure that each student receives adequate attention and flight time. Fleet mix and size is equally important. While the Robinson products are mostly utilized in the flight school arena, others prefer the Schweitzer models to accommodate more weight.

Choosing a school that has a larger Robinson fleet may better prepare the student for and Instructor position since they are more prevalent for training.

Does the school maintain their own fleet, or does it use an outside mechanic or maintenance center? We chose to become a Robinson Service Center to better manage our fleet and control the flow of the daily schedule. By maintaining a large fleet and having 1-2 extra ships in the mix, it allows less disruption of the schedule, and affords us to better accommodate scheduled and non scheduled maintenance.

Another benefit to having an on-site Maintenance center is communication. While some discourage students from interrupting or speaking to the mechanics, our thoughts are exactly reverse. In a flight school environment, the inevitable is bound to happen sooner or later, over speeds, bird strike and the likes. The philosophy of open communication perpetuates reporting of an incident as opposed to covering it up. Hence, risk mitigation.

Location, location, location is normally reserved for the real estate market, but potential students need to consider this when on a tight budget and schedule. Year round training conditions affords the student to achieve their training is less time, which equates to less spent.

"Does the school provide student housing"? This question may also be relevant to your training experience. Most students cannot and/or will not sign a 1-2 year rental apartment lease while training. Credit and age may be a factor, some will require less that a year to train, and hence, they may have to fault on a lease. Not a good thing!

"What is the number of students the school hires as instructors each year"? This should be another among the countless questions. While we get to be very "choosy" when hiring time comes, students are constantly reminded that every day is an interview! On occasion students need to be reminded of the "interview" but they rarely need a cue if this is truly what they desire. As mentioned earlier, most schools are now seeing a different caliber student, more educated and dedicated than ever before. Gender and age also come up often during the initial inquiry. In this industry, nothing matters more than professionalism, dedication and attitude. If it's not already part of your make up, it's not for you.

In closing, these are the toughest economic times our generation has endured. In reality, we were long overdue for a "correction". Sadly, "corruption" came into the picture as well and totally reeked havoc in our industry. It's no mistake that flight school operators that were frugal and forthcoming in the good times are still standing in the lean times as well. Partnerships and alliances may be a new concept for our industry, but one well worth it for our students to succeed.

Additional comments regarding licenses/ratings/hours:

"How many hours will I have once I complete my training"?

Most Professional Pilot Programs include 200 hours and consist of five (5) licenses and rating; Private, Commercial, Instrument, Certified Flight Instructor and CFII, instrument instructor.

A word of caution regarding two important details and why;

1) Don't be led into thinking you can perform Commercial work with only a Commercial license.
2) Some flight schools require 300 hours to become an instructor

While insurance is necessary to protect your people and assets, it's also the driving force behind flight restrictions. Most Insurance carriers require a minimum of 1000 hours before a pilot is cleared for commercial work. In addition, for flight schools that carry certain types of coverage, a 300 hour minimum is required for flight instruction.

"If I'm hired by your school, how soon can I expect to reach the 1000 hour mark"?

Not all students will want to come on board with the school they trained at. Some may prefer to be closer to family, or may have a job lined up in another area. For those that are vying for an instructor position where you trained, a school that stays busy is your best bet for gaining hours rapidly. A good gauge would be 8-10 months to complete your hours. Also keep in mind that the school should be assisting you with gainful employment once you've reached the mark. Whether it is direct contact with employers, a reference letter, or a friend of a friend, it's still up to you, the student, to portray professionalism, dedication and a positive attitude.

Written By Debbie Sparks, General Manager of Palm Beach Helicopters